The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1877-04-13
Blainc's New tfon-Presi-
dent Hayes and Louisiana.

i
Senator Blaine's terse, vigorous letter,
printed yesterday in nil the newspapers OF
the country, is a strong expression OF dis
sent from the Southern policy of the Presi'
dent. He declares his ''profoundest SYM
pathy" in Chamberain's '.heroic struggle
in South Carolina ''for civil liberty and con-
'stitutional government" This condemns
President Hayes without naming him.
Against whom did Mr.. Chamberlain
maintain his ''heroic struggle" for
civil liberty and constitutional govern
ment? Why, against the President Mr.
Blaines warm eulogy of Chamberlain car
ries, therefore, strong implied censure OF
President Hayes Senator Blaine espouses
the cause of Packard with equal emphasis
II am sure" he says, in his strenuous way,
''thnt Governor Packard feels that my heart
and Judgment are both with him in the con-
test he is still waging against great odds for
the Governorship that he holds by title as
valid as that which seated Rutherford d.
Hayes in the Presidential chair" 1t is the
evident purpose of this declaration to abet
and encourage Packard in resisting the pol
icy of the President 1t foreshadows the at
titude of Mr.. Blaine in the approaching
extra session and his intention to lead the
republican opposition to the Southern policy
of the administration.
In the fiery, aggressive speech delivered
by Mr. Blaine in the Senate, on the 9th OF
March, he affected to disbelieve and as
sumed to deny that the President enter
tanned the policy which had been attributed
to him, and proceeded to comment on it in
strain of mingled scorn and defiance.
He thrust his keenest weapons of invective
into the sides Of the President under the
pretence of assailing a false and dishonor-
ing rumor that had been circulated "here
and there in the corridors Of the Capitol,
around and about in by places and high
places that some arrangement had been made
by which Packard was not to be recognized
and supported" Mr.. Blaine secuted the pos
sibility that the President would fail to stand
by Packard. II deny it r he impetuously
exclaimed. II deny it without being author
lied to speak for the administration that
now exists but deny it on the simple
broad ground that it is an impossibility that
the administration of President Hayes
could do it. deny it on the broad ground
that President Hayes possesses character,
common sense, self-respect, patriotism, oil
of which he has in high measure and in
eminent degree. deny it on all the grounds
that can influence human action on all the
grounds on which men can be held to per-
sonal and political and official responsible
ity. deny it for him, and shall find my
self grievously disappointed, wounded and
Inundated if my denial is not vindicated in
the policy of the administration. But
whether it be vindicated or whether it be
not, care not. 1t is not the duty of SEN
ator to inquire what the policy OF an admin
istration may be, but what it ought to be,
and hope republican Senate will say that
on this point there shall be no authority in
this land large enough or adventurous
enough to compromise the honor of the
national administration, or the good name
of tho great republican party that called that
administration into existence"
1t was thought that Mr.. Blaine softened
toward the President within week or two
after making that bold speech, but his letter
shows that he stands by his guns. He has
evidently made up his mind to give the
Southern policy of the administration m
overhauling in his most pungent style at
the extra session. If his assault should call
out Senator Conkling in reply there will be
an exhibition of argument, eloquence and
sarcasm the like Of which has not been
witnessed in our time. Both Conkling
and Blaine have grown immensely in
intellectual stature since their men,
orable thrusts and counter-thrusts in the
House of Representatives which severed
all intercourse between them many years
ago. They are now to meet in new arena,
with n great increase of reputation and in
conflict on the Southern policy Of the Presi-
dent there will be q battle OF giants. Both
have great resources and great command
of them but we believe that the victory OF
Mr.. Conkling will be rs signal and resplen-
dent as was that of Webster over Hayne.
Mr.. Blaine, who treated the republican
nominee for President MS a nobody in the
canvass, and conducted it in q manner which
not merely ignored, but repudiated his
letter of acceptance, is chagrined at finding
that Mr.. Hayes holds himself sacredly
bound by the pledges which Mr. Blaine did
not regard as rising even to the level Of
passable electioneering claptrap. Mr.. Hayes
does not turn out to be the plastic figure.
head, the mere man of putty, which Mr..
Blaine thought him to be when he impressed
his own strong personality on the can.
vass and supplantcd the letter Of acceptance
not complain that Mr.. Hayes has deceived
his party or been false to it; Mr.. Blaine de-
ceived himself by undertaking his success