Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1876-07-07

fered no hope of peaceful aud lasting is
sue the Senate had, after endless discuss
ion, allowed II to pass undecided, and lit
tie was expected from the work Of the
House Committee sent down TO New Or
leans TO investigate It once more. Yet,
thanks 10 the sagacity, and the simple,
straightforward, patriotic good purpose of
Mr.. Wheeler, the committee succeeded in
bringing the vexed question TO so happy
conclusion that the Federal Government
has not since been required TO touch II, and
the people of Louisiana have enjoyed as
much political tranquility as they could
possibly hope for. This was accomplished
by all parties agreeing TO accept as final the
award of Mr.. wheeler's committee as TO
the result of the previous election. 1t is
not easy to overestimate the capacity for
inspiring confidence which such an achieve
ment required in the leader who chiefly
effected it. All agree that it was due main
ly to Mr.. Wheeler, whose patience, candor,
business, and frmness convinced all minds
and won all hearts. 1t Is an additional
proof Of the wisdom and essential fairness
of the settlement that il has not been dis
political excitement. Shortly after its com
pletion, some complaint was made by Re-
publicaus that the Democrats were taking
an unfair advantage in carrying out the
settlement; but Mr.. Wheeler promptly
laid before the public an explanation of the
matter, with a frank and clear justification
of the course of his political opponents.
From first to last his object in the matter
was justice, as near exact as possible, and
no partisan impulse interlered with his
purpose. In concluding the explanatory
statement 10 which we refer, Mr.. Wheeler
made the following remarks. They en-
brace as complete a statement of sound
policy on the Southern questionable most
important even yet that the country can
consider-as we have had from any public
man:
A closing word-the result of my personal
observation in the South. We oftne North
delude ourselves in expecting that the
masses of the South, so far behind us in
many OF the attributes of enlightened i'm
provement and civilization, are, In the
brief period OF ten or fifteen years, to be
transformed into our model northern COM
munities. That can only come through u
long course of patient waiting, to which no
one can now set certain bounds. There
will be good deal of unavoidable friction,
which will call for forbearance, aud which
will have 10 be relieved by the temperate,
fostering care of the government. One OF
the most potent If not Indispensable agen-
ces in this direction will be the devising
of some system 10 aid in the education I'll
the masses. The fact that there are whole
counties in Louisiana in which there Is not
q solitary school house is fnll of suggestion,
We compelled these people TO remain In
the Union, and now duty and interest de-
mand that we leave NO just means untried
to make them good, loyal citizens. How
to diminish the friction, how to stimulate
the elevation of this portion of our coun-
try, are problems addressing themselves to
our best and wisest craftsmanship. The
foundation for these efforts must be laid in
satisfying the southern people that they are
to have equal, exact justice accorded to
them. Give them to the fullest extent, ev-
| cry blessing which the government confers
upon the most iavored-give them no just
by every necessary means, to an exact,
| rigid observance OF all their duties and OBJ
! legations under the constitution and its
| amendments, to secure 10 all within their
| borders manhood and citizenship, with ev-
cry right thereto belonging. This l believe
| to be the doctrine of the republican party.
1t is no exaggeration 10 say that these are
| the words Of statesman, and he who used
| them, under the circumstances in which
they were used, is one whom the country
| can trust.-N. Y. Times.