What do you think?
Rate this book
Address of the New York State Republican Reform League: Followed by the Third-Term Question by Hon. Matthew Hale, and the Republic and the Presidency by Honorable A. N. Cole; Reprinted From the Nation
Excerpt from Address of the New York State Republican Reform League: Followed by the Third-Term Question by Hon. Matthew Hale, and the Republic and the Presidency by Honorable A. N. Cole; Reprinted From the National Quarterly Review for April, 1880
At the period of his inauguration, the party was united, determined and strong. But divisions soon arose, bitter feuds were engendered, and factions took the place of peace and union. Scarcely had General Grant been six months President when, from causes never explained or understood, there was begun a war upon certain chiefs in the party, having no parallel in the history of American politics. The inauguration of changes in nearly all departments of the customs, postal and other branches of the service then took place, until scarcely a friend of Greeley, Chase and Fenton was found in office at the close of General Grant's first year as President. That discontent, dissatisfaction and disgust followed on the part of a large portion of the party, was natural. The wise and prudent policies of war, which had enabled the eminent soldier to surround himself with the best military talent of the nation, seemed to have deserted him when placed at the head of civil affairs. His chief counsellors were taken from the ranks of those who had most axes to grind, and, in their grinding, manifestly cared more for their own political fortunes and fame, than for those of their party and country. That such a policy resulted in alienating large numbers from the party, need not be won dered at. The entire patronage of the Government was bestowed with a view to building up one class of leaders, and the pulling down of another. So marked was this policy, and to such an extent was it carried, that one man, Senator Roscoe Conkling, was made substantially dictator in all things pertaining to the distribution of patronage.
At the period of his inauguration, the party was united, determined and strong. But divisions soon arose, bitter feuds were engendered, and factions took the place of peace and union. Scarcely had General Grant been six months President when, from causes never explained or understood, there was begun a war upon certain chiefs in the party, having no parallel in the history of American politics. The inauguration of changes in nearly all departments of the customs, postal and other branches of the service then took place, until scarcely a friend of Greeley, Chase and Fenton was found in office at the close of General Grant's first year as President. That discontent, dissatisfaction and disgust followed on the part of a large portion of the party, was natural. The wise and prudent policies of war, which had enabled the eminent soldier to surround himself with the best military talent of the nation, seemed to have deserted him when placed at the head of civil affairs. His chief counsellors were taken from the ranks of those who had most axes to grind, and, in their grinding, manifestly cared more for their own political fortunes and fame, than for those of their party and country. That such a policy resulted in alienating large numbers from the party, need not be won dered at. The entire patronage of the Government was bestowed with a view to building up one class of leaders, and the pulling down of another. So marked was this policy, and to such an extent was it carried, that one man, Senator Roscoe Conkling, was made substantially dictator in all things pertaining to the distribution of patronage.
57 pages, Hardcover
First published July 26, 2015
1 person want to read
About the author
Matthew Hale
183 books3 followersLibrarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name. See this thread for more information.
Sir Matthew Hale SL was a Lord Chief Justice of England.
Sir Matthew Hale SL was a Lord Chief Justice of England.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
No one has reviewed this book yet.