New-York tribune., 1877-05-22
4 Good BEGINNING.

who made haste to say that President Hayes
had "betrayed the country" already perceive
a degree of GOODNESS and indifference III puDhc
opinion which shocks them There was
moment when even Mr.. Wendell Phillips
thought that some people were listening TO
him. Republican voters had but recently
emerged from a desperate contest In when
many of their old leaders had labored to con-
vince them that the South was more danger
ous than ever, and more in need of stern
repression The policy of the new President
had been fairly and frankly announced, but
great many voters had believed the leaders VINO
treated the ayowal as a mere bit of political
strategy. BY large number 1t had never
boon seriously considered. To thcm the first
steps of President Hayes were like n sudden
showcr-bath to an Oyerheated man-Veiy
exciting. but not yet agreeable. we won
che cooln shouted Phillips and Wade; 1T Is
can Infamous betrayal to be cool" For the
moment. some warm-bloodcd men shared their
feeling.
Before the Louisiana settlement had been
reached however public opinion had becohe
disposcd TO give the new sensation a ialr tilaI'
Those who were in haste TO condemn the res
idrut were even then not more numerous
than. those who were inclined to commend
him. But large proportion of the Republican
voters were not yet ready to do either ana
Thought if well to wait. Sober thought worked
GREAT changes. Men remembered that the con
trary policy had been tried very long. mat
if had utterly failed to bring peace to the
South or protection to the colored voters was
nroyed by the very outragcs which its friends
L It.RH taRTtl O. Al
$50 completely, so disgracclully ANA with so
"much of consequent suffering to those 1t was
"dcsisncd to help men reflected, may il not
"bc necessary to try something clseH There
WAS still a strong sympathy for South
ern Republicans who, like Gov. Chamber
lain, had tried to do their best. But there
was also a growing appreciation OF the TACT
that they had been trying to govern commu-
mites without the necessary matclial-trying
to make bricks without straw. The new policy
was am experiment, and might do good, but 1t
was certain that the former methods had done
harm. and had ended in disgusting failure.
Since the removal OF troops there has been
an evident progress Of public opinion. The
Southern men have had some opportunity TO
show their disposition. They have not done
all things well; if prompt and wise action by
Gov. Nichols has lifted Louisiana bonds to
q3. the Bourbonism in the South Carolina
Legislature still hangs back. Nevertheless, the
new control has done much better thus far
than was expected by the protesting or even
the doubting Republicans. 1t has preserved
order. The great fact is that there have been
no yindiciye act, Of violence; that the lives and
property of all citizens have been as safe in
Louisiana or South Carolina as they were when
troops were guarding the State Houses. In
deed. the only disturbance in all the south
which could be traced to former political an
t,rouisms has occurred in Mississippi, and lar
from any recent station of troops. \ new and
remarkable impetus has been given to busi-
ness. On the plantations there is more conf
drncc, and Il more healthy feeling between
employer and employed; in the cities COM
mcrcc has started into new life. Already
clcaIiugs at NcW-Orlcans range from 22 per
cent to 3G per cent larger than they were at
this time last year. At the North, merchants
and manufacturers are led in their business in
tcrcour,c to realize that new health has come
TO the commerce and industry OF the States SO
recently staggering on the brink Of evil strife.
All these facts are having an effect upon the
political situation. The Presidents course is
being tested by actual trial, and thus far it
yields very good fruit. \ great many things
remain to be done. The condition of the South
is not yet what its best friends desire. But
candid men realize that so great change as
i, desired could not be effected in an instant; +;
that it would be wonderful if some difficulties
should not remain, after 50 many years OF bit
temess and bloodshed, and that the improve
mcut thus far gives great reason to hope that
the policy of the President may prove COM
plctely successful.