The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1877-03-12
The Doctrine of Political Equality for
the Negro Practically Abandoned.

The Doctrine of Political Equality for
the Negro Practically Abandoned.
The selection and confirmation of the
members Of Mr.. HAYES Cabinet are events
OF the gravest political significance. 1t is
the first time in the history of the coun-
try that President, acceding to power
after an embittered partisan contest, has
at once deserted his supporters, and gone
equarely and boldly into the ranks Of the
Opposition for one Of the heads of depart
ments Yet from all sides Mr.. HAYES re-
ceives assurances that this unexampled pro-
ceeding is approved aud that it chimes in
with the popular sentiment of the hour.
Why? What produces such an anoma-
lous condition Of affairs?
1t all grows out Of the contest OF races in
the South. Sixteen years ago, when ABRA-
HAM LINCOLN entered upon the duties of
President, the way to the capital was al
ready so environed with danger that he did
not deem It prudent to travel openly
through the city OF Baltimore. Swiftly
followed the terrible war OF the rebellion,
though slowly and long it dragged out its
sanguinary length. The shareholders ultl-
mately surrendered, and nominal peace en-
sued. The blacks were not only made free.
but amendments We're added to the Constitu-
ton, and series of laws were enacted by
Congress, for their especial protection
and benefit. With only a partial and
embarrassed exception under ANDREW
JOHNSON, the national Government has
since then been steadily administered, in the
Southern States, in harmony with the de-
sircs of the emancipated race. II Mr. HAYES
Is President to-day, he is President by the
use of black votes and by the support Of
those whose only political strength has
arisen from their alliance and Identification
with the colored race.
Yet, notwithstanding all these facts, Mr.
HAYES, at the very beginning of his adj
ADMINISTRATION, does three things which write
the word White all over his policy, and in
dictate that he intends to erase the word
Black, forever, as a potent influence in our
national politics.
l. H. does not appoint any black man, or
mulatto, to his Cabinet He prefers CARL
ScHUBz foreigner, to Frederick DoUG-
LASS, an ADLER and more eloquent man,
and native horn-the only advantage Of
ScHURz consisting in his complexion.
H. He refuses to appoint any Republican
from the Old -layeholdIng States and for this
there can be no other sufficient reason than
that the Republicans in those States are all
at one with the negroes.
III. H. not only collly turns his back on
the negroes and their white allies in the
former slaveholding States, hut he goes into
one Of those States and takes to his embrace
man we'll known ior his opposition 10 the
eolorod party.
Mr. HAYES has plenty II soft words about
the equality Of the races In the face Of this
formation of his Cabinet, they all become
meaningless. 10 the colorcd people and
their allie he give, honeyel phrases; hut
he gives them mo- representation in his Cabi-
net. He may send one colored man to
Hayti. and employ another to black his
boot-; but he will not be found taking
sweet counsel together ON public affairs
with any of them, or with their white wor-
shippers. From tho Inauguration OF Mr..
HAYES as President will date the decline
and fall Of all practical equality, political or
social, in this country, for the colored race.
1t is an epoch in our political history, the
significance OF which is plain to all who will
open their eyes