The Osceola times., 1876-10-28

! is thus left free to imagine what h'
pleases, and, of course, omRe ignotana, etc
| In such matter as this it is best per
| haps to try to see ourselves as we woulC
| see others, and as Others must see us. Al
| practical men, priding Ourselves on oul
| capacity for self-government, what would
we Americans say if we saw, for instance
the liberal party of England on defeat
| of the Disraeli minister'and dissolution
of parliament, select as their candidates
for PREMIER not Gladstone, not Foster
not any well known or experienced
| leader, but some unknown, untried lorC
lieutenant of Canada, who hid been {
colonel in the Sepoy insurrectiois and ,
silent member during one short parlia
| mcnt? In the days of Washington anc
Jefferson and Madison we should hav,
smiled, not without just pride, and re
marked that republicans though We
were, we at least did not make farce o
our government. Yet this is exactly
what was done by the republican party
in the case of Governor Hayes. OF that
gentleman all that is known is from hi'
credit; he seems to have been gallant
and meritorious officer during the war
faithful though uninhuential member
OF congress after its close; and more re.
Gently a respectable, though not brilliant
governor of OhiQ. 'since his nomination
the verdict OF those most intimately ac-
quainted with him has been decidedly in
his favor, and they have joined in warmly
recommending him for the presidency.
All this, however, i'll supplies the place
of public service. To fill the ipresiden-
tial chair with success man must have
great deal more than those good pur-
poses, fair talents, and high character
which serve to make him locally respec-
table. lie must have judgment, ,iirmnPss,
insight, and, above all, experience in a
much more than ordinary degree and
that he has these is only shown by trial.
Even the most enthusiastic supporters of
Mr. Hayes can hardly, as yet, claim that
his election would be anything more
than political experiment. 1t is diff.
cult, therefore, to see why Governor
Hayes does not fall within that class of
candidates who were so well pictured in
the address adopted by the Filth Avenue
hotel conference, as candidates whom in
dependent voters could not support (;
men "who, however, tavorably Judged
by their nearest friends, are not publicly
known to possess those qualities of mind
and character which the stern task of
genuine reform requires for the Ameri-
can people can not afford to risk the
future OF the republic in experiments on
merely supposed virture or rumored
ability TO be trusted on the strength OF
private recommendations.
TRIED MEN AND TRUE.
The democrats, on the other hand,
whatever may be thought of the men,
unquestionably have put in nomination
candidates both of whom were among
their most prominent party leaders
men with whom and whose record the
whole country was thoroughly familiar.
That on certain essential issues, and
especially that of the currency, these
two leaders were at variance, is indis-
putable, but this merely proved that
they were party leaders, and all who
considered such variance good ground
for refusing to support the ticket had
full notice of the fact and could shape
their course accordingly. Good or bad,
the candidates were tired men, and the
whole country knew how TO measure
them; the appeal was to facts, not to
fancy; to the record, not the imagination.
And this is the only sound practice. In
so far, therefore, the democratic party
has in this campaign approached much
more nearly than its opponents TO cor
rect usage its record may be bad other
wise, but it has at least nominated the
most distinguished reiormers it its ranks.
A thorough and correct appreciation
of circumstances and an accurate ad-
iustment of means to end is generally
looked upon as first essential TO human
success. Don QuiXote performed, per-
haps. a very gallant feat of arms when he
ran tilt with the windmill but he
came out of the tournament badly
damaged none the less. 1t is surely to
be supposed that Governor Hayes appre-
ciates the fact that, ifhe is elected prcsi.
dent of the United States, his power as
such will be limited, and his administra'
ton can be saved from lamentable and
utte, failure only through the hearty
aud united support OF some organized
party. No president in this country can
carry on an administration to suit him
self on sentimental or guerrilla or Ishmae'
lite principles He has got to have a
party behind him, or fall Not only
this. Common sense, as well rs political
usage and party courtesy, always dictates
to the president elect who are TO be his
confidential advisers and whom he car
look to for effective support. These are
in the first place, his unsuccessful com
pettors in the nominating convention
and, in the second place, those who
brought about this nomination and sub
seauent election. Not only does thii
usage exist in our political system, bu'
il is a sound one. Through it alone cal
responsible, in place of personal, admin
istration be secured. President Grant
looking upon his cabinet as a sort o
civil staff, ignored the usage, picking III
his heads of departments as he met mel
he fancied in the cals, at dinner tables
or in the club-rooms; and the result be
came known as "Grantism.' Lincoli
always recognized it, and it saved hi
administration. In the early days Of tin
republic no president thought of dis
regarding it. In the case of Governo
Hayes, who are the advisers thus desig
mated to him in advance? His chic
competitor in the convention was Nj
Blaine; his rivals who secured his nomin
alton over Secretary Bristow were Messfs
Morton and Conkling. Senator Sher
man, from Ohio, first named him promi
nently asa candidate; Secretary Camera
manipulated the Pennsylvania delega
ton in his favor at the decisive moment