The New York herald., 1873-09-08

PriVo0 secIothrloS. "A COtt8ge at inc Seasiue
costs great amount of money. These young
men were only officers on limited pay. OF
course we do them the justice to believe that
they made their money in an honorable, legiti-
mate way, by skilful pursuits of business. 1t
is not necessary for our argument to take from
the cutters any stigma of corruption. But is
it not painful evidence of the deadening of
the moral sense when officers in the
army, on duty with the President, can earn
money in business2 There are stations in
life where it is almost impossible to draw the
line between business pursuits that are
honorable and those that are dishonorable.
This is why the divine would not deal in
stocks or O lawyer interest himself in specula-
tions to which his clients were not friendly,
why army officers do not speculate in supplies
and arms. It may be hardship to accept
this self-denial, but o man who becomes q
soldier, clergyman or even lawyer must
make up his mind that life has for him higher
things than gold. Therefore, without saying
that one dollar was ever obtained by these
young officers except in honest business call
ings, we are panied to find the Presidential
mansion an Office for business pursuits. It is
one Of those positions where we are afraid it
is impossible to draw the line between honest
and dishonest requirement of money. SO Mr..
Lincoln believed. If his secretaries had been
disposed to transact business in an honorable
and legitimate manner they might have built
palaces on the seashore and lived in gilded
saloons. But different view prevailed, and
one of Mr. Lincoln's secretaries now holds a
modest place on the staff of the Supreme
Court, while the other earns his bread as
writer for New York journal.
At the risk Of being accused of discussing
small and Indifferent affairs we allude to this,
because it is a pregnant indication Of the low
ness of tone which pervades the administra-
ton of the honest, valiant and high-minded
Grant Is it possible that our Caesar is con-
tent with his figs, caring nothing for the
arena? We fear, we fear; and yet the proud,
mounting hopes with which we welcomed
Grant to his Office and sustained him there
cannot be abandoned as dreams. Are they
dreams shadows only, gone and never to re-
turn? Or, if not, why is it that, beginning at
the White House, we find the stream Of repub-
ican patronage and power even muddier and
more repulsive than the source2 At home we
have an attempt at civil service which ends
with election day and is destroyed to enable
Mr.. Conkling to transfer noisy but gallant
officer to the Surveyorship of the port.
Louisiana is brought to the brink of civil war
rather than offend a gentleman whose claim to
recognition is his connection with the Presi-
dents family Senators and ENJOYS extraor-
dinary establish mining companies and sell
their shares under the cover of our flag to
English widows and clergymen. Our COM
mission to Vienna would be disgrace to
Tammany Hall. Mr.. Bingham is sent from
the bar of that public opinion which con-
demned him as party to fraud upon the
country to represent America in Japan, while
Mr. Colfax carries into private life certificate
from the President that it is not inconsistent
with his views of probity to admit that he was
paid money as Congressman by public
contractor for government supplies.
This, to our mind, is the most painful
phase Cesarism has assumed; for, if we are
compelled to abandon Grant, what remains !?
And what must we think of these indications
of public apathy and the deadening Of the
moral sense when we see them in the White
House and in every branch of the public
service? What can we think when we see
Caesar caring more for his figs than for the
nv oto hin,
that there is SO strong q sentiment for his re-
election--a sentiment that comes from that
human motive, the self-interest of
those in power ? When Office brings wealth;
when fortunes enough for seaside display are
amassed at the very side of the President;
when men may take the bribes Of railway cor
tractors and receive honors from Grant,
amid the universal condemnation of the peo-
pie, what answer can we make? We have no
answer; nothing but hope which is faint
and lingering, that Caesar may weary of his
figs and show himself worthy of the love and
esteem which America gave him as she gave
no other man in her history since Washington.
The CABINET CRISIS AND ARMY CoMNus-
s1oNs IN SPAIN. .-Telegrams from Madrid
announce that the Cabinet crisis, which was
induced by the resignation of President
Salmeron, had not terminated yesterday
morning. The Cortes remained in continuous
session from Saturday. Senior Castelar's cleo
ton to the chief Office of administrative power
was regarded as certain. His platform Of
government was canvassed earnestly by the
public. 1t was regarded as highly probable
that Castelar, would appoint Espartero
Generalissimo of the armies of Spain; Ser
rano--who has journeyed to Madrid from
France -Commander-in-C Chief of the forces
operating against the Carlists in the North,
and General Concha Captain General of Cata-
lonia. These commissions, if made, will be
pretty much in the old style of Spanish War
Office routine. But the questions remain--Win
thev be made? Will CasteIar's Cabinet idea