The New York herald., 1876-07-14
ment-A Hint to tho Republican
Party.

|
Party.
There seems to be no intelligent reason
for the dismissal of Mr. Jewell from the
Post Office Department Mr.. Jewell himself
says that it was because he was not friend
or adviser of Governor Shepherd, which we
suspect to be only one reason in many. Mr..
Jewell came into the Cabinet with a good
reputation. He had been a merchant, had
amassed large fortune, and on retiring from
business gave his time to politics, as became
good citizen. He had been elected Gov
ernor of Connecticut, was candidate for
the Senate and afterward Minister to Rus
sa. In all these stations he bore himself so
the Cabinet it was felt that the appointment
was meritorious one, from party rs well
as from national point of view. Connecti-
cut showed her appreciation of Mr.. JEWELS
services by presenting him to the republi-
cans as candidate for the Presidency.
Jewell in the Cabinet was not an appoint
ment like that of Robson or Belknap-a
personal choice of the President-but a
deserved honor to party leader. In addi-
ton to his party claims Mr. Jewell happened
to be on intimate social terms with the
President. He was member of the fire.
side Cabinet OF cronies and friends which
has had so much influence with Grant en-
bracing Mr.. Childs, of Philadelphia; Bishop
Simpson, Mr.. Borie, ex-Collector Murphy
and others Therefore MIR. JEWELS appoint
ment was doubly fitting, pleasing to the
President and to the party Moreover, he
was an amiable, yielding gentleman; true to
the party, not enough of reformer to be
| factious, and just the man to be on good
terms all around and help the administra-
ton. To see him, therefore, kicked down
stairs by the President who had honored
him, and the friend who had rejoiced in his
society, is one of those problems which may
| well excite our wonder.
! Laying aside any question of personal diff
ferences between Mr.. Jewell and the Presi-
dent there is another thought. What right
has the President to summarily dismiss
from his Cabinet any member, and especially
gentleman of the standing of Mr.. Jewell? !?
Are we to understand that this is possible in
republican government? If Mrs Jewell,
like General Belknap, had been robbing the
poor soldiers on the Plains, the President
might have accepted his resignation with
regret" But no one supposes anything of
| the kind If MIR. Jewell had been in SYM
pathy with the opposition, if his opinions
had undergone change and he was no
longer n republican, we can understand why
the President for party reasons would have
removed him. But no one stands higher in
the confidence and the respect of the party.
A President is permitted wide latitude in
| the nomination of his Cabinet officers but
there is a limit, Something is due to party,
to public opinion, and to the self-respect of
men in public life. Thus, when during the
administration of Mr. Lincoln strong feel
ing arose against Senator Cameron as Secre-
tary of Wor, Mr.. Lincoln sent him on a
foreign mission, signifying that, while he
| deferred to political reasons, he had still
confidence in the patriotism of his Minister.
But in Mr.. JEWELS case we see only the
wanton removal Of high officer to satisfy
an unexplained whim of the President.
The more we study the act the more we see
| in il the worst features of Cnsarism. We
question if there is a ruler on the globe who
would treat distinguished Cabinet Minister
as. General Grant has treated Mr.. Jewell.
Without an explanation or warning, without
even a suggestion as to his motives, without
! deigning to give the country his reasons, he
dismisses from his Cabinet gentleman who
was deemed worthy by Connecticut to be
Governor and President More than all, the
Senate submits to this and passively con-
firms Mr.. Tyner without even asking the
President why he removed Mr.. Jewell.
Mr. Jewell made mistake in resgning
| his office. and this mistake will shield the
President from technical criticism. We can
understand how an honorable man would
| hasten to leave the Office he was no longer
desired to hold, even if it were in the Cabi-
net, but Mr.. Jewell must now see in his
cooler moments that he was precipitatc As
we understand the story he called on the
President and was grimly received. Then
he was told his resignation would be ac-
cepted. Without asking the reason he wrote
out his resignation. OF course that ended
the matter and the President may answer
any criticism by showing the letter which
Mr.. Jewell wrote. What Mr.. Jewell should
| have said was this:-'.Mr President, came
here to oblige you. / resigned high mis-
sion, and journeyed thousands of miles in
obedience to your summons. / did not come
here as an unknown ndventurer. without
even State reputation, like my brother
Robeson and my ex-brother Belknap. l was
not struck by lightning. as it were. came
with an honorable name, with party ap-
proval, and brought to your Cabinet dignity
and strength. am here, not as your staff
officer, but as leader in your party. II you
wish me to leave, well and good but you