Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1877-06-09
HAYES. SOUTHERN POLICY

term Southern policy out oil pol
itics and newspapers? If Mr..
Hayes is a national President and
has any regard for the constitution
and the voice of the American peo-
pie, rs expressed at the Presidential
election, he can have no policy to-
ward louisiana, Florida or South
Carolina that does not apply to the
New England, Middle and Western
States. The constitutional amend
ments proposed in congress to make
good and secure the results of the
war were ratified in the most sol
emn and binding manner by all the
States years ago. Since then the
use Of troops and all Federal inter-
ference in local affairs to carry cleo
tons constituted acts of usurpa-
ton and disregard Of law. In spite
of the vast power and patronage Of
the Federal government all the
Southern States except three fell
into the hands Of the Democratic
party previous to the last Presi-
dental election. The three re-
naming carpet-bag governments
were propped up by bayonets
and made to do duty for
the Republican party eTen in the
hour of dissolution. When Mr..
Hayes came into power the seal Of
popular condemnation had been
placed upon the Southern policy"
Of his predecessor and the party
leaders. Commercial prosperity and
every industry had been Frustrated
by the ceassless agitation Of issues
settled soon after the war. The
prostation OF the South drained
the Northern pocket, closed fac
tories and filed the cities with
clamOrous workmen ont Of employ
ment and the country with raven
Gus tramps. The great Yankee
heart was touched; the almighty
dollar nerve responded The better
informed business men knew the
cause, and almost regardless of
party demanded its removal. 1t
was well known chat peace, law and
order prevailed, and some de-
gree Of returning prosperity in
Virginia, Georgia, Arkansas,
Texas and other Southern States
where the people were left free
to administer their own affairs
The bayonet, as long as retained in
politics, was a standing menace not
only to the reconstructed States but
to any others not adhering 10 the
sectional party in power. DIR.
Hayes, after some d~eliberation.
withdrew the support of troops
from the illegal State governments
of Louisiana and South Carolina,
and governments chosen by the
people were inaugurated. The act
was commended on all sides.
especially in the South. Ali ex-
pressiOns Of disapproyal came from
extreme RepublicaEs-the Mortons.
Blaines, Boutwells, and hireling
scribblers for a sensational press.
Grant had a Southern policy :
Hayes has none as far as we can
see. He is fair, constitutional
lawyer, has some regard for his
oath Of office, and evidently con.
siders himself President of the
whole country. He appointed one
Southern man, nominally a Demo-
crst, to a place in his cabinet, and
one or two others to subordinate
positions. If this constitutes q
distinctive Southern policy we fail
to 80 understand it. II the Union
is restored, if we have shaken hand.
across the bloody chasm, if the the
cries Of q free government by the
people amount 70 anything it is
time 10 recognize the fact that this
is one country, that the States are
equals 10 the Union az all citizens
are equal before the law. The res
toztion was Of slow growth. 1t
came s6out gradually in the hearts
and brHns o. the people, and the
kadsn have only acknowledged an