Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1877-03-09

| Never, before, wo believe, within the
history of this country, has any president
assembled to his high Office with his self
poise more carefully maintained or with
his self-rcspect moro absolutely unimpalr-
cd, than has President Hayes. Through
out the whole Of an unusually bitter and
| hard-lought campaign he maintained
dignllied silence aud pontlcnanly reserve
which won the respect even Of his oppo-
nents in the weeks and months of sus-
ponse and doubt which followed the day Of
the election he exhibited the most perfect
| self. composure and rofruinCd from any
| COMPROMISING word or action, and up TO
the hour when the electoral count was
completed and the result was announced
he was guiltess of any attempt to sway
public opinion or influence the final YER
dict in his behalf.
His inaugural address, as delivered from
the steps of the Capitol, on Monday, is a
document so admirable in temper and so
simple and definite in tone and substance
as to leave no room for even a suggestion
| of improvement. There is no aiming at
effect or applause, there are no sudden
| promises, there is no indication Of any
special acts to he performed in following
out a general line Of policy, but a lofty
spirit aud high resolve brealhes through
the whoe and, best of all, the address
solemnly relllirms the principles laid down
in its authors letter of acceptance, and
shows that be has allowed none of the is
sues which have been brought into the
campaign to draw him away from his ideal
of what a patriotic and high-toned admin
istration should aim to be and to accom-
plish in the present condition of the coun-
try. Foremost in President Hayes's mind
is the Southern question, and a genuine
and lasting specification is the worthy
end he has in view. To accomplish this he
would unite both races in harmonious eff
forts for the common good aud make their
interests mutual and equal. He would
give the South "honest and efficient local
self-government," with a basis Of renewed
material development and of an improved
moral and intellectual condition of the
people, His policy on this leading ques-
ton is lifted high above all partisanship
and animosity; it has its foundation in
generosity and justice, and the President
realizes that his plan can only hope to sue
coed through patience, tact and firmness.
On the next question, that Of cvil.ser-
vice reform, the inaugural rises to the high
est possible ground, and the whole coun-
try will acknowledge with gratitude the
scope and bearing of the new Presidents
definition and declaration on this point
On the currency question Mr.. Hayes's
views have evidently undergone no back
ward change. He believes in hard money
and early resumption, and imitation and
financial dishonesty will have no sympa-
thy from him. He pays the retiring Pres
ident deserved compliment on one of the
most brilliant and admirable features OF
his administration, and his remarks on the
decision of the presidential dispute by the
Electoral Commission, show that he has a
just and delicate appreciation of the cir
, cumstauces to which he owes his legal title
to his position, while he refers with admir-
able tact to the fact that, "for the present,
, opinion will widely vary as TO the wisdom
of the several conclusions announced by
that tribunal
To the country this inaugural address
| gives renewed assurance that high-toned,
, pure minded, clean-handed man has been
, elevated TO the chief-mag istracy of the ma
ton. AT the outset his name and reputa-
ton stands as an exponent of what is pur-
est and best in the spirit of our American
institutions. He comes to the presidency
! | in the fun vigor of strong and well bal
anced character untrammelled by bad as
t sociahons and unembarrasseu by promises
t to any person or faction. The people look
; to see him call 10 his aid and support the
| best elements TO be found in our body pol
, itic, and his cabinet selections so far as an
= nounced, or understood 10 have been made
give evidence that on this point the public
= expectation is not TO be disappointed. 1t
! | would by no means be a calamity if in
I pursuing the pacific and conservative
Y Southern policy which he has marked out,
5 and in carrying out that determined effort
to reform the civil service, which is TO be a
leading feature of his administration, he
e should ALLEVIATE certain element of the
Republican party which has heretofore
= stood high in official favor, and should win
to his standard the best element of the OPP
: | position. We look, in fact, with confidence
Y | and pleasure TO see such a result brought
1 about In pursuing his task President
/ Hayes will inevitably meet with desperate
! | opposition from a certain class in his own
party; he will be subjected TO vilifica
ton and abuse from his political oppo-
! nents; his work will be slow and diff
: cult one; no great reform can he suddenly
r accomplished, aud even to his friends his
I methods may often seem wrong and un
D.. wise; but until he has at least been thor
5 oughly tried, and fairly found wanting, hC
g should have a manly and unqualified sup
; port. The country believes in the new pres
= ident's integrity of purpose, in his devotion
i TO the cause of true reform, in his ability tC
t lead and 10 govern. 1t looks to see an al
. ministration which shall restore public con.
e fidence, elevate and purify the tone of ma
/ tional morality, and lift itself above all
/ suspicion of low intrigue and doubtful af-
v Citations. If the people are ready for their
v palt in the great work we have implicit
:. confidence to beive that their high expec
= tations will be met and fully realized.
:
President Grants Administration.
u