New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1877-03-26
TIE PRESIDENT AND TIE SOUTI

Democrats of the bilious and vindictive sort
are taking for themselves very large con-
tract in the business of eating their own words.
Day after day they assert, with all the fcverish
positiyeness of men who know that they are
in the wrong but do not want to own it, that
President Hayes will not settle the Southern
question; that he is cOntrivlng ways to cheat
the confding Southern Democrats; that he is
compelled by members of his own party to
disregard the pledges of his letter of accept
ance and of his inaugural address, and to treat
with indifference the opinions of Messrs.
Evarts, Schurz, Key, and Devens. few
weeks hence these assertions will probably
seem very ridiculous. President Hayes prob
ably will not pursue precisely the methods
which extreme partsans on either side sug-
gest. Evidently lie means to hear both sides,
and as far as he has constitutional power, to
do Justice to both. But when a result is
reached, whether by methods which please
either party or not, there is a strong prOba
bility that the ill-natured Democrats will find
themselves in particularly embarrassing
position
Thus far there is no reason to doubt that
the President intends to keep faithfully every
reconciliation and an enduring peace at the
South is his object. He knows, we must pre-
sumo, that this cannot be attained by wholly
disregarding the legal or equitable rights of
either party. 1t can be had only by securing
for the Republicans, and especially the colOred
men, of the South ample protection in the en-
ioyment of their rights it can be had only by
securing ample protection for the rights of
Democrats and white men also. We may as
well face the fact that this is not the simplest
task III the world. President Hayes doubtless
realizes its difficulty. He has seen that the
Southern question has proved too much for
several Administrations and several Congresses (;
that it has grown more complicated and diff
cult every year; that we have spent twelve
wears in making the tangle worse; and that
those who think they can end it by any single
act or simple process are the very men whose
one-sidedness Of vision makes their advice least
valuable. All the simple solutions offered in
volye injustice to somebody. 1t would be very
simple, but very unjust, to leave armed white
men to settle the question by force. To main
tain Mr.. Packard and his Legislature in power
by mere force of arms, if possible, would be
equally simple and equally unjust. The prop
erty-owners Of Louisiana have right to be
protected against the corruption which has
made their property almost valueless, and the
colored people of the State also have right
to be protected against violence. 1t is not
surprising if it takes time to effect settle
ment which shall secure both ends, nor is the
delay evidence of a disposition to neglect
either. On the contrary, it is proof that the
Administration desires to secure both. Either
separately might be secured by simple pro
cess without delay. Both can be secured
only by some adjustment which shall rest
upon aud be maintained by the voluntary
agreement of men of both parties.
The President deserves credit because he
makes haste slowly. His course shows de-
sire to effect Il settlement which shall not in
yolvc new disturbance after few weeks or
months. The veXed question will not stay
settled until it is settled right. Injustice to
either side would only prepare the way for
greater trouble hereafter. Hence the President
is right in taking all the time necessary to
reach Just settlement, and the many critics,
who complain because he does not instantly
odopt the narrow views of one side or the
other, only manifest their own incapacity to
solve the problem. 1t is quite possible that