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

Sterling consistency, ecame prominent as
the foremost leader of the party. His per-
sOnal following in either House embraced
the truest Republicans, and as matters pro-
crossed the weak. kneed recreants begin to
grow jealous of him simply because COM
parison of their position with his was I'M
favorable to them. The direct result was
investigation after investigation, based on
every conceivable charge, and the repeal
of laws-such as the moiety law, for eX-
ample-which the heads Of the several EX-
ecutive Departments desired should re-
main on the statute books, and the refusal
TO enact other laws recommended by those
heads. A pointed conflict between the Ex-
ecutive and certain jealous members OF his
own party ensucd which was carried TO
such an extent as to deserve characterize
ton as q conspiracy to destroy his Admins
tratior, and if possible 10 disgrace him in the
ClEb VI luG AulOAlSaL PSOpAS' Va VIZ ~
complishment of these ends committees
composed Of men inimical TO the Admins
tration were selected, 10 whom were re-
ferred those portions of his messages in
which his most earnest recommendations
were embraced. Not only this, but the
Jealous marplots, as in the Ways and Means
Committee, for instance, allowed the con-
troll of investigations to pass into the hands
of the Democrats, and permitted the most
biased and damaging reports to be made
public regarding Administration officials.
In truth, for the past three months the
policy of these mean-spirited conspirators
seems to have been not to do anything for
the promotion of the Republican party; but
to do everything for the destruction Of the
chosen leaders of that party.
We are ready to hear now in answer to
these suggestions that the Third Term bust
ness is at the bottom of the trouble. Per-
haps so; but we incline to the belief that
First Term ambition had more to do with
it. No member of either House has ever
had any intimation from President Grant
or his intimates either one way or the
other on this point; while it is plainly to be
seen that half dozen members Of both
Houses have got the Presidency on the
brain, They have got it more now than
when, just before the Philadelphia Conven-
ton, not dozen Of them could be found
who were willing TO declare themselves in
favor Of his denomination, and when more
than dozen Of them were ready to bolt
and did bolt that nomination. The truth
is the party has too. many politicians and
too few statesmen, too many schemers and
too few patriots. There are so many am
bilious men in it, long accustomed to look
forward to promotion, that the number of
we'll, disciplined followers of competent
leaders is growing smaller day by day, and
unless measures are taken to curb the con-
ceit of these selfish aspirants the party will
eventually become an aggregation Of self
appointed brigadiers without rank and-fle.
We speak thus plainly because we be-
leve that this Is the time for plain talk and
because we believe that public exposure
of the aims and objects of these selfish con-
spirators cannot be longer delayed without
jeopardizing the future success of the party.
We know the charges herein made are
serious, and that the people may be 10th to
believe that legislation to protect the lives
of American citizens in the South and else
where has been defeated for the purpose of
advancing the selfish interests of politicians;
but we believe no truthful or unpreiudiced
man will deny what we have said On the
contrary, all that we have written will be
accepted as selfevident truth-truth that
points directly to the moral of the situation
and suggests remedy of its own. That
remedy is to be found in a more cautious
and conscientious policy in the future-a
policy free from personal motives, and a
policy of devoted patriotism. When the
people understand these things, as we in
tend they shall, they will see to it that the
remedy is vigorously applied.