New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1877-04-14
THE SIGNS OF A STORM.

storm in the Republican party seem daily to be IN
eeasing; and it cannot be denied that the present
attitude of few of the recognized leaders OF the
party is causing unusual anxiety among some OF
those who most cordially approve the Presidents
policv and desire its success do not, of course,
refer to the everchanglng purposes OF few OF the
carpet-baggers who are depressed or eated as some
unimportant event of the day happens to affect
them. They are not leaders of the Republican party
in any sense of the word. They drifting about
on the surface of politics, not knowing whittier TO
turn They see their occupation and means of gam
ing a living taken away from them by an adjust
ment of the Southern troubles, and like drowning
men they catch at every little straw in the vain hope
that il may save them.
Accustomed for so many years to deal with an Adj
minstration which had no settled policy, and which
was blown hther aud thither by the passing events
of the day. this class of politicians is unable all at
once to realize the fact that President Hayes long
ago made up his mind what it necessary to do
in oder to settle the Southern question, and that
while he has been willing to listen to the suggestions
of every one who could give him information, he has
never for moment entertained the idea of pursuing
any other policy than that he has adopted. lie may
have changed his mind to the methods to be used,
Though there is no evidence of that, but he never
has hestated as to the end at which he was aiming.
It's not. therefore, to the sayings and dongs of
snch men as these that | now refer Letters and
dispatches similar in tone that of Senator Blaine
publshed Yesterday, some of them much more ont
spoken than that in their condemnation OF the Pres-
dents treatment of the Southern question: are
privately shown in political circles here, and Will
probably soon be published. They show an unmis-
taxable disposition on the part of a few men who
have heretofore been very influential in the councils
of the Republican party. to organize movement
against the President, and by appealing to the
preiudices and passions which so often have been
aroused for partisan purposes to rescue the hepuD-
lean organization from the hands of the liberal men
into whose control it now seems TO have fallen III
NAV be that this movement is not a concerted one,
and that the sympathy which few strong men IN
the Republican party to have for 1t causes its
Importance to be exaggerated but there are those
among the Presidents friends, men of lOnglexperi-
ence and rare political sagacity, who are looking for
n strong Republican demonstration during the extra
session of Congress against some OF the most I'M
portant features of the Presidents policy.
If such storm lis brewing it is of course impossi-
ble TO foretell Just when and where it will break;
but it is interesting to know what effect the present
mutterings and grumblings IN the party have upon
the President himself, aud how far if at all, they
may modify the policy which he has marked out for
his administration Thus far nothing which has
mon President Hayes. When informed by his
friends of the threatenings of certain influential
members of his party he shows little or no concern In
regard TO it, He believes that some of those who are
now indulging 80 freely in criticism under mis-
apprehenslon of the exact situation of affairs, and
that it will only be necessary for them to understand
better the condition of things as he found them and
what his real purpose is, to give 1t their hearty ap
prevail 1t is certain that President HAYES never
expected that all of his public acts woul e at once
approved even by the party which elected him.
The irving position in which the new President
was placed was we'll described by member OF the
Cabinet the other day i'll saying that when
certain line of policy adopted by any government
has utterly and disgracefuly failed TO accomplish
what was expected of it, somebody must close 1t up
and start in a new direction 1t is perfectly natu-
raj" lac added that those who have been response
bic for the unsuccessful policy should feel sensitive
in regard to it. and should at first oppose any change
Their opposition was to be expected. 1t would be
strange if il was not manifested But the true test
of the new policy is in its fruits, and wise men In
the Republican party, however much their prlde
may be wounded by the virtual declaration OF the
failure of the old. will not be in too great haste TO
place themselves in antagOnism to the new"
But whatever may occur the country need not
expect to witness any such spectacle was seen In
Washington either when MIR. Tyler quarreled with
the party which had elevated him to power OF when
Mr. johnson undertook to force upon the country
policy antagonistic TO that of the organization oy
which he was elected. In the first place, MI Hayes
is the President of the country. and not OF party
or Of clique. He will therefore have no contro-
very with any politicians either inside or OUTSIDE OF
the Republican party. Republicans may attack the
measures of his administration, and their nght 10
do so will not he disputed but the President will
pursue the even tenor of his way, recommending
such measures as he believes to be wise and carry
ing them into effect by such means as are placed
at his disposal There will not, therefore, be any
unseemly controversy either between the President
and Congress or between the President and any
prominent members of his own party.
Secondly: One Of the most fruitful causes OF oppo
shon to Presidents Tyler and Johnson was their
ambition to be reelected. This aroused bitter jeal
ousies among the politicians of their days and actu-
ally invited bitter hostility. President Hayes. by
MS declaration that he will not be candidate for
second term, viii escape this. Men more ambitious
10 secure for themselves in the future the great
pr1e OF the Presidency than TO promote the welfare
Of the country will not have the usual temptation
10 attempt to break down the present Administra-
uon or 70 destroy its influence. President Hayes
VIII be IN nObody's way, and his success Will not
AJ'ue the prospects of any other candidate his is
one OF the strongest features OF bis Administration,
and one that Will contribute everincreasing strength
bit. Gen. Clinginan remarked day OF two ago
That this alone might make il possible for President
yes to make the strongest Administration for
twenty years.
Thirdly: While it may be possible that the Repub-
hcan party in Congress may not be united IN the
support Of President Hayes's policy, that body can