National Republican., 1878-04-25

The Republican State associations of Wash
ington were composed of f-ardent, faithful,
and efhcient Republicans from the several
States they represented to the number Of
several thousand.
An effort was made to secure some author
ized Interpretation of the order under which
these efficient and serviceable party auxilia-
ries could be preserved In their integrity and
usefulness, but no assurances could be OBJ
tained that would relieve the members of
these organizations from the impending
penalties Of disregard, and one after another
they threw up the sponge and surrendered
to incorrigible fate, not one being left to
tell the tale of their former existence as
party political agencies. From that day to
the present the usefulness of these organi-
cations have been lost to the Republican
party.
The last falls elections-fortunately an
OF year"-were contested without Fede-
raj aid and encouragement, and their re-
suits, though not very important to the
nation, were in no degree flattering to the
Republican cause and prospect. Under this
policy the popular branch of the Legisla-
ture Of the Presidents own State was hand
ed over to the Democracy, when IL should,
and would, no doubt, under other circum-
stances, have been preserved to the Repub-
lican interest. The Federal office holders
everywhere folded their hands in inactivity,
lest they might be detected in violating Or
der No. and pay the penalty of their diso-
bedience with the loss of position.
The Republican party has been crippled
by this order for nearly year, and now it
turns out that it has meant only this-a
Republican, holding Office under the Fed
eral Government, is at perfect liberty to
give voluntarily of his means to meet the
expenses of q political campaign-but no
compulsion by threat ofremoval or otherwise
is to be allowed to force contributions. This
is unobjectionable in every light, and relieves
that feature of the order of all its terrors.
Then again, the President, in referring to
the personal interference of Federal officials
in political matters has interpreted his
order so as to diyest it of every objection
able feature so far as its restraining power
over personal action is concerned.
Republicans holding positions in
the Government are free to
mngle in politics so long as they do not
overrule the people and subject them to the
necessity of voting for obnoxious candi-
dates. If the order has had this scope only,
the more is the pity that it has been mis-
understood, for every good citizen will sus-
tain that position most heartily. 1t is per-
fectly proper, indeed it is desirable, that the
people should be permitted to select candi-
dates without being subjected to the over
ruling influences Of oilice-holding interfer-
ence. This feature of the order should be
rigidly enforced-the more rigidly the bet
ter. All that can be asked is now conceded
by the President when he says "there will
share, so long as it does not interfere with
their official duties, in the field work of
the campaign the same as any other citi-
"zcn.n
We congratulate the Republican party,
the Federal officials, and the country at
large that the obnoxious and crippling
power of the civil-service rule has been re-
moved Dy tne explanations anu lnterprcUt-
tlons OF the President. The Jealous Repub-
lican, even though an ofice-holder, is now
free to act within all proper limit in behalf
of the Republican cause. He can contribute
of his means, he can apply his efforts, he
can exercise his influence freely, so long as
he does not ovcrrule the popular will by
improper agencies. With this all should
be satisfied. The President having defined
his position and interpreted his order, now
stands on that point in perfect harmony
with the party that elected him. and every
true Republican will rejoice over this re-
union of sentiment and action. The State
associations can now reorganize and put
themselves on war footing, and become,
as they have been heretofore, important
auxilliaries to the Congressional Committee
in the conduct of the ensuing campaign
At least seventy-fve thousand active men
in the Republican party have been un-
leashed by the Presidents Interpretation Of
his order, and will now impress themselve,
upon the future history of the party.