Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1878-02-12
President aud Iartg Leader

President 0Std Iarty Leader.
This "high-toned' Administration claims
credit because it will use 20 influence to
stop the triumph OF regulators in Con-
greSs. It's duty Is done, We are told, when
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 had been duly introduced. Style
is very well In lis way, but sense Is be5-
ter.
The Administration nas thrown away
great chances already. la june and July
when the Treasury was made sure to re-
eeive seventy-dve millions Tor four per
cent, bonds, We earnestly urged the osvi-
Gus practical fact thai great trouble and
danger would come in the Winter, unless
the Treasury seized the opportunity 70
wipe out the premium on god before that
time. That this was easy VINO does not nov
see ? The Treasury SIT still, and re; gold
fell to 1914, II fifty millions IN four per
NCAAc-s A14 DCNn ASNA AlI NAAAuA klAcAAuk
the premium on gold by withdrawing ie-
gal-tenders, who doubts thai gold would
have reached par, and the banks would
have been enabled 70 put their accounts
on q gold basis without, lossa and 70 unlock
al boards Of gold ior their reiiei Bu.
the practical business men could no,
comprehend the political danger, and the
impracticable statesmen and reformers
could not bring down their minds 70 the
contemplation Of business dangers. Even
Secretary Sherman, the most practical o.
them ali, executing the Jaw ike a gooC
clerk, failed to provide against politica
perils,liSe q statesman. Ine snip drliJed
the chance was thrown away and exactly
as We predicted SIX months 40, the utter
defeat Of the Administration now depends
upon one vote for or against a veto.
Still the Administration eultivates its
dignity. The President and mis- Caoine,
think il well to sit
"On he hills Ike Gods together, careless o! man
kind"
Dangers threaten the country, but what
Of that? \ reforming Administration
must not seek 10 influence legislation, aud
takes pains to divest itself Of any relations
with a party To hold men together. and
lead them wisely for the public safety and
the Nations honor-Ihat Is not reform
We take leave 10 say that this is no,
a common-sense view OF Executive duties
This country cannot be governed withOu;
parties, and Il l. not well that II should
be. The duty Of the Executive Is two-.c.i-
to enforce law, but not less 20 lead g pare
ty. The Senator's who Grow. because the
President seems 70 have 20 care Tor their
wishes are to this extent IN the riIlt lac
Is 4 stupid engineer VINO, when the time
comes to start his train, puts OF all s,e-u
at once, Jerks the engine from -rc tram
and runs oyer the route withou, ears
baggage or passengers. /; was the duty
Of the President 70 better the civil service.
but it was not possible to DO that or any
thing else without 9 party behind him,
and il was, and Is, q higher and more iu--
perative duty to save business from ruin
and the country from disgrace To that
end, to every practical END, II was peceSs-
airy TO hold together and lead o party.
The notion that 81 Senator's advise as O.
public affairs solely for private and selfish
ends, Is anerror. They have been train
ed TO care first for the strength Of party,
because a party embOiies ideas, and with
out 1t these ideas must fsi If they 90
too far in that direction, there Is room
for a wise President 70 check excess, with
out destroying party or making himself
powerless for good.
The President has not led the Repub.i-
can party, nor has ne tIied 20 create an
other in It's stead. The dream Of head
clerk-ship caring for no party, sustained
by none, and helping none. has hedged
him about with trouble. Long ago there
ought to have been q thorough orgauiza-
ton Of friends Of the public faith, with
the Administration 70 lead sld help il.
The foes Of public faith, without an Ad-
ministration, have formed a league that is
strong and full Of work. But II is not
quite too la;e. If the Administration
viii buf get down out OF cloud-.aud, and use
Its power TO encourage, arouse and help
those who mean justice and good faith, II
may gain back much lost ground. First Of
all, the President oaght 20 put ASIDE the
notion that be can afford to near aud he.r
such men as Matthews, Butler and Coz.
don as readily as men VINO serve the
country well Next, be should quit the
notion that he has been chosen Is mere
chief clerk, to do routine work in the
Government. II this country, as IN any
other, government without any head is
bad government. If the President can
not or will not be the head he may be
sure that people who long for q guide
will pray for some other man to use the
power he throws aWay.-TribuaC.
There Is but little being done Just