National Republican., 1881-01-07


we referred to ON Monday when we said
the times were ripe for an administration
party in the South to maintain the laws.
What a Woman Did.
When the yellow fever devastated the
South in 1873 the heart of the Northern
people went out in sympathy for that
suffering section, and charity, with wings
quicker than the sweep of the pesti-
lence, bore their offerings to the plague
stricken land. Mrs Elizabeth Thomp-
son, a woman whose whole life has been
devoted to good deeds, subscribed liber-
ally to relieve the South in its hour of trial.
Not content with a gift of money to help
present distress, Mrs. Thompson's active
mind sought to devise some means by
which future visitations of the scourge
might be prevented. Full of this grand
idea, she visited Washington and sought
the advice of Surgeon-General Wood
worth, who listened patiently to her
views, and in return gave her his opin-
ion. The General said in substance that
he was confident measures could be de-
vised that would efectually Danish yel-
low fever from our shores. In conclu-
sion he said: But, madam, am power
less to act in the necessary direction
to accomplish this great object. To col
lect the data necessary for intelligent
action in this matter will require large
outlay, and there is no appropriation
available for such work" How much
money will be required to begin this
work." asked Mrs. Thompson. at
would be absurd to begin with less than
five thousand dollars" replied the Gen
eral. Very well, 1 will place that sum
at your disposal y quietly answered the
noble woman. Mrs. Thompson at
once furnished the, money, and the
work of thoroughly examining the cause
of epidemics in the South commenced.
The attention of Congress was called to
the subject and committees appointed by
each House to push forward the work be-
gun by Mrs. Thompson. But for this
woman's energy and determination we
doubt whether Congress could have been
induced to take the action it did All
honor to the heart that gave birth to the
grand thought of permanently protecting
our country from the awful scourge and
Nations thanks to the ready hand that
furnished the means to begin the
good work. Mrs. President Hayes hon
ored herself by inviting Mrs. Thompson
to receive with her on New Years Day.
Many who called at the White House on
that day remember with pleasure the
kindly face of Mrs. Thompson, and un-
consciously thank Mrs. Hayes that her
woman's heart recognized and paid
tribute to one of the noblest of her sisters.
General Garfield and Party Leaders.
A Cincinnati special to the New York
Times concerning General Garfeld's pur-
poses sounds little as though the writer
had inhaled the atmosphere at Mentor.
1t will furnish food for reflection If the
new President can live up to this pro-
gramme, uninfuenced by the powerful
currents which viii boil around him, il
will show that he is made of stern stuff
The conflicts between Congressional rec
concentrations and "the public desire"
always raise the question of what is the
the public desire.
Upon correct decisions in such cases
must depend the success of the admins
tration. There are many publics-that
is to say, many sorts of public opinions
Some are weak and puerile; others are
strong and virile. Happy the man whose
character leads him to desire the good
opinion of the worthy rather than of the
noisy. Here is the standard set up by
the Times correspondent:
The simple fact that careful, brave and judi
cious President, who believes in the great mis-
sion of the party that elected him, and who mas a
deep respect for the tried leaders of that party can
get along without antagonizing that party On one
hand or its leaders ON the other, seems never 10
have suggested itself To those who believe that the
holding OF political Office means either bitter war
fare or inane stupidity. General Garfield goes into
the Presidential office as clear from mortgages
promises, and pledges any President ever
elected. He asked no man for the nomination. and
he asked no man for vote. He has personal
friends everywhere, but no man viii be appointed
because Of personal friendship. He knows every
other man in Ohio, bat no man will be appointed
simply because he is an Ohio man. That the
Federal appointments in each State will be
largely left to the people of that State his
letter of acceptance directly declares: ITO select
wisely from our vast population those who are
best fitted for the many Offices TO be filed requires
an acquaintance far beyond the range of any one