The Cincinnati daily star. [volume] ([Cincinnati, Ohio]) 1875-1880, 1877-05-19

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against Mr.. Hayes is \ true present.
mentP Let it be granted that the ac-
ton Of the President in removing the
military force, upon which the Republic
canism OF two States rested, resulted in
giving the administration OF the State
Governments there over to the Demo-
crats-what then? Can any Republican,
whether amlable or indignant, show
what else the President could have
done, and do his dutyH He did nothing
else; he could have done no less; he
ought to have done no more.
Can it be alleged by any Republican
who has any reasonable knowledge Of
the theory OF our Government, or OF the
principles of true repubicanism, that
the Federal army should be used, in
time of peace, to sustain any political
party in power in any State OF the
Union? Is that the Republican idea Of
local selt.government? 1t SO, it is quite
time for the President, in the observ-
ance of his constitutional obligations,
TO remove the delusion. II such prac-
tice, most evil and mis- chievous, had
grown up as a relic Of the war, every
demand OF the law and all the require
ments of peace united to claim its
speedy and utter abandonment. And if
the abandonment of this evil system
resulted in Democratic ascendency, is
that to be accounted as an unmitigated
calamity? And, even if an evil at all,
| what sensible man could presume to
hold the President responsible tor its
occurrence? Peace has been the benign
result; and surely peace, even though
it be a Democratic peace, is better for
the public good than Republican war.
| 1t must, moreover, be considered that,
in taking this necessary step, the Presf-
dent prudently consulted every means
in his power to secure the full constitu.
tional privileges and franchises OF the
people upon whom this step was likely
to operate. The most sacred promises
Of adequate protection of all the civil
rights OF the people were given him by
| luObG lubO NuO5c udDu6 VIC Dbdb0 VON-
ernments in question were likely to fall.
But it will be said that these pledges
and promises will be disregarded and
violated at pleasure. We think it very
likely. The promises of politicians
made to gain power are not likely to be
sacredly observed when their Yiolati n
promises 10 secure further power. We
attach but small estimate to the value
of those promises, however sincerely
made. Already their observance is be-
coming exceedingly shadowy and alto
gether uncertain. We deem their vic
lation most probable. But, if violated,
then upon whom does the dishonor and
shame Of their violation restp Surely,
not upon the President. In such an
be shouldered by the Democrats. The
President has thus warly and wisely
shifted upon them the burden of such a
political infamy. And can even "indig-
nant" Republicans call that an abandon
ment of his friends?
The fact OF the shameful msgovern-
ment, under the so-ealled Republican
administrations of the negroes and car
pet-baggers in those States, is becoming
Too notorious for even Republicans to
deny. The whole thing was perfectly
calculated to make Republicanism odi-
Gus; and in that it was a pre-eminent
success. To have maintained such gov
ernments by the use Of federal troops,
would have rendered Republicanism
odious everywhere. And President
Hayes has actually rendered his party,
as well as the country, good service by
cutting loose from the excrescence in
order TO save the entire political body
from its fostering influence. And, in
| view OF all that has transpired in the
misrule OF those States, it becomes a
serious question whether the peculiar
Republic anism OF the South was really
worth saving; and especially at the
price of disrepute to the whole party or
ganization. AS matters were then
tending, solid Democratic South was
becoming inevitable, and possibly
through scenes of violence and blood.
The policy of Mr.. Hayes has at least
saved us from that horror, and left the
situation at least no worse in that re-
gard. But it has done more 1t has left
open an opportunity for resurrection.
The obliteration of "the color line"
must develop new political organiza-
tions and affiliations, which will materi-
ally affect the political outlook, and
modify the solidarity of the Democracy
in those States before another Presi.
Dental election comes to pass. True,
the result may not be Republican ma.
jority, and probably will not; but the at
triton arising from rival party organ.
izations, by whatever name they are
known, will result in securing to the
people of those States their full political
rights and franchises. And this is Of
more consequence to the public good
than the triumph of any party.