National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1881-02-11
The New National Departure.

| IlOn ana Improvement. u IC" hCChE
more will terminate the existing presl-
dental term and bring the Nation upon
a new era, with a Chief Magistrate fresh
from the popular will. This incident,
connected with the historic fact that a
change has come upon the popular branch
of our National Congress, and wider wis
dom and sagacity will extend it over both
branches and bring them in harmony
with the executive departments, is cause
for public congratulation. This is "a
consummation most devoutly to be
wished" and in behalf of which every
patriotic impulse lends its inyocatlons
and influences.
The present administration will add
but brief chapter to the history it has
already made. Its record is nearly COM
plete 1t is too late for it to retrieve Its
mistakes if it has committed any. They
will pass upon the historic record TO be
read and understood for all time. Its
virtues. and it has them, stand out promi-
nently, and not more so perhaps than its
blunders. In the formation Of his Cabi-
net the President committed one or more
radical errors, and these have entailed
upon his administration consequent fol-
lies, if not mistakes, that have marred its
symmetry and comeliness as a represen-
tative of the Republican party. The
early organization of the Cabinet in
volved two appointments that have never
found favor with the great mass of the
party to which President Hayes is in
debted for his election. They were in
consistent with the average Republican
idea of fidelity, wisdom, and propriety,
and hence have never been popularized
in the Republican mind.
We refer to the Interior and the
Post-Ofiice Departments. A recent re-
turning prodigal from the Demo-
cratic party was placed at the head
of the former and an unrepentant
Democrat over the latter. These two
appointments have been a grief to all
Republicans who are so from honest con-
victions, and remain so through evil as
well as good report. We mean that class
of Republicans who are not blown
around by every wind of doctrine" and
who fight the battles and win the vic
tories of the Republican party, when
ever they are fought and won. The unity
and harmony of the party have been
greatly disturbed by these appointments
and their consequent influences and re-
suits in the Government. The first sue
ceeded in engrafting upon the admins
tration that incompatible folly known as
civil-service reform, while the second to
a large extent bestowed the patronage of
the postal service in the South upon the
enemies of the Republican faith. This
was grievous wrong, which has brought
much chatting to the true men of the
party all over the country.
We point to the other Departments of
the Government with more satisfaction.
The finances of the Nation have been
wisely, economically, and honestly ad-
ministered. The State Department,
which is the custodian of our foreign in
terests and policies, compares favorably
with those of other Republican admins
trations, while the War and Navy De
partments have to too great an extent fed
our political enemies with office, while
they have been handicapped and Grip
pied in their efforts to keep UP an army
and navy to a standard such as the Ma
ton requires. Their power for useful
ness has been abridged by oppressive and
stingy legislation at the hands of Demo-
cratic Congress. This is the return that
Democrats have made to Republican
administration for dividing the patronage
with them, when, under Democratic
theories of bestowing party favors, the
spoils belong to the victors. Under these
methods and influences there is not a
Department or Bureau of the Federal
Government at this moment which is not
infested with the enemies of the Repub-
ican party and its principles. This is
one of the legacies that the outgoing
leaves for the incoming administration.
It is real pleasure now to count the
shortening days that intervene between
the present writing and the end of this
condition of affairs, which, in our iudg-
ment, must come with the approaching
change The Republican party, in the
midst of all this, has manifested a be-
coming degree of patience. 1t has been
trified with and abused in its confidence,
but it has stood steadfaSt in defense of
its principles in the face of these
embarrassments and discouragements.
Through its own fidelity to principle
and the blunders of the Democratic
party it has won signal victory in elect
ing Garfield and Arthur, and in rescuing
the popular branch, and, we trust, both
Houses of Congress, from the grasp
of the Democracy. This places the
Nation upon a safe and solid basis,
and causes the people of the coun-
try to rejoice with exceeding joy.
The bow of promise has been busy upon
the political and commercial sky. Busi-
ness puts on new courage Capital begins
to clothe itself in confidence. The sons
of toll begin to look up instead of looking
downward in adversely. Labor seeks
employment under the confident hope of
reward, and it is not to be disappointed.
The springs of prosperity begin to put on
fresh elasticity and newness of vigor and
action. The opening of anew admins
tration at this era gives hope of healthy
impulse to the whole Nation. En-
terprise girds itself up with renewed
strength. Capital and labor are
rapidly merging themselves in a more
common brotherhood and fellowship.
The manufacturing interests of the coun-
try are inspired with fresh hope Com
merce discovers breaking Of the cloud
which has enveloped it in gloom The