The Hawaiian gazette., 1873-01-08

President GRAST's GREAT OPPoKruxrrr.-
1t Is the hope Of the friends Of the Union that
President Grant viii take to heart the lessons of
the last six months, and cause the second term
OF his administration to stand out in striking
contrast with the first He knows well that the
utmost his friends have said for him has been
that be entered upon the Office a simple soldier,
IMMERSED in the government of nations His
errors, they urge, were errors Of Ignorance The
very openness OF his iudiscretious prove the sim
plicity and innocence of his motives. The de-
Tense thus put forward vas just, and has been
accepted by the American people; but it is suE-
6ciently clear that it is q defense which can not
be advanced twice. Whatever may have been
General Grants want of experience four years
ago, be ought TO have been taught by the ex-
perieuce these four years have brought him, and
most sharply by the lessons of the campaign
which closes to-day. Henceforward we look for
something that shall efaee the memory of the
past. The President has great opportunity.
He enters upon second term of Office, and no
President has ever known a third. General
Grant can not hope to be the exception to the
rule, and he will, therefore, be free from the
temptation to use the powers and privileges of
his Office for any other purpose than the
good of bis fellow citizens. If he has the desire,
his power was great. The demand for Civil
Service Reform has grown and has strength in
the midst of the American people, but it is still
too feeble to make its way through Congress
h .g L. . i L
unless the President throws his weight in the
scale in its favor If he is bent on making 1t q
reality, be can make it. What is wanted is that
men shall not be chosen for posts in the Civil
Service who are not qualified to discharge their
duties, and that when men thus qualified have
been selected, they shall not be disturbed merely
that the President may have patronage at his
disposal. If President Grant follows in the next
four years the evil principle that have too long
ruled at Washington; if, that is to say, he
seizes every opportunity Of place-flhng, and d.
vides his patronage with friends, Senators, and
Representatives, friends, Senators, aud Repre-
resentatives will combine to keep, untrammeled,
powers the exercise OF which is profitable to
them. 1t will be impossible to carry any Civil
Service Reform Bill through Congress as long as
the members of Congress forming the majority
receive periodically gifts to distribute. If, on
the other hand, the President sets his face
against this creeping corruption, if he consents
to the appointment of none but qualified persons,
and refuses to displace a civil servant who is
well and faithfully serving the State, the itching
of Congressman for patronage will be weakened
and Civil Service Reform will become posi-
bility. The thing will in fact be done, as far as
it can be done by the action of President and
the power of the people IRON without, acting
upon Congress, will become strong enough TO
force the Legislature to give the sanction and
permaneDce of law to the Presidents practice.
This is the opportunity OF General Grant. We
hope that four years hAn"c aeu win be able >
look back and give thanks that it has been turled
to proft.-LoHdon TINES, Noe. 5.