Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1872-07-23

44C p1OiC1o q SOOQ appointments w o
bad one, other things being equal. He I'M
doubleday desires that affairs should go well,
his own welfare inclnded. Such is the
character of his personal government. We
should be doing it too much honor by call
ing it Cesarism. 1t is not inspired by any
grand, lofty and long headed ambition.
1t is
Absolutely Barren of Ideas
and originality, bare of striking achieve
lnents, void of noble sentiments and inspir-
ing example. 1t is simply dull and heavy,
stupid and stubborn IN its selfshness."
After pursuing this subject still further
and with some bitterness, the Senator spoke
Of the apathy which naturally follows pc
Rod of great excitement, and declared that
the Cincinnati Convention was the result
of
A Popular Uprising
from such apathy; that it assumed dimen-
sions far beyond the expectations of its
originators, and embraced multitudes who
were united by one impulse to unite the
whole American people in the bonds Of re-
Cancellation and fraternal feeling and to
shake off personal Government and
party despotism. Acknowledging that its
action had caused disappointment to him
self and to others who wished its declara-
tons of policy as well as it's candidates to
be such that the victory of the movement
would furnish an administration approach
ing the ideal of good Government as near
as human wisdom, integrity and earnest
efforts can carry it, he declared he had come
deliberately to the conclusion that
No Possibility Existed
to unite more fully all the forces which the
movement should have gathered under its
bal ners, and argued that the overthrow of
party aespotism is the first thing needful
TO any reform; that Mr.. Greeley would have
at bis back no regular organization, and can
win the support and favor of the people only
deserving by it. The tariff reformers should
learn from the enemies of that cause, who
instinctively find their surest and most natu-
raj bulwark in party which is controlled
by organized selfishness. Regarding civil
service reform, the Senator gave the fellow
ing
letters to and from MIR. Greeley:
st. Louis. June 18th, 1872.-DeGr Sir
In your letter of acceptance, you promis g
a thorough reform of the civil service in
general terms. The question how the
problem of civil service reform presents it.
seG to your mind is one OF great interest. l
would suggest, if it be consistent with
your views propriety, that you give me
such explanations as will put your inten-
tons in this respect il clear light.
Yours truly,
CARL SCHURZ.
Nelc York, July 8, 1S72.-My dear sir:
Yours of the 10Th uIt. only reached me
three days ago. respond as promptly as
may. The proble1a of civil service re-
form is rendered difficult by a mis- alliance
between the executive and the legislative
branches of our Federal Government.
Those members of Congress who are in &C
cord with the administration habitually
claim and are accorded virtual monopoly of
federal offices III their respective States or
districts, debating appointments and re-
moyals as interest or caprice may sugges'
The President appoints at their bidding,
and they legislate in subServiency to his
will, often in opposition to their own con-
victions. Unless all history is unmeaning,
this confusion of executive and legislative
responsibilities and functions could not fail
to distemper and corrupt politics. l hold
that the eligibility of our Presidents
to reelection is the main soufce
of this corruption. A President should be
above the hope of future favor, or the fear
of alternating powerful ambitious partisans.
He rhould be the official chief not of a
party but of the Republic. He should
dread nothing but the accusing voice of
history and the memorable Judgment of
God. He should fully realize and never
| forget that Congress in its own sphere is
| paramount and no wise amenable to his
supervision, and that the heartiest good
will to his administration is perfectly COM
patible with the most pointed dissen: from
| his inculcations on the very gravest ques-
tons in finance or political economy. 1t
| is the first step that costs. Let it be
| settled that President is not to be re-
| elected while in office and civil service Ia-
form is no longer difficult. He
will need no organs, no sub
sidized defenders. He will naturally select
his chief counsellors from among the ablest
| and wisest of his eminent fellow citizens
regardless of the shrieks OF locality, and
the suggestions of a selfish policy. He will
have no interest to concilate, no chief Of g
powerful clan to attach to his personal for.
tunes. He will be impelled to appoint, as
none will deny that he should appoint, meI
of ripe experience in business and eminen
mercantile capacity to collect, keep and
disburse the revenue, instead of dexteroU:
manipulators of primary meetings and
skillful trafflckers in delegates to nominal
ing conventions. He will thus Transform
the civil service of the country from party
machine into business establishment. No
longer an aspirant to place, the PIesi
dent will naturally aim to merit and secure
the appreciation Of the entire people, bu
especially of the eminently wise and good
As to the machinery of boards Of exam
liners, etc, whereby the details Of civi
service reform are to BE- matured and per
fected, I defer to the Judgment Of a con
gress unperverted bY HhS adnlteroQs CON
merce in legislation and appointment
which have airs ady exposed and repre-
hended. Up to this time our experienc
of the doings of boards in this direction ha
not been encouraging, and this | am COT
fident is not the fault of the gentlemen VIII
have tried to serve the public as commi:
: sioners. In so tar as they may haV
failed, the causes OF their ill-success mu!
be extnnsic. Had they been accorded
fairer field, am sure they would haI
wrought better purpose. A thinker la
observed that the spirit in which we wor
is the chief matter, and we can nevt
achieve civil reform until the interests whiC
/ demand it shall be more potent in our pull
lie counsels than those which resist eve
while seeming to favor it. That this COL
summation is not distant, l ferVent trus
Meantime, thanking you fer your earnet
! and effective labors TO this eud, l RENAL
, Yours, HORACE GREELEY
! This declaration the Senator accepted
practical reform of civil service and add
J "But the man who knows that he wa
{ not my fayorite choice as a candidate an
that nothing attaches me to his fortunes Du
j my belief in his honest desire and his gre
! ability and opportunities to do good may
} assured that IN every effort to carry.out u
} programme here laid down l, as well as Il
' many ADLER men who think as do, W
I stand faithfully and resolutely by his SIC
: with active cooperation"
| After speaking of the need of embracil
4 every opportunity 20 take any practic
step in the direction of reform, the Senate
{ then discusses at length the need OF reco,
: Citation between tie Moth and South u
t restoration of local self-government at Il
: South, and the development of the hlghe
: and nobsesi aspirations among the Southel
: people. Regarding
m