New-York tribune., 1878-02-01
PRESIDENT. .IND PfRII LE1DER.

This hgl-toned" Administration claims
credit because it will use no influence to stop the
triumph of repudators in Congress. lis duty
is done, we are told, when Il veto has been
sent. Guiding legislation is out Of its sphere.
This reminds us of the polite person who
could not think of pulling drowning man out
of the water until he bad been duly intro
duced style is very well in its way but
sense is better
The Administration has thrown away great
chances already. In June and July when the
Treasury was made sure TO receive seventy
five millions for four per cent bonds, we earn
estly urged the obvious practical fact that
great trouble and danger would come in the
Winter, unless the Treasury seized the Oppor-
tunity to wipe out the premium on gold before
that time. That this was easy, who does not
now see The Treasury sat still, and yet gold
fell to 10114. If fifty millions in four per
cents had been used for extinguishing the pre-
MUM on gold by withdrawing legal-tcndcrs,
who doubts that gold would have reached par,
and the banks would have been enabled to
mt their accounts on Il gold basis without loss,
and to unlock all hoaids Of gold for their re-
licf7 But the "practica" business men cOuid
not comprehend the political danger. and the
impracticable statesmen and reformers could not
bring down their minds to the contemplation
of business dangers. Even Secretary Sherman,
the most practical of them all, executing the
law like a good clerk, failed to provide against
political perils like Il statesman. The ship
dl1fted; the chance was thrown away; and
exactly as we predicted six months ago, the
utter defeat of the Administration now dc
pends upon one vote for or against veto.
Still the Administration cultivatcs its dignity.
The President and his Cabinet think it well
to sit
non the hills Ike Gods together careless Of mankind"
Dangers threaten the country, but what of
that? A reforming Administration must ret
seek to influence legislation, and takes pains
to divest itself of any relations with party.
To hold men together, and lead them wisely
for the public safety and the Nations honor
that is not "reform." We take leave 10
say that this is not n cOmmon-sense view Of
Executive duties. This country cannot be
governed without parties, and it is not well
that it should be- The duty Of the Executive
is twO-GOld-t0 enforce law, but not less TO
lead party. The Senators who grOwl be
cause the President seems to have no care for
their wishes are to this extent in the right.
He is stupid engineer who, when the time
comes to start his train, puts on all
steam at once, jerks the engine away
from the train, and runs over the route
without cars, baggage or passengers. 1t
was the duty of the President to
better the civil service, but it was not posi-
bic to DO that or anything else without Il party
behind him, and it was, and Is, higher and
more imperative duty to save business from
ruin and the country from disgrace To that
end, TO every practical end, il was necessary
to hold together and lead a party. The no.
ton that all Senators advise as to public affairs
solely for private and selfish ends, Is an error.
They have been trained TO care first for the
strength of party, because party embodieS
ideas, and without it these ideas must fail.
If they go too far in that direction, there IS
room for a wise President to check excess,
without destroying party or making himself
p0werless for good.
The President has not led the Republican
party, nor has he tried to create another 4
its stead The dream of n head ccrkship
caring for 10 party, sustained by none, and
helping none, has hedged him about with
trouble. Long ago there ought to have been
Il tnofOugh organization OF frlenuS OF INC pun
lie faith, with the Administration to lead and
help it. The foes of public faith, without an
Administration, have formed league that is
strong and full Of work. But it is not
quite too late. If the Administration will
but get down out of cloud-land, and use
its power to encourage, arouse and help
those who mean justice and good faith,
it may gain back much lost ground. First of
all, the President ought to put aside the no.
'tion that he can afford to hear and help such
men as Matthews, Butler and Gordon as read
liz as men who serve the country well. Next,