Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1877-11-02

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The following editorial of the lndianapoli
Journal is said to express Senator Morton
views on the duty of the Republican mem
bers of Congress. An Indianapolis despatch
says 1t was read to him and received hi
hearty approval as embracing his ideas
While there are few Republicans who car
give full and hearty endorsement to every
act and declaration made by the President
which go to make up what are known a
his Southern and Civil Service policies, YET
we have seen nothing taken either separate
| ly or collectively, to Justify the Republicans
in distrusting either his patriotism or his
republcansm There seems to be a feeling
on the part of those who disapproye of GER
tain acts of the President that they arc
better Republicans and more faithful to the
principles of the party than he. Such an
| assumption does injustice to the President.
lie is an original Republican and has been
tested for 20 years as a soldier and civilian,
and has never wavered or been found want
ing in his devotion TO the great fundamental
doctrines of the Republican party. lie was
elected as Republican, and it is impossible
for him with the present organization of the
parties, even il we should desire, to be other
than Republican President, not in an often
sive partisan sense, but in his devotion to
the principles and his desire for the perpe-
tuity of the Republican party. Until it is
demonstrated that ne has not this devotion
and this desire, the Republicans in Congress
should not break with him on mere ques-
tions of policy.
President Hayes has most difficult role,
and instead of receiving the uniriendly crit
icisms and attacks of his party friends, he
should have their support and he given their
best and truest advice The President 5
paramount duty is to the country, and if he
were to place simple party success above
public interest, he would render himself
ha a'eful to every rlght-minded man and
infamous in history. We do not suppose
that single one Of the Republicans who
differ with him on questions of policy would
ask the President IN plain terms to assume
such a position, and yet they do this in
effect when they denounce his policy because
of the damaging effect it may have upon the
party without reference to its probable effect
upon the higher interests of the country.
The President is in the best possible position
for knowing what ought to be done. He is
acting under a solemn oath. lie is more
largely responsible than any other living
man for the consequences of his act9, and
having decided upon a certain course as
essential to the public welfare, that course
should not be obstructed by his party friends,
unless it is in plain conflict with the princi-
pies of Republicanism. He is certainly not
in his position of President the mere creation
Of Congress, and should not be the mere tool
of party.
The day for discussion has passed as to the
right or wrong Of the Southern policy of the
Administration. We might not have gone
to the same extent in placing the South upon
its honor and good behavior. We might,
after what has transpired in past years, have
required some protection or exacted some
bord to keep tho peace, but President Hayes
has seen proper to accept the assurance of
the people of the South that they will main
tain the law and protect the equal rights of
all classes, and, if they keep faith with the
Administration, his Southern policy cannot
fail. The same policy might have been in
augurated at any time since the close Of the |
war, had the people of these States come
forward with an honest purpose and profered |
the same pledges. As long as these pledges
are kept and peace maintained, the policy |
should be supported, and, to that end, we |
would sustain the President in the efforts he |
is making for peace and conciliation. 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 n force |
policy inaugurated.
The President was elected under pledge |
of civil service reform. The pledge was
made by his party and was fully approved
and endorsed by him. The votes of the peo-
pie had been procured for him upon his SOL |
emn promise, made in the Cincinnati plat |
form, and in his letter OF acceptance, that he |
would inaugurate the reforms demanded. lie |
took comprehensive survey of the whole |
subject. The English system of civil service,
which is substantially promotion in Office,
much as We promote in our army and navy, |
could not be safely adopted until he had oh
tained sound starting basis and sifted the |
at hand In consultation with his |
Cabinet, he laid down three leading rules |
First, that he would not remove any faithful, |
competent officer without some cause, and |
would not retain an incOmpeten. or dishOn- |
EST one for any cause; second, that, while |
be would freely advise with Senators and |
members of Congress, their recommenda- |
Iions should not be imperative, and in no
wise lead him to violate the first and funda- |
mental rule third, that any one assuming
to perform the duties of a public office and |
its reward, should give to it his |
attention.
Who can object to one of these rules Are |
hey not sound. and for the public good
They may work occasional harjships, as all |
general rules do, but some rules must be laid |
iown and rigidly adhered to. The details
or the execution of these rules must neces
'arily be left largely to the departments.
The executors may, and we doubt not have
irlfted into some prOscriptive measures
which they will have to abandon. The de-
ails may not have been applied practically
Il IL not likely that the Administration can
control the action Of civil officers connected
with the detail work of their party,
lor do We believe there il necessity
or any attempt to do so. Liberty
If thought and action should not he
abridged because man happens to be in
'fhce. When a civil officer performs faith
ully and honestly the duties imposed by his
'fice, this is all that should be required,
'nu al 'iia' can oe required, anu an attempt
o uic'a'e "nat political WORK an Cihcer may
,eriorm for his party must of right and ne
'essity fail. This will he discovered by the
resident about as quickly as it will by Con
,ress, and it is a matter of minor import
Ince, upon which it is childish to make an
ssue. Congressional patronage may have
Deen abused we nave no DOUBT II has been-
II . u" 'na' ,iie iiesiIeh' Vi iH
,tticc in the sevorsI S,a,es or ,Lat ,hov
ho,lt k,a,, 60 '.s, -, - " -
~ en-, pnS So1u man ioi '"'. VI
as, ne olIea a., " VIC iiiieu' anu We hho" o' no
a'cr q au'isefS III reference 10 such appiican's
nan tue Senators and members OF Congress
VINO represent the people OF the localities
wherein the duties of such officers are TO be
discharged. lfany Senator or other public
,orir, hin, onJ sooL;r,, ,,.a,;a, -, -
,ther sources and in fact he sbould seek