New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1877-03-06
INI AUDHt S..

The address with which President Hayes be-
Gins his official career as the Chief Executive
Of the United States will strengthen the favor
able impressions made by his selections for the
Cabinet, and give fresh impulse to the rcvi-
val OF hope and checrfulncSs throughout the
country. 1t confirms no startling promise, il
unfolls no unexpected policy but it renew,
with solemn emphasis the pledges made by the
RcpnbIican candidate before the election, and
indicates in every line an honest devotion tn
duty. We b lieve ;hat no one whose Judgment
is not warped by the intcnsest heat OF party
passion can read this speech without rccognZ-
ing III it the language of sincerity and courage.
Mr.. Hayes gr1spS mt once the important
features Of the situation and outlines with
firm and rapid hand what ought to be the
work of his Administration. He puts the
Southern problem i'll the forefront and al
though it would have been Inappropriate in an
inaugural address, even if it had been posi-
bic. to lay out his plan of action in detail, it
is easy to discern, in what he has deemed IT
wise to say, the scheme OF Il just and cnlight
encd policy which may completely renew the
face of the vcxcd South in the course of
very few years. With equal justice to white
and black, a resOlutc enforcement of the laws,
protection for the freedman, education, hon
c,ty in Office, and LEGAL scf-gOyernmcnt,
it will be the fault of the South
itself if its miSrIics are not re-
moved. Neither the Ku-Kux nor the carpet
Dagger will find much comfort in the new PrcSl-
dents language. but the real South will take
heart in hearing it, and honest Republicans at
the North alarmed and ashamed at the dis
grace which their party has been forced to
bear. will hold their heads higher and rejoice
in the dawn of nobler day. The President
has too much common sense to imagine That
everything can be settled at once by brief
executive order He has much more diff
cnlt task before him than the mere recognition
of this or that contcnding government, the
recall of troops or the destruction OF the
| New-OIleaDs barbados. But his purpose
evidently is to address himself to his
duty with determination, independence,
and confidence III the good feeling of
the country He will not be disappointed If
he find his labor long one, and he Will not
be discouraged. And those who imagined that
he would feel bound to sustain the present
managers of the Republican organization III
the South because they worked for his sue
cess in working for their own, will perhaps
read with some surprise his declaration that
| the time has come when wise, honest, and
peaceful local selfgovernmcnt is the imper-
" atiyo necessity required by all the various
interests, public and private, OF these States
! Closely connected with the reform of the
Rcnublican organization in the South is the
whole subject OF the reform Of the civil ser
vice: and on this second great work of the
new Administration the language Of llr. Hayes
| is inspriting He asks for no elaborate system
of rules and regulations, nor does he invite
! Congress to do the work which he ought to do
! himself but he strikes boldly at ahe root Of
! fine evil by dcnouncng the entire system Of
distributing Office rs reward for partisan
service and boldly rejecting the claims Of
! Coucrcssmen to the control of appointments
in their States and districts. We must return
to the principles and practices of the found
" crs Of the Government and hold every
! officer "securc in his tenure as long as lis
| " pcrsonal character remains untarnishcd and
" thc performance Of his duties satisfactory"
This indeed would be radical reform, almost
n revolution: but President Hayes reminds
us that both the great political par
ties clamored for il before the election !;
how then shall they object to the enforcement
. of their demand We are not disposed 10 be
oycr-sangunc, but here at any rate is prac-
| tical reform which the Chief Executive has
mower to begin on his own responsibility