Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1880-03-24
WASHINGTON LETTER.

epHolal SohIorpouueuCo INbLlu Lhbuhhsi
WASHINGTON, March 20, 188O.-The
annals of American infamy nowhere
show a more designing prostitution of
official duty to personal interest than
can be found in the conduct Of the
present administration. Mr.. John
Sherman, treasurer Of the United
States, has entitled himself to the dis
tinction of the most INSCRIPTIONS
member of the cabinet. No other
cabinet officer is like unto this vain
and silly aspirant for presidential
honor. While partisan spirit may not
and | trust most often is not, incom-
patible with the sentiment of patriot
ism and a sense of duty, for good men
abound in the republican as well as
in the democratic party, it must be
admitted that John Sherman is hard
ly above the coarsest aud most silly
egotist that infests the vilest rendez-
vous Of vulgarity in this free land.
Astute to a remarkable degree, plausi.
bic to every professor of friend
ship, and an adept in all
the trickery Of the scheming poll
%tician, he is not only wanting in those
qualities of heart that make a good
man, but is utterly destitute of the
elevated thought, the comprehensive
ra~tiocination necessary to a statesman.
He was doubtless a good mar for suit
tier, a fitting being for contractor and
a graceful creature for home muse
ments during the long rebellion. That
he should cherish a hostility to Cen
eral Grant is not surprising. How
such a silly creature came 10 be en-
dowed with human speech instead Of
the viper's hiss or the cackle of a
goose, is one of the phenomena to
which a benevolent charity ascribes to
the inscrutable DEGREES of an all wise
providence. We have no right to
complain Of injustice to the south BY
men like Sherman, for there il no
WrongwithOut a corresponding right of
redress, but it is not amiss that we
express u contempt for a man, who
in order to promote himself has tried
to degrade men who have ever been
honest, brave and patriotic.
A few days ago General John B.
Hawley resigned his position as assis-
tant secretary of the United States
treasury. At the time of the resig-
nation, it was stated that General
Hawley resigned because he was a
candidate. for governor of Illinois, and
deemed it proper to retire from Office
and return to his native state. Now,
General Hawley, with the precedents
set by Mr., Hayes and Mr.. Sherman,
had a right to hold his Office and en-
gage in politics. So it was not because
of the famous civil service order
that General Hawley resigned. Sena.
tor Conkling, whenever he desires
can order Mr.. Hayes and all tho
usurpers' corps of appointees to the
political battle fields of New York OIL
elsewhere. Senator COnkling is tho
master manipulation of the politica
game of "l5," and he can give Mr.
Hayes any number, and make him on.
the very block necessary to the solu
tion Of partisan problems. If any ON,
desires TO find out how much respec
Hayes .and Sherman pay TO tn,
civil service reform order
let him read hat wonderful
speech Of Hon. John +. House, o
Tennessee. No, there was an import
ont reason for General Hawley to re
sign. General Hawley was believe,
TO be a political friend Of Mr.. Sher
man, aud anxious 10 see him nomi
mated for president. By the instru
mentality Of A go-between, Mr.
Sherman learned to his asionishmen
that General Hawley was a stronl
Grant man. The consciousness o
this information sealed General Haw
ley's fate, and he had to resign. I be
lieve that this is the FIRST time thii