The daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1873-1877, 1876-07-14
Friday. July Il, 1875.
From the ". Y. World.
Hayes's Letter of Acceptance.


of acceptance has at last appeared, The
most obvious criticism on it IS that it has
been carefully constructed by the party
managers for political effect, and that
there is not one hearty, outspoken word
in it from beginning to end. The candi-
date, naturally, we believe, plain,
straight forward sort imam, moves among
his themes like juggler dancing among
eggs. Perhaps be deserves some credit
for not slipping, to the damage of his
white garments, upon the rottenness
through which he has picked his steps.
The letter opens with a not unskilfu
disquisition upon civil-service reform
which may serve two purposes. 1t will
secure the enthusiastic support of Grants
Office. holders by promising to leave them
undisturbed in their places, and it may
tickle that large class of respectable peo-
pie who not only believe that civilser-
vice system in which merit shall win 20.
sition and fidelity hold it, independently of
politics, is desirable, but are simple
enough to put faith in the pledge of the
Republican party to introduce such a
system. When the Roman religion was
dying wise men wondered how the Roman
augers could look each other 10 the face
without laughing. We have no doubt,
however, that Carl Schurz and George
William Curtis could meet each other to.
day in the presence of a select company OF
decent dupes and, after reading Cover
nor Hayes's fine protestations about ar
pointing the best men to Office, regardless
of party, and making the tenure of Office
depend upon their honesty and ability,
call upon each other without so much as
winking an eye-lash, to admire the good
ness of God in giving them such candi-
datel Governor Hayes had no trouble in
performing this particular trick, and he
is the more dangerous as decelyer from
the fact that he seems to have himself
some faith in all the false promises that he
utters. We call them false" because
he cannot keep one of them. This busl-
ness Of civil-service reform was first intro
duced into politics by President Grant in
his second annual message. dated Deem
Der 6, 1870. President Grant said:
ALWAYS favoring practical reforms, respect
fully call your attention TO one abuse Of long
standing, which would like to see remedicd by
this congress- 1t reform in the civil service OF
the country. | would have ii to go beyond the
mere fixing OF the tenure Of clerks aud employees
who do not require the advice and consent of the
senate to make their appointments complete, |
would have II govern not the tenure but the
duty which 40 much embarrasses the executive ana
heads OF departments rs that OF appointments, nor
Is there any such arduous and thankless labor
imposed upon our senators and representatives as
that OF finding places for constituents, The present
system does not secure the best men, and often not
even fit men for public place"
Here is the germ alike of the fifth reso-
luton of the Cincinnati platform and OF
Governor Hayes's platitudes about it.
Furthermore, when President Grant first
said this, it was not as Hayes now re-
peats it, in a manifesto to catch votes, but
in a business communication to congress,
and very possibly Grant than really meant
it. What was the result? Year after
year Grant renewed his professions. The
party even embodied bis theory in the
platform of 1872, and went so far as to
make show of taking action to translate
it into facts. But as everybody knows,
after all their fine work they gave us the
r0ttenest civil service that has ever dis
graced the annals Of this Uaion. Re-
Numbering what Grant has done, we may
easily see what Hayes is likely to do.
On the topic OF Il return TO specie pay
mcnts Governor Hayes is equally protuse
OF equally hollow professions. He is care
full, however, to avoid any declaration OF
his approval Of the resumption act, as that
he knows would cost him the state of Ohio
ln this respect, too, he has copied Presi
dent Grant closely, although he has
scarcely gone so far as his great original
President Grant was the first Republican
who ever began 20 talk about a return to
gold basis. Throughout his admipistra
ton he has talked beautifully on the sub
iect, even while by such acts as the stuf
fling OF the supreme court TO reverse
Chief.Justicc Chase legal-tender decision
he was effectually pJstponing the fulfil
mcnt Of the nations promises. 10 his frs
annual message, December 6, 1869, b.
made profession of his hard money faith
and he has repeated it every year since
Let the reader compare his utterances witt
those OF his disciple:
among the evils growing out Of the rebellion
aud not yet referred TO. is nm irredecmabc papC
currency II i al evil which hope will receiy
your most earnest attention. It is duty and on
of the highest duties of government 70 secure
the citizen medium OF exchange OF unyaryln
value. This implies return 10 u specie basis, an
no substitute for II can be devised. IL should b
commenced now, and reuChcd AZ the ear Hest pOss
hle moment consistent with fair regard to the In
terests OF the debtor class. = | eainestl
recommend 10 you, then, such legislation rs wi
insure Lradual return TO specie payments and pl
an immediatestop 20 the fluctuations in the vau
of the currency
Thus spoke Grant eight years ago, an
Hayes feebly echoes him to-day Tn
people will say to him: Your master
words have been proved mockery. no,
'can we trust a parrot like your Il
carry this servile imitation of his predC
cessor still further, Governor Hayes take
up with transparent cunning the scho(
question, an issue first brought into on
politics by President Grant, and thong
perfectly well aware, as President Gran
to do him justice, was not aware, that tn
subject of education is state matter, call,
with mock emphasis, for constitutional
legislation against sectarian schools, whic
is like calling for constitutional legisli
ton against music in the public parks {
New York on Sunday. Compare the ut
terances of the Cincinnati candidate o
this theme also with the opinions of tn
man whom he follows so closely in u
things. President Grant, in his messag
Of December S, 1875, said Che was biddin
then for third term as Hayes is Low fc
hrst)
"As primary step, therefore, to our adyauc
meut In all that has marked our progress ia n
past century, suggest for your most earnest COZ
sideratiou, and most earnestly recommend. that
constitutional amendment be submitted to the le
islaturrs Of the several states for ratification makir
u Tue NNtJ VI tdSl W rNNtI W 'NthDilf
and forever maintain free public schools adCuua
10 he education Of all the children Ia the rudlmc
tary branches Within their respective limits witho
regard 10 sex, color, or birthplace or rchgiO
furpdding the teaching said schools ufrClig ioI
aesthetic OF pagan tCnets, and prohibit NJ the gran
ing Of any school funds or school taxes or any ia
thereof, 10y Legislative municipal or other author ri
for the benefit or In aid, directly or indirectly,
any religious sect or denomination, or In aid or 4
the bent III Of any other object Of any nature XII
whatsoever"
This same ominous imitation reappear
in Governor ilayess discussion of tn
southern question:. He actually parodi,
Grants celebrated phrase, Let us hay
peace, and copies the sentiments of h
first inaugural address. The man who h
since overturned aud set I'M state poYrrl