Year: 1877

n si1ohOUo lNDOESEMESI OF AIiioN VT


THE ADMINISTRATION


INDIANAPOLIS. Oct q, 1871.


The following editorial will appear IN tho Journal
Tomorrow Ii expresses Senator Morton's views
upon the duty OF republican members OF Congress,
having been read to him and receiving his hearty APP
proval as embracing his idcas:-


While there are few republicans who c1n give a full
and hearty endorsement 10 every act and declaration
made by the President, which 20 To make
up what are known as his Southern and
civil service policies yet we have seen nothing.
taken either separately or together 10 justify tho
pnbllcans IN dislrusng either his patriotism hrs
publicanism There seems To be feeling the part Of
those who uispprovc OF certain Of the President
that they better republicans and faithful 10
principles OF the party than he such assumption does
injustice TO the President He is an original repub
lican and has tested for twenty a soldier
civilian, and has never waycrcd or been
found wanting IN his devotion the great fundamental
doctrines OF the republican party He was elected as
republican ana IL IS impossible Tor him with
the present organization OF parties, even II
he should desire, 90 other than
publican President, not IN an offensive partisan
sense out IN HIS devotion TO the principles and desire
for The perpcuy OF the republican party. Until II is
demonstrated that he has not this devotion ana this
desire the republicans IN Congress should not break
with hlm on mere questions of policy. President
Hayes has most difficult role, ana instead OF recoiv-
ing The unlrendiy criticisms and attacks OF his party
friends he should have their support anu be
gwen their best and iruest ADVICE. The
Presidents paramount duty IS TO the country,
ana IL he were to place simplc party success
public interest lie would render himself hateful
TO every riphtmndcd man and Infamous IN history.
We do not suppose that single one OF The republicans
VINO differ with him on questions OF policy would
AK the President IN plain terms 10 assume
such position, and yet tney do this ~
cause OF tho damaging elect II may have
upon the party without reference 10 IT'S
probable eaec. upon tho higher interests
position Tor knowing what ought to be done. He is
acting under solemn oath. lie Is moro
largely responsible than any other living
llS
having decided uron certain course as
essential 10 The public welfare that cause should not
be obstructeu by his party 'irends unless II is
PLAN conflict with tho principles OF rcpubli-
canism. He is certainly not IN his posi-
tion OF President the mere creature OF Congress,
ana should not be the tool OF party The day
Tor discussion has passed as TO tho right wrong
OF the Southern poicy OF the standardization We
might have gone 90 the same extent III placing the
South upon It's honor and good behavior Wo might,
after what has transpired IN the past years, have
qurea some protection or exacted some bond to
keep tho peace; but President Hayes has proper
TO accept the assurance OF the people OF the SCUM
that they viii MAINTAIN Inv and protect the equal
rights oi all classes, ana II they keep aith with tho
administration his Southern policy cannot uiL Tho
same policy might have boon inaueuratcd at any
time since the close OF the war bad the
people OF these states come forward with honest
purpose and prolered the same pledges. As long as
these pledges are kept ana peace maintained tho
would sustain the President In the enorts he is
making lor peace and Cancellation Whom these
States fail 10 maintain the law and protect the equal
rights OF all classes shah expect the peace policy
to be by administration ana iorce pol
ICY inaugurated.


The President elected under pledge OF civil SER
vice reform. The pledge made by his party and
fully approved and ndcrscd by him. The
oil the people had been procured Tor him upon
his solemn PROMISE made In the Cincinnati platform
aud In his letter OF acceptance, that ho would
inaugurate tho reforms demanded. He took a
prchensive survey OF the whole subject Tho
English system OF civil service. which is suv-
stan,iaily promotion in Office promote in
army and navy. could not be safely adopted until
he had obtained sound starting basis and s!ted the
material a. hand In con Insulation with his Cabinet lie
laid down three leading rules


Irst-1hat he would not remove any faithful COM
pctent officer without some cause, and would not
tain an incompetent or dishonest tor any cause.


Second-That while he would freely ADVICE with
Senator'S and members OF Congress- their recommends
atoms snoIld not DO imperative, and in lead
him to violate the first and fundamental rulc.


1hird-That any one assuming 10 perform the
duties OF public Office ard receiving it's reward
should givo to 1t his Undivided attention.


Who can object to ono OF these rules Arc they
may work occasional hardshlps, as all zen.
@ iad down and rigdly adhered ,oT The details
tor the execution Of these rules neces-
sarily bc LETT largely TO tho departments The
driited into some proscriptvc measures which
they would have to anandon. rhe details may not
hnvo been applied practically II Is not likely that the
control the OF c,vi officers
connected with the detail work OF their party do we
believe there Is necessity for any attempt TO do So
Liberty OF thought and action should not be
abridged because man happens be
in Office. when civil olhccr performs
faithfully and honestly the duties imposed by his
ofhce-lhis Is all that should be required
and all that can be required, and at
tempt 10 dictate which political work an officer
may perform Tor party must. OF right ana necessity
fail THIS will be discovered by the President
about quickly It viii by Congress, ana
ii IS matter of minor Importance
upon which IL is childish TO make an issue Con-
ercssional patronage may have been abused We
have doubt 1t has been; but It Is impos-
sblc that the President or his Cabinet
should know all tho applicants Tor Office
IN the several states, that they should know even
one good man Tor each OF the Offices be llled And
knog of safer advisers reference such ap.
pcants than the Senators and members oil Congress
who rcprs he people oil the localities wherein the
duties OF such officers are TO be discharged. If
any Senator other should prove him.
self an unsafe adviser, then the President
would be justified Ignoring him aud
seeking Information from other sources, and I'm fact
he should seek such Information from all sources
and judge Tor himself, with all the light he
can obtain, TO the fitness OF tho applicant
The republicans in Congress should embarrass the
administration by any factious opposition to tho
measures inaugurated or appointments made and
should seek To promote the harmony of
the party IN which none are moro Interested than