The Vancouver independent. (Vancouver, W.T. [Wash.]) 1875-1910, 1877-03-16
The Political Outlook.

The work of President making which
began actively year ago last December
at Washington, spreading from thence
to the fartherest corner Of the land, has
proceeded step by step, through one OF
liveliest, and in some respects the
bitterest campaigns the country has
ever known, to the conclusion of the
whole matter which ended in the inaug-
ration of President Hayes on the 9th
instant. As in all political contests
there were many issues of fictitious
nature which occupied public attention,
but the main substa tial issue, or rather
controlling idea of the campaign, was
that Of of reform. Aside from the dem
agoguery of politicians in uttering the
reform cry, there was, and is still
sentiment pervading the whole country
favoring the Improvement of the meth
cd of administering the government,
and the general conduct of the civil SER
vice. This sentiment is grounded upon
the real necessity for such improve
ment, an improvement inevitably de-
manded by time as the result of growth
and development in national capacity.
No human Institutions will ever arrive at
that state of perfection where further
improvement will be impossible, hence
there will always exist a reason for the
sentiment of reform; a sentiment looking
to the substantial good of the country,
and to that end endeavoring to barmo-
nize conflicting elements, tone down the
temper of imperious factions and gen.
orally to infuse greater ability and hon.
esty into the ranks of the great army
engaged in the public service. And
this is a rational feeling, for as a peo-
pie, we should not only have respect
for the institutions of the country and
the spirit of its laws, but should also
feel in duty ever bound, to make them
better as fast as experience dictates the
necessity therefor.
1t was this sentiment of true and
healthy reform, which, amid the OPP
posing factions of politics, was able to
handle the balance of power, first at
the great convention at Cincinnati in
June last, and second in the political
fgh. that followed continuing up to the
final adjournment Of the 44th Congress,
and win a victory for the cause of truth
and honesty in the inauguration of
Hayes and Wheeler. 1t is generally
regarded as a Republican victory but it
is even more than a victory in a mere
party seuse, it is a victory for the intel
ligent masses of the country, it is
ayictory for the purest sentiment of re.
form, aud the ready acquiescence in the
result by the whole country, both
north and south, regardless of party, is
evidence that this is true. The policy
adopted by President Hayes is perfectly
consistent with the noble words of his
letter OF acceptance and has already
inspired the country with a confidence,
the good effects of which are even
now being felt in the the fsrthcrest cor
ner of the land. With tranquility in
the South, confidence in the North, and
the learned and able statesmen whom
the President has called to his councils.
the political outlook is brighter than
for many years past. Now let business
men, statesmen, philanthropists and
public teachers go to work to provide
that the mex. contest. which will come
four years hence, shall be less bitter
and taught with less dangerous posi-
bilities; and finally let us give the
dawn of peace hearty welcome.
d.