The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1876-07-11

NED tomorrow morning, must DC HANDED Ol this
rendso before SIR o'clock.
The Astounding Doctrine of Mr.. Hayes
He Is in Favor ofHaving the United
States Governed by a Permanent
Aristocracy Of OHiceholders.
RUTHERFORD d. HAYES has written let
her accepting the nomination Of the Re-
publican Convention to the Office Of Presi-
dent OF the United States.
Mr.. HAYES is represented by his friends
md conceded by his opponents TO be an
honest man. We therefore receive this
letter as the avowal Of his real sentiments
ON the subject OF government; and We
are not little surprised to find them di-
rectly at variance with the republican
and democratic ideas on which the Gov
srnment of the United States was founded.
"The old rule, the true rule" says Mr.
HAYES, " that honesty, capacity, and fidel-
ty constitute the only real qualifications
for office, and that there is no other claim,
gave place to the idea that party services
we're 10 be chiefly considered" Thus, ao-
eording to Mr.. HAYES, Honesty, capacity,
and fidelity constitute "a claim" to ONCE.
This he declares to be 1.-The true rule"
Now, the whole theory Of free, repub-
hcan government is included in this prop
,sition. We hold that all ofi1oes are es-
ablished and maintained solely and ex-
blusively for the public convenience and
HE public advantage, and never, in any
iegree, for the benefit Of the persons hold
ing them. These persons are to be fairly
paid for their labor, that 10 all; and there
b no such thing in free country as pub
DC office existing for the sake Of the officer
No one. therefore, has any claim" to be
, public officer. Claim. as here used,
means right. A person elected TO offioe
has a right to it, unless he forfeits 1t, for
The term for which he is elected; while a
person appointed, aud removable at plea
sure, may be turned out at any time.
The doctrine Of Mr.. HAYES is that the
Dflcer should be secure in his tenure as
long as his personal character remains uu-
iarnished and the performance Of his
duties is satisfactory" That means, prac-
hcally, for life. There is hardly any real
difference between term for good be-
havior aud for life; for If king, who
holds even by hereditary right. departs
widely from good behavior, revolution
steps in and puts an end to his tenure.
What Here we have bold proposition
that the eighty thousand oficeholders of
the United States shall be converted into "a
permanent aristocracy, holding their
places for life! How long would 1t be be-
fore this tenure for life would be convert
cd into hereditary right
1t Is TO our apprehension a plain propo-
sition TO overthrow the Government of the
People and to substitute for il Govern
ment Of Established Oficeholders. Mr..
HAYES is undoubtedly honest; but we be-
hevo the sentiment OF his letter Of accept
ance will be deemed as odious by the peo-
pie of the United States AS any ever ex-
pressed by LOUIS NAPOLEON in France.
LOUIS NAPOLEON was at first in favor OF
IN empire for life, and then of making il
hereditary.
Our forefathers. the founders Of our
Government. entertained sentiments di-
rectly the opposite Of those espoused by
Mr.. HAYES. When it was proposed to
make the Offices OF Senator and President
Offices for life, the plan was rejected
They limited the duration Of the office of
Representative in Congress to two years
that Of President to four; and that of
benator to six. There is no law prohibit
ing the continuous reelection of any Of
these; but custom has limited the Presi-
dent 10 two terms, and Mr.. HAYES has re-
rently had an opportunity to see with
what dlsfaVor the idea OF electing an in-
sumbent to a third term was received.
Indeed, after distinctly pledging himself,
II elected, to conduct the administration
OF the Government upon the principle OF
keeping public officers in office during
good behavior-which means for life-and
30 employ all constitutional powers vested
In the Executive to that end, he goes on in
che very next paragraph of his letter 10
announce his inflexible purpose, II
elected. not to be q candidate for election
soaseeond terml" One would suppose that
. mole could see far enough to perceive the
inconsistency between advocating that
81 Other offices should be held for life,