New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1877-03-20
shall he Troopr BE- yPlrhdrnwne

ington in the character of Governor of
South Carolina, is reported to say that she
does not wish to be recognized. What he
desires" he is good enough to add, sis that
the troops shall be removed from the State
House, and then the will of the people can
be carried out, and carried out peaceably."
As an expression of Mr.. Hampton's views,
this declaration 10 superhuous. Had he been
consulted, there never would have been any
troops in South Carolina. There would, in
fact, have been no election in that State
The ganizations-military in form and
discipline, political in purpose-which
| looked to him tor orders would have 81
| lently transferred the State to Tilden and
| the Democracy. The change was in Oper-
| alton when General Ruger appeared on
| the scene. But for his gentle interference
| we should have had no tldings of Repub-
lican vote. And after the voting had taken
place, and the title of Governor Chamber
lain had been established by the decision of
| the Returning Board, still Mr.. HamptOn's
friends, armed and ready for any emer-
| gency, evinced determination to take pos
session of the State House, to control the
| organization of the Legislature, and to af
| firm his title in spite of the board and it's
count. At every stage the presence of Fed
eral authority as the guardian of the peace
| has been an atfront to Mr.. Hampton and his
| party, Time does not lessen their impa-
| thence. The promise of a careful consider
alton of the merits OF the case, and an adj
| justment of terms that shall render the
withdrawal of troops feasible and safe,
\ only makes them more excitable.
Although Mr.. Nichols, in Louisiana, has
| been in advance of his brother in South
| Carolina as regards the means employed to
give practical effect to his pretensiOns, he
seems to be little more modest in the
| transmission of his desires to Washington.
He would doubtless be as glad to be rid of
Aka Nod hy,A L. =
impudent in his manner of asking tor their
removal. RumOr has, indeed, attributed to
him willingness to come to some arrange
ment whereby order shall be assured,
rights protected and provision made for an
equitable adjustment of existing difficult
ties If the statement were correct it was
as creditable TO Mr.. Nichols good feeling
as to his sagacity, and we can but regret
that it has not assumed q definite and au-
thoritative form. Nothing else could con-
tribute half so much to the cultivation of a
good understanding in relation to Louisi-
ana. 1t would be a graceful acknowledg.
ment of the generous purposes avowed by
the President and would simplify his task
materially.
The unpleasant fact is, that the prevail
ing tone OF the Southern press is more in
harmony with the insOlent, unyielding tenn
per displayed by Mr.. Hampton than with
the cOneiliatOry disposition ascribed-per-
haps errOneOusly-tO Mr.. Nichols. We
pass over, as of no moment, the few rabid
sheets which have naught but insults for
the President and the men who sustain
him. The South has always been afflicted
with writers whose malignant partisanship
approaches as near as may be to madness,
and for these lunitics it would be unjust to
hold the Southern people responsible
What is noticeable at this moment is the
disposition to accept churlishly, and with
out any sense of obligation, the adoption
by the national government of more
effect Of such q policy upon the
partisan affiliations of the South is
regarded. Despite all their protestatiOns.
it is certain that eight out of ten of the
Southern newspapers have little besides
sneers for the President and his policy, are
offensive in their rejection of the suggestion
that South Carolina and Louisiana shall
come to terms as preliminary to the with
drawal OF the troops, and are intent upon
preserving above all other things a "solid
South" for the Democracy. There are, of
course honorable exceptions. There are
journals which eeout partisan considera-
tions, appreciate the difficulties to be en-
countered BY the President, and are eager
TO render all the aid they consistently can
But the main body of the press is rs we
able unjust to the Republican party and
the purposes that actuaIe it in seeking the
eradication of sectional hostility.
How far Southern opinion is reflected BY
the local press is question not easily de-
termined, A wide gulf separates the edi-
tors of the South from the majority of the
men who speak for that section in The SEN
ate and the House. The moderation, and,
withsl, the fairness, of the South in Con-
gress during the late struggle constitute a
title to consideration which no amount of
newspaper bitterness can utterly destroy
They justify the belief that, apart from the
professional politicians, there is in the
South powerful element in favor of
a policy of Cancellation, without refer
ence to the ultimate effect upon the for
tunes of parties. So far as Louisiana and
South Carolina are concerned, it is
unfortunate that this element is silent
when it might speak effectively. It has
asserted itself st, st. Louis and at va
rious points in Tenneseee--in vague terms,
undoubtedly, but in q way that indicated
strength. Nothing has been heard about it
from Charleston or New Orleans. Every
day We are informed of the presence in
Washington of "prominent'' persons from
both cities, each having his own version of
the local outlook. In neither of these COM
munities, however, has public opinion given
any distinct sign. They can not be expect
ed to give vent to enthusiasm in anticipa-
tion of 3 settlement whose terms are I'm
known. But surely they night, without
any sacrifice Of self-reepect, indicate q
readiness to meet the President half way,
and to strengthen his hands by voluntary
concession of the conditions which should
precede withdrawal of troops.
The North is not inclined to trust impli-
citely man so arrogant and unaccom-
modating as MT. Wade Hampton, or a COM
munity so full of the elements of mischief
as Louisiana. 1t is not willing to leave the
Republicans OF two States helpless in the
hands Of fierce seetionalists whose anger
has been intesified by interference with
their plans. What guarantees are these
States prepared 70 give9 InAwhat tangible
form are they willing TO justify the conoes-
si0ns they seek, and to provide against the
occurrence of contingencies which the North
naturally dreadsl When these questions
are answered satisfactorily, the way
through all difficulties will be clear. Until
they are so answered there ought to be no
withdrawal of trOOpa.--NeU York Times.