The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1877-12-31
Presidential election will be period o,

from Columbia and New Orleans was an
event of the year, whose consequences have
been thus far only good. 1t was important
as marking the final abandonment of the
policy of interference and coercion adopted
ut the close Of the civil war. That action
of President Hayes caused more excitement
and controversy than it needed to have
done; and more than it would have done,
had the President been as discreet in the
manner as he was wise in the fact II
President Grant had continued In Office
ne would undoubtedly have done the
Same thing, and no great fuss would have
been made about it. He had already with
drawn the troops from all the Southern
States but two and no party clamor was
raised against him when, in the last month
OF his term, he refused to. recognize Packard
or Chamberlain and declared his belief that
the policy Of interference ought to be ADAM
doned. Had Grant remained in Office he
would have withdrawn the troops and said
nothing. He would neither have pro-
claimed it in advance as a policy, nor have
magnified it afterward as an achievement.
He would have left it to be. judged as q
simple Executive act, just as he did when
he refused to interfere in Arkansas in a
similar case, without committing himself at
oil as to what course he would take in
any other case. But Mr.. Hayes. instead
Of simply performing the act, as Grant would
have done, went boastfully about the coun-
try Haunting policy" thereby ostenta-
tiously condemning and abiuring the course
of the republican party during the proceed
ing twelve years. TWAS mistake in tactics
to have kept publicly stroking his political
party against the hair when he could have
accomplished his whole purpose by with
drawing the troops on a plea of necessity
and saying no more about il.
The difference between the President and
the republican Senator'S. which is later
feature Of the same history, is not so much
a consequence Of his withdrawal OF the
troops as Of the methods Mr.. Hayes has
adopted in relation to the appointment
and the duties Of civil officers. The we'll
known civil service order was another
error of ostentation. He could have pre-
vented improper activity in elections by
personal requests quietly conveyed to few
leading officers in each State; but this
would not have been loud enough bid
for popular applause. The people might
not then have known what he was doing. so
he blew his own trumpet and spoilt the
whole reform by counting praise for it in
advance Of performance. He has further
excited the hostility Of his own party by
tant offices. As the year ends the breach
between Mr.. Hayes and his party seems to
be widening, with diminishing prospect
that either side will yield.
This he's also been remarkable year in
the United States outside Of party politics.
The great riots in the latter part Of July
were of unparalleled magnitude and extent
and developed new source Of danger.
One Of the worst features was the unwilling
ness Of the militia in some of the States to
act against the rioters. Besides the railroad
riots another notifying part of this
years history is the multitude of savings
banks and insurance companies that have
collapsed by the Encouragement or dis
honesty Of their officers. But the signal
punishment of some of the offenders by the
courts justifes a hope that this evil is
undergoing cure. But no cure can be radi-
cal which rests on mere fear Of State prison.
There is q widespread dishonesty which
prosecuting officers cannot reach nor courts
and juries punish. The zeal of the unscru-
pulous advocates OF silver and the astonish-
ing strength they have exhibited in Con-
gross present very alarming proof Of moral
degeneracy.
Among the events of the year we must of
course mention the Indian wars; but, ex-
cepting the fight OF Sitting Bull, they have
presented no unusual feature. The troubles
on the Rio Grande have occupied much at
tention, and it is fortunate that the order to
General Ord to pursue raiders into Mexico
has not been resented by tho govern
ment of Diaz A pleasing feature Of
the years history is the round of
courteous receptions given to General
Grant in Europe and especially in England.
Another thing to be dwelt on with satisfac-
ton is the great abundance Of our crops and
the excellent foreign market which has
made them SO profitable. Business has also
somewhat improved in other respects, but
the revival has not been vigorous. In the
history of New York city the one thing for
congratulation is the progress toward COM
pletion made by the rapid transit roads.
The year has been illustrated by two re-
markable contributions to human knowl-
edge-namely, the great discoveries Of STAN
Icy in the water system of the continent OF
Africa, and the antiquarian discoveries OF
Schliemann at Mycen@. :
The neurology Of the year is not remark
able. The world hos lost only one man of
the highest eninence, NJ Theirs Next to
Bismarck and Pope Plus Theirs had played
n larger part and accomplished greater re-
Suits than any other man who was alive Mt