New-York tribune., 1870-01-06
COLFAX ON GRANT.
TIE VICE PRESIDENTS ESTIMATE OF THE
PRESIDENTS ADMINISTRATION.
FTnIn 7 Et Iblepthutut
l. Al-ul-I1 -

TIE vICE-PREsIDENT's ESTIMATE OF THE
PRESIDENTS ADMINISTRATION.
From The Independent
Standing on the threshold of the New Year,
with ten months OF the administration OF President
Grant before the country and the world 1t Is fitting
contrast 1t with March last whom he took the solemn
oath that invested HIM with the power conferred on him
Eoon6mp-In every branch Of the public service his
orders initiated retrenohmens which have been and are
have discOntinued clerical force in the depart
ments has been largely decreased; the army was
officers resulting from the reorganization the reg
ments have been ordered into Indian agents
thus the salaries OF equal number OF cvians
and unnecessary appropriations have not been used
Honest OoiectiOnsWith taxation diminished from last
year. the has steadily increased, abating the
discomfort which always exists when the honest tax
payer Is compelled 10 bear MS own burden anu tue
burden that should fall on the dishonest taxpayer De-
sides.
Rin0s-with this increased efficiency and vigilance on
the part OF the revenue officers the whisky ring once so
widespreading and powerful no longer exists In an or
the land And the Gold Ring, which caused such wild
excitement few months ago. felt the power OF the
ment; so that 1t has not since shown signs OF e OF
action.
The Debt-Month by month the people have witnessed
with intense satisfaction the soady reduction OF the Ma
uona Debt The monthly bulletins Of the Treasury De-
partment have been successive campaign documents IN
favor Of the Administration; and when the year ex-
pres over onewentieth OF the bonded debt VIII nave
God-Steadlly with the single exception already al
luded to- the premium on gold has decGed not by any
TO hasten the resumption OF specie payments put by inc
improved credit OF the nation reactug upon it, Already
and the selling price of our bonds points to
the Of the time when the debt can be funded at
much lower rate of interest enabling the country, in
connection with other savings TO dispense with Of
millions of dollars Of taxation
Fdrd0nS-lnstead OF the daily release OF convicted
offenders against the laws, the exercise Of Executive
Clemency has been confined within proper and healthy
restrictions alike just to the criminal and the country he
Public OGcers-Whateyer discontents there may have
To ca
array OF officers IN the President could possibly have
been guided by unerrHg inspiration, all would have
been satisfied with his choice; for If a dozen appi
cauts thoroughly qualified, but could be
leCted and eleven with ali their friends dissatisfied And
there is no Congressman who will deny that he has
sometimes mistakes in selections in his own
tct where he knows personally many OF his constu-
cns how could any President be infah6e when he
depend Tor knowledge as 10 very large proportion OF
applicants on the recommendations Of others
RecoHSr1ct'on-By the prompt and judciOus action Of
the PRESIDENT under the large authority given to him last
April in the closing hours OF the first session the
Alst Congress the work OF reconstruction draws rapid
~ iQ It's close anu before the resurrection OF Spring
gadqens our hearts, may hope to every state
lhe Union I"ily represented in the national councils
ne itG'utS lidSr the Presidents firm but humane
policy thcre nave Deen fever Indian outrages and
during any year 1863 Peace to tho frontier settle
ments is boon whose blessings and joy few can I'D
Castc-In nothing has the Administration Ibeen more
positive and outspOken than in tho advocacy Of tho
XVIII Amendment, from the day that was recommend.
ed in the Inaugural till the present hour, when its nual
ratification at hand. And before its formal
ice by appointing TO office CHER and lower
many whose and color irrespective of intel
the of official Ostraclsui. The following and
emphatic remark OF the President TO Attorney
HOar and quoted by the latter the New En-
gland dinner in New-York, Is worthy 10 be printed in
letters Of gold:
B e snd To- s1 P o eSai without p 10 go rs
our political Differences viii not be Of much acsohnt"s '
The Atq6dma CdmS-IDe bIlef but pointed allusons in
the Presidents annual message to the only grave Ques
ton Wheh me Unted states nave WIN any foreign
nation must be fresh in the memory OF all And also his
emphatic sentence:
great wholly uuatoned than under the restraint settlement
which satisfies neither their IDEAS justice their Of the
If any ampfcaton OF the ground which the nation
stands on this question was needed the mastery and un
ansWerable argument Of Secretary Fish, recently pub
lished, investing as it does with interest theme
elaboratey argued heretofore shows now faithfully the
Administration is vindcang the rights, dignity and
honor" OF the United States.
CptG.-The Presidents sympathies with "all people
stated in his message But. while thus openly express
ing them he as frankly declares that "nO matter how
unpleasant the task he has endeavOred to execute
neutrality laws III good faith On the main subject he
The people United entertain the
ta thew d throughout he previous struggle between
and the former colonies behalf Of The latter but The contest At
cal organization Of the insurgents justify recognition Of
And be adds "Our course should always be in con-
formity with strict Justice and law international and
local" which of those crticisinR HIM deny.
The President believes as ms whole message proves, IN
the Golden Rule for nations well individuals.
Whatever our sympathies may be, he holds that We
should act ward others exactly wnud have had
others act during our recent struggle Tor ma
# uuhappiy another dark cloud Of civil should
oyershadOw our land. But, while thus performing
the unpleasant task lie submits the whole mat
ter to Congress- which, representing the people,
and fresh from their midst Is certainly proper aTbtcr
on question that might eyentuatc IN war with foreign
pOweT and its possible allies and the increased debt and
taxes, diminished commerce, aud renewed blOOdshed
that might result If recognition not justified by the
international law whose nfractOn by others In
case we have publicly and empAaticaly condemned at
the bar of the civilized world Itl remarkable c0uc
dence that while the President writing tins message
Cespedes, the fTesdehl Ol "dI nope tI 70 uS fite
ton as follows:
Perhaps the Administration Of the Washington Gov
eminent delay Recognizing Until Congress s1a have met
This brief and dspassODate retrospect might be eX
tended but enough has been written 10 prove that the
Administration fully deserves the popular confidence 1t
has won. SCHUYLER COLFAN.