The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1877-10-24
Ritlln,olltl dispatch.
v-rpxEsD OCTOBER "a. 1877.
Senator Morton.
ms IDEAS or THE DUTIES OF THE REPUBLICAN


editorial will appear in the Journal to-mor-
row. II expresses Senator Morton's views
upon the duty OF Republican members OF
Congress, having been read to him and re-
ceiycd bis hearty approval rs embracing his
ideas: While 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 southern and civil-Scryicc
policies, yc. We have seen nothing which,
taken either separately or collectively,
justify the Republicans in distrusting
either his patriotism or his Repubicanism.
There seems to be feeling on the
part OF those who disapproyc OF GER
tain acts Of the President that they are
better Republicans and more faithful to the
principles OF the party than he. Such as
sumption does injustice to the President.
He is an original Republican. and has been
tested for twenty wears as n soldier and CT
william, and has never wavercd, or been
found wanting in his devotion to the great
fundamental doctrines OF the Republican
party. He was elected rs a Republican, and
it is impossible for him, with the present
organization OF parties. even il he should
desire, to he other than Republican Presi-
dcnt-not in an offensive partisan sense, but
in his devotion to the principles and desire
for The perpctuity OF the Republican
party. Until il is demonstrated that he
has not this devotion and this desire,
the Republicans III Congress should not
break with him on mere questions OF
policy. President Hayes has most diff
cult role, and instead OF receiving the I'M
friendly criticisms and attacks OF his party
friends he should have their support and be
given their best and trucSt advice. The
Presidents paramount duty is to the coun-
try: and il he were 10 place simple party
success above public interest he would rerl-
der himself hateful to every right-mnded
man and infamous in history. We do not
suppose that single one Of the Republi-
cans 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 dcnouncc
his policy because OF the damaging effect it
may have upon the party, without refer
cnce 10 lis probable ciicctsupon the higher
interests OF the country.
The President is in thc.beSt possible posi-
ton for knowing wha; ought to be done.
He Is acting under Il solemn oath. lie is
more largely responsible than any other
living man for the consequences OF his acts,
and having decided upon certain course
rs 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 Ecpublicanism. He is GER
tainly not in his position OF President the
mere creature OF Congress, and should not
be the mere tool OF party. The day for dis
cllSsion has passed Il 10 the night or wrong
Of the southern policy Of. the AdminlStra-
ton. We might not have gone 10 the same
extent in placing the South upon its
l. I,l, ,lit
after what has tran>piled in the past
wears. have required some protection.
or cXactcd some bond TO keep the peace,
but President HAYES has seen proper
10 accept the assurance OF ;hc people OF the
South that they will maintain the law and
protect the equal rights OF all classes. and ii
they keep faith with his Administration his
southern policy caunOt fail. The same pol
icy might have been inauguraleu ut any
time since the clos" OF the war had the pc0
pie Of these States come forward with an
honest purpose and preferred the same
pledges As long rs these pledges are kept
and peace maintained the policy should be
supported. and to that end We would sus-
tain the President in the efforts lie is making
for peace and cancellation. When these
states fail to maintain the law and protect
the equal rights of all classes, we shall cX-
pcct the peace policy to be abandoned by
the Administration and Il force policy inau-
guratcd The President was elected under q
pledge OF ciyil-seryice reform. The pledge
was made by his party and was fully al,-
proved and endorsed hy him. The vote OF
I he people had been procured for him upon
his solemn promise made in the Cincinnati
platform and in his letter OF acceptance that
he would inauguratc the reforms demanded.
II l. 1 DS3 ha
whole subject. The English system OF civil
service. which is substantially promotion in
Office, much a. we promote in our army and
navy. could not be safely adopted until he
had obtained Il sound starting basis and
siftcd the material ut hand In consultation
with hi Cabinet he laid down three leading
rulcS-lirSt. that he would not remove any
faithful competent officer without some
cause. and would not retain an incompetent
or dishonest one for any cause: second, that
while he would freely advise with senators
and members OF Congress, their recon-
mcndations should not be imperative, and in
no case lead him to violate the first and fun
damcntal rule: third, that any one assum-
ing TO perform the duties OF public Office
and receiving its reward should give to it
his undivided attention. Who can object
to one of these rules: are they not sound
and for the public good: They may work
occasional hardShips, as all general rules
do. but some rules must be laid down and
rightly adhered 10. The details for the eX-
ccution OF these rules must necessarily be
left largely to the departments. The exec.
utors may, and we doubt not have, drftcd
into some prospective measures which they
have to abandon. The details may not
lave been applied practically. 1t is
not likely that the Administration can
control the action OF civil officers connected
with the detail work OF their party. Nor do
we believe there is q necessity for any at
tempt to do so. Liberty of thought and OF
action should not be abridged because man
happens 10 be in office When q civil officer
performs faithfully and honestly the duties
imposed upon him by his office, this is ali
that should be required and all that can be
required, and an attempt to dictate what
political work an officer may perform for
his party must OF right and necessity 1all.
This will be discovered by the President
about US quickly rs it will by Congress, and
it is matter Of minor Importance, upon
which il is childish to make an issue. Con-
ercssonal patronage may have been abused
We have no doubt it has been; but it is I'M
possible that the President or his Cabinet
should know all the applicants for office in
the several states. or that they should know
even one good man for each OF the offices to
be filed, and we know OF no safer advisers
in reference to such applicants than the
senators and members OF Congress who re-
present the people OF the localities wherein
the duties OF such officers are to be dis
charged. If any senator or other person
should prove himself al unsafe adviser, then
the President would be justified in ignoring
him and seeking information from other