The Hartford herald. [volume] (Hartford, Ky.) 1875-1926, 1876-06-21
The Remedy is with the People.
From Scribner's for May.l

discovery that there was corruption of
the lowest character in the high places
of the government. This corruption
has come from cause which we have
pointed out again and again, and faith
/ fully protested against, viz, the plac-
ing of low-tOned men in Office. 1t is
the natural and legitimate result of the
rule Of politicians as contra-distin-
guished from that of statesmen. Gen
eral Grant was elected to the Presiden-
cy in the interest of political party
because he was q soldier, and not be-
cause he was a statesman. The men
he has gathered around him are natur-
ally, in the main, like him. No man
wishes to be the nominal head of
Government of which, intellectually
and morally, he is the tail. We have
no right to expect President to be
wiser in his own policy than the con-
stituency that placed him in power, or
to be actuated by higher motive.
And as if Schenck, and BabcOck, and
Belknap were not enough, we have
been still further disgraced by a Senate
that willingly listened to the voice of
notorious demagogues, and insulted
one of the purest names ever presented
for its approval. 1t really seems as if
the powers at Washington were trying
to see how deeply they can humiliate
the nation, and how contemplate and
detestable they can make it in the eyes
of the world.
With a Government in disgrace,
with commerce paralyzed and industry
starving, what do we find in Congress
to give us hope and courage2 Moth
ing; literally nothing. We see the
representatives of two great political
parties pitted against each other, gov
erned by no high principle, and only
bent upon Outwitting each other with
reference to the next Presidential cleo
ton. Not a motion or a speech is
made that is not canvassed mainly with
reference to the party capital. The
currency, the tariff, the Southern diff
cultes-even the corruptiOns of the
Government itself-are treated as par
ty questions.
There is some comfort in the thought
that we have arrived at a point where
intelligent people can see that they
have not been governing themselves
at all-that, instead, they are under
the rule of politicians. This is we'll !;
and if we do not now have a change,
it will be the fault of the people them
selves. We look around and see the
traps that are preparing for us. There
is not candidate named in connection
with the Presidential Office by either of
the two great parties, that has not
been named through the direct or in
direct agency of the candidate him
self. There has been no waiting for
invitatiOns-no modest reliance upon
personal excellence or popular choice.
The names of the self-constituted cam
didates are printed upon banners and
Haunted in our faces. 1t IS perfectly
well known what gentlemen are after
General Grants place, and the politi-
clans are canvassing their prospects
rather than their claims and their quail
ifications. The matter is grand game
General Grants place, and the politi-
clans are canvassing their prospects
rather than their claims and their quail
ifcation. The matter is a grand game
of intrigue, low cunning, bold engin-
eering, Diplomacy.
Now, ifany man has observed the
influence of the head man of a cOrpo-
ration. he will understand and appre-
ciate what we are about to say in re-
gard to the influence of President, in
moulding to himself the men around
him. As is the president of rail
road, so Is every officer and employee,
by rule. The loose or the sound NOR
ais begin at the top, and run down
through the whole. As is the editor
in-chief of a great newspaper, so are
the subordinates. Men who stand at
the head of great organization or great
interests, bring around them naturally
men of their own kind, who take their
own kind, who take their cue in ac-
ton, and,their tone in character and
motive, from them. Like master, like
man--an old prOverb, based upon old
and mature observation. Now, it is
Just as impossible to have a heightened
Administration with low-tOned Pres
dent, as it is to have a heightened
household with a loafer at its head