The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1878-01-26
Mcclure on President Hayes.

disgust, and forced him TO the conclusion
that Mr.. Hayes administration is in dan
ger Of popular condemnation as a stupen-
dous failure if not an imposing fraud.
We give the article from the Times in full
Move OK ! Now Osl-CertainIy never was
there President who was treated with more
indulgence than has fallen 10 the lot of Mr..
Hayes, and, to be perfectly candid, there have
been few Presidents who have put faith to
seyerer tests. The people we're pleased with
the way in which he began his official career
and their confidence in him lived a long while
upon the brave words of promise given in the
early days of his administration. The new
incumbent was SO much unlike his immediate
predecessor, IN respect 10 Difference for law
and order and for the will of the people, in
his homely methods of speech and conduct
and IN the loftiness of his ideals, that the
whole country was refreshed by the mere con-
trast, and when that contrast was made more
marked by few brave acts the whole politi-
cal prospect was frightened. Much could be
forgiven a man who evidently meant we'll, en-
tertained such wholesome opinions and had
shown himself so courageous as to defy the
politicians who had made him and hoped to
use him for their own base purposes. He is
oA0" ga AaHtuE up his A1lAtAuf EdlQ the Sccntlc.
les, was the excuse, but when it is once made
up you will find it as immovable as Gibraltar.
he made one mistake, and it was ascribed to
pardonable desire to pay a personal debt;
another, and it was charged to Stanley Mat
thewss or some other injudicious adviser;
another, and 1t was excused on the plea of
gratitude to party; another, and it was the
weakness Of q confding nature Give him
little time to get acquainted with the duties of
bis Office Make some allowance for misin-
formation The world was not made in n
day, nor can the civil service be reformed in
SIX months Any reasonable request for a
suspension ofjudgment was granted, any by
pothesis consistent with the good intentions
Of the President was swallowed with a gulp,
although it might nearly choke the swallower.
kyery good word was nlagniied by hope, and
from every act of folly the eye was in charity
ayerted. 1t was a good deal thar man who
came into power under such questionable, not
to say disreputable, circumstances should
have this kindly treatment Il is not often
that soft speeches go so far towards turning
away wrath.
1t is high time, however, to let Mr.. HAYES
understand that this thing cannot 90 on for.
ever; in fact, that wide as his range has been
he has nearly reached the end of his tether.
bis administration is now nearly a year old,
and 1t is not so strong in itself, or before the
people, as when it was in its swaddling clothes.
la all these eleven months what has really
been done towards the reform that the coun-
try Graves and to which both of the great no
litical parties are solemnly and explicitly
committed? The good appointments may be
counted on the fingers; to enumerate the bad
ones pencil and paper are required The
Office holders are still a power in political
manipulation, although they may be a little
ehary about showing their hands. The Gus
tom-houses are still de6led by the slime of
the corruptionIst and disgraced by incompe-
tents. The orders of the President are dehed
by subordlnates of the executive department
and made joke in Congress and by-word
among the people. The consular service is
not materially improved. The fragrant out
rage upon the Constitution, euphemistically
called the courtesy of the Senate, still exer.
cises its baleful influence in the appointment,
retention and removal of public officers. The
eorrupuonists have been allowed time to en-.
trench themselves and openly avow their
readiness to stand a siege, while the admins
tration has not put single field piece in posi-
ton. 1t has come to be thought that the way
to earn the favor of the administration is to
trample the principles 1t processes under foot
and to challenge it to battle on its own ground.
Mr.. Conkling underlings never felt so secure
IN their positions as they do to-day. Mr..
Blaine has bagged more appointments than
any other Senator, or quite as many The
supercilious defiance of Mr.. Ednunds is re-
warded with an offer of the command of the
administration army. When smitten on one
cheek Mr. Hayes turns the other so promptly
that people are beginning to think either that
his cheek is iron-clad or that he rather enioys
sound drubbing. Like the Chevalier's valet
in "The Two Orphans he is perpetually offer
ing himself for n kick. Uriah Heep was
never so tumble Before the second year
of the administration begins the people have
a right to expect either more aggressive as
sertion of the reform policy or a confession
Gifts abandonment Either would be better
than the present backing and filling. Mr.
Hayes cannot win in this conflict BY a course
that disheartens his friends and solidi6es the
opposition. His trifiing makes the whole
business contemplate. II he proposes to
strike his flag, let him say so in whatever way
may please him best, and the reform element
will look elsewhere for a leader, and the soon
er he gives notice of a change of front the
better. But if he proposes to fight the battle
to the end, for God S sake let him 90 forward,
not recklessly, but fearlessly and firmly, car
ing not who may stand in the way. Patience
IS worn threadbare with waiting and will not
last much longer. 1t is the command Of the
country that this administration shall s'move
on or confess itself what the people and his
tory will, in that event, justly pronounce it
stupendous failure, If not an imposing fraud.