The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1877-03-10
HdYEs STICKS TO THE sHERMINs.

WASHINGTON, March "a fierce struggle
for the spoils among the rival factions of the
Republican party threatens at the very start of
the Fraudulent Administration to destroy every
hope Of cohesion. and TO antagonizc whatever
policy may he proposed by Hayes and his per-
sonal followers. No principle of any kind IL
involved in this quarrel. 1t is the natural out
growth Of personal icalousies. selfish ambitions,
and old rcsentmcnts.
The opposing leaders, each pursuing his own
interest, and anxious to defeat every other
rival. have failed in their enterprise to capture
the new organization. Hayes was. in fact. cap
turcd by the Shcrmans long ago. and they have
held him so firmly in hand az to prevent any
concession TO their advcrsaries. This IL the
whole essence Of the war OF factions which
now RACES so ilercely at the capital.
If the Shermans had been unselfsh enough
TO have parted with a portion of their power,
and allowed Hayes to take into counsel one or
two Of the chiefs who are leading the crusade
against him, its force might have been scnsibly
weakened. and reduced to the form Of a per-
sond grievance. with which the public rarely
sympathizes. But they would not listen to the
suggestions Of prudence. and resented over
lures for Il division Of the booty which they
had all alike participated in stealing.
As n necessary consequence. Morton. Blaine.
Cameron. Conkling. Chandler. Lognn. and
others. who have not Lad much fellowship. are
now forced into concert by common spirit Of
opposition. and present powerful array
against the Administration, il they continue TO
act together, with or without personal sympa-
thy. They will carry with thcm Il large follow
ing which. however can only be controlled MS
claiming TO represent the genuine Republican
organization. II they separate or wcasen, tho
whole movement will fail. and the leaders of it
will surely come to grief.
Unity of action is an essential prerequisite for
a successful opposition. Now. these leaders all
aspire TO lead each other and to prescribe the
precise course which shall be pursued. That
is the rock upon which they are likely TO split,
after the passion of the passing hour cXpends
its violence. Nobody Is deceived by Blaines
clustering talk in the Senate. or by the prctence
that he differs with Hayes on any question Of
principle.
He expected to dictate the general policy of
the Fraudulent President, and to distribute
large share Of the patronage. Grasping for too
much he overreached himself. and has lost all /;
just ae he seized the letters from Muligan. sup
pressed the most important gave his own ver-
sion of them. and then asked verdict Of not
guilty. In both eases the dramatic exhibition
was startling for the moment. hut the reaction
did not hclp the audacious actor
Blnine knows rs shrewd observer. that no
party can be rallied on the basis of prolonged
sectional strife OF to uphold the frauds forge
ries. and vlllniny by which South Carolina and
Louisiana are held in the bondage OF Chamber
lain and Pa 'kard. Such proposition is moth
ins more than a pro .lamation inviting anarchy.
buDdshcd. and tie d erangemcnt of all business.
at the very time. too when. after twelve years oi
agitation and trouble. the end of discord Is in
view and only waits Tor an order Of Hayes 10
restore complete harmony. As a cry 10 the dis
cont entcd. Blaine used his menns iltly. but the
! country will rehuke it and brand him again
with liz reprobaton.
The causes Of disiniasration which are now
operating actively must 20 on until the Rnrub-
lican party is broken into fragments. Reunion
Of the scattered parts is not possible. because
there is no attractive force 30 bring them to-
! gcther. The musses. who are not oilicescekers
aud only want good government. are honest.
| They know Of the corruptions and excuses
which have brought the party to ruin and dis
| gra,e. Surely. they Will MT worship these
| broken idols. There Is nothing lett of the old
faith for them g. cling b.. and they will drift
along TO that which best approaches their con-
| vic'ions Of right
| Now that the rogu &c have fallen out. Il is 10 be
| hoped honest men may get their dues The
millions stolen from the Treasury will never be
restored and many rasraities will never be
punished. But each faction will take pleas
ure in telling on the other and the country will
come TO know the bottom fncts which have 80
! long been hidden from public view by u COM
| mon interest in clnccalmeni.