The New York herald., 1877-12-24
Mr.. Evarts ut the New England
Dinner.


Secretary of State entertained his listeners
during the first half of his speech. 1t was
clever and humorous, and by somewhat
overstating the claims of New England IT.
threw light shade Of playful and not un-
deserved ridicule on the bumptiousness OF
that interesting section Of our common
country. 1t is only the latter and more
serious half Of Mr. Evarts' speech that we
choose to consider in this place. The feature
of this dinner which distinguishes it
from others of the same kind is
the attendance Of President Hayes and
that member of his Cabinet who is first in
position and most eminent for ability and
eloquence. In this interesting conjuncture
the public strains its attention to catch
,even the faintest intimations Of the temper
in which the administration bears its recent
defeat and of its immediate purposes in
relation to pending questions. The Presi-
dent himself. with BETTING sense of deco
rum, merely acknowledged the courtesy
of the New England Society in the fewest
words which would suffice for that purpose.
This reticence was more prudent and praise
worthy from the TACT that the audience was
prepossessed in his favor. and disposed to
honor not merely his person and Office, but
his policy. Had the meeting been held in
Boston he might not have been quite
so reticent, but in New York, where there
exists in his own party vigorous and, just
now, exultant opposition to his policy, it
was wise for him to abstain from political
discussion and to seem unconscious OF
party differences.
Secretary Evarts was not bound by such
strict etiquette. Speaking in his own home
at festival where he was rather one OF the
entertainers than guest, he INDUCED him
self in more freedom He, indeed, carefully
observed the proprieties imposed upon him
by his official relation to the President,
but he managed to say great deal without
being at all obtrusive. It is easy to gather
from various things which he let fall that
the administration has no idea of retreating.
This can no doubt be truly said 50 long
place in the Cabinet. His self-respect
would compel him to retire If the President
should abandon policy adopted by his
advice. 1t may be safely assumed that
there will be no change of policy so long as
he retains his place. 1t being the chief
aim of the republican opposition to force
reorganization Of the Cabinet there will be
no signs Of wavering on the part Of the
President, unless he should be brought to
the point Of replacing his official advisers.
Mr.. Evarts, at least, will not change; if he
sinks. it will be with his colors flying. He
is more free than the President. He can
resign when he is not suited; Mr.. Hayes
cannot. Of course we do not dispute that
the constitution permits n President to re-
tire before the close of his term; but no
President has ever done so, and it is not
likely that President in good health ever
will; but Cabinet changes are among the
commonest incidents in our politics. SO
long us President Hayes does not make up
his mind to dispense with the three OBJ
noxioIs members of his Cabinet there is
needed no declaration to convince the
country that he has not changed his policy
His republican opponents may shout VIC
tory until their lungs are sore, but they
know well enough they have won no real
victory SO long as Mr.. Hayes does not sur
render his Cabinet.
What Mr.. Evarts says by implication
respecting Mexico will be generally re-
garded as satisfactory. His views on this
subject were so brief that we insert
them -
H. then, We look at this nation In ITS relations to
the rest OF the world these iew oucasts OF fortune,
cast upon the New England shore III December
night the beglpnngs aud the foundations Of the
nation-ths nation II Is not too much 10 sny this
and confess ITS jusice-so mucn 30 that IN the pres
ervation OF the peace OF tho world this nation has
the readi o. and the safest part that ever
ini desires to quarrel with IT, and nobody that
rs pow.rIess IS II possible for US TO quarrel with.
(Appiausc.) THUS. all our duties all abors, dan
gers and difficulties arc within our own borders.
This is explicit enough, although Mexico
is not named. We are not, he says, going
to quarrel with weak Power. ''All our
duties, labors, dangers and difficulties ere
within our own borders" This is all that
needed to be said and we have no doubt
that it is sincerely meant Whatever Mr..
Evarts may have thought or intended in
May last II is very clear what he thinks and
intends now. We are to have no war with
Mexico nor any serious tronble with
that weak neighbor. This assurance is not
only opportune as allaying the apprehen-
sions OF the country, but as spiking the guns
OF Senator Conkiine's committee. II the
| appointment of that committee was intended
as lever to lift Mr.. Eyarts out of his
place it will fail in that part of its
object il all our difficult questions are do
mestic and none OF them foreign. The
President, having appointed him to super
intend our foreign relations will probably
shown that he has mismanaged his depart
ment But Mr.. Evarts would probably re-
sign ii the President should change his
domestic policy, because, although it does
s.aa4siaI daa.a,.t,....x,4