National Republican., 1877-03-06
TIRE SOUTHERN POLICY or PRESE
DENT HAYES,

and capable OF their mastery. There is no
attempt at rhetorical display and no diintl.
ress in proceeding to the subject in haul
but plain, outspoken statement of our
needs and necessities, aud of an earnest
determination 10 adopt the proper measures
Of relief
The policy indicated for the adjustment
OF the difficulties in the disputed Southern
States is true to the promises o f his letter
of acceptance, and will be a grateful an.
nouncement to the troubled com nunities
which have waited long for the emaucips.
ton it assures them from the despotism of
exotic rule. With intention TO be specific.
ally understood on this head, the President I
has not spoken In the ordinary language
so often used In State papers, which may
mean something or nothing as subsequent
events should dictate, but in uuambiguous
terms and emphasis. Thus:
"And while in duty bound, and fully
determined to protect the nights OF all by
every Constitutional means at the dispos Il
OF my Administration, am sincerely
anxious to use every legitimate influence in
favor Of honest and efficient local self
government, as the true resource of these
States for the promotion of the content.
ment aud prosperity of their citizens. "
l! will be observed that the President
was particular to italcss the prefix SELF"
in lis qualification of government 50 that
il should convey peculiar Significance and
its obvious meaning is that he desires to
see in the South lcch governments OF
Southern creation and support, and not
local governments erected and maintsined
by strangers to the soil. The emphasis
applied gives the word double force.
The governments to be approved are not
to be merely local sell: governments n tho
common acceptation Of the language, as
being restricted to certain limits, but they
are to be more than that governments of
taose States sustained by the Southern
people for themselves. and not by outside
domination. And that his meaning may not
be mistaken. he gu utlifss his position still
further by declaring that they are TO be
encouraged for the promotion Of the con.
tentmeHt and prosperity of the citizens Of
those States. Hence 1t is clear as the pur.
pose Is pure and patriotic, that he will use
his just powers in relieving those states
from the influences which now distract
them, by discouraging further attempt to
administer their governments by State Of.
ficers who. while they have been legally
elected under existing laws, do not in real.
ity, represent the people, and eau only sue
coed in perpetuating strife. Hoo this will
be effected is not intimsted, but that 1t will
be done is frankly stated. The principle
upon which the action will proceed has
nothing in the world TO do with the ques.
tion Of the legitimacy Of the authority to be
withdrawn, or prevailed upon to retire.
No matter how clearly elected, 1t is still
unwarrsnted, because It is not based upon
the consent Of the substance and property
Of the State, but upon irresponsible suffrage
against the interests Of these, and in oppo.
sition to the peace and welfare of the
States and of the United States. The COM
prehensive proposition is that, even though
persons from the North can 60 into the
South in such numbers as that, combin.
ing with the colored people as against the
original inhabitants, they may carry the
election and control the local governments,
still, it is wrong in principle and danger
Gus in practice, and ir no case to be counte.
nanced or encouraged by the General Gov.
eminent, but, on the contrary, to be con-
demned and left to succeed or fail as the
people ofthe States affected shall ultimately
decide. the right of emigration is not
denied by the postulate. nor the right of
the blacks to vote against their old mas.
tiers, if led thereto by Intelligent action.
But 1t Is denied that any class of adven.
turers. seeking that elevation abroad they
are refused ct home. shall invade q State
for the sole purpose of taking advantage
of its PROSTATE condition and ignorant citi.
zens, and use them both for its own ad.
vanoement and to their detriment.
The other subjects touched upon in tho
message, although ordinarily important, do
not require present consideration. There
is natural reference to the manner in
which the contest was decided, the conclu.
sion being in harmony with the views of
the whole people, II We alone except the
few Representatives. who outraged their
constituencies and violated law by voting
sgainst the decision of the Commission. 1t
Is to be hoped that the memory OF the un.
happy events Of the past three months
will soon pass out Of mind, never to be
brought back for evil purposes; and 1t is
almost certain to be the case, when the en-.
lsrged craftsmanship We predict is to char.
acterize the Administration has had time to
yield It's appropriate fruits.
We confess to deem interest in the result