New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1877-02-26
THE NEXT PRESIDENTS OPPORTCyITT

TIE NEXT PRESIDENTS OPPORTCNITI
The obviols thing is often false Nine men
out of ten thought it unfortunate that Mr..
Hayes should enter the White House with
clouded title. But it may prove, and we hope
it WILL that his greatest good fortune, in all
his fortunate life, is that he attainS the Presi-
dency under circumstances which force him to
conciliate the best men of both parties. For
this very reason some Democrats opposed
the Electoral bill. 1t would place Mr..
Tildcn, they said, under peculiar obi
CATIONS to men who were not Democrats.
But the decision is not in their favor, and
Mr.. Hayes will owe his place to the action of
men who have been, in the party sense, but
Indifferent Republicans. Escaping defeat by
the skin of the teeth, the Republicans them
selves Will he less inclined to rely upon an
assured SUP. ort. Winning only by hair,
and in circumstances which insure the
defeat of his party hereafter I'M
less he can bring new strength to It's standard,
Mr.. HAYES cannot afford to consult Republican
paltisans alone. He will be compelled to seek
the support of the best men at the North and
the most progressive men at the South who
have not been identified with the Republican
party. In short, circumstances will compel
him to be precisely what the country has de-
sired and needed, truly national President.
On the threshold he will meet the fact that
his party, barely saved by his letter of accept
ance, was wcll-nigh ruined by the manage
mcnt foisted upon it during the campaign.
Standing upon his letter it would have won
easily But others made the campaign one of
"reminiscences and sectional anmOsities; others
forced into it the defense of the WORST carpet
baggcrs at the South others pushed to the
front tainted men at the North; and the
splendid majority TO which his own purity
and nobleness OF purpose entitled him was
frttercd away. He is a Shrewd man. He has
seen that he is stronger than his party, led as
it has been. He knows that the Administra-
ton of President Grant cost him thousands of
votes at the North and that more than one
Southern State was enlisted against him by
Identification of his party with the least
worthy elements at the South.
Nr. Hayes desires, "a his letter of accept
ancc proves, 20 do better than his party has
done. Absolute necessity will reinforce desire
The circumstances under which lac will enter
Che White House will compel him to bring to
his support Northern men who trusted him,
but distru,ted his party, and Southern
men who are sick Of fatal alliance
with Northern. copperhcads. The gmnde.t
opportunity over placed before any President
awaits him. He can build up truly national
panty party as broad, liberal, and kindly as
his own sentiments; a party imprcgnable at
the North, and powerful and growing in all
the Southern States, with control ut the outset
in several. Failing in tins, he will go into
history as n President elected by doubt,
who lad not the statesman8hip to
make lis title clear Iy devotion
TO the best interests Of the country. That he
will not fail we have every assurance. His
policy, we fully trust, will unite the indie
pendents of the North with the Republican
party, and will win the best element at the