National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1881-05-12
What Will He Do?

about the President fear to have him
supported by any who would frown upon
them "knavish men feared Richie
| lieu and sought his destruction, and
knavish men now stand between the
President and their betters, depriving
him of strong and indispensable
support. On the 22d of March
he nominated to be collector of the port
of New York William H. Robertson, who
on the same evening declared to the
Albany correspondent Of the New York
Tribune that he believed he had been
nominated as an earnest that President
Garfield intends to reward the men who
made possible his nomination at Chicago" +"
This low estimate by Robertson of the
duties of an Executive in making ap-
pointments has never been criticised by
any one speaking for the President.
The President had voluntarily assured
the Vice-President and Senators Conk-
ling and Platt that he would not decide
upon any change in the New York GUS
tom-house appointments that was not
first ascertained to be agreeable to those
gentlemen and the great elementin New
York represented by them. He had re-
quested Senator Conkling to confer with
Messrs. Arthur and Platt, and to prepare
for him proid covering a list of official
stations which could be filed without
detriment to the public service, and with
the least harm to the party, by Robert
son and some who affiliate with him.
While this request was being complied
with, and without notice by the President,
either to the Vice-President, the two
Senators, or the New York member of
the Cabinet, the name of Robertson was
sent to the Senate. To question asked
him at that time by a friend Sen
ator Conkling responded: "All l de-
sire is that the party in New York may
be allowed to succeed if it can," adding
that the future looked gloomy. Not an
other word. No manifestation of anger;
no desire for quarrel or controversy.
Then came efforts to have the wrong un-
done. Argument and persuasion were
exhausted. The Presidents mind seemed
to be in a condition unfavorable to any
consideration of consequences to. the
country or the party charged with the
conduct of its affairs Those around him
had labored to make itappear to him that
the greatest stroke of policy he could
adopt would be to "give Conkling slap
in the face and then to "stand by it."
To bring this about mischievous tales
were told the President of things often
sive alleged to have been said of him by
Conkling. The 500 Grant delegates at
Chicago were held up to him constantly
as a secret league in opposition to him,
with the New York Senator in the lead.
All that Machiavelian art could do to
make it seem to the President that a
quarrel was inevitable between him and
Senator COnkling has been done. Iago
was not more crafty than are the
Intiring influences which have been con-
5tantly plying the President with false
reasons for distrusting the New York
leader
The mesh-work of deceit, selffshness.
and revenge which has been woven
around him has seemed to him the clear
and disinterested advice of wise and hon
est counselOrs. He is told in private and
shouted at by the frothy lunatics of the
New York Tribune, Cincinnati Commercial,
and kindred sheets that what the coun- |
try wants of him is a pugilistic display |
He must show "pluck" in the ring and |
Z come up smiling from his corner" He |
must swagger like Ancient Pistol, and |
kill off Conkling with as little remorse
is he would drown blind puppy This
IS to make him a hero, and the country |
IS to be taken by storm by melodramatic |
effects. It is in an atmosphere like this
that We find our once gentle and kindly |
5cholar-politician Where is his philoso-
ply and self-discipline? Where is his |
thinking apparatus? What audience |
Ioes he most desire shall applaud He |
IS now great figure in the worlds eve. |
Is this needless brawl over custom
house, into which small, vulgar, and un-
friendly men have pushed him, just the |
pest view he can give of the introduction |
If the scholar. into politics? Is the ap-
,lause of Murat Halstead, Tom Nichol,
Bill Woodin, and their sort sure to out
Weigh a whole theatre full Of others, who |
ooked to him for realization of lofty
lopes and aspirations? Why struggle
,eevishly, YEARLY, and willfully for
pproval of a nomination when disaD-
,roval will be no reproach? ? Why
INSIST on the nomination at all
When all the Senators of his political
aith manifest desire to see a restora-
ion of the peace so violently broken?
The opposition of the New York SEN
tors to this nomination is the opposition
# their party. They would be false to
hose who sent them to the Senate if thev
we're to withdraw their objections to
lominee so Objectionable. The men
whose good opinion the President was
Won't greatly to respect-the great bust
less element of New Iork-ask that no
hange be made in the collectorship.
he only wise plank in the civil-service-
eform platform is that which insists on
fixed term of office To that the party
5 committed. To that the President is
ledged. All things reasonable conspire
D urge the President to a courageous,
manly, and prompt Withdrawal from pres
Mt entanglements. He would show real
luck in breaking the bonds with which
e has bound himself, Withdrawing
robertson, leaving Merritt to serve out
is term, and requesting Senator Conk-
ng and his friends to complete the
rcjd before alluded TO.
But if Robertson is to be Withdrawn.
It Us be shared any further sensations |