National Republican., 1877-10-03
THURL0W WEED.

-
faithful and very discriminating student OF
public affairs, and his convictions and con-
illusions are at this period Of his life so di-
vested of all sel6shness and ambition, and
nre reached with 80 much deliberation that
they are valuable for study and often for
adoption. In company with the entire Re-
publican party of New York Mr.. W. became
deeply interested in the campaign that re-
suited in the election of President HAYES,
and though in retiracy from public life he
threw upon the canvass oil the inspiration
that warm heart laden with strong
desire for victory could give forth. Wise in
council and skilled in the arts of political
warfare, his quiet influence was felt and APP
prcciated while the battle ragged before the
ballot-box.
Since the election Of Gen. HAYES became
"fxed fact through the Electoral Com
mission, Mr.. WEED, acSng in concert with
q large class of Republicans in the State Of
New York, has desired and aimed to yield
hearty support to his administration.
Such aim and DESIRE however, have not
been INDUCED without difficulty and en-
barmssment. The Presidents Southern pol
icy, in the view of great majority of the
Republicans of that State,was clouded with
serious apprehension that the life of the
Republican party in the South was to be
the forfeit of its adoption. The Republicans
were honest and sincere in the indulgence
Of these fears and they regarded the pros
pect more in grief than in anger. In all
this the venerable TuURLow WEED was an
active and earnest sympathizer. The South
ern policy, however, became fixed fact,
end the people must either acquiesce or re-
bel. They were not fully prepared for
either; and oil this point they assumed an
attitude of mastery inactivity" and have
been watching and waiting ever since, to
see If their fears are to he realized, or the
wisdom and justice of the policy is to be
vindicated. During the six months that
have interviewed since the President entered
upon his duties there has been no opportu-
nifty to test the temper of the Southern peo-
pie and their good faith to the principles OF
the amendments to the Constitution, which
guarantee to all citizens in all the States
the rights of thought, opinion, free speech
and suffrage. In view OF this, the people
seem to have suspended judgment, and, like
MICAwBER, are waiting for something to
turn up.
But we are drifting from the original in
tent of this article, and will return to
The position occupied by Mr.. WEED at this
Iuncture Of public affairs, as defined by
himself in n recent letter to the New York
Tribune. He says:
In the nomination and election Of Gov HAYES
6r the Presidency heartily reIOiced. | believed
hat with the aid and support Of Republicans
throughout the Union he would render good SER
vice to the country. still believe he is earnestly
mdeayoring to do 80: and, while am not sure that
ais methods are such as will realize his expecta.
lions, am willing to wait until they are fairly
rsted.
saw in tho Presidential Southern policy an cn.
arged. patriotic and coniding desire and belief
hat prosperity and fraternity could be restored.
That belief far as the prosperity of the South Is
concerned, seems to have been well founded How
lar fraternity" will be- restored remains to be seen.
greatly fear that all the concessions will be re-
,uired and made from and by one side IT, how.
ever, material prosperity should he accomplished,
Ne can afford TO see political differences work out
Eeir solutions us formerly
In referring to the civil service rules of
President HAYES, Mr.. WEED speaks with
more decision than upon the Southern
question. He complains of certain abuses
which have existed in New York city,
where, as he insists the Federal Office
holders have for several years exercised
supreme control in primary meetings. This
H. =
the appointing power to Senators and Rep
rcsentatives in Congress. Insomuch, he
says, "rcforms" were imperatively de-
mauded, and, he adds, "such reforms could
have been effectually accomplished by the
President and his Cabinet in manner so
quiet that in the language of the late
President LINCOLN, nobody would have
been hurt"
Mr.. WEED goes further than this in char
acterizing the civil service policy of Presi-
dent HAYES. He says objections to it are
as "plenty rs blackberries.r They re-
lated to it when attempted by Gen. GRANT,
and he predicted failure, which was soon
realized.
Now he says he has "a single objection to
this policy and that is that the Presidents
practice will confound his proverb' Presi-
dent HAYES, like President GRANT, will
disregard the Civil Service rule. Indeed
lie has already done so in at least two i'm
portant appointments"
again" he says, 'the Cabinet announced
its determination, three weeks ago, to re-
move Collector ARTHUR Surveyor SHARPE
and Naval Officer CORNELL. And here the
Civil Service Reform policy comes to the
front. This offers the most favorable op-
portunity to signalize that policy. The
experienced and capable deputies Of Mcssrs
ARTHUR, SHARPE and CORNELL, who have
s'rved so long, so usefully and crcditahly
to the Government and to themselves. will,
upon the Civil Service Reform principles,
BE- promoted"
We have quoted somewhat literally from
the views Of Mr.. WEED on the two pron-
nrnt questions relating to the present Ad-
ministration, which are vexing the popular
mind for the reason that they nre nresrntr1