The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1877-03-03
PEACE AND PROSPERITY.

Ine iong struggle is at last concluded, and
President Hayes has come to his own. The
nation draws a long breath of relief The
conspiracy to defeat the will of the people.
formed by unscrupulous political leaders in
the early days of November, has come to
nought, and the man who was chosen to the
Chief maglstracy last fall has now had his
title confirmed in due form of law. The re-
suit has not been unexpected from the first
by those who had faith that right would pre-
vail and that the people would find way to
enfoice their fiat. Yet the formal declaration
OF the result has been so long delayed by the
persistent and factious opposition of men
who deserve the appellation demagogue in its
very worst sense that many feared wrong
might triumph and the friends of disorder be
permitted to precipitate the country into vio-
lence and bloodshed; to them the orderly
completion of the count affords profound re-
lief The peaceful settlement of the que stion
is interpreted to mean the triumph of fjustice,
law and good sense, the general revival of in.
dustry, the encouragement of new enter
prises, the beginning of long career of pros.
perity. Mingled with exultation at the sue.
cess of the right is the feeling of gratitude
at the escape of the country from
the rule of men whom it has long
distrusted, and who have given within
the last few weeks a startling demon
stration of unfitness for government, of ca
pacity for mischief. of bad faith scarcely
without parallel, and of disloyal aspirations
wanting only the occasion to become trea.
sonable deeds. The revolutionary course of
the Western Democrats has gone far to rec
oncile the moderate men of their own party
to defeat, and has strongly emphasized the
wisdom of the choice made by the people
last November, and the policy of the decision
Just arrived at. Quite as instructive is
the admirable conduct of leading Southern
representatives during the troublous time.
They have risen, with a magnanimity the
more gratifying because unexpected, above
all partisan considerations and given their
best endeavors to the furtherance of the good
OF the whole country. Republicans can
award them hearty praise, for the Republi-
can party has ever only insisted upon one
condition before extending full fellowship to
the old Confederate soldiers and statesmen.
and that condition is that the South shall
frankly accept the situation which the war
brought about and forever relinquish all at
tempts to overthrow the new order of things.
The most eminent of the Southern leaders
have, apparently. come to this condition, and
tie Republican party heartily accepts their
action during the last few weeks as
e,rnest of their future course.
The Inauguration of President Hayes is
looked upon as the prelude to prosperity.
The character of the man, the righteousness
OF his record, the excellence of his promises
have led the people to anticipate brilliant
and satisfactory administration. His policy
has been outlined in his famous letter of ac-
ceptance, and we all look to see him carry
out the pledges therein made; to hold his
high office as trust for the benefit of the
people; to consider honor, capacity and
fidelity as the prime qualifications to office; /;
to redeem every financial pledge given by the
United States; to aid in placing the public
schools beyond all danger of sectaran con-
troll or interference; to secure peace at the
South by organizing an administration which
will regard the interests of the white and COL
ored people both. During his term we look
to see business relieved from its greatest bur-
den, an irredeemable currency, to see the
color line in the South broken down, to see
the country prosperous and tranquil, beloved
at home and respected abroad.
The people, seeing the great danger so mar
rowly escaped, seeing fulfillment of the
pledges so nobly given, will never again be
tempted to ALLEVIATE themselves from that
great party whose name is identified with a
restored union, a liberated race, national
honor kept untarnished. Under the wise
administration of President Hayes the Re-
publican party will regain its high estate and
the peril of a solid South acting with turbu-
lent and reasonable Northern minority will
be removed. Then we may look with conf
dence to long series of Republican victorie.
in the future.