Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1873-04-11
SOME vsRr lid o.uR.Ns.


We have been somewhat persistent, II
not obstinate, believers in President Grant.
Last simmer we protested, most earnestly,
against Mr.. Summers unjust attacks upon
our Chief Magistrate. At the time OF the
recent Inauguration we reaffirmed our falth
in the renewed administration of tho ma
tionsl affairs, and we now deeply regret the
clouds that seem TO suddenly darken the
prospect which then appeared so bright. In
several important respects the President
has disappointed us bitterly.
The first shock given TO our confidence
came from an official act which preceded
the second Inauguration few hours, In
signing the bill which not only doubled his
own income for the future, but contained n
shameful division Of more than a million
and BALI of dollars among greedy and
inscriptions Congressman, as their back
pay, the President betrayed deplorable
lack of unselnsh patriotism, as well as in
difference TO the moral aspects of an inn
portant precedent. Then came an unwel-
come repetition of defiant purpose 10 APP
point unworthy men, including at least one
relative to public offices, course which
we were verdant enough to suppose had
been classed among confessed and regret
ted mistakes OF the past to be corrected in
the future. Soon afterwards followed the
Communication of the sentence of vile MUIR
derer in painful contrast with the far
sighted wisdom and heroic firmness of
Gov. Dix, who plucked new honor instead
of novel shame, from similar opportuni-
ty. Other unpromising conduct was not
lacking, but there has been nothing else so
startlingly ominous as the resignation Of
George William Curtis on account of dis
regard of the Civil Service rules on the
part of the administration. IF this report
Is confirmed, as we fear it will be, hun
dreds of thousands of intelligent and dis
interested Republicans will anticipate the
future of their party with ALTERING faith
and increasing dread.
At timo when it was quite uncertain
into what currents public sentiment might
be turned, and there was growing dis
trust of the management of political af-
fairs among thoughtful persons, Mr.. Cur
tis's loyalty to President Grant was tow
or of strength to the administration. Ma
ny of the persons most cordially welcomed
at the White House and Long Branch did
not possess regulations that inspired the
country with any surplus confidence. Their
aims and tastes were not sufficiently ele-
waited to make us congratulate ourselves
upon all the associations of our chief ruler.
But Mr.. Curtis was high minded, stainless,
truly patriotic, and representative of one
of the most vital reforms demanded by the
national welfare. In public and in private
he avowed his faith in the Presidents de-
sire that the Civil Service abuses should be
corrected, and his statements carried i'm
mense weight and influence. Upon sever
alton, the President gave pledges which
were understood to verify Mr.. Curtis's af-
firmations. Yet now we are told that Mr..
Curtis, who is not a crotchety and imprac-
ticable person, but as patient and flexible
as any man of principle can be reasonably
expected to be, has become so disheartened
and disguised that he retres from hope
less contest with selfish partisans, leaving
the administration apparently in their con-
troll, and at their mercy.
We still Cherish q faint hope that oui
present depression may be overcome by 9
fuller acquaintance with the essential facts
Of the situation. and, in that event, We
shall be prompl and hearty in our ack nowl.
edgemnt of error; but just now it seem.
as if our sanguine no }es are not at all like.
ly to be realized In any event it becomes
the interest and the duty of true friends o
the President to bid him beware of doubt
full associate Ms, and Of policy of question
able patriotism He is sure of another
term of four years, during which he will
obtain twice as much moley for his ser
vices as Washington and L ncoln received
Tor theirs; but it is not merely the possess
ion of an exalted Office, or getting enriched
from the public treasury, which can wiz
the abiding love of his countrymen, anC
make his name one of increasing glory
He must leave the government in better
condition than that in which he found it
He must not give up to party what wa!
meant for the people. If he permits hi
administration to be swayed by designing
men, whether bold or crafty, who sneer a
economy, and look upon offices as "spoils,
he will do so at his peril. There are enough
earnest citizens to make formidable bod
who are determined to have their country
we'll governed. If this great end can be
accomplished without impairing the pres
tige OF the Republican party, there neet
not be any collision; but If the party get
in the way of imperatively- reforms
and abandons itself to low leadership, ant
breaks its most solemn pledges of i'm
provement, the sooner it is destroyed tn,
better. Whatever may have been the pas
services Of any organization, the momen
1t is transformed into a stumbling block IL
the pathway of desirable progress it cease
to be blessing, and becomes curse. Thei
let the Republican party array itself anew
against corruption, extravaganza, incom
potency, aud other phases of demoraliza
ton, or Its day of doom is at band. Chris
tian Register.