The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1877-04-05


hand writing, read it hastily, and re-
marked to him that it contained some
:eneraIIties did not like. He re-
,lied that Mr.. Matthews had rewritten
t, and added Brown, it is
INTENDED To COVER THE WHOLE CAST,
And l can promise you there will be
doubt about the fulfillment of all
he assurances | have given you."
soticed the original letter on his desF,
md said sign this also,' and he re-
plied, certainly. with pleasure AS [
vas leaving he called me back, and
old me that President Grant would,
IS soon as the Court was completed,
issue certain order to General Augur
in Louisiana. lie requested me net
mention this fact for several days,
but expressly gave me permission to
MAKE ANY USE OF THE LETTERS
might desire. The order referred to
vas issued by President Grant. gave
copies Of the letter to Messrs. Levy,
Ellis and Burke. of Louisiana, and to
General M. G.. Butler, of South Caro-
ina, with authority to use them when
ever they pleased. When saw that
the Democratic victory SO fairly won
was lost, my deepest concern was for
my suffering Southern countrymen.
70 contribute to their deliverance
from bondage was the passionate aspir-
,tion of my heart. Had / believed that
the policy Of Mr.. Hayes, if inaugura-
ted, would not relieve them from the
hateful and unrepublican supervision
oy the army, and the further plumber
ing and oppression by men alien to
should never have voted as did. Hon.
Charles Foster secured the inaugura-
lion of the President. But for his
speech and these letters the result
would never have been reached. The
conversation and contents of the let
ters were made known TO many. The
confidence Of Democrats in him, and
his authoriz ,tion to say what he
did, composed the Representatives
and caused them to remain mistaken
in doing what they believed was right
amid the storm that was raging around
them, and in the face of the earnest
remonstrances of their constituents.
If few had faltered the panic would
have become general. the work of the
Commission would have been fruitless
and before this time, in my opinion
HURRICANE OF WAR
would have been sweeping oyer the
land. Hope deferred has sickened the
hearts of Southern men. 1 do not
understand, nor do appreciate. the
delay of President Hiyes. He ought
| not to hesitate. The whole country
expected this great and good work at
his hands. Passionate men are heap
{ ing invectives upon the heads of those
Democrats who voted to stand by the
Electoral Bill. This pains me, but
causes no regret for my action.
In conclusion, l will say that have
full faith in the fulfillment of the
assurances contained in the letters Of
Messrs. Foster and Matthews. They
are honorable men. l cannot believe
that they would attempt deliberate de-
ception. They are the intimate friends
of the President. They know his
| views and expressed them in these
letters. An honest construction of their
language means that
THE AUTONOMY OF LOUISIANA AND
SOUTH CAROLINA SHOULD BE RESTORED,
1t is impossible that the President,
under all the circumstances, in view
of his own utterances and the promise
of his friends, can refuse at once to
make louisiana and South Carolina as
free as Ohio, and have "the flag float
over States, not provinces over free
men, not subjects. If done, the peace
and prosperity of the Republic will be
secured; if not done, the whole re-
sponsibility for the consequences,
whatever they may be, will rest upon
President Hayes.
| JOHN Young Brown.
THE LETTER OF CHARLES FOSTER.
[Copy.]
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.
WASHINGTON, d. c., Feb. 2G, 1877. {
"GENTLEMEN: Referring to the con.
versation had with you yesterday, in
which Governor Hayes policy as to
the status of certain Southern States
was discussed, We desire to say, in re.
ply, that we eau assure you in the
strongest possible manner of our grea
desire to have him adopt such a policy
as will give to the people of the State:
of South Carolina and Louisiana the
right to control their own affairs il
their own way; and to say, further
that we feel authorized. from an &C
ouaintance with and knowledge o
Governor Hayes and his views on this
question, to pledge ourselves to you
tor him, that such will be his policy
CHARLES FOSTER.
''To Hon. John Young Brown an(
Hon. John 3. Gordon"
JOINT LETTER OF MATTHEW'S AND Fos
TER.
, Copy
WASHINGTON CRY, Feb. 81, 1877.
"GENTLEMEN: Referring to the con
versation had with you yesterday, il
which Governor Hayes policy as t,
the status of certain Southern State
, was discussed. we desire to say tina
/ we can assure you in the stronges
possible manner, of our great desire I,
!, have him adopt such policy as vii
give to the people of South Carolin
and Loti lana the right TO contrO
e their own affairs in their own way
, subjec. only to the Constitution of tn
, Uulted States, and the laws made i
pursuance thereof; aud TO say, furthe
that from an acquaintance with an
C knowledge of GOveanor Hayes als
= his views, we have the most complet
n confidence that such will be the polio
of his Administration. Respectful,
: STANLEY MATTHEWS.