Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1877-10-31
Senator Morton and the President.

The indianapolis Journal of a recent date
contains statement of Senator Nlo~ton's
views touching the duty of Republican
members of Congress in relation to the
Southern and civil service policies of Presi-
dent Hayes. The generous and friendly
spirit which animates the distinguished SEN
ator will deepen the almost universal regret
that he is providentially kept from his seat
in Congress, where his noble example and
commanding influence are so greatly needed.
He says "While there are few Republi-
cans who can give full and hearty indorse-
ment to every act and declaration made by
the President which go to make up what are
known as his Southern and civil service
policies, yet we have seen nothing, taken
either separately or collectively to justify
the Republicans in distrusting either his
patriotism or Republicanism. There seems
to be feeling on the part of those who dis
approve of certain acts of the President that
they are better Republicans and more faith
full to the principles of the party than he.
Such assumption does injustice to the Presi-
dent. lie is an original Republican, and has
been tested for twenty years as a soldier and
civilian, and has never wavered or been found
wanting in his devotion to the great funda-
mental doctrines of the Republican party"
1t is further stated that the President is in
the best position to judge of his own duties !;
that his paramount duty is to the country,
and if he were to place simple party success
above public interest he would render him
self hateful to every rght-minded man and
infamous in history. Besides this the day
for the discussion of the right or wrong of
the Southern policy is past. "The same
policy" it is said, "might have been in
au9urated at any time since the close of the
war had the people of these states come for
ward with III honest purpose and proffered
the same pledges. As long as these pledges
are kept and peace maintained, the policy
should be supported, and to that end we
should sustain the President in the efforts
ne is making for peace and Cancellation.
When these states fail to maintain the law
and protect the equal rights of all classes
we shall expect the peace policy to be aban-
doned by the administration and a force
policy inaugurated."
In regard to the Presidents civil service
order the fact is frankly conceded that he
was elected to that high Office on a platform
which pledged him to civil service REFORM
and the kind of a reform which he did inau-
gurate is then spoken of as follows: 4" In
consultation with his cabinet he laid down
three leading rules-frst, that he would not
remove any faithful, competent officer with
out some cause, and would not retain an in.
competent or dishonest officer for any cause ;
second, that while he would freely advise
with Senators and Members of Congress,
their recommendations should not be imper-
alive, and in no case lead him to violate the
first and fundamental rule third that any
one assuming TO perform the duties of a pub
lie office, and receiving its reward, should
give to it his individual attention. Who can
object to one of these rules Are thew not
'ound and for the public good? They may
work occasional hardships-al general rules
10; but some rules must be laid down and
rigdly adhered to. The Pres
dent should seek such information from all
sources and judge for himself, with all the
light he can obtain, as to the fitness of the
applicant. The Republicans in Congress
should not embarrass the administration by
any factious opposition to the measures in
augurated or the appointments made and
should seek to promote the harmony of the
party in which none are more interested
than the President and his cabinet, and to
secure which they have only to remain stead
fast Republicans