The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1878-01-17
The President and his Policy.

We publish elsewhere the resolutions
adopted by the Republicans Of New sffamp q
shire. in reference to President Hayes and
his administration. Tie verdict rendered
by this stauneh New England State, win
find response from the great mass of the
rank and file OF the Republican party ofgthe
country. When. indeed, the calm, impartial
judgment OF the nation gives expression to
the prevailing sentiment, it will be found
that the people, irrespective of party, are in
accord with the policy which is now con-
trolling the administration. They have be-
come wearied with tile incessant appeals to
partizan feeling, and the snbordination of
the material interests Of the country to the
behests of mere partizan leaders. There
may be leaders in a party, without becoming
the slaves of mere partizan interests; and
with such men the concerns OF the people
are paramount to the expedicnts of parti-
zans.
As pertinent to this view OF the controversy
between the President and members OF the
Republican party, we give all extract from
an able letter from General John A. Dix
to the New York Times, of tile 18th
instant. After discussing the duty of the
President in the appointments to office he
may make, and his right to make such
appointments as will aid him in carrying
( out his views Of administrative policy, and
| the recent attitude OF the Republican Sena-
In bo
Dix says:
Nothing but the obliquy of vision which besets
men who are engaged in the preparation OF an
abuse conld blind them to the perception that
they are surrendering the vantage. ground they
ernment to their Democratic associates in the
Senate,and enabling the latter TO come forth as the
real agents OF reform. The President has express
ed his unalterable determination to adhere to
tho pledges which the Cincinnati Convention gave
TO the people. II he has furnished any cause for
complaint. it il hot in carrying out contemplated
reforms with snnieient .promptitude and vigor
OF his integrity. lis perfect freedom from all sell
he BEST inteests Of he country no fair an en-
tertsins Doubt. His most pronounced oppo-
uents impute to him no greater offense than an
error OF Judgment. And yet there are those in
the Senate and ont OF it who, on no better ground
are thwarting his honest purposes under lead
which Is conducting the Republican, Party to
certain disruption and defeat
Among the ciamors recently set on foot he is
to say whether ne intends to act WITH
is an outcry which might. with far greater pro
priety. be addressed to the Republican members
principles aid declarations proclaimed at Cincin
natl. It is for them to say whether they will &c
beons or ey viii ne show
those declarations to have been preineditated
deoepton by dfsrcgarding them and him and
throwing the Government into the hands of polit
t ical adversarles. He is confronted with the men
ace that unless he changes his ground, or in
other words, unless he surrenders to the Senators
vho are arrayed against him, he will be "a Prcsi
dent without party" This threat ignores the fact
ep os
either of the two partisan phalanxes which are
, conteuding for the mastery in the Senate Cham
the quiet round of their Rvocations, are looking
> on with an interest quite rs absorbing as tina
rants tor poitie. prefernent and it is not doubt
Cd that they will give him the support which tbs
Republican Senators owe him, but which they
uniustiy withhold
The Kepublican Party, which carried the coun
try in safety through the pers Of an intestine con
/ from destruction, will hold a more conspicuous
, place in our annals than any other to which oul
is aS svsn nrih II
sures its defeat. as it inevitably must. it
obliterate its fame or obscure the record of it
great services. II il falls, it will be through nj
obstinate adherence to abuses, which it is pledg
ed to eradicate and it will be consolation
ihough foIlorn one, to those who sustain tn
for the catastrophe in which they are involved
1t is not too late to avert such q calamity TIL,
fair support to which he is entitled; forbearanc
70 eacroach on the constitutional limits within
which be is bonnd TO maintain the rights Of tn
Execntve--linits defined by the practice Of tire
= quarters OF q centnry-friendly expestulation in
stead OF open and angry demonstrations Of dis
content On the part Of those who think him il
i error. may restore harmony and enable the par
, ty to enter on the preparation which is neede
TO insure success in the next NATIONAL contest TO
! Political supremacy.
For the President personally and for his futur
the issue Tor triumph or defeat need bring ~
cause for soticitude, except that which is common
to all Republicans. lie may be thwarted in hi
4 purposes; the success Of his administration ma
be frustrated By the hostility OF political friends
bat be will stand in the annals Of his country a
QUE WIG .eomrageS1s,y opposea ana iao9 DOT, u
e for himself a reputation far more precious tina
any ephemeral triumbh OF the day--a reputatio
;, which only. one President fMr. Lincoln) in tn
: last quarter OF century has earned-tha of exc
| cuting the highest public trust without q tain
= | OF selhsbness or personal ambition. J. 4. u.