The New York herald., 1869-06-17
THE ADMINISTRATION.


when observations are made with the advantage OF
personal contact. TO go no further back than the
time OF the stately old sage Of Wheatland Whatever
may be said or his political course, he kept up the
dignity OF the White House, and was its constant in
mate deductng the brief intervals for imbbing the
recuperatng waters OF Bedford springs, aduteratcd
with possible mOiety OF his favOrite sold rye" II
his courage was not equal to grapple with the
causes that brought on our late unpleasant
ness, he was never afraid OF the politicians.
nor did he deny them admission when
their knock was heard at the Executive apartment
Nor yet had he any dread Of contact
with the public Regularly eacn day. at the hour OF
twelve. his single attendant party whose surname
was Andy mot JOhnsonh was instructed to admit
the crowd, and If dgnitares happened to be present
when the time arrived they had no alternative but
to encounter the common people. In those days
correspondents were as good as tho best, and they
could stand in front OF the bright wood fire and Kick
the forestick II they liked. In token OF their Impa-
tence for casual visitors to retire and give them
chance for private word.
Mr.. Lincoln never allowed unnecessary obstacles
to be thrown in the way OF visitors. HIS time ana
strength were severely taxed, but he never denied
interviews to those who sought his presence, save
when the pressure Of important duties made 1t i'm
possible for MIN to grant them. To the gentlemen
associated with the leading newspapers OF the c0un
try he was particularly kind and courteous He did
not regard the Executive Department as 80 essen
TALLY different from the Others as to require sys-
tenn OF eXclusiveness. He looked upon 1t as q
business branch OF tine government, the transac-
tions OF which were public property, to be conveyed
to the public through legitimate channels aud in
correspondents request for admission did not excite
his ire. On the contrary, 1t was his pleasure to
and converse with gentlemen whose employment
was to collect important facts and convey them to
the world in an ineligible form. In that familiar
manner which was peculiar to him he used some-
times TO say, "Well, boys, haven't thing to tell
you; but Pm glad to see you, because you always
bring me some news;' and then he would Sit and
converse with them, gaining fund OF information
upon general topics which he had neither the time
nor the strength to CLEAN from Otner sources.
With the late incumbent, A. j., there was no aim:
Guilty in obtaining interview. Indeed Andy loved
TO talk with press men when ne found them inelli-
gent and worthy OF confidence.
Each OF these administrations was distinguished
for the good or evil 1t accomplished, and their sepa
rate heads succeeded in making some friends and Of
enemies enough. They were all possessed OF at
least some elements or power nor were they destl-
tute OF chose qualities OF adhesiveness that impart
strength to political factions and efficiency to Or
ganlzed effort. They were capable OF originating
policy and OF submitting Its merits to the severe test
Whatever NAV be said OF our new administration
by the critical observers OF Its progress 1t may be
safely affirmed that it Is not so absorbed with pend
ing and vital issues as 10 disturb Its equanimity or
prevent Its participation IN pleasures and pastimes,
with extraordinary facilities for comfort and exclu-
siveness and a full measure OF ''pomp and circum-
StanCc." III Is, perhaps, almost 700 early III Jn0
history OF the present administration to undertake
an estimate OF Its stature; but inasmuch as Presl
dent Grant Is shaping course with an independ-
indicating his confidence in his Skill as q politi-
cal navigator, 1t VIII be In order to record some
facts suggestive of the encountering OF possible
breakers.
1t is apparent to experienced politicians, who ex-
press their views without reserve, that the Presi
dent lacks many OF those qualifications essential
to success and Indispensable to impart character
and stability to his administration. Ii Is not feared
that he Will ever naugurate vigorous policy Of his
own because he Is not equal 10 originating and
maintaining scheme involving the manipulation OF
the intricate machinery by which the wheels OF gov
ernment are reVoyed IL armed med ina, e Is
questions and to the solution or political problems
tnat have taxed the intelects and ingenuity OF
statesmen, ana that are likely 10 present themselves
In such forms as to exact reflection and consdera-
ton.
All his movements are consistent with his charac-
ter and habits as military man. lie acts upon his
responsibility and consuts his own preferences
and the result is that he Is enve.oped in mantle OF
exclusiveness that Is disastefu TO the politicians
whose restiveness Is beginning 10 show itself by
contrast with his complacency. Already the sum
ner policy on the Alabama question has become the
policy OF faction or the republican party. The re-
suits OF the war have been so auspic0us that they
look FOR continued success by incorporating Mr.
Summers belgerent sentiments into the creed that
s TO distinguish 1t rom other organizations. if
dilculties with England are not adjusted before the
meeting OF Congress Mr.. sumner VIII be sustained
at the next session by some OF the more powerful
radical members, upon the ground OF principle and
as matter OF expectancy. The President does not
fully coincide with Mr. sumner. MIR. Motley's IN
siructions did not make Mr.. summers speech the
presIIeut GETS rom ns Cabinet viii he favorab,e % 10
me maIntenancs of fr,endIv raations me Secre
tarv Of Wa haS b,1 dsybiInaS anoush an, tna bcna
St ~ stontonis lively eYnerience Scs,das Tbe Sec
cretarv oT The Navy is ndt n GarntinS man Win hI.
Cbr,st,an prnrinIsss he ms an aversion IN t,in,
and NOT heing mich or q nav,gator ba CON man aga
the snIns hatfer IN a calm serret,rv p~ntya a. at
work IN tho nnh,ic oehf and he haa dec,ded nre
ference for having it of TO making IL larger IN,
Secretary o state ana the Pres,oent are for inc
thing wbatevsr n NAV he hnt N does moi cnntem
nate fghtnp The Secrefarv of The InterIor has his
annoinfmenfs the noi,e savage and the onaser
agents m Iook altar lie "a for ne,ce Tbe Post
master General ia busv with decon,fatino Enfe ana
he has the ewes Of boti Delaware and MaTvIand unon
him He poes with the secrefarv of STATE and the
president Tbe President ana H,s Cahnet than n
"a safe to saw are a nnit on the neaca 1neSf,on
and Cabnets are snre 70 remh,n i1nIf nniess tbey
ore foo,ad into soving foosb th,na hv ,Sat ,,,car
dayice fnr fne NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. oc not,c,ans the sore
made ~ " fN' WV ~
If Mr. uot,ev "a an fortuna,. M to ,,o, sa,or,ant
hafora conyrcss meets Mr a,,mner,s thrndor ,v 90,
Tor nanght ,ve eha have naaca viii nrr a,n,ans ~"