The democrat. [volume] (Weston, W. Va.) 1868-1874, 1872-08-05
Hon. Horace Greeley.
Mn. oREELRY's RRpIY.


NV YoRK, July s, 1872.
Ny DEAR SIN: Yours Of the 20 ult
only reached me three days ago. re-
spond us promptly ns Imay. Ipass over
the allusion to my political associates,
barely remarklng that nm imputntion 30
vague can never be specifically repelled.
Charity Is virtue rarely exemphiied IN
politics and most men live md die in the
undoubting conviction that their political
opponents are the greatest scounlrels
unhung. I trust that my Rge and your
experience have lifted us above such
preludices, enabling us 10 realize that
tue many sincerely desire the greatest
public good, even when most mistaken
IN their choice Of means, l know who
my friends Hre better tlnn my traducers
10, and fear'no scrutiny rs to the integ-
rity or patriotism Of any to whom | give
my confidence. And, should any such
seek TO Swerye me from the path Of rec.
titude, they would cease to be regarded
by me rs my friends.
The problem Of ciyil-seryice reform Is
rendered diflicult by misallance between
the Executive and legislative branches OF
our Federal Government. Those members
Of Congress who favor the Administration
habitually claim and are accorded virtual
monopoly OF the Federal offices in their
respective States or districts, debating ap.
pOintments and removals as interest or
caprice may suggest. The President ap.
points at their bidding; they legislate In
snbseryieucy to his will, often in opposi-
tion to their own convictions. Unless all
history Is uDmeaning, this confusion OF
Executive with legislative responsibilities
and functions could not fail to distemper
and corrupt the body polite. l hold the
eligibility Of our Presidents to reelection
Is the main source Of this corruption. A
President should be above tile hope OF fu-
ture favor, the fear Of alternating powerful,
ambitious partisans. He should he the
official chief, not Of q party, but Of the re.
public. He should dread nothing but the
accusing voice of history and the inexora-
bic judgment OF God. He should fully
realize and never forget that Congress in
its own sphere Is paramount and nowise
amenable to his supervision, and TINT the
heartiest good will to his Administration
lS perfectly compatible with the most
pointed dissent from his inculcations on
the very grayest questions in finance or
political economy.
at Is the first step that costs" Let It
be settled that a President js not to be re.
elected while In office and Civil.serSice
reform Is no longer difficult. He will
need no organs, no subsidized defenders.
He will naturally select his chief COUNSEL
lors from among the wisest of his eminent
fellow citizens, regardless alike of the
It shrieks Of locality and the suggestions
of selfish policy. He will have no in
terest to oonciliate, no chief Of a powerful
clan to attach to his personal fortunes. He
will be impelled to appoint, as none will
deny that he should appoint, men Of ripe
experience In business and eminent mer.
camille capacity to collect, keep and dis.
burse the revenue, instead Of deIterorS
manlpulators of primary meetings aud
skillfnl tratiickers In delegates to noinin.
ating conventions. No lsnger an nspirant
to place, the President will naturally aim
to merit aud secure the appreciation of
the entire people, but especially Of the
eminently wise AID good. As to tue
machinery Of boards Of examiners, &c.,
whereby the details of civil.service re.
form are to be matured and perfected, |
defer to the judgment Of Congress unpre.
yerted by the adulterous commerce In
legislation and appointments, which |
have already exposed and reprehended.
Up TO this time our experience OF the do.
ings Of boards in this direction has not
been encouraging; and this, am conf
dent, Is not the fault Of the gentlemen
who have tried TO serve the public rs
Commissioners. In so far as they may
have failed, the cause Of their III success
must be extrinsio. Had they been 40.
corded fairer field, am sure they would
have wrought better purpose. Athink.
er has observed that the spirit in which
we work Is the chief matter; and we can
achieve clvil.service reform until the In
terests which demand shall be more potent
In our public counsels than those which
resist even while seeming to favor II.
That this cOnsummation Is not distant, |
feryently trust; meantime thanking you
for your earnest and effective labOrs to
this end, ] remain yours,
HoRAoE GREELEY,