The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1877-03-30
Broken Promises.

mission in the Florida case made it plain that
the Republicans meant TO force Hayes
through, regardless of justice and law, and
in the face of the fact that a majority of the
electoral vote as we'll as a majority of the
popular vote had been legally cast against
him. the Democratic representatives in Con-
gress were urged by their constituents to
impede and delay the completion of the count
until after the 4th of March, and thus
Illustrate the conspiracy. Ii was evident that
if the Democrats would unite in opposing it
Hayes could never be counted in as Presi-
dent.
The fears of the Republicans were aroused,
and ovcrturcs were at once made to the
Southern members TO induce them to take
no part in opposing the count. Representa-
tive Foster, of Ohio, Hayess bosom friend,
who was supposed to know, better than any
one else possibly could, his proposed aims
and general policy, made a speech, in which
he assured them that if Hayes was naugur-
ated, the reign of the bayonet should at once
cease in the South and Home Rule should be
guaranteed there, the same rs in any other
part Of the Union.
The Southern members were naturally
anxious to rid their States of the incubus Of
carpet bag rule, and were ready for almost
anything that would set them free. They
nevertheless doubted the fair words of Mr..
Foster and asked for additional guarantees
that things should be as he and other friends
OF MIR Hayes promised, A copy of Fosters
speech was sent to Hayes, who expressed in
writing his warm approval of it, and declar.
ed that if he became President he would by
his acts justify the confidence reposed in him.
1t is true he did not in precise words promise
TO remove the troops, but his purpose assur.
edly was to induce the Southern members 10
believe he meant to carry out what his friends
promised for him.
Even this did not fully satisfy the Southern
representatives, who had it in their power,
by joining the tiibusters, TO defeat Hayes -
Accordingly Judge Stanley Matthews and
Mr.. Foster claiming to represent Mr. Hayes,
although not by his express authority, but
morally if not legally authorized to speak
for him, signed written agreement, that if
the members from the Southern States
abstained from opposing the counting of the
electoral vote for Hayes, the troops should
be Withdrawn. 1t is also true, not word was
said about Hayes recognizing either Hampton
or Nichols. The people of South Carolina
and Louisiana did not ask that They only
asked that the troops should be withdrawn
from the government buildings, when the
rightful governors-those chosen by the peo-
ple-wCuld at o.cc assume all the powers
conferred upon them by their election, and
the pretenders would be obliged to leave
Federal recognition would then follow, as a
matter of course.
Everything Mr.. Hayes has written or said,
until about two weeks ago, shows that he
knew the compact had been made, and he
doubtless meant to carry il cut, provided that
in doing so he would give no offence to tie
Republican leaders to whom he was indebted
for the success of the trick by which he was
made President. His good intentions, how
ever, have been turned aside by the stronger
minds of Morton and Sherman, and now he
is evidently seeking for way to break his
promises or the promises that were made by
those authorized to speak in his name. He
denies any responsibility for the agreement
of Matthews and Foster, and proposes the
shallow device of a partisan commission, to
visit Louisiana. This Commission will be
organized to make a certain report, behind
which he will shelter himself to evade the
responsibility of his acts.
Viewed in any light his present position is
neither dignfied nor candid, and no matter
what he may do, he has lost ground which he
can never recover. He is suspected of an in
tenton to make the act ofjustice due to South
Carolina and Louisiana subject ofbarter, the
terms which may be that the Democrats may
have the Governors of their choice, ifthey will
allow the Republicans to have the United
States Senators. The simple suggestion of
such sale of justice is disgrace and a
shame to the whole American people