The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1870-02-01


whom are disguised with the Administration
because of its nepotism, its fnvortism, tho
unworthy character of many Of its agents,
and its disregard OF tie claims to cons.dcra-
ton OF distinguished members Of the party /;
while others arc indignant at its failure TO
redeem its pledges of economy, and because
of its fawning at the footstool of the british
throne, and its bnsc descrtion Of the cause cf
FREQ government on this continent. Though
the bond which has united these classes to
the party is not yet severed, Il Is seriously
weakened, and may snap ut the first severe
strain.
II IN the misfortune Of the Republicans
| that they have not at tho head Of the Al
minstration, in this extraordinary juncturc,
statesman with sense, experience, and skill
| enough to bind these loose and disintegrating
| elements TO the standard Of the party, by
striking out an attractive and inspiring
policy for the future. The CRISIS has not
precedent in our history, ard but two or
three analocics and to meet IL We have
President who is incapable of approaching
his own interests rnd indifferent to those Of
his PARTY, not statesman Of any sort, nor
even a politician, and who has not only had
very little experience in public affairs, but
whose knowledge of the trausccndontly I'M
portant subjects with which be is called to
deal is to the last degree mcagro and unin-
telligcnt.
Besides, Gen. GRANT has not even souCht
10 supply his own painfully manifest def
cicncics by calling to his counsel the aJlcst
statesmen his party can afford but, with
one or two exceptions, he has selected his
advisers from among tho commonplace par.
tlsans Of the country. HARRISON, Polk,
and PIERCE were rather inferior men,
though, in respect TO proper training for the
Presidency. vastly superior TO GRANT; but
they summoned TO their Cabinet some of the
most eminent statesmen In the ranks of their
party Looking to the promotion of the
public veal rather thnn TO the preservation
of his personal Importance, HARRISON was
not unwilling 10 be overshadowed by WEE.
sTER and CRITTESDES, nor Polk by
BUCHANAN and MARCY, nor PIERCE by
MARCY and GUTHRIE But GRANT takes
HAMILTON FISH and GEORGE NJ. RoDEsoN
In the present unprecedented crisis, when
the political horizon is curtaincd with thick
clouds, and the old charts are rolled up and
laid away, are Gen. GRANT and his Cabinet
the men TO launch the Republican ship on
an untried voyage, and steer it safely over
the UNEMPLOYED and uncertain sea OF the
future?
Turn we then 70 Congress. Its halls arc ms
replcte with talent as they are destitute Of
friends of the President. And who are the
leaders Of the Republican party in the two
Houses Mr. SUMNER dominates the Senate
Vain, concctcd, arrogant, pompous holding
the widest doctrines upon International law,
and uttering the crudcsi notions about
finance wont TO conceal meagrc ideas under
n Supplemented amplitude of rhetoric, and
smother them under masses of far.fetched
illassortcd, generally Irrelevant, anil always
useless learning --he Is the last man who
should be intrusted with the guidance of the
Republican party in IN exiVcncy ! Ike the
present. He is an incompetent pilot, except
when the gale blows strong from tho African
coast The wind no longer sits in that quar-
ter, and Mr. SUMNER will seriously damage
his reputation and Lis party unless he disap
pears from public view along with the dusky
client whom he has served so well
Mr. BUTLER, regardless of all the proprie-
ties Of time and place, has usurpcd the lead
crship Of the House. Brimming over with
brains, audacity, and ambition never in his
element except when fomcnting a quarrel
with distinguished members OF his own
party, whom he rules on the principle of
your purse or your life !" always eager to
jump into ether peoples business. as Mr.
DAWES kccnly expressed 1t aspiring TO
play the roe OF THADpEUs STEVENS in the
House with an intensely pro-slavcry record
behind him; coveting HENRY Wilson'S
seat in the Senate, with his weather eye
peering far out TO sca in search of the Presi-
dency.-Mr BUTLER,..with the helm in his
hand, is the very pilot to run the Republican
party high and dry upon the shore.
Though the signs are ominous, there is no
shipwrcck. But, with an incapable, mex.
pcricnccd, irresolute President, surrounded Y
feeble and discordant Cabinet, and relying
upon the support Of an unfriendly Congress,
its danger is extreme If the party would cs-
cape the fate which is surely impending, it
must demand an immediate reconstruction of
the Cabinet, compelling incompetcncy to- give
place TO capacity, while at tho same time de-
posing Mr.. SUMNER and Mr.. BUTLER from
positions which they are peculiarly unified
10 I'll.
Oh for n pilot 10 weather the storm