The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1872-05-20
The Wood Chopper Of Chappaqua.

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must depend upon his able peculiarities to
carry out his purpose. 1t seems somewhat I'M
likely that charges of inconsistency and in
gratitude in politics, inaccuracy in the prepara-
ton Of history, or, as Dan Voorhees, SO crush
ingly called it, ''impertinence' in bailing JEFF
Davis, can be thoroughly rebutted by splitting
rails like Lincoln, hacking trees like Washing
ton, or loafng the streets with rolls of bread
under his arm like the earlier Franklin. But
to these able peculiarities the philosophical
candidate has added SO many original ones
that his case is not altogether hopeless He
guides the plough, cultivates cabbages, carouses
on cold water slouches his hat and fells trees
for fun. One or two such peculiarities have
ere now secured the suffrages and admiration
of nations; and as the Sage of Chappaqua, with
philosophy fully equal to the situation, veni-
lates his particular peculiarities most when the
crowd is about him to applaud, it may be that
the charges of his enemies will fall to the
ground under the blow of his axe or wither in the
pungent odors of his decaying cabbages. Of oil
his peculiarities available at present, however,
commend us to his wood chopping. There is
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at express speed from the heated atmosphere Of
the city to his few acres of timber at Chappaqua,
and keeps him for hours whacking away with
his axe at his giants of the forest. There is
double purpose in every stroke Of his axe.
He quiets his own overweight nerves and he
discourages the politicians Wood chopping
serves to dispose Of that surplus energy of
invective that occasionally bubbles over in
''You lie 7! you villain" 1t is most happy
dispensation that he can vent in this way the
extra force of intellect that would otherwise
run to rage or ruin Other men, when worn
out with business, or apprehensive of encoun-
tering too inquisitive friends, seek the cooling
breezes of Newport or the dazzling company
Of Saratoga and there recreate their jaded
frames, or by the well-chosen dalliance of
polite conversation conceal the burning but
dangerous thoughts that warm their bosoms.
The forest and springs Of Chappaqua are the
summer resort and the watering place of this
sage and he finds rest for the weary and a vent
for overlooking ideos in the happy pastime
of wood chopping. 1t is as composing and
satisfactory as swearing. 1t is safety valve
that keeps him from blowing himself up,
But if he flies for pleasure to his woods and
his axe handle in the ordinary times of his
business, with how much more zest must he
seek these pleasures now, that his way of life
has become great public way and is beset by
wirepullers, ofice-seekers, putters up of polit-
ical jobs and putters on Of political heads
If his farm never paid before in pumpkins and
cabbages it pays now as refuge from his
friends. The politician who seeks him at
Chappaqua is cordially received and invited
to take hand at the axe. The proposition is
usually enough to discourage the most san
guine of the tribe. 1t is too much hard work
for office seekers. 1t has an air of honest labor
about it that won't suit your sinecurist. 1t
looks too much like really earning his money
The cold shoulder is cordially in comparison
1t is to be hoped complete reform in the
habits of ofice-seekers and political traders
may spring from the new device of the philos-
opher of Chappaqua. In no other Of his re-
forms has he SO thoroughly and literally put
the axe to the root of the tree. To those poll
ticians who may hereafter gayly HE themselves
to Chappaqua, brimful of little schemes, we
would give this homely piece Of advice:-
Don't holler till you're out of the woods
Between wood chopping and cold water
drinking the bucolic candidate has secured
himself a sure immunity when he needs it
from the advances Of troublesome politicians,
and OF the same time has to some extent hewed
his way into the good-natured regard of the
people, While the politicians do not relish
cold water as a steady beverage, nor joyfully
seek wood chopping as pastime it is quite
true that their discontinue is food for the con-
CALCULATIONS of the voters and honest workers
who can enjoy joke and appreciate temper
ance and industry, even when those virtues
are made to serve a political purpose. II, by
such judicious ventilation of his little pecu-
liarities the great wood chopper Of Chappaqua
'blazes his way to the White House with his
axe, he must in the order Of things make the
chips fly in the way of reform. He will trim
and cut and fell old systems and old doctrines
with the ruthlessness Of his forest experience
and implant new notions into his admin
istrative policy with the promiscuous liberal
ity with which he scatters pumpkin seed and
turnips among his cabbagcs. He cannot have
the woods of Chappaqua brought to the White
House, nor can he seek recreation and rumina-
ton among them SO far away from his duties
He must do his chopping nearer his place of
business, and the result will be felt by many
poor fellow with his head chopped off, The
woodsman's axe will become political guillo-
tine There must, then, be an outlet established
near the White House for the philosophers
extra energy-some saving clause for the way
ward schemes that sometimes beset his brain.
The great forests near Washington will have
to be set aside for him wherein to soothe his
agitation or to vent his rage The Alabama
claims and the Ku Klux legislation will of