The Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1877-1885, 1878-10-29
The Secretary of State.


This honorable and high position in the
administration of the government has
been filed from time to time by several of
the most eminent men of the nation.
Hon. William NJ. Evarts the present in
cumbent Of the Office is In some respects
the equal Of any of his predecessors For
years he has had the reputation of being
one of the foremost in the legal arena, and
as an advocate. especially, is considered as
having schieved not only national reputa-
ton but enduring fame among his coun-
trymen. Upon the intricate and often
times occult questions Of international law
his learning and research have given him
great and acknowledged eminence, and
have made him admirably fitted to deal
with delicate diplomatic affairs in the in
tercourse of this nation with foreign states
and governments. 1t is no uumerited
tribute to his abilities aud learning to say
that his position in the cabinet as the ofh-
Ger in charge of foreign relations has been
we'll and honorably filed, His services have
not, indeed, called forth the same high
eucomiums which the country has bestowed
on several important occasions upon Mr..
Jefferson, Mr.. Webster, or Mr.. Marcy, but
II is also to be remarked that no such re-
markable crisis in foreign affairs has arisen
during Mr.Evarts time to call forth equally
extraordinary attainments surprising it
true that he would prove equal to the re-
quirements of grand and supreme oc-
casiop. Be that as it may, no one will
deny Mr.. Evarts possession of talents and
attachments ample to give dignity and
honor to the Office Of Secretary of State.
But when Mr.. Evarts steps aside from
the duties Of craftsmanship and the man.
agement Of affairs Of state and decends tC
the inferior arena Of partizan politics, al
that is distinctively great or attractive 10
the man merges and is lost in the utter
ance OF a special pleAder and politicians
zeal in the interest and success of his owr
political party. For some time past it has
been rumored in political circles that BIZ
was about to make political address anC
to discuss the issues before thu
country. On Thursday last at Cooper
Institute in New York the expected
speech was made. As little as can con
sistently be said in regard to the substance
Of his remarks is that it will lot add ar
iota to his fame as a man or statesmen, and
that in a political sense it has caused nc
great sensation and has utterly failed to
strengthen the expectations and prospects
of the republican party. Mr.. EYarts as
usual was multitudinous in words anG
made several points with adroitness anC
skill, but the main characteristic Of biz
address was a studied and careful attempt
to seem to say all that was necessary and
yet to say nothing which should be posi-
tive committal upon controversial issues
As specimen of political trapeze the
country has not seen lis equal since the
days of Van Buren,. The opening portion
of his speech was devoted to defense Of
the Administrations southern policy which
as he says has brought peace and return
ing prosperity to third OF the union. In
stead of ascribiDg the cause Of this condi
ton of affairs TO its rightful source, to the
overwhelming sentiment Of the great body
of the people that the evils of federal in.
reference had continued until it had be
come an outrage aud tyranny not any
longer to be endured, he glorified the re-
publican party as the benefoent angel of
peace, and alleged it was by the action of
the republican party that armed interveu
ton of the Federal Government 10 these
states was no longer necessary. He forgot
to tell his hearers that the policy of concii
iation which be considers 30 beneficial tC
all concerned is and long has been a demo
cratic policy, aud he might have said and
been within the limits of strict veracity,
that II was forced upon the administration
by the logic of events, against the wishes OF
the party leaders, aud under circumstances
they found il impossible to control. The
Claim put forth by Mr.. Evarts that the
present administration is entitled to credit
for its iOrbearauce and for abstaininp from
violating the rights of sovereign states in
the administration OF their local and state
affairs, especially in view of the Limitations
and restrictions in the use offederal troops
imposed by democratic house of repre-
sentatives, will fall fat and stale upon the
minds Of his countrymen throughout the
whole country. The country does not be.
lieve such statement, let it come from
however high and official source. The re-
.publcans know that such pretence is insin-
cere and uniouuded, and MIR, Evarts' elo.
Quence willfail to give prestige or ecla1
to Mr., Hayes and his administration for the
performances Of what was unavoidable and
had become absolutely imperative. -
Mr.. Evarts next turns HIS attantion n