National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1875-03-04

gress was willing TO give such aid in the
formation of commission as would initiate
the undertaking. After as fair trial as
could be made within the limits of Con-
gressional action, and under the auspices of
q board, OF which the editor of Hdrper'S
Weekly was conspicuous and honored
member, it was found, the President says,
"impracticable to maintain them without
"the direct and positive support of Con-
"gress." In seeking further reasons for
its failure we may find an honest difference
of opinion existing between the legislative
and executive departments which prevented
Congress from needing the request for
further legislation. 1t may be that Repub.
lican statesmen declined 10 render such aid
because Of doubts as to the propriety Of the
measure itself For under a republican
form Of government some people might be
jealous Of the creation Of privileged order,
which would not only be an innovation,
but would be opposed to that popular
maxim, ITO the victors belong the spoils, )"
which are, also, the peculiar heritage Of
Congressman, because, for q century,
through every change Of administration,
the people, by their representatives, have
named the incumbents OF office. Whether
the measure has been deemed one Of doubt
full expediency, or that 1t seemed to trench
on the rights ofthe people, it plainly lacked
Congressional sympathy as well as the
popular will to make it law.
These being facts, how is it "the Presi-
dent had in his second term an oppor-
" tunity of administrative reform which
would have made his civil career only
less illustrious than his military services,
when 'this Congress is the same which
last year contemptuously refused its aid?'
And, Furthermore, if he has been consistent
in his own acts, as shown, how can he be
held responsible for the non-fulfllment Of
the duties Of others over whom he has no
control, when Congress and the people had
not seen fit to accept the views of Mr.. Cur.
tbs, and obstinately declined, and still de-
cline, to get on behind and ride his hobby?
If, then, plain people desire to see an end
TO this journalistic supervision, may they
not say so, and reasonably ask TO be shown
the warrant authorizing the abuse heaped
on the Government II will not, GER
tainly, be found in the pages Of the Weekly,
which at the outbreak OF the rebellion used
both pen and pencil to deride Dir. Lincoln.
Nor has the editor recently revealed that
"kind of perception and resolution which
"can alone accomplish results, for he re.
signed his place long ago in the civil SER
vice commission, instead Of holding up the
arm of the Executive he denounces for not
carrying out its rules in the face Of "hos.
tile Congress" No longer ago than May
0 Harper'S Weekly announced the veto Of
the currency bill in the words following;
"The Presidents veto Of the imitation bill is
the most important event Of his administra-
ton. 1t saves the national honor, 1t redeems
the pledge of the great popular majority
which elected him, 1t renews the hope Of the
Republican party, and It restores the old re-
gard of the country for the citizen whom 1t
had so gladly honored for his great service in
the field"
And now, when the air is thick with
portents of revolution, and there are mil.
lions of thoughtful men and women OBJ
servant Of these signs who turn to this man
of iron will with an instinct begot of con-
fdence in his history, that so long as he
fills the Executive chair there will not be
renewal of the Shareholders rebellion in
any guise, we do not perceive misgivings
on the part of the Weekly in regard to
what the President will do in the future.
This lack of apprehension is an involuntary
tribute of respect TO the man whose heart
is known to beat in unison with the wants
of the people, not leading, but guided by
them.