National Republican., 1877-12-14

50 without o. sacriiics OF self-re-
spect But II has appeared to be the pur-
pose of the President to make his attitude
| and measures offensive to the representa-
tives of tho people in both houses Of Con-
grcss, and to assume an Individuality Of
power snd imperiousaess Of bearing toward
them which finds no parallel in the history
of former administrations. The President
took carly occasion to intimate TO tho rep
rcsentatives Of the people, as his orgnn now
reiterates in substance, that he did not
desire either their advice or interference
as to the Federal patronage. That estate
fell into his hands by virtue of his election
and Inauguration, and he proposed to man.
age and dispose Of IL according to his own
peculiar ideas and purposes After that i'm
preston had gone abroad very few Senators
or Representatives called upon him in re-
gard TO appointments, save those Of Demo-
crats, who had been encouraged by his South
ern policy TO hope that he could be
made as subseryient to their wishes and
interests in the dispensation of Federal
patronage as no had been in handing
the entire South over to their
political domination. The great majority
of the calls made upon tho Executive out
side of the Democratic party, save, perhaps
few mercenary sycophants WHO were
hunting crumbs beneath their masters
table, were those Of etiquette, very few,Re-
publicans feeling at liberty even to advse,
and much less to Dictates as to Federal ai-
pointments, .....
Whether Senator CorxLIsa called ut all
we arc not advised, neither is II mate
rial, but IL became manifest in
the carly days Of this Administra-
tion that the known friends of Senator
CoNELING in the Government were to bo
made Us much sufferers from disfayor as
they could have been under tho election
and Inauguration Of Mr.. TILDES. Under
such circumstances Senator CoNKLING
could feel no strong inducement to dance
attendance around the footstool of hostile
power. II he failed to call upon the Prcsi-
dent that failure was no doubt superin-
duced by the conviction that the Presi-
dent did not care to sec him in view
of tho temper and policy of his outsetting
administration, and on the other hand he
was not dying to see the President after he
became convinced that the Executive had
inaugurated war upon himself and his
friends in the public service.
Matters driited in this shape with n con-
slant and offensive fire upon Senator CoNK-
LIEG from the batteries of the Administra-
tion throughout the country, and especially
in his own State until the meeting of Con-
gress. Then came the tug of war
Tho President did not hesitate 10 pull
himself into hostile attitude toward
Senator CoNKLISo. He no doubt though,
that he had served the Democratic party tc
an extent in his Southern policy that would
challenge the gratitude and aid Of Demo
cratic Senators SO far, with a few Senators o
his own peculiar stripe, that he could b.
sustained in any offensive or hostile attitud,
he might assume toward Senator CoNK
LING in tho way of appointments in tn
Empire State. In view of these hope
end condolences, he became aggresiy
and offensive. He did not hesitat
to violate the principles an,
rules Of a civil service that he Processes b
hold in high respect for the purpose o
getting in an early blow upon Senate
CoSKLISe.. The attempted removal @
Gen. ARTHUR and Mr.. CORNELL from i'm
portant positions in the New, York custom
house, during an unexpired term Of servic
on the part of each, and both being tn
known friends OF Senator CoSKLING, an
officers of the highest rank under th
adopted rules of civil service, was
tender of battle from whic
the beloagurcd Senator could nc
shrink. He accepted the issue, and tn
fight ensuod. 1t ragged fiercely, and tn
President fell in the encounter-seriousl
damaged in public opinion. There WAS n
call for the removal of Gen. ARTHUR an
Mr.. CORNELL, except under desire an
purpose to wound Senator CoNKLIN0
There are no more faithful, honest, or capa
BILE officers in the service of the Govern
ment than these, and hence the conviction
irresistible that their removal was intende,
as an insult to the New York Senator
Indeed, 1t is sheer folly, in vioy
of oil the clearly-establishe facts of tn
case to attempt denial that this was
blow aimed at Senator CoNRLINa withou
provocation, which he received upon hi
shield and then turned and overthrow bi
adversary by the gigantic power of hi
ability, will, and influence among his peei
in the Senate.
There was no call for this contest.
the President had recognized the constitr
tional right of advice in appointments o
the part of the Senate-if he ha
treated the representatives of II
people in Congress with becomin
respect; If he had not espoused the feuds {
others; if he had not ruthlessly trample
under foot the honest principles Of civil Sc
vice; if he had not forgotten that the Coz
stitution of the United States does not col
fer upon him imperial or autocratic powe
this trouble would not have come, and !
would have escaped the bitter mortiacatio
of the hour. The peace of the Republics
party would never have been broken ha
; he mt and kent himself in line with N