The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1877-03-16
TO Correspondents,


project has been started in Washington
to relieve President Hayes of the embarrass.
ment of deciding between the rival Cover
nors in South Carolina and Louisiana, by
holding new election in those States. Of
course there is no warrant in law for such q
proceeding, but that seems to make little
difference these days. The plan is warmly
advocated by Senator Blaine and also by the
carpet-baggers themselves, ms last desperate
resort to save themselves from utter annih-
laion.
If President Hayes pursues the policy laid
down by him at the outset, lie can do moth.
ing else than sustain Nichols and Hampton,
1t is to proven. this and at the same time
give President Hayes some excuse for not
Immediately recognizing the lawfully elected
Governors of those States, that the scheme
has been devised. The electoral commission
device is to be one feature in the arrange
ment. In South Carolina two members of
the board of canvassers are to be chosen by
Chamberlain, two by Hampton and the odd
man by General Kruger. In Louisiana the
carpet-baggers will trust to no other tribunal
save returning board appointed by Packard
Altogether the scheme is perfectly absurd,
and President Hayes will lose the support
he has gained by the mere promise of justice
towards the South, if he listens for moment
to any arrangement of the kind
The Democratic and independent press of
the country are opposed to the scheme, and
the Philadelphia Times one of the abest in
dependent journals in the country, says:
Nothing whatever can be gained by a
new election in either South Carolina or
Louisiana. Either Hampton or Chamber
lain, Nichols or Packard was elected in No
vember, and the men who were elected and
have maintained their claims by establishing
State governments whose operations are i'm
peded only by the army of the United States
are entitled to immediate recognition. Tn.
der what conditions are the new elections 10
be held? What guarantee is there that the
result will be legally and equitably deter
mined, or that it will be accepted by the
people +? The Conservatives in Louisiana
elected McEnery in 1872, Moncure in 1874
and Nichols in 1876 on each occasion the
defeated candidates were counted in by the
Returning Board and the victors were told
to pocket their grievances, "pick their flints
and try again." Under the auspices of which
government will the new election be con-
Quoted? Will Pitkin flood the State with
marshals as before? Will the troops be
placed at his bidding again? Will the same
disreputable officers control the registration,
receive the ballots and canvass the returns
Who is TO prescribe the programme and give
the necessary guarantees that this time the
election will determine the issue? These are
important questions, and it will not be easy
to answer them to the satisfaction of the
people The mere suggestion of the propo.
sition is dangerous innovation, which the
administration cannot afford to father
There is no doubt of the election of Nichols
and Hampton. Anything less than the
withdrawal Of the troops that their govern
menls may exercise their normal functions
will fail to meet the expectations of the
country, while TO the PROSTATE States it will
be but keeping the word of promise to the
ear to break it to the hope" Mr.. Bainc's
support of the administration is not worth
such price. The support of all the good
elements in the South which will rally
around Hayes if he shall follow the straight
forward and honorable course, is infinitely
more valuable"