The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1877-03-09
The President Stands Firm-His As
sailants Waiver.

with cool head and sound views. 1t is
wonderful how space is cleared around a
man and how impertinent opposition stands
back as soon as it is found that he perfectly
knows his own mind and adheres to it
with infexible determination. Mr.. Hayes
already begins to reap the advantage OF
his steadiness. He has only to per-
severe until it is seen that the fortress
Of his mind is bomb-proof, when the
siege will be raised, never to be renewed
III similar form. Mr. Blaine has UNDER
taken more than he can accomplish. 1t is
the usual fate OF his bold, dashing displays
to fail of their object. His greatest theatrical
coup was exhibited something moro than
year ago. when his vaulting ambition made
a desperate leap for the Cincinnati nomina-
ton by IN infuriate arraignment of the
South. That desperate spring did not put
him in the saddle then and as little will its
repetition mako him tho leader of the Senate
now. The poisoned shafts which he has
aimed Mt President Hayes will not
reach their destination, because, to borrow
phrase from great orator, "there was not.
as it happened, quite strength enough in
the bow to bring them to their mark" This
is the ordinary fortune of Mr.. Blaine's
arrows, which he is so careful to dip in
venom-there is not strength enough in his
bow to carry them quite to the mark. This
disappointed demagogue cherishes m
ignoble grudge against President Hayes for
bearing off tho prize at Cincinnati and for
repudiating Blaine's rancor toward the
South III his letter of acceptance. This
ungenerous grudge and o demagogues
ambition to overtop and eclipse Conkling
and Morton as the republican leader OF the
Senate account for the extraordinary dis
play of virulence, bumptiousness, bad tenn
per and bad manners with which he has
been RECALLING the Senate. 1t is new ex-
hlbtion Of the old 'vaulting ambition which
oerleaps itself and falls on t'other side"
We hope Senator Conkling will now as
sumo the position of leadership which
naturally belongs to him, and that he will
lay, not Mr.. Hayes, but the country, under
obligations by coming forward as the cham
pion of policy which is right in itself and
which the people Of the United States
stand ready to indorse This is
great opportunity for statesman
Of Mr. Conkling's abilities. If he has per-
sonal grievances of any kind he must prac-
tise magnanHnity, or at least philosophy,
and forget them. There is nothing which
would so we'll become him as to present q
noble contrast to the vulgar personal ami
mosities of Senator Blaine. The country
will appreciate and applaud statesman
who, in spirit of generous self-abnegation,
is blind to every minor consideration and
devotes himself to the public interest.
There is no way in which Senator Conkling
could so strengthen himself in the conf
dence and admiration of the country rs by
giving the vigorous support of his great fac
ulties to the wise policy of the President.
1t is in his power to bear away the chief
share Of the honor next to that which be-
longs to the President himself
President Hayes is giving authentic proofs
that he is quite in earnest in his determine
ton to uproot abuses and put the govern
ment on a new course. He has taken upon
himself formidable task, requiring more
courage, firmness and persistence than were
ever needed by any former President
Opposition was to have been expected, as a
matter of course. 1t is not in the nature of
demagogues and spoilsmen to stand still
and see their nest broken up without raising
great connection. 1t is fortunate for
President Hayes that they meet him on the
frontier and openly oppose his advance, in
stead of waiting and trying to circumvent and
undermine him by insidious attacks in the
rear. The effect of this open, undisguised
war will be to rally the country around the
President and give him an energetic sup
port at the outset. His opponents have
done him an unattended service, the great
est service possible, by advertising to all
the world that the spoils system is in dan
ger, that the bloody shirt policy is in dan
ger, that the administration will not shelter
corruptionists-in short, that President
Hayes was thoroughly sincere in the pro-
LESSONS which lie made in his letter Of
acceptance. They we're liable to be under
stood as an electioneering juggle, like
other documents of the kind; and had
they been false and hollow this
great cutlery would not have been
raised. Blaine, Cameron & Co. have given
the new President the best certificate OF
character which men of their stamp could
give to anybody. Their hostility is a badge
of merit. They would not have made this
violent war on the President if they had not
discovered that he is not one Of their Sort
We congratulate him on their vehement
anger and prompt opposition. They know
where they are hurt and who has hurt them.
The way these unclean birds flop and flutter
is a splendid proof of the skill of the marks
man. Nothing could have done SO much to
establish President Hayes in the good
opinion Of the country. 1t is now plain to
A. L. ILL - -.