The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1877-10-23
SENATOR MORTON.
Ris Views as Voiced by the Indianap polls
Journals.

INDIANAPOLIS, Oct % The following ed;-
torlal will appear IN the journal tomorrow. 1t
expresses S-nator Morton's views upon the
duty OF the Republican members of Congress,
having been read to him and received his hear
ty approval as embracing his ideas:-
"Whlle there are few Republicans who can
give full and hearty endorsement to every act
and declaration made by the President which
go to make up what are known as his South
erD and civil service policies yet we have seen
nothing, taken either separately or collectively
to justify the Republicans in distrusting either
his patriotism or his Repnbllcanism. There
seems to br feeling on the part of those who
dIsapproye OF certain acts of the President that
they are better Republicans AID more faithful
to the principles oil the party than he. Such as
sumption does injustice to the President. He
is an original Republican and has been tested
for twenty years soldier, as civilian and has
never waveted or been found wanting in bis
devotion to the great fundamental doctrines of
the Republican pirty. He was elected as a
Republican, and it is impossible for him with
the present organization of parties (even If he
should desired to be other than Republican
but in his devotion to tue pr0cples and desire
for the perpttuity of the Republican party.
Until it is demonstrated that he has not this
devotion and this desire, the Republicans in
Congress should not break with him IN mere
questions of policy.
President Hayes has most difficult role, and
instead of receiving the unfriendly CRITICISMS
and attacks of his party friends, he should
have their support and be given their best and
truest advice.
The Presidents paramount duty is to the
country, and if he were to place simple party
success above public interest, he would render
himself BIZ tetul to every rght-mnded man and
Infamous in history. The President is in the
best possible position for knowing what ought
to be d0oe. He is acting under solemn OATH.
Ia Ic mn 1arU p1u ain 10 fhon thor
living man for the consequences of his acts,
and having decided upon a certain course as
essential to the public welfare, that course
should not be Obsttucted by his party friends
unless 1t in plain conflict with the principles
OF republ:caDism. He is certainly not in his
position the mere creature Of Congress, and
should not be the mere tool Of the party.
The day for discu. sion has passed as to the
right or wrong of he Southern policy of the
administration. President Hayes has seen
the South that they will maintain the law and
protect the equal rights of all classes, and if
they keep faith with the administration his
Southern policy caunt fail. When these
states iail to maintai0 The law and protect the
equal rights of all classes, we shall expect the
peace policy to be abauduned by the admins
tIation and force pulley inaugurated.
The President was elected under pledge of
civil service reform. The pledge was made by
his party and was fully approved and indorsed
by him. The votes OF the people had been pro-
cured for him upon his solemn promise made
in the Cincinnati platform and in his letter ct
acceptance that he would inaugurate the re.
forms demanded, He took Comprehensive
survey of the whole subject. In consultation
with his cabinet he laid down three leading
rules: First, That he woo d not remove any
fai hful, competent officer without some cause,
and would not retain an incum Detent or dis
honest officer for any cause; second, That while
he would freely advise with Seustors and MEM
bers OF Congress their recommendations should
not be imperative and in no case led him tn
violate the fist and fundame sal rule: third
That any one assuming to perform the duties
of public Office and receiving it's reward.
should give to it his undivided stLention. Who
can Object ia one of these rulues? Are thew NOT
sound and for the public? They may work &C.
casional hardshlps. All general rules do but
some rules must laid down and rig,dly adhered
to-.
The details for the execution of these rules
mnst necessarily be largely left to the depart-
ments The executors may, and we doubt not
nave drlfted into some prescription measures
which they will have to abandon. The details
may not have been applied practically. 1t ia
not likely that the ADMINISTRATION can control
the action of civil officers connected with the
detail work of their party. Liberty of thousht
and action should not be abridged because a
man happens TO bs in Office. When a civil off,
Ger performs honestly aud faithfully the duties
imposed by his Office, this is all that should he
required and all that Can be required, and an
attempt to dictate what political work an Off
Ger may perform for his party must of right
and necessity fail
This will be- discovered by the President about
as quickly as 1t will by Congress, and as a
matter OF minor importance upon which it is
childish to make an issue. Congressional
patronage may have been abused. We have
no doubt it has been. But it is impossible that
the President or his Cabinet should know ali
the applicants for offices, and we know of No
safer advisers in regard to such applicants than
the Senators and members oil Congress, who
represent the people in LOCALITIES wherein the
duties of such 1fficers are to be discharged. If
any Senator or other should pro.e himself an
unsafe adviser then the President would be-
Justified In ignorng him aud seeking iOforma-
ton from other sources aud judge for himself
The Republicans in Congress should not em-
oarrass the administration by any factions on
position TO the measures naUgurated or the an
poiotments made, and should seek to pIomnta
the harmony ot the party 10 which meme are
more Interested than the Precedent and b,s
Cabinet, 10 secure which they have only to re-
main steadtast Republicans.