National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1877-06-21
THE OFFICE or PARTIES AND THEIR

II
that thorough knowledge Of the former
ought to be made primary test of gtness
for appointment to the latter. Wcnow pro.
pose to show that parties are the creation OF
politics and the source of life and purity in
republican nations, and that they are, there
fore, to be encouraged in their activities
rather than rcpressed, both by the people
and their representatives In public Office
There can be no question that progress
| IN intellectual development is the result OF
the contact of the Intellectual forces of the
world. This is the case In the departments
of science and art, rs seen in every advance,
notably so in the field of invention,
which may be regarded rs the van guard Of
progress, for whether in respect to mechan-
ism or Of morals, there is no new result
without new processes Of thought, produced
by the energies of contcnding minds As
in matter friction is the creative principle,
so in the world OF thought c0ntesting
theories evolve truth, and in the business
world competition is the life of trade" 10
Is the same in politics, of course, although
the ragnries of modern experience might
lead the mind unacquaintcd with the cause
to the conclusion that in this arena there is
no controlling law of action The conflicts
Of principle create parties, and the contests
Of these determine the character of the
executive rs regards the theory upon which
the Government is to be administered. And
without the common interest which impels
the people to such activity in respect
OF public aflaiis, there would be
no progress, no prosperity, but
general sluggishncss, stagnation and decay
in all departments of the national life.
Corruption would ranklc everywhere; con-
troll the Government, conduct business,
direct distributions and dictate decisions.
1t is only because there is contention and
strife between parties that they are kept in
condition so tolerablc Us to give compara-
tive security to the country. Without them
there would be no sentincls In the public
wards and no safety for the public interests
Conspirncics TO dcfraud the Government
and dcyour the substance of the people
would exist everywhere, and the nation
would relapse speedily into anarchy and
barbarism.
II has always been n conceded fact that
undue maioritics arc dangerous to the coun-
sells of deliberative bodies. They afford
room for the organization of factions with
in parties large enough to control
them, and thus enable the accomplish
ment OF the secret purposes of the design
ing cabal. There is no Government but
''''p i'.'' ia N''hec VI pupitt Dtcu
affected by these majorities, and the peril
of their power is proverbial. 1t is certain,
then, that the general welfare of country,
particularly in republics, requires the pres
encc and persistency of parties And If
this he 80 ii is equally clear that IL is the
duty of the Government and Of the people
in such countries to do all in their power to
foster and encourage their existence, and
especially guard their operations. The
with them Inv every nroner means md hv
the activity of its officers and agents, who
should always be selected with strict regard
TO their fitness for the duty, II should be
able to great extent to sway their cour,-
sells Nor should the appointecs of the Govern
ment he chosen without regard TO marty, for
il this be done, then there is no organized
body left to stand sentinel in the public
places against possible maladministration
If all parties are alike represented in the
public service none remain interested to
watch the measures adopted or the means
of their execution, and the consequence is
that the principal safeguard of the public
interests is removed and the door is open to
corruption in all its forms. There is per-
hals nothing more vital to the welfare of
the country than that parties shall remain
uis'ih'tp W tlONt uIdWH DetWetn the
one called to the control of the Government
and those in the minority, to the end that
there may be every incentive to narrow
watchfulness on the part of the latter of
the course pursued by the Administration.
In order that this vigilance, which, being
eternal, perpetuatcs liberty, shall he ever
active and alert, there should be no concili-
alton of parties by jointure in the enjoy
ment of the public patronage
r,,, --
iHH NHfioNhL hoNoh MAINTAINED.
During the past week great many SEN
sational reports have been circulated
through the country In regard to the fnan-
cial policy Of the Administration. 1t has
been confidently asserted that wide differ
ences OF opinion existed between the Prcsi-
dent and the Secretary of the Treasury. An
end has been put to all such reports by the
publication Of Mr.. SHERsIAS's letter in re-
lation to the payment OF the principal and
interest OF the four per cent. bonds That
letter is honest and timely, and as it ex-
presses the views Of the President, as well
as those OF the Secretary OF the Treasury, no
further question can be made 'as to the
policy OF the Government upon this impor-
tant subject,
The letter OF the Secretaryis not confined
to the present condition of the law or the