Clearfield Republican. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1851-1937, 1877-06-06
FIGHTING UNDER COVER.

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creditable to their manliness, patriot
ism or craftsmanship. They arc brave
leaders under all ordinary circum
stances, and have at times electrified
the Nation as much by their courage
as by their great ability. When the
party lines are clearly defined they dc
not hesitate or falter by the wayside
They are to the fore in every conflict
and iealously resent all efforts at rival
ry in their mastery. But now they
tremble and equivocate and take re-
fuge behind irresponsible organs OF
cultivate silence while others, who
draw their inspiration from their ac-
cepted chiefs, conspire to overthrow
the policy OF the President and de-
nounce every effort that aims at sec.
tional peace and a higher standard Of
public service. It's known that Blaine
and Morton confer with President
Hayes and do not declare their hostil-
ity TO the leading measures of his ad-
ministraton but il is patent to every
intelligent observer that they both
seek the councils and direct or encour.
age the movements which are indus
triously crystallizing the opposition.
If they were TO take the head Of their
own columns, and avow to the world
their purpose to recall the Republican
party to bayonet rule and thoroughly
debauched civil service, they would
command respect for their consistency
and candor. But their palpable double
dealing and uniairness to the admins
tation are fast gathering about them
that profound distrust that is ever
awarded to the insincere friend and
the unmanly foe
Two events have transpired within
the last few days which bring Blaine
and Morton more prominently before
the country in their doubtful political
positions than any actions or deliver.
ances they have hitherto presented to
the public. A secret meeting of the
friends OF Mr.. Blaine was held in
Washington on Thursday evening, for
the two.fold purpose of organizing the
opposition to the President, and to adj
vance the political interests of their
favorite leader. From one to two hun
dred politicians, whose occupations
seem to have perlshcd under the policy
Of the administration, met in secret
conclave and resolved TO effect secret
organization throughout the country
to give practical direction to the dis
appointed and dissenting Republicans.
1t is national party, or claims to be
such, and the secret feature is adopted
doubtless for the purpose Of making il
the more readily marketable when an
opportunity offers for a speculation
that will profit the managers. OF
course, Mr.. Blaine disavows any agen.
cy in its creation, but if he meant to
be faithful to the President he would
denounce il with such distinctness as
could not fail to scatter il to the winds
at once. Instead of declaring his hos.
tihty TO 1t, however, he is content to
disclaim responsibility for it, and he
allows it to 60 on, using his name and
summoning his followers to give il
characterand power Morton is some.
what more bold, as what be would
have said he says he himself, although
his manner of saying it is unworthy
of one who ranks among the ablest
statesmen Of the country. His letter
on the Southern question just given to
the public is one Of the most studied
ond subtle assaults upon the policy OF
the President that has yet been made
since Ben Wade's rude attack upon
him. 1t is unworthy of statesman,
inasmuch as il ls uncandid and COW.
ardly, and burls the deadIiest blows
while protesting sympathy and even
passive assent TO what the President
has done. II half be true Of the
States Of Louisiana and South Carroll.
ma that Morton says is the truth, and
if the President possesses the authori-
ty to interpose with the military pow
or Of the government as Mr.. Morton
claims that he has, then is the policy
of the administration at war with
every principle of law, patriotism and
justice-more, il is base surrender of
the rights of a helpless people to the
vindictive and murdcrous domination
Of treason itself There is no escaping
the conclusion that either Mr.. Morton
is wrong in his premises or President
Hayes is per6dious migrate and has
surrendered States to tho brutality of
political demons. And the rhetorical
efforts to condemn the policy Of the
President and yet sustain bis sincerity
and plead the necessities of the case
but show to what measure Of insincer.
ity and duplicity to modern statesmen
of admitted ability may attain.
The manifest uniairncss of the Re-
publican leaders like Blaine, Morton
and Cameron in leaving the President
to battle alone in defence Of a policy
that they depisc but dare not condemn,
has not escaped the notice OF intcIli.
gent men Of oil parties, and they mis-
calculate the temper Of the American
people when they dream that they
can stand idly by SIS apparent neutrals
and be credited with having sup.
ported the policy II il succeeds, and
with superior sagacity and fidelity i'll
1t tails. The one attribute that an in
telligent people most love is manly
couragc, and II President Hayes should |