The Hartford herald. [volume] (Hartford, Ky.) 1875-1926, 1877-01-24

need enforcement, il mistake not, line
upon line.
To say that the government has blun~
dered through its subordinate generals
does not purge the ofcnse. One such
mistake is hardly excusable. A second
becomes something worse To disclaim
the oflensc and possesses its effects, and
repeat both in one short term, without
censure to any one, savors Of something
worse than a blunder.
Ii this people ofthe Southern States are
unfit for self-govsrnment, better-if it
were possible-create there a dictator.
who, being dependent on no party, would
have no party TO serve; or accept an
equal lawless alternative, remand the
State into a condition of territorial de-
pendence, and attempt another experi>
ment of reconstruction, than to tolerate
usages and methods which are fatal to
all the conditions of liberty, and which,
if continued, can not fail in the end to de-
stroy our whole system of free governs
ment; for bad examples are contagious,
and the military enginery which is trained
on one State to-day at the caprice of a
single man, may be trained on another
tomorrow.
am unwilling to admit that the peo-
pies ballots and the right of local self
government are at the mercy of Federal
artillery; and, therefore, az the executive
OF State whose election is dependent in
one event on the Legislature, and in all
others on legislative declaration of the
peoples choice, feel bound to protest
against any and all manner ct Federal
interference. or claim even ofinterference,
in determining either the peoples choice
or the organization, credentials or menu
bership OF the Legislature. As a legis-
lative assembly, representing the freedom
and reserved sovereIgnIies of the State,
and clothed by its constitution with the
power Of determining the election returns
and the qualifications of its own MEM
bcrs, it is tor you to judge wheter duty on
your part requires silence.
beg to suggest in this connection one
other consideration. 1t has been much
debated of late whether the president
should not be made, by constitutional
amendment, ineligible for cecond term
Holding control, as he does, not only OF
the army bat OF Il network of civil instru-
mentalities which embrace the w Enl"
country in their reach, and which, from
the lowest official Ia his constitutional
advisers and heads of departments, are
liable to be converted into party machines
to control elections, it has been urged by
many thoughtful men, that the opportu-
nifty of perpctuating his power should not
be permitted 10 any one possessing these
means and instrumentalities. However
this may he, recent events have demon.
stratcd, in my judgment, that the COM
manier-n chief of the army should, un
der no circumstances, be a candidate for
his own succession.
recommend that our senators and
representatives in Congress be requested
to propose an amendment to the Federal
Constitution, making the president ineli-
gible for two consecutive terms. If pop.
ular opinion has already become, or shall
ever hereafter become, so blind and SO in.
firm as to tolerate the perversion of the
whole enginery of the Government TO
party uses in elections, let us, at least,
avoid the indecent policy OF a president
attempting to Inaugurate himself in a
disputed succession by the use of a stand>
ing army.
For myself, | believe that the presi-
dent and his Cabinet, holding in hand the
whole executive power of the Government
should keep themselves aloof from the
activities of a political canvass, as do the
members of the Supreme Court, upon a
simple sense of honor and propriety and
all the more so as, in presidential cleo.
ton, Congress is not in session, and the
only efficient curb on executive power is
thus removed at a time when the strong
est motive exists for abuse and usurpa
ton. The spectacle OF chief of great
department of the Government becom
ing the chief of a party, levying contri
buttons upon Government appoIntees fol
party use, and issuing proclamations anC
orders to party followers, is as indecent
as it is unwholesome.
But in any event, let us be permitted t
hope for better things in the future, ant
that the usages of the camp will disap'
pear from civil administration with the
eminent soldier who has introduced them
and whose faithful service rendered to til,
republic in time ofperil, have caused t.
be accepted with indulgent acquiescenc,
by many what would otherwise hav,
been regarded with adherence and in
dignation by ALL
In conclusion, let us also hope that, il
spite of the dangers that now beset us
affairs may go well with the republic il
this most critical juncture of its histor,
and that under the incoming admlnistra
ton of the General Government some
thing may be done for the morals of pub
lie life by the publication of the civi
service-this service needs a radica
cleansing; something for the prOsperit,