, 1877-11-24

currency was doprocldted to q very 0Qrl0u1
extent But earIyM 1875 tie spf61Peceo!3aH
gloomier in the 1Southern7S states than st has
been nearly nine years earlier, and the wound
inflicted by the war appeared to be suppura-
ting, instead Of healing by first intention. A
policy of repression rather than one of o%onci!i-
alton was in favour at Washington, and al
though no attempt. was made to resist the
Federal troops, frequent collisions took place
between armed bodies of whites and blacks,
and the bitterest feeling prevailed between she
two great political parties in the Souths While
the Federal Debt had been greatly reduced.
the local debts of many Southern States had
increased with appalling r~apidity. and valua-
BILE estates could be purchased at nominal rates
by any one who was able and willing to pay
the taxes levied upon them. 1t was a discou.
raging time for all we'll wishers of the Ameri-
cans, but things we're then at their worst, and
have since been steadily mending. To use
ono more the same metaphor as previously.
there are now in 1877 symptoms of heslthy
grarulation in the old wounds, which may yet
heal almost without a scar.
The conciliatory policy of President Hayes
has beeu accepted with. an astonishing unani-
nifty ofapproval 10 the North as we'll as in the
South, by Republicans as we'll as by Demo.
Gratis, and for the moment, at least, the lines
dividing political parties are almost obliterated.
In the Republican convention held a few days
ago at Rochester, in the State of New York,
the malcOntents were indeed in a majority. but
the structures of Senator Conkling on the Pre-
sidentisl policy have called forth the strongest
expressions of loyal appreciation of Mr. Hayes
from the Republican Press throughout the
country, and even in this State the Rochester
Convention seems 10 be generally repudiated
by the party.
The Democrats, on the other hand, have
dropped the cry of " fraud" as regards the
Presidential election, and speak Of the Presi.
dents personal character with a courtesy
somewhat too rare between political adverse
ries in this country. The Sontherners, on
their part, have given the man who fought so
hard against them a most cordiai reception ,
and have readily accepted the %proffersd olive
branch. External causes have contributed
TO bring about this promising condition CT
political affairs; the harvest throughous the
Union has been magnificent, while the war in
Eastern and deficient crops in Western Eu-
rope are ill-winds which blow good to this
side OF the Atlantic. The national currency
is once more almost at FAR with gold, and a
"greenback" is actually worth more than q
silver dollar.
The result of the elections now pending, as
between Republicans and Democrats, is rem.
dered more uncer. ain than usual by The nam
Der of independent tickets" which have
been put forward in many places taxpay-
er's," e working mems. E" socialist, > prohi-
bitiOn, > and "greenback" are the titles given
to the most important of these. Even if it
should prove, as is indeed probable, that the
Republicans lose most votes upon these side
issues, and their slender majority in the
United States Senate should disappear, there
is no serious cause for apprehension on this
account as regards he Presidents Southern
EOlicy, whatever may become of Civil Se--
vice REFORM" another important article in his
programme. Englisbmen interested in Amer.
lea will certainly wish him all success. Il am,
Sir, SO.
DAVID WEDDRRBURN.