New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1877-03-31
THE TRUE SOUTHERN POLICY.

The following extracts from the address delivered
by Col. Stanley Matthews at the reunion of the
Army of the Cumberland i'll September, 1874, pub
lished by Robert Clarke 81 Co., Cncinnati), have
fresh interest just now in view of the new posi-
ton COL Matthews has acquired as close friend
and adviser of tho President of the United States
There can be no doubt that on the most important
public questions of tine day Stanley Matthews and
President Hayes are of one mind and with regard
to the proper treatment of the South in particular
they are entirely in sympathy with each other:
1.-THE duty of comforting right of suffrage the
newly made citizen seemed plain and imperative, not
withstandng its per; but It's wisdom, OF course could
justified the ground that he likely ut once
to u.e Il wisely, This to be expected in any case
its nature Instrument or government, Is sucn
that It's wise use comes from the experience Oh us ac'u
There is double error American theory Of rep
resentative gOvcrnmenttha perfect institutions secure
perfect administration and that the simple rule OF the
majority where the franchise OF voting anu holding ONCE
is shared equally by all, is the perfection OF popular lns
buttons. ,.....,a D..
the peaceful adjusting OF dis utcd questions OF public
and private rights than provided for pres ryng har
mony the States Of this Union through the Fed
eril Governments yet that that Ialrd In the moment
OF It's great trial. the evil Of 1861 is the melancholy
proof and that universal suffrage and universal cand-
dacy to Office is not the panacea Tor perfect amnlstra
lion, the condition and history Of the reconstructed
States abundanty show. - .
"Tnc remedy for the admitted evils resulting from the
introduction into the body polite suddenly OF 40 large
propot ton Of ignorant electors Is mol may DC affirmed
with certainty seek deprive them OF the franchise
now secured 10 them by constitutional guarantees
THAT would he unjust and impossible. To the extent
Of protecting in their equal rights citizens the
faith Of the nation Is pledged ana that fah, made
sacred the blood and treasure spent IN the restoration
of the Union will oe redeemed at every additional
Neither will IL promote relief, while not openly seeking
that end 10 apprOx,na IL indirectly, by system OF
intimidation and outbreaks OF violence, in order to
ducc them state OF snbscryency to those who claim
to he the rlghtful ruling class
TERRORISM Is not instrument in popular govern
ments and cannot DC permanent one In this matter
the white citizens the South much to learn
quite rs much, perhaps those whose ignorance they
assume be the cause Of all their troubles. small
class among them ill tine country with reports OF their
coldbloOdcd and unprOyOked murders pcrpetrated III
most upon unoifcndng blacks out OF mere wdnton.
ness rage and class hatred TIE existence OF crimes ot
tins class Is attributable to the apathy and want Of
public spirit in tie OF the Intelligent refined and
Respectable whites It would be Going them too great in
justice suppose that they could sanction such horrors
And yet it is their indifference which really makes them
possible aud brings upon the whole community where
the responsibility the consequences OF the crimes
II il i'm the power the real statesmen OF the South
tho statesmen OF the old school, and the generation Of
there who have q stake in society To restore social order
and bring in and intelligent government in their
several States. 10 is by simply coming forward and
claiming the place and influence IN the public affairs
which legitimacly belong to teir qualifications
IL 1, y making friends and allies OF the new voters i'll
stead of treating them enemies and aliens Ii is by
learning to lead and forgetting to drive None are 50
we'll yrrsrd rs the tactics aud arts Of politics
and ram this there is no field for the exerton OF
talent ana industry where harvest more surely follows
seed-tiinc: Z.
"But let u.s. on part take care that that interven
does NOT transcend the limits of constitutional obligation
Let us avoid all irritating legislation all unnecessary
Wounding OF ptbilities sore with dlSapponbent
or Unframed by prejudice. We have done whole duty
when we established and enforced IN favor OF the
freedmen equality OF right under the law. The rest
whatever il may prove to be- he must do for himself We
confer upon him his personal Freedom his civil rights
his political liberty His social position must be the
result of social forces, with which government neither
State nor National, has any right to interfere. lie
cannot long maintain uslrped position, either
in private or public lite. II his education or
natural abilities do fit him for the place Of leader In
ni,i,, lie
lower The very glory aud beauty OF free govcrnment
are that one according to his natural nneSs may
freely find his place that intelligence, wisdom, ana
virtue may be the governing powers that society may
ALWAYS command the best service for the pablo good
Fnunty prevails only in the order Of right in the social
order where the bond is opinion and not law, the organ
zation of mutual service Is hierarchy o special aapta
mons in which IL il honorable to fill well the lowest
place Than greedily 10 seek for the highest and IN
worthily occupy it."