New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1877-04-06

cupatiOn and means OF support LII haruiy
needs to be pointed out that the class of per-
sons disrespectfully described as "carpet-Dag-
"gers" who have taken advantage OF the
condition of affairs at the South since the close
of the war to push themselves into soft and
easy places, their tenure of which depends
upOn the continuance of strife, have selfish
interest in prolonging the period of distrust
and the policy of Federal interference and
military rule. AS much through their machlna-
tons as from any other cause the unfriendly
attitude of the Federal authorities toward the
white people of the South has been
maintained, and that fruitful source or
mischief, the coor-line in politics, per-
petuated. The impending change of policy
spoils their trade. They have opposed 1t az
every step, and will continue their opposition.
Their hostility is open and uncOncealed. lneir
constant assertion is that the wltDdraWai vi
Federal supervision in the States named Is an
abandonment of the blacks to the oppression
and Injustice they are sure to suffer from thelr
former masters, and that the result VIII DO
the triumph of wrong instead of the restora-
ton of order, Justice, and honest admlnistra-
ton. The men of the South have 1t Ill their
power either to verify these uniriendly pre-
dictiOns or demonstrate their falslty. III rests
with them and them only.
Another class of politicians in the opposite
party are equally interested in having the ex-
periment turn out failure, so that this dis
turbng question in politics may remain open.
These are Northern Democrats who feel the
necessity, for party purposes, OF holding tne
South solid against the Republican party on
ION tyyInU
The only bond of sympathy between North
ern and Southern Democrats has been that
growing out of mutual hostility TO
the party which has sustained carpet-bag gov
ernments and pursued the policy OF Federal
interference and military rule. These obsta-
cles to good understanding with the party
in control of the General Government being
removed, there remains no ground OF alliance
between the Conservative party or the South
and the Northern Democracy, and hardly
any ground of opposition except the desire
for Office The schemiug Democratic politician,
equally with the endangered carpet-bagger, Is
interested to keep the quarrel hot and post
none the final settlement. His hostility, how
ever must be concealed Having protested to
he in favor of Just such an adjustment as the
one in progress, he cannot openly oppose 1T.
But all his interests as politician are opposed
TO the plan which removes the question from
the field of politics, and these he Will
obey. Against both these elements the
statesmen of the South will have to con-
tend in their effort to prove themselves worthy
the confidence the Administration has rcposed
in them 1t is not by any means all PLAIN
sailing or smooth water ahead for them.
Temptations to disorder, violence, and out
rage, especially among the lawless classes, will
not cease at once, nor will they be always re-
sisted. The conservative men who will shortly
be in full control in all the Southern
States have before them no easy task.
They will be carefully watched by the design
ing men of both parties who mean to profit by
civil disorder, and it is not unlikely that dis
turbances may be set on foot for no other
purpose than to affect the political situation.
With much honest criticism and no little positive
condemnation of the conduct of those who call
themselves the Conservatives of the South,
THE TRIBUNE has had frequent occasion to
award them unstintcd praise for discretion
and good sense. They are now i'll position
which calls for the exercise of these qualities
i'm an unusual degree, and our fcrvent hope Is
that they may prove equal to the occasion.