The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1877-03-14
HAYES INAUGURAL.

and however mucn we may ItSIet ~
and Notwithstanding our knowledge
of the infamy and fraud that attend
ed the pretended announcement OF
his election. the fact remains. In
accordance with custom he delivered
an inaugural address which is but
little, if any different from his letter
of acceptance last summer. Inc
most noticeable feature of the ad-
dress and the one now attracting con-
siderable attention is his "Soutbern
policy" Without entering into any
exhaustive recital of that policy in
detail, we may briefly state that it is
pledge on his part, to let the South
ern States govern themselves, provi-
ded they do nothing or attempt moth,
ing that will effect the present s'atas
of the negro under the law. In other
words this means that the Southern
States must accept the X1Vth and
XVIII Amendments to the Constitu-
ton of the United States in good
faith. Upon this point the Demo
cratic party Of the South is as SOL
emily committed as he could wish
and he may we'll Danish any fears he
may have.
He says: "The people of these
States are still impoverished, and the
estimable blessings of wise, honest
and peaceful local selfgovernment is
not fully enjoyed" For this hit at
the carpet-b bag governments of the
South we are much obliged. He says
again: "Whatever difference of opia-
ion may exist as to the cause of this
condition of things, the fact is clear
that in the progress of events the
time has come when such a Govern
ment is an imperative necessity, re-
auired by all the varied interests,
public and private, of these States. y
If this does not mean an intention to
sustain the Nichols and Hampton
Governments in Louisiana and South
Carolina, taken in connection with
the first sentence quoted, it does not
mean anything. He makes it posi-.
bly, still stronger as follows: "The
question we have to consider for the
immediate welfare of those States OF
the Union is the question of govern.
ment or no government, of social or.
der, and are the peaceful industries
and the happiness that belongs to il
or return to barbarism. 1t is {
question in which every citizen o.
the nation is deeply interested ano
with respect to which we ought not
to be, in partisan sense, either Re
publicans or Democrats but fellow
citizens and fellow men to whom the
interests of the common country ant
common humanity are dear"
: This policy is very satisfactory
and is all we could have asked ant
will doubtless bring about "the per
manent paciiication' Of the country
if only Hayes has the back bone anc
nerve to carry it out in the face of Z,
strong and determined opposition OF
the part of the extreme wing of hi:
own party led by Morton and Blaine
At this time the two wings of thu
party are measuring swords in tht
Senate where the fight is over the ad
mission of Kellogg. In this fight thu
! Democrats are safely allied will
Hayes, and as Kellogg's credential.
we're referred, it would seem to b;
"tirst blood" for Hayes. The bal
ance of the address is devoted to ed
ucation for the negro; civil service re
form; an amendment limiting thu
President to one term of six years
; hard money and the Electoral Com
mission. Taken as whole the doc
ument is conciliatory, prolific in goo,
promises and much better than wa
to be expected. The people Cal
never forget the means by which MI
Hayes was elevated to his high posi-
ton, but be can do much, and if b
carries out his promises, undoubtedl,
will do much to curb the bitterness
of their criticisms of him and recon
Gle them ia measure to his fraud
ulent occupancy of the positio
which ofright belongs to Mr.. Tilden
= -~~~~-~-~~-&~-~~->~~
Gov. Nichols has at last ap
pointed a Tax Collector for Rapides
| This appointment he has conferre
on Henry 2. Luckett, creole of thi
: Parish, and gentleman of the bes
antecedents and unsullied record, an
: we are bound to accord to the Gov
y ernor due credit for making such a
appointment. We believe it wi
= give universal satisfaction. Nj