National Republican., 1878-08-23

10 III tlt vi lllC ttulDtItNlN IiitN
and hence the President might escape the
Judgment of violated law, hut he will
stand impeachcd at the bar of an intelligent
and loyal public opinion of having been ac-
cessory by falling to discharge his duty in
preventing the most atrocious crimes against
the constitutional rights of an American
citizen. The coming is n Federal election
so far as 1t relates TO members of Congress,
and hence is within the jurisdiction of
Federal power. We shall see how it is cS-
ercsed.
MIR. CONrLING AND THE ADMIN'sTRA-
TIoS.
Whatever the enemies of Senator CoSK-
LING may allcge against him, It can never
he truthfully said that he has proved recre-
ant TO Republican faith, usages, and tradi-
tions. Under no circumstances has he ever
abated one jot or little of his devotion to
the cardinal principles of the Republican
creed as established by the party in its con-
ventons. So far his record is above inI-
peachment or reproach, and whatever other
defects may be chargeabls to him no blot
has eser fallen upon his political or official
integrity. We notice that the Syracuse
journal ascribes to Senator CoSKLING q grave
fault, for the reason, as it alleges, that "he
"has chosen to place himself in q position
of open and undisguised hostility to the
Republican Administration upon the ques-
ton Of controlling Offices aud hence 1t
assumes che has acted, as Senator, during
al a.. ..1
to the welfare of the Republican party, ex-
"cept when 1t seemed to accord with his
personal interests and he has repeatedly
failed to act when the interests of the
party imperatively demanded that he
should be heard
As we call 10 mind the record of Senator
CoNKLING these allegations are not fully
sustained by the facts. In the first place,
whatever alienation has occurred between
Senator CoNKLING and the Administration
1t has been only to an extent demanded by
the Senator's self-respect. The President
took occasion in his letter of acceptance to
criticise the action of members of Congress,
their motives and the results of their efforts
In the way of appointments in such man
ner and spirit as TO close the door between
the executive and legislative departments
Oh that question which had been opened
That Senators should interpret this rs de-
sire on the part of the Executive to close all
existing relations in regard TO appointments
is not strange. After that il was not un-
reasonable to presume that whatever future
relations were to exist between the Presi-
dent and Senators, who are members OF
Congress at least equal with the Represen-
tatives, would be at the instance of the Ex.
ecutive. This should account for any want
of cordiality toward the President that was
apparent in the conduct of Senator CoSK.
LING. The President, as we understand IL
never sought the personal friendship or OIL
cial counsel or advice of Senator CoSKLINC
on any question Of public ooncernment, ant
after the previous announcement Of the
President Senator CoSKLISG is the last
man to place himself in position to receiv,
a rebuff. after he felt that he been studi
ously ignored.
This, however, did not necessarily in
volye a position of open and undissuised
"hOstility to the Republican Admnistra
"tion" upon any public question. The truth
r is that Senator CCSKLING held all the rela
tions with the President that were permissi
bic under the circumstances, and the Sena
tor had nothing to do with shaping thes,
circumstances they were furnished at han,
by the adopted policy of the Executive
Neither has Senator COSKLING interpOse,
any undsguised hostility to the Admins
D "tion," except where removals and appoint
[ mcnts have been made in direct violation Q
the adopted civil-service rules of the .Ad
ministration, or where the appointment
f were in his judgment unfit to be made, eithc
| from personal or political disqualification
G In the matter of the New York appoint
ments the civil-scryice rules were distinct
violated for neither of the removals wer
t for cause. The two officers so OlIensivel
p removed were without official or personl
= fault No charges had been even mad
c against their official chaIactcrs or cOnduc
8 and hence there was no proper cause ft
Il their removal. Hence Senator CONKLING
y attitude and course were fully justified
i those cases. lie consistently resisted thei
l. violations of the rules laid down by the AZ
e ministmtiOn for its own guide in maxim
y removals and appointments, and for so doiu
e it would seem that he is entitled to vastl
e more commcndation than censure.
The reference made 10 the Senator's reti
l conce during the last eighteen months
c :" when the interests Of the party imper
n lively demanded that he should be heard
,S is not sufficiently specific 10 call for asscr
II OF dissent There Were times and occasion
l. when we could have wished that Senat,
h CoNKLING had broken silence. We thin
= he should have raised his voice when ii WI
lc discovered that the administration of Il
l. Government was being too highly scasonC
l. with the rebel element. We think that o
ID casion should have been found to warn III
ID country of the dangers that were accum,
o. lating upon its peace and welfare under Il
eff developments Of the Southern policy. "
,e think he should have rcbuked with h
Of most burning eloqucnce the desertion OF Il
Of Republicans of the South TO the tend,
rs mercics of the bull-dOzers and the rifle clu
go | Of tlnt anntinn Wa nftnn hnyp wish,