Marshall County Republican. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1856-1878, 1877-10-25
MORTON ON THE ADMINISTRATION

MORTON ON THE ADMINISTRATION.
He COunsels Against Cendemning the
Southern Policy.
An editorial in the indianapolis
Journal of Tuesday exposes Senator
Morton's views upon the duty Of Re-
publican members of Congress, hav-
ing been read to him, and received
his hearty approval and embracing
his ideas.
THE PRESIDENTS SOUTHERN POLICY.
While there are few Republicans
who can give full and hearty en-
dorsement to every act and declara-
ton made by one President which 60
to make up what are known as his
Southern and civil service policies,
yet we have seen nothing which,
taken either separately or connect
lively, will justify the Republicans in
distressing either his patriotism or
Republicanism. There seems to be a
feeling on the part OF those who dis
approve certain acts of the President
that they are better Republicans and
more faithful to the principles Of the
party than he. Such an assumption
does an injustice to the President.
He is an original Republican, and has
been tested for twenty years as a
soldier and a civilian, and has never
been found wanting in his devotion
to the great fundamental doctrines
OF the Republican party. He was
elected as Republican, and Il is i'm
possible for him, with the present or
ganization of parties, even IL he
should so desire, to be other than u
Republican President, not in an Of
fensive, parti san sense, but in his
devotion to the principles and desire
for the perpetuity OF the Republican
party. Until 1t is demonstrated that
he has not this devotion and this de-
sire the Republicans in Congress
should not break with him OF meie
questions Of policy. President Hayes
has a most difficult role, and instead
Of receiving the unfriendly criticism
and attacks OF his party. he should
receive their support and be given
their best and truest advice. The
Presidents paramount duty Is to the
country, and il he were to place SIM
pie party success above public inter-
est he would render himself hateful
to every right-minded man and infa-
nous in history.
We do not suppose single one Of
the Republicans who differ with him
on questions Of policy would ask the
President in plain terms to assume
such position. and yet they do this
In effect when they denounce his
policy because OF the damaging ef-
feet 1t may haye upon the party.
without reference to the probable
effect upon the higher interests OF the
country. The President is in the
best possible position for knowing
what ought to be done. He is acting
under a solemn oath. He is more
largely responsible than any other
living man for the consequence Of
his acts, and having decided upon a
certain course as essential to the
public welfare, that course should not
be INSTRUCTED by his party friends,
unless it is in plain conflict with the
principles OF republicanism. He is
certainly not in his position OF Presi-
dent the mere creature VI Congress,
and should not be the mere tool OF
party. The day for discussion has
past as to the right or wrong Of the
Southern policy of the az ministration.
We might not have gono to the ex-
tent in placing the South upon its
honor and good behavior. We
might, after what has transpired In
past years, have required some pro-
lection, or exacted some bond to
keep the peace. But President
Hayes has seen proper to accept the
assurance OF the people of the South
that they will maintain the law and
respect the equal rights OF all classes,
and il they keep faith with the adj
ministration his Southern policy can
not fail. The same policy might have
been inaugurated at any time since
the close OF the war had the people
OF these States come forward with an
honest purpose and proffered the
same pledges. AS long as their
pledges are kept and peace nantes
ted, the policy should be to support,
and to that end we would sustain the
President in the efforts he is making
for peace and concilation. When
those States fail to maintain the law
and protect the equal rights OF all
classes, we shall expect the peace
policy to be abandoned be the adj
ministration and force policy in
auourated.