The weekly democratic statesman. [volume] (Austin, Tex.) 1871-1883, 1877-03-29
CAN WE STAND BY THE PRES
IDRNT1

ago, would have bee7 exposed to at
tacks in the Senate. These he could
have met without difficulty, but his
policy is to overcome by the influences
OF good feeling, not to hammer down
and subjugate. In his view il was
wisest for him to remain quiet while
the Senate was in session. When it
adjourned he could act with the GER
tainty that time would be given to
show the wisdom of his subsequent
acts; 80 that when the Senate reassem-
bled, Republican Senators, having
come in contact with their constituents
and know his deeds by the fruit, would
be hearty and united in his support.
To reconcile, not to drive asunder, is
the policy of the administration. The
Southern conservatives should not fall
into error on this point. President
Hayes will not play the part of An
drew Johnson. His hope is to consoli-
date and recruit the Republican party
oy declaring and acting upon policy
that will eliminate the Southern ques-
tion from politics, blot out the color
line and Mason and Dixon's line,
change the issue from one of knavery
aud honesty, and so leave the Southern
States, in their Federal relations, to be
affected by the questions, and none
other, that every four years affect the
States of New England and the North
west. Such are the patriotic purpc ses
which the STATESMAN, like the Nesos
and Courier, since the publication of
the Presidents inaugural, has chosen
to ascribe to the country's chief magis-
trate. Such a policy may still shape
the conduct Of the President. The ap-
pointment of a commission to de-
fine, if possible, an equitable mode
Of settling a controversy between
the races in Louisiana is only part of Il
temporizing scheme of adjustment de-
signed to be of such q character that,
when accomplished, the Northern ad
herents of Blaine and the Southern OF
Mr. Mills may be forced alike to de-
clare that the full measure of justice
has been meted out to the people of
Louisiana. Every Republican in the
Northern States, it should be remem-
bered, believes that Louisiana, having
a majority of negroes and carpet-bag-
gers, voted for Packard and against
Nichols. Hayes was made President
on this assumption. and yet Hayes him
self confesses the absolute necessity for
the transfer Of the political mastery Of
the wretched State to the Democracy.
1t requires strong sense Of justice and
habItual concession to right and reason
and abnegatlon of self to enable man
in the Presidents place, to assent 10
these conclusions and assert these pur-
poses. To make the North concur with
him and with the South in reference to
this matter must be the intention Of
the President. Mr. Hayes has said,
too, that he did not favor any "com-
promising commission" and he has
refused assent to any new election in
South Carolina or Louisiana, or to point
out any mode of adjusting the rival
claims of the dual Governors Of the
two States. He would have Hampton
and Nichols become chief magistrates,
and Chamberlain, seeing that this re-
suit is inevitable, has already made ar
rangements for business partnership
In New York City. But Packard, see.
ing what enormous wealth was gath
cred by Warmoth and others who
have plundered Louisiana, dies game,
and, sustained by Morton and Blaine,
and by Sherman perhaps, will hardly
retire voluntarily. He is nevertheless
dying by inches. He recovered share
of power few days ago, but it is 60
ing away from him day after day.
Public opinion and public necessity
and sheer poverty will slowly accom-
plish a perfect work, and sooner OIL
later the end aimed at is inevitable an6
Packard must retire. He may resist
violently and only that q brighter
crown may be awarded him 10 honor o.
his gubernstorial death. Meanwhile
so impatient are we Of the South, tha
Packard and Chamberlain would b,
suillotined il Southern restivenes'
could take the shape Of Partisan mob
and Hayes is branded everywhere, ever
now, IS a traitor to his professions anc
as a coward. trembling helplessly il
the presence of Sherman aud Blaine.
We have wd d.tsn Of tho PIe,i lent
to-day and on former occasions, OF
the assumption that he has been cor
rectly represented by our dispatches
by letter writers and by his selections
Of cabinet officers. Thompson, a CON
servativo old Whig of Indiana, anc
Key, Democrat, OF Tennessee, and the
Secretary of State, are eminently proPe
men, il the chief magistrate propos'
to execate the laws aud administer th'
government without partisan or sec
tioaal prejudice. But, however libera
, we have deemed President Hayes, ou
dispatches of this morning are vel
calculated, though based only on
newspaper reporters story, to shak
Southern confidence in the President
sense Of justice and in his 6xedness o
purpose. he denies, we are now told
whatever he may have intended to do
that at any time he has declared hi
purpose to withdraw the army frou
Louisiana. II the President do no
render this service to Louisiana, if b,
perpetuate GrAntism, il the people o
Louisiana are 10 be kept in subjectioI
to carpet-bagism, there will be not
friend of Hayes among decent, intsl