New-York tribune., 1877-05-01
SISpENnED LHDGMENTS.

Republican party, or of men who think they
are very wise, who are suspending their judg-
ments upon the Southern policy of the Admin
istration in manner that is intended to be
very impressive. They propose to "wait and
" see how it turns out" "If it succeeds"
they say, ait will be a great thing for
"the party and the country but if
"it fails it will bury the Administra-
L" ton in disgrace" 1t is interesting to
know what precisely is meant by these
long headed gentlemen when they talk OF the
success or failure of the Presidents policy.
Most of these persons with doubts and with
opinions in suspense are men who believed
thoroughly in the old policy of Federal con-
troll, military interference and repression.
They were ardent supporters OF President
Grants administration and saw nothing IN 1t
which was not lovely and of good report For
years past they have maintained III many a
warm and mpasSiOned argument that the policy
of Federal supervision and control is the only
one under which the rights OF all men
can be maintained and justice made
secure III the Southern States They have ap-
plaudcd every act of the Administration hav-
ing that direction, and StTenuOusly insisted that
to take hand off woSld be not to establish
order and Law, but to let IN anarchy, conlu-
sion, and violence. 1t is not to be wondered
at, perhaps, that they should hesitate n little
before approving unqualfedly change which
they have all along said would be fruitful OF
evil. II grows out of a certain pride OF opinion
from which the best are not entirely free.
They must, however, be able to see by this
time what has been so often and so clearly
pointed out during tie past month or two.
that as a matter of fact there was no other
course open to the President which offered
practical solution of existing difficulties than
that which he. has taken. Over and over
again it has been shown that the thing done
was not only wise and statesmanlke, but the
oaIv thing that could be done lawfully.
Finding upon careful examination OF the facts
that there was no such condition of things IN
South Carolina and Louisiana as under the
Constitution warranted Federal interference,
the President simply ordered interference to
cease. The States on the one hand and the
General Government on the oth"" fell then
naturally and easily into their respective leSlt-
innate relations and functions. That Is all
there is of the new Southern policy. This
thing once done cannot be undonc Without
the occurrence Of an m5urrCchOn or some
violent outbreak or disturbance III the
nature of a rebellion against the Fed
eral Government, there is no possibility
of undoing what has been accomplished. The
machinery which for so many years has been
out of gear and jarring has now been by
single mOvement"adjusted and put Ill smoothly
running order. If 1t was mistake to stop
the iarring and let the parts slide into place,
| it is too late now to rcctify it, If there are
ANY machinists thrown out of employment by
the change, il is their misfortune; they Will DO
well TO be looking about for other business;
| thcr occupation here is gone.
But what these gentlemen with suspended
judgments are waiting for when they talk
about the success or failure of the policy is,
we presume the effect of it upon the party.
They have not yet fairly grasped the truth
announced by President Hayes, that " he
serves bis party best who serves his country
s'bc t." They are hot thinking of the effect
of the policy upon the country, but upon
the party They have got the impression
somehow that the withdrawal of troops
from South Carolina and Louisiana is part
of some great plan-nOt to bring peace 10 the
country, but to win over Southern Democrats
| to the Republican party. They are looking TO
have this question as to the wisdom OF the
policy settled in a very short time. They have
no idea of waiting to see how it affects the
welfare and prosperity of the South, and the
disposition Of the Southern people toward the
General Government Not that at all. The Wis
dom or unwisdom of it will be determined immc-
diately upon the assembling OF Congress by the
vote FOR Speaker. If enough Southern Demo
Gratis have been won over by the c0nciatoiy
policy TO secure the election OF a Republican
Speaker, they are ready to pronounce it a sue
cess; if otherwise, failure. What they VIII
do in case their suspended judgments drop to
the conclusion that The Administration has
made a mistake does not appear Possibly
they will "Cry havoc and let slip Ge dogs Of
"war.' Would that be wise Upon the
whole, wouldn't it be more sensible
TO accept the inevitable and wait
little for the development OF further results
from the Presidents plan Of Adjustment 1t
may be that in considering the peace of the
country OF the first importance and the inter
csrs of party secondary, he has given us what
in the end will prove the best possible Illus
tration of the great truth i'll his inaugural,
aud that we shall by and by see that The best
service to the country has actually been the
best service 20 the party.
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