Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1881-09-28
No Use for the "Old Guard.

While it is true that no one has the
right to dictate the choice of President
Arthur's advisers or prescribe the reten-
ton of those of his predecessor, there
can be no doubt that ne could make
selections that would be condemned Dy
the mass of the people, and whose re-
lection by the Senate would be but an
official expression of public opinion. In
view of the attitude assumed by the
President to his predecessor in the re-
cent complications in New York, an at
titude approved by but a small fraction
of the voters of the country, the trust
that the people extend to him is in
great measure probationary and is due
almost entirely to the unfortunate and
melancholy circumstances that procured
his elevation.
While President Garfeld's policy was
but dimly outlined and must be to the
public mind largely of an ideal charac-
ter, the few salient features of it will
tend to enlarge its ideality and make his
successors endeavors to realize it all the
more difficult. Trusting the new Presi-
dent, and taking the deliverances of his
inaugural, the country has made up its
mind that he will go right on in the
track of his predecessor. The acts of
the President, from which his purposes
can best be judged, have thus far been
few and formal
There are, however, signs that evoke
criticism, and that tend to lessen the
confidence that the people desire to feel
in the new regime. The gossip as to the
counsellors of the Executive, while it is,
of course, largely speculative, contains
a stratum of positiveness which, if not
speedily removed, will lay the founda-
ton for beliefs that the Presidents friends
will find it hard to dispel. 1t is Presl-
dent Arthur's misfortune that Grant once
did him a service, which, though it was
amply requited, is not likely to be reck-
oned squared by the former. 1t is anOth-
er of his misfortunes that the greatest
living American was invited to accom-
pany or, perhaps, thrust himself upon
him in his journey to the capital with
the body of his fallen superior.
This circumstance and others, of
which the general public has not been
advised, but upon which the talk of the
correspondents is based, excite fears of
the return of the "Old Guard" Some
of the luminaries of Grants infamous
regime are discussed in connection with
portfolios. The public would stand
Hamilton Fish, upon whom there is no
reproach, but Boutwell,, Logan and their
ilk they will have none of. Their day is
over, and, if President Arthur can bring
himself to so far disregard public opin-
ion as to recall them from the obscurlty
to which their conduct justly consigned
them, he will invite the judgment that
will swiftly follow. The majority of the
Republican party owe it in loyalty to the
dead to stand in the way of such a con-
summation, and no Democrat, however
fortunate it would be fo= his party,
could be so deaf to the call of duty as to
assist such policy.
President Arthur's path is at best
rough one. The people are ready to
smooth it for him; but should he reject
their aid, he will find it impossible to
extricate himself from the pitfalls that
will beset him. He has discharged his
first duty acceptablY in calling
the Senate to choose his successor
His next great duty is to turn his back
on the Grant crowd and select his advi-
sers without their suggestion or direction.
The Republican party threw them over
at Chicago. The country applauded
their fall and will not tolerate their res
toration.