The Hillsdale standard. [volume] (Hillsdale, Mich.) 1851-1909, 1877-08-28

facts. He would only maintain the
peace. He would not recognize Pack
ard as Governor, but know, what il
now an open secret, the strong bent o.
his mind, and at one time his decision
was TO withdraw the troops, 10 recog
nize Nichols and thus end this danger
Gus contest. He did not do this, bui
kept the peace. gI ffaf.
But during these two months the
whole condition OF affairs had slowly
changed in LOUISIANA. The governs
ment OF Packard had dwindled ava,
until il had scarcely shadow oi
strength or authority. except at the
House. where it was upheld by FEEDER
al bayonets. ....f f..s..
THE GOVERNMENT OF NICHOLS
had extended its authority over the
State and was in full existence as the
de-fdeto government of Louisiana. sup
ported by the great body OF white men
and neorly all the wealth and intelli-
gence OF the State, and by the tired ac-
quiescence of a large portion OF the
colored people, some of whom deserted
his Legislature and entered that of
Gov. Nichols. The delay and hesita-
tion of Gen. Grant had been fatal 10
Packard, and when Hayes became
President the practical question was
greatly changed. One thing was clear,
that n Legislature had been duly
elected in November previous, aud was
then in existence, though separated in
/ to two parts. IL the members lawfully
elected could be convened, they alone
could decide the question Of who was
Governor without the Intervention OF
troops, and their decision could be
supported, if necessary. by the Gen
eral Government.
The most anxious consideration was
given TO this question. Days and
weeks OF anxious deliberation were
given TO il by the President and his
Cabinet. But one way seemed open
for
A PEACEFUL SOLUTION,
and that was TO gather il possible, a
single Legislature who could be recog-
nized "A the depository of the represen-
tative will Of the people of Louisiana.
| III this could be done il had the un-
/ questioned right TO decide who had
been elected Governor. and all sther
/ questions would settle themselves. To
\ aid in this object, a commission OF the
most eminent men, high in position
from different States and distinguished
! for judicial impartiAlity, was selected,
and the result is known TO all They
went TO Louisiana, and. with great
| difficulty, brought together these hos
/ tile Legislatures, which met, organic
ed, promptly settled the question in
| dispute in honor Of the Government OF
Nichols, and thus ended this most dan
gerous controversy. No other change
was made, no other act done except
when the solution was almost accom-
plished, the few troops who had occu-
pied the State House were withdrawn a
few squares away, to their barracks.
Thus IN this peaceful
APPEAL TO THE LEGIsIATUEE
Of Louisiana, this controversy, which
not only endangered the peace and
safety OF this State, but the peace and
safety OF the whole people Of the Unit
ed States, was settled. This is the
sum and substance Of all tnat was done
in the Southern policy, as il il called,
of the President. Perhaps / ought 10
state that his policy has a broader mo-
tive than a mere settlement Of a local
election contest. IL seeks 10 bring the
North and South again into conditions
Of harmony and fraternity, and, 10y "A
frank appeal 30 the generous impulses
and patriotic feeling OF all classes Of
people in the South. To secure, not on
ly peace among themselves, but the
equal protection Of the laws TO all, aud
security in the enjoyment Of political
aud civil rights.
THE EQUAL RIGHrs or FREEDMEN
are now placed on the same Constitu-
tiOnal footing as ours. Unarmed, un-
organized. defenceless and ignorant as
they have been, they can only realize
the full enjoyment Of their rights when
education dispels their ignorance, and
teaches them how TO defend their
rights. The policy Of the President
will make IL possible in the Gnlf States
for them TO secure the aid and sympa-
thy Of an influential portion of the
whites. It has also secured 30 them
the pledge Of honor Of the local State
governments 20 protect every man in
ful equal. civil and political rights
No people can be more interested in
observing this pledge than the govern
ing white men Of the South. The ulti-
nate safety Of their life and property
depends upon il. The people Of the
United States will hold them 20 IL, and
now, when by this
POLICY or PRESIDENT HAYES
They have what they call home rule,
upon their self-proclaimed promise
that home rule means the equal protee-
IN. civ a. Oh fu
Of all. they have TO fulfll this promise
or stand disbonored before the ciyiliz-
ed world. The amendments to the
Constitution will stand and they will
be enforced. but 10 is far better this
shall be- done 10y the consent Of all, in
the interest OF all, than 10y the agency
Of au army. Constitutional rights can
only be secured 10y legal means. The
whole Southern policy Of President
Hayes j. 20 secure Constitutional
rights not only by legal but by peace
ful means, 10y an appeal 10 the Interest
aud honor of all classes, but, il this
fails, II / do not greatly err. he will not
be wanting in the exercise OF the full
powers Of his great Office 10 secure the
civil rights Of all, without distinction
of race, color or condition.
IL has been the standing promise Of
both political parties for 30 years to
secure
CIVIL SERVICE REFORM,
without defining what was meant by
this phrase-but old abuse grew and
new abuses were devised by which the
civil service Of the government was
largely made an agency to coGtrul the
action of parties. and TO influence the
rising or falling fortunes Of politicians,
while the public service was second
airy confederation. Upon this subject
the President had clear and radical
views, and has not hesitated, against
the opposition Of many in h.s own
party, 10 enter upon the reform Of
these abuses.
Whether true or not, IL has been be-
lieved that the custom-house IN New
York, the great agency for the cellec-
/ tion Of the duties on imported goods,
/ was especially open 10 these abuses.
and that the public interests were sac
/ riticed TO the advancement Of the polit-
/ ical and pecuniary interests OF individ-
usls, The President directed that
a THOROUGH INVESTIGATION,
I free from political bias, should be
made there by independent men Of both
/ parties, aimed, not at individuals, but
at the system itself. IL was in the pro-
\ gress Of this investigation that he issu-
ed the order abOut which SO much
complaint has been made. Here IL il