Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1877-04-12
CHICAGO & Northwestern RAILWAY,
PRESIDENT HAYES has, at the SC

PRESIDENT HAYES has, at the So
licitations of advisors friendly to ais
administration, and with the almost
unanimous approval of his Cabinet,
concluded to Withdraw the federal
troops from che State House at Col
umbia, S. 9. Erer since the settle
ment of the presidential question by
the Commission, influences have been
brought to bear upon the Adminissra-
ton for the accomplishment of this OBJ
ject. Hampton has been to see the
President, and Chamberlain has been
not behind his rival in presenting facts
which would warrant the necessity of
maintaining ths federal forces for the
preservation of the peace of TIA State.
Without stating further the political
influences brought to bear upon the
Administration to bring about this ac-
ton, it is enough to know tina: tho or
der has been issued, and the troops ere
this withdrawn, not from the State
however, but from the State House,
and the question of the validity of the
claims of Hampton and Chamberlain
to the governorship of South Carolina
left to the courts to determine.
There can be but one solution of the
question, Hampton will be acknowl-
edged governor. The courts are with
him. and were they not, the bulldozing
principal which has controlled the
South the past sixteen years would
find a way to, SO would their ''opinion"
that the state government will be given
to the Hampton faction. The Admin
istration has made mistake, we think,
Cancellation is glorious word, but to
attempt to conciliate traitors, bulldozers
and midnight assaxsins, will be futile
experiment. To put this matter in a
plain light, it is but compromise, and
every compromise entered into for the
past fifty years, has been only a sur
render to the dominant anti-union and
pro-slavery element of the South
Wendell Phillips in his radical speech
at Philadelphia, said some true things.
When he said We are yet to look upon
the south as tiger and not as a cooling
dove, he told big truth. The south
will ever remain tiger till she be-
comes tanned, not by concilatory action,
but by the power of the strong arm of
the government, which she must learn
to respect, even though that respect
come through fear. The south has
been .laughterer of the nations KIN
dred. and to-day she ceases her meas
urss only because she courts policy.
The bulldozing in Laurens and Edge
field counties, which gives Hampton
the only claim of recognition he pos
sssses, is only postponed because there
is nothing to be gained just now by its
continuance. The Olive branch which
was extended to the south by Grant at
Appottoma1. and has been held out
with prayer for its acceptance since
abe surrender of Lee. should be strip
ped Of its withered leaves, and laid
rather upon the bars-backs Of south
srn chivalry who despisea integrity,
and feasts upon the blood Of massacre.
We do not believe that Mr.. Haye.
lacks backbone; we believe he Is con-
scientious. and seeks for the best things
that harmony may be restored between
the North and South, but the quicker
the better way to promote harmony
and good feelings, is not through con-
esssions, but through enforced ebedi-
ence to law, and a pledged faith that
all men, white or black, shall be pro-
tected in their rights under tho law.
Let the south understand that this is
bhe ultimatum of the governments: and
chat if the demand is accedsd to, La
good faith,- that earpet-bagism shall
become nullity,. and that then the,
South may control the. distribution. of
political positions among loyal men and.
exercise all the functions Of loyal citi,
zens of the commonwealth, not Until
then that the strong arm of the mill
tasy power of the government will be
brought in to requisition to force obe-
dience. and protect the loyal children
of the republic. We have had too
much of compromise, let us have
henceforth protection to loyal men
everywhere, though it require a halls
million Of men to ensure it That i.
what the great loyal North meant when
it spoke last November; that is What
she mea rs to-day.