The Dallas daily herald. [volume] (Dallas, Tex.) 1873-1887, 1880-08-14
Republican Simplicity.

Jefferson inaugurated himself by simply
taking the oath OF office. There is NJ Other
legal inauguration in our system" Thi;
from Hancucks letter of acceptance is III
itself whole compendium OF republican
wisdom, and exhibits profound Insight into
the principles of our government, US well as
at tie same time administering u stern rebuke
TO those who for the last four or dive inaugu'
rations have made the ceremony equal In
pomp and circumstance to the coronation OF
kings in the middle ayes. Under our system
the president IS SIMPLY the leading citizen,
entrusted for the time being with tue care OF
the nation, and all the Bingly ceremony and
pomp and circumstance with which Grant
surrounded hi self was not only in bad
taste, but it was really an Infringement upon
that calm dignity from which 50 much Of his
personal consideration is derived. The spec
tscle of grand military parade, the nodding
pIumes, the changing horns, the waving ban
uerB and the pesls OF artillery
in honor Of the Inauguration OF SO
simple parsonage as the presl-
dent Of the United states, is simply rldicu-
lous, US it Is subversiye Of every principle
upon which he advanced to greatness. These
things, wherever used, are used solely to III
crease the personal importance Of the presi-
dent, ana That is squarely against the whole
interest and purpose of n republican form Of
government, wherein every such tonsldera-
ton is, theoretically at least, supposed to be
sunk behind the grandtr interests Of which
the president is only the guardian.
When Grant was first inaugurated there
was gathered at the capital, all the elite Of
the army, and every care was taken that the
imposing ceremonies should be grand beyond
ANYTHING which had ever been seen before in
this country. Contrast this llingly sping to
the severely plain simplicity Of Jefferson,
who rode on horseback to the capitol, hitch
ing his horse to the fence surrounding the
building, went in and took the oath of office
with reverent humility and with veteran
determination to observe its ever binding
condition.
This is fair portrayal of the political sit,
ustion. GARFIELD, for all of his ability and
personal worth, has proved disappointment
to his party. Hancock has proved revela'
ton. Garfield, who is Il brilliant speaker,
was expected to write brilliant letter of
acceptance, but wrote one which is turgid,
commonplace and uninspiring. Hancock,
who never pretended to be writer, discloses
to the party, equally delighted and surprised,
the fact that his pen is at least as mighty as
his sword. He gives us letter ofacceptsnce of
which all of us are proud, and, in proof of its
authenticity, reintorces it with another letter,
written nearly four years ago, which is better
still, because it is less formal and more de-
tai ed and explicit, revealing the operations
of no common mind. Garfield is open TO all
sorts of attacks. Concerning his personal
integrity, the fact remains that he was not
shrewd en- ugn to secure himself against the
approaches of rogues. Hancock is invul-
nerable. Whichever side they attack, they
find it harder TO tackle than the other. In II
word, Garfield does not grow with the
canvass, whilst Hancock does.