The New Orleans daily Democrat. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1877-1880, 1877-07-17
RETURNING BOARD INDICTMENTS.
THE NORTH WHOLLY INDIFFERENT
TO THE FATE OF WELLS,
ANDERSON a. co.
The wonderful Reyulsfon of Feeling
Among Northern Democrats Rel
atiye to HAYES and TiIaPu.

throughout the North generally. SO far MS my
observation goes there is but very little psrtyism
manifested in these views, but
EVERY FELLOW APPEARS TO HAVE THEORY or HIS
OWN.
People in the North have little idea OF tbs ex-
tent TO which they have become mbued with the
provincial or provisional notion of government in
the South To hear the general run OF cor1mt mt
here touching these indictments, one might
fancy himself in London, and that the Returning
Board was Hipdoo institution. There people
cannot disabuse themselves Of the idea that
Louisiana, IL not indeed q garrisoned province as
she was under the Grant dispensation, is at least
sovereign State on probation only, and depend
ing for her continued self-sovereigBty upon the
Northern definition of her "good behavior"
This sentiment turks through all the COM
ments you bear on the street, and through a
majority Of the criticisms you read in the news
papers as well. My own acquaintances, taking 1t
for granted that must be familiar with the local
affairs Of New Orleans because connected with
the DEMOCRAT, besiege me with inquiries which
are as stereotyped in form az my inability to an
swer them is complete In fact.
''wHo IasT1GATEp THE INDICTMENTS?
Will Nichols be able TO keep his agreement and
prevent tho punishment Of the officisls9 Do the
people OF Louisiana intend instituting general
system Of prosecution against all Republican ex-
officialsf' These are samples OF questions pro.
pounded to mo hundred times day by men of
al sorts Of political views.
But you must not suppose that this anxiety is
caused by any solicude for the fate OF the ipd-
viduals composing the Returning Board. Far
from it. / doubt il there can be found four other
mon Of equal prominence in the country who
have so little OF the popular sympathy who srs
universally regarded with aversion or indiffer-
ence, or whose personal fate is matter of 30 lit
tie concern to the multitude, as those four knaves
now under indictment. confess that have been
surprised at the universally of
THE POPULAR BELIEF IN THE RAscALITY OF THE
BOARD.
Seven months ago they held the fate OF the
national government in their hands All winter
long they were martyrs in the estimation OF half
the North. And now there is none poor enough
to do them reverence. BY far the greater part
OF the people up here say that they have no
doubt the board is guilty of all charged against
it. The legality and regularity Of the current
are not questioned. All who know
enough about legal processes 10 form a rational
Judgment understand well enough that the
Grand Jury of Orleans parish has done nothing
but what it was compelled to do under the law,
provided complaint and information were lodged
ag gainst the board in due form.
Thus, il nothing seemed to be involved beyond
The personal fate Of the four individuals, there
would be but little interest fstt Ia tho matter
throughout the North. But nearly everybody has
! vague apprehension that the result will be to
-e-opon the question of
THE TITLE TO THE PRESIDENCY,
With all Its attendant uncertainty, agitation and
of political managers. On one side
he imagination eoniures up the hand
II Blaine, Packard, aDd Bill Chandler,
moving in this mysterious way to unseat Hayes
n revenge for bis policies and his reforms. An
'ther deep searcher after political truth discovers
| movement OF Tilden and David Dudley Field,
issigned to furnish legal foundation for bill in
'haDcery or in ejectment, or the devil knows
What other techn celiiy Of shystering.
y 1t this is not what am mainly writing
bout. I raid the sole ground Of the apprehen.
lions which prevail here WAS the supposed pos-
ubity or probability that The developments in
hese cases would reopen the dispute over the
Presidential succession. l can find nobody,
Democrat or Republican, who wants this dispute
eopeped, excepting the household OF the late
Democratic candidate, and, perhaps, those Re-
,ublicans Of the Wilkins and Pltkin stripe who
re going about asking the public to Just feel
he Jumps raised by The toe OF the Presidential
,oot'
Aside from these the whole country deprecates
my renewal OF The strife of last winter. The
masses Of the Democrats express their astonish-
nent that Mr.. Hayes should have done so we'll
yhiie the Republicans, except the few machine
politicians who find their occupation gone, seem
a'isfed that Hayes means well and will give him
nd his policies q good fair show before they
bsndon him to follow the gonfalnn OF Blaine.
popularity dexc,ibed as cardinal red petticoatl
L am satisfied that il tho masses of the people
lp here were certain that there could be
NO RENEWAL OF THE PRESIDENTIAL AGITATION
lnder any circumstances, tt ey would instantly
withdraw the attention which they now concen-
rate upon your action in these cases, and for the
est, remain wholly indifferent TO the fate Of
BOARD. You know what an IF ,rt was made to ex-
lite sympathy for Dibble and Johnson, and how
guominiously it petered out. So you can under
tand that the apparent outburst of Northern
oiictude for the indicted Returning Board is due
o something more than mere personal sympathy
Nth the four rogues who are in the tolls.
| said that there was general desire at the
lortb, among the masses OF the people, to see
fr. Hayes remain undisiurbed in his tenure OF
fice. This desire is hardly less universal among
democrats than among Republicans. You can
nj but very few Democrats, even here in New
'ork, who would care to rec MIR. Hayes ousted
nd Tden installed. I have never soen such
A REyULsToE OF FEELING
0ward lead r. AS there has been in |
his State, particularly among the rural
democracy, toward Jilden during the |
sst three months. The dreadful bung- |
ng Of Pslton in the Oregon business, the weak |
ess Of Hewitt in Congress and the supercilious, |
ompl us imbeciiity of Field in tho noron;,4aas |