The Elk County advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Pa.) 1868-1883, 1881-05-26
The President and the People.
Philadelphia Press

philadelphia Press.l
President Garfields Administration
has had stormy pathway during its
short career thus far, but 1t has reso-
lutely braved all of its difficulties and
has made steady and triumphant pro-
gress. The clouds which suddenly
loomed up about it were the more sur
prising because they had been little to
presage such a tempest. Rarely has
an Administration started out with a
fairer prospect of peaceful progress.
General Garfeld's nomination had
satisfied the Independent sentiment of
the country without dampening the
enthusiasm of the regular party or
ganization. During the canvass he
had rallied a united party to his
cordial support, and he was elevated
to the Presidency not merely through
the force of party loyalty but with the
intelligent and approving judgment
of the nation. In organizing his Ad-
ministration he sought to preserve
this established harmony by frankly
consulting and respecting all the ele-
ments which had contributed to the
common victory. and the first results
gave hopeful promise of success.
But this prospect soon proved de-
lusive. 1t very speedily appeared that
there were leaders who would not be
content with fair recognition of all
divisions, but who insisted upon grasp
ing all power within their own hands.
When the President undertook to be
President, and without departing from
his settled policy of just treatment for
every portion of the party, assumed to
exercise his rightful prerogatives ac-
cording to. his own judgment, he
suddenly found himself facing war in
stead of peace. It was struggle
which involved not merely his own
honor and dignity, but the constitu-
tional principles of government and
the freedom of the party from personal
dictation. For more than a month
the angry contest was waged against
the President. To-day it is over ex-
cept as defeated factionists may at
tempt to carry it into localities, and
the Administration is stronger than
before. 1t commands more positive
and aggressive popular support than
when it entered upon its term. Then
there was general feeling of good
will and of hopeful expectancy; now
4. T.
by manly actions and real public
achievement. The President himself
is personally stronger and has palpa-
bly, gained in the public esteem.
The first and the obvious reason is
the firmness and courage he has dis
played in maintaining his position
and defending his constitutional pre-
negatives. Perhaps this firmness was
unexpected. 1t has been quite the
fashion, while recognizing the great
ability of General Garfield, to charge
him with want of backbone. He
has been regarded as man of splen-
did intellectual endowments, but as
deficient in the decision and rugged
strength which belongs to positive
natures. If there was any ground for
such an impression he has done very
much to remove it. The truth is that
statesman of his breadth and accom-
plishments Is very apt to be misappre-
hended. He sees all sides of ques-
ton, and in balancing them against
each other may seem to hesitate more
than the man of narrow vision who
sees only the one side, and obstinately
follows it. But in the end he acts
under the command of intelligent con-
victions and deep sense of respon-
sibility. General Garfield has shown
both pluck and back bone, and he has
gained in the public esteem both be-
cause he has been courageous and be-
cause his courage has been exhibited
In the just cause of defending the in
tegrity of the party and the honor of
the Government against the assaults
of autocratic claims. The people have
seen too that the President has earn
estly sought to be entirely fair, aud
that he has still preserved this equable
temper under the grossest provocation.
While resisting insolent pretentions
he has not, on the other hand, per.
mitted any section to be prescribed
and punished. Even after the war
fare upon him he has been careful to
avoid giving any just ground of of
fense to his ,assailants, and this mani
fest fairness and frmness have greatly
heightened his place in the public res
pect..
The Treasury Department at
Washington receives five per cent.
bonds, for continuance under the 81
per cent. scheme, at the rate of over