The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1877-03-24

We are not of those who doubt the Presi-
dents sincerity, and we would fain trust his
frmness of purpose. We believe that he Is
entirely sincere that he meant and means
to do precisely what he promised the coun-
try in his Message, and that SO far as re-
storing local self-government in the two
Southern States goes he does not waver IN
his purpose to re-establish it. But we be-
leve he is losing one of the great opportu-
mites of his life by the delay in doing this.
We mean to give the most Jealous support
to his policy, believing that if it is success
fully carried out it will mark one of the
most important eras in our national history,
and we cannot see this policy put in hazard,
at the very beginning of the new admins
tration, without pang at the danger need
lessly invited. For the invitation to Gov
ernors Chamberlain and Hampton to come
TO Washington for consultation, though it
has the aspect Of action, is in fact only
new form taken by the policy of delay. DO
these men know anything whatever--can
they present on either side single fact in
the case-that is not already as well known in
Washington as in South Carolina? Is it not
plain, under any view whatever of the attri-
the troops Of the general government are
where they are by gross abuse Of power and
brutal Disregard to the lawp Can Chamber
lain show any reason why the present gov
eminent should maintain them in that
position?
For the first ten days after he took the
oath of Office Mr.. Hayes carried everything
before him. The policy announced in his
inaugural Message excited the most bitter
opposition among large army of machine
politicians, but the country approved it so
instantly and decidedly that the OPP
ponents were silenced almost before
they could speak. The Cabinet fitted
to the policy, and the republican file
leaders, now wrought to fury, deter
mined it should not be confirmed. They
chung it up" in committees but the
President was not alarmed the country
once more spoke, and the Senators were
cowed into confirming the Cabinet Then
Senator Blaine raised his voice and de-
manded the installation of Kellogg as q
means of making Packard Governor Of
Louisiana. But once more the Presidents
wishes triumphed Kellogg slumbered in
the Elections Committee, and the Senate re-
fused to settle the Louisiana question.
Meantime ofice-seeking delegations had
been calmly repulsed, the claims of the
political workers were utterly disregarded,
the Senate went home in disgust and Wash
ington became as quiet as graveyard. Mr..
Hayes had won his first success, and it was
natural to suppose that he would push on.
On the contrary, he stopped. The coun-
try expected settlement of the Southern
question. EVERYBODY understood that this
bars the way to all other reforms now as it
has done for the last eight years. It is
through that gate the President must pass
to all the fields he has laid out for con-
quest. He can neither reform the currency,
nor reform the civil service, nor reform
parties, until he has brought the country
back to constitutional government. And yet
he delays. Ten days ago he had vanquished
oil opposition. The carpet-baggers were
demoralized Mr.. Blaine was silenced the
country was at his back, regardless of party
lines. Then was his time to withdraw the
troops to tell the country that hereafter
the constitution should rule, and Louisiana
and South Carolina should govern them
selves as New York and Ohio do. To-day
this work probably seems to him more diff
cult, but the difficulties nre Of his own
making. Ten days hence they will be greater
1o1o l..
barrassments and gives his bitterest enemies
and most INSCRIPTIONS opponents more
time to complete their organization for de-
feating all his purposes.
1t is urged by some of his friends that the
President thinks it necessary to act slowly
order not to offend the extreme wing of his
party. But what has he to do with parties?
He is the President of the whole country.
And suppose he does break up parties? That
is precisely what every man sincerely anxious
for the country's good wants to see done.
Both political parties are ready to break up;
they ought to be broken it is for his own
good fame and success that they shall be
broken. The reforms he is pledged to will
never be carried out by his own or either of
the present parties He needs the assistance
of the best men of both parties, and he must
act without regard to party lines, or else he
will break his own head in disgrace against
the opposition he will encounter. To hest
tate, therefore, on measure which has the
consent of the whole country which even
his predecessor acknowledged to be neces-
sary; which he solemnly promised, and
which delay can only deteat-to hesitate in
order to conciliate the extreme politicians of
his own party is surely mistake. If he
must now conciliate them about Louisiana
he must by and by conciliate them about