The Portland daily press., 1877-03-27
fastening Slowly.

The impatience of Southern Democrats
threatens to defeat the very object they have
nearest at heart. The President cannot
withdraw the troops until he becomes per-
suaded that their withdrawal will be for the
best interests of the country at large and for
the welfare OF the Southern States where the
dispute is raging. He will not take hasty
action; above all he will not be influenced by
the aggressive attitude of any class of South
erners. Violent words from the Sout hern
Democratic leaders will 60 far to justify the
retention of the troops, and to revive in the
breasts of Northern men that suspicion of
Southern loyalty which is beginning to die
out. If conservative Southerners are in
hearty accord with the President they can
best aid him and themselves by patience, by
the exercise of restraint over their violent
followers, and above all by making it evident
that they unreservedly accept the results of
the war.
At the time the President foreshadowed
his Southern policy in his inaugural address
he met with hearty response from all Sec
eAoAAS "a siAS SoUhohys k1iACO tuOu u6 LIDS
done two acts which have severely tested the
sincerity of North and South. To start with
he tested the Republicans by the selection of
Mr.. Key as Postmaster General. No more
severe trial of the disposition of the Republ-
can party to accept the new departure could
easily have been conceived; for Mr.. Key is
Southern man, was Democrat who support
ed Mr.. Tilden in the last canvass, and during
the Rebellion served in the Confederate army.
But Republicans nobly rose above their pre-
judices, forget their old-time enmity and dis
trust. and confirmed the appointment.
Not long after test was made of Southern
sincerity aud readiness to forgive. A negro,
Frederick Douglass, was appointed Marshal
Of the District of Columbia. At once fierce
opposition showed ITSELF The organs of
Southern opinion found it impossible to free
themselves from color prejudice, 10 approve
an appointment made from the hated and
despised race. In the Senate the Southern
leaders rose to the height of the occasion,
and Mr.. Douglass was confirmed. But
throughout the South many newspapers and
public men opposed him. Of course, nothing
but opposition was to be expected from the
hide-bound Northern Democracy. But the
South was judged by its recent declarations,
and unhesitating acquiescence was expected
from it. The Southern leaders were faithful
to their newborn convictions, it is true: but
it is also true that the South did not respond
so generously and heartily to the nomination
of Mr.. Douglass as the North did to that of
Mr.. Key.
The value of these tests is in the evidence
of public sentiment they bring out. The
North responded very heartily to the policy
of the President. The South has not stood
the test so well. Very likely it will do better
hereafter and succeed in overcoming its
prejudices. But it certainly has not done so
yet; and it has only itself to blame if sus-
plcon and distrust still linger in the Northern
mind. That permanent reconciliation is to
be effected between the sections there is great
reason to believe, but the President is, in view
of all the circumstances, fully justified in
looking carefully over the ground before he
makes any move. There is certainly no cause
for Southern impatience.