Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1877-03-24
rHE PRESIDENTS BACK-Dowx.

and is leaning to the bloody-shirt
faction, is SO apparent that the fact
cannot be successfully denied. The
sending of a commission to Louis
lana means to demand a political
bargain by which two Republican
senators will be sent to the United
States senate. The New York
Herald, though often warped in its
views, is at least an independent
paper, and has ell along criticised one
side as freely as the other. 1t lives
by its legitimate business, and is
independent of federal patronage
or f~avors; hence its opinions at
this time have peculiar weight and
force. The Herald Of the 2lst
says, in a leading editorial
The country will regret the failure of
the cabinet to reach any definite con.
clusion yesterday respecting the uufor-
tunate political condition OF Louisiana
and South Carolina. We trust this sp.
pearance Of vscillation will not continue
much longer, BECAUSE it tends to under
mine confidence, not indeed in the sim
certify, but 10 the stesdiness, of President
Hayes. The menace of Packard to pre-
cipitate q conflict with the Nichols gov.
eminent is a natural fruit Of the Presi-
dents delay and indecision. Had the
President taken time by the forelock"
and acted at onre the trouble would
have been oil over more than a week
ago. Every days procrsstination will
increase the difficulties of the situation
This is a plain, common sense view
of a situation which is not relieved
by the appointment Of two Demo-
Gratis to office. So far as the South
ern question is concerned, Mr..
Hayes has done nothing but back
down. He has spoken very kindly,
it is true, and we believe means
well, but the old politicians-the
veteran Morton, the gladiator
Blaine, the conrtier Evarts, the sin
lister Sherman-have been too much
for him. All moves made hereaf-
ter will have a strict reference to
the future power and success of the
Republican party. The leaders
have notified Mr.. Hayes that he
must 60 no further in the work of
Cancellation; and hereafter only a
conventional politeness may be ex-
pected. They know already that
the South cannot be bought with
an official bone in the shape of a
fat office, and that such fayors will
count for but little until justice is
done every State and section alike.
The Republicans saw nothing in
the late Presidential canvass but
the spoils Of Office and the emolu-
ments of power. The Democrats
were animated by a higher princi-
plea desire for the restoration Of
constitutional government. The
distribution of patronage was a
minor issue, and is yet, although
many Democrats would accept
office under the administration.
This is a question of propriety,
taste or necessity, which every man
must decide for himself. Mr.. Wal.
dram, for instance, we presume, will
accept the commission as marshal
for West Tennessee. He is a bust
ness man, well qualified, has always
been a conservative Democrat: was
an earnest supporter of the Bart.
let movement, which was non.parti-
san, in 1874, and will make a good
officer. His acceptance will surely
not disrupt the Democratic party
nor would the appointment of any
Democrat or Conservative. 1t will
have but little effect one way or the
other except to assure the faithful.
performance Of a public service
Since the appointment of Waldrar
and Key the announcement ha;
been made that hereafter Republi
cans will have the preference, othel
things being equal, and that policy
has gone into effect. Just in pro
portion has Hayes receded from hi
first announced Southern policy
The impulsive Democrats whc
gushed at first now gush no more.
and have concluded to quietly
await dev lopments, which would
have been as well at first.
--e-R-
If President Hayesdoes not re.