The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1877-02-24
Eli Perkins Visits HAYES.

We print elsewhere an account of the
| first meeting between Gov. r. Il. HAYES Of
Ohio and the Hon. ELL PERKINS Of this city.
| The Hon. ELI PERKINS interrupted n sue
cessful and lucrative lccturing tour in or
der that he might visit Columbus. convey to
Gov HAYES the assurance of his distin-
guishcd consideration, and receive from
Gov. HAYES like assurance in return. The
interview was an important one and the
letter which describes IL derives additional
value from the fact that II comes from the
veracious pen of the Hon. ELI PERKINS him
self
Mr.. PERKINS very properly declines to
communicate the matters of confidential
nature which passed between Coy. HAYES
and himself. 1t would not hc i'm good taste.
When the Fraudulent President elect turned
his blue eyes upon the Hon. ELI PERKINS
with an inquring and conilding look. Il :
much as TO say, " | may rely upon your dis
erection, ELI2" he saw in the veraciuus orbs
of his visitor something that assured him
that whatever secrets Of future policy he
might impart would never be betrayed.
Yet, satisfactory and encouraging as the
interview Dust have been to Gov. HAYES, we
cannot reprcss fear that he imposed upon
the Hon ELI PERKINS. We have sometimes
thought that this distinguished person
lacked penetration, at least to that eminent
degree which characterizes his verncity In
other words we fear that the peculiar con-
stitution Of Mr. PERKINss mind renders him
incapable Of Il just estimate Of Gov. HAYES.
We are willing to accept his testimony as to
the high vest the Byron collar, or the
war brown on the face; but when he assures
US that the Fraudulent President elect en-
joys perfect mental tranquility and clear
conscience, or describes him as n man "sym-
pathetic as a child. but firm az the rocks of
Gibraltar when justice tells him the time
has come to say yes or no. We are reluctant
Is compelled to admit that the Hon. ELI
PERKINS. himself n.islcd, is unintontionally
misleading others.
No man, we firmly believe, who knows that
he is about to profit by fraud and perjury
can enjoy either mental or moral tranQuilli-
ty. What would be the condition of Mr.. PER-
KINss mind and conscience, for example. If
he knew, and knew that others knew. that he
derived pccuniary returns from n system of
shameless and persistent mcndacty? Would
he be able to 20 about his lccturing with the
and blessing What. then, must be the state
Of his friend HAYES mind and conscience
when he knows that he is about to occupy a
position stolen for his benefit from its right
full owner bya gang Of conspirators for whom
no crime was too Infamous and no trick too
foull
Neither is Mr.. PERKINS accurate in de-
scribing Gov. HAYES as II man Of flrmncss.
None but a weak man would stand whore he
stands to-day. A firm and honest man would
have long ago refused to be the iigurchcad Of
a piratcal craft. firm and dishonest man
would have made himself the captain Of that
craft. \ firm politician, neither particu-
larly honest nor dishonest, would have de-
clincd 10 receive the Presidency under "A
vicious title Mr.. HAYES belongs 10 none Of
these three classes. Instead Of being a. firm
as the rock of Gibraltar, he is az soft and
as niirm as jcllyllsh.
Gov. HAYES may be modest and courteous
In his superficial demeanor; he may be tom
| pcrate in his use Of liquor and tobacco; hc
may bc ignorant of any game Of cards and
n regular attendant upon Sabbath worship
but when he convinced Mr. PERKINS that he
was the man to finish the work begun 10y
LINCOLN and to bring peace to a struggling,
republic, he imposed upon our vcraciouS
friend in most shameful manner man
OF penetration would have discovered the
humbug. We grieve that Mr.. PERKINS was
unable TO do this.
However. we are rather glad hat the Hon.
RErrRNING b. HAYES and the Hon. Eli
PERKINS have met and have enjoyed an OPP
portunity to exchange views on the state OF
! the country.