National Republican., 1877-03-08
TIE PROSPECT OF ADMINISTRATIVE
REFORM


in store for the Democratic party alone
now seems to have invaded the Republican
ranks also, and to promise general reor-
raniz,tion. It is but natural, however,
perhaps, that this should be the case, since
revolutions of public sentiment rarely oc.
cur in respect to one division of the people
without largely modifying the views of all
others. SO intimate is the relation between
each social and political body and the sew
eIal associations of the people that change
of opinion in enc necessarily carries similar
consequences to another, either through
the principle Of affinity or antagonism-it
does not matter which, for both conditions
are affected alike. II the neighborins
body and the one reformed were pre-
viously of the saIne opinion, the work
of reformation will not stop until ii has
pervaded the two, with still hsrnonizing
sentiments, or has errsyed them in that
open hostility which is natural to contend.
ing theories. Ifthe neighboring body aud
the one reformed were previously opposed
in sentiment, the progress Of change will
not be arrested until the opposing view has
been brought over to the new, or has been
readjusted and adapted to hold in check
the new form Of aggression. This is in
accordance with the principle OF resistance
as taught in the PHILOSOPHERS. Iftwo op-
posing bodies be Of the game matter aud
magnitude their action upon each other
produces rest and harmony. But If either OF
them be changed in bulk or character dis.
cord results, and reigns until the law of
matter reasserts itself by read dustment Of
parts and pa Iticles TO the changed condi.
ton.
Sowe see the effects of the reforms about
to be introduced by the Administration
have begun their work, with the announce
ment that they are TO follow. And as
they are of character which disarms the
Democratic party in its hostility to the
Government, demoraliz ,tion follows as M.
turally as the crash comes when the resist
ance which has supported paysicil body
Is withdrawn. The sole, animating prin.
ciple which kept the Democratic party 10
existence Is neutrallzed and destroyed by
proposed practical application Of the ad
vantages claimed for 1t in the administra.
| ton of the Cover lment. The assertion
has been that the element of control in some
of the Southern States has been the cause
Of the disturbances between the North and
the South. And When its merits are about
to be tested by experiment, those who have
so constantly urged its adoption now throw
every possible obstacle in tho way OF the
movement. And why? Not because they
have any less faith IN the efficacy Of the
remedy, but because, if it is successfully
administered, 1t will overthrow the party
whose existence its theoretical advocacy
sustained. The doctrine Of self.preserva.
tion just at this juncture is more material
to the Democracy than that Of self.govern-
ment for which until now 1t has been 50
clsmorous, and hence the opposition OF
some portions Of that party.
The Republican party in the Eat and
West, in the main. cheeriully adopts the
new policy. believing that the day has a.
last come when some step must be taken to
reunite the sections in permanent fellow.
ship, and that II promises to accomplish
that result. They regard the Republican
party as being what has been so stout!y
claimed for 1.-THE party of progress but
they feel that it has in reality made but
little advance in this direction since the
close of the war. They realize that "a
stand still any longer is to imperil the wei
fare of the country by arraying the two
sections as natural enemies in perpetual
warfare, and this is abhorrent to every in
stinct of liberal minds. But the feeling il
chilled by the SHOWS of the North. AS ",
approach New England q disposition il
manifested to insist upon further proba
tionary period for the Southern States befor,
permitting them the privilege OF entir'
independence from the supervision of the
Federal power and full control of theil
own local concerns. And this feeling re
jec,s the milder policy suggested by th,
spirit of reform prevalent in the East and
West as unwise, and. under the circum
stances, unjust, because involving an al
legged abandonment of friends who are in
measure identified with the South. ant
Claim the protection of the party in thei
possessions and power. 1t remains to b
seen what will be the end; whether tn,
spirit of reform will be chilled to deatl
and expire in Its infancy, and even befor'
1t has actual birth; whether II will go OF
until 1t melts the icy resistance 1t meets q
the North, snd covers the whole country
} with its warmth as with the sunshine o
productiveness, or whether 1t will proceed
with its mission, having New England ar
rayed against its measures, and in opposi
tion to her wishes.