The New Orleans daily Democrat. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1877-1880, 1877-03-12
ICommunicated.1
TIE LIBERAL CONSERVATIVE VIEW
OF THE SITUATION. ID

The policy indicsted by President Hayes in his
inaugural and in the character Of his Cabinet ap-
pointments, has vindicsted the wisdom OF that
class of oar citizens who, during the last elk or
sight years, have advocated the principles, policy
and measures which were inausuzsted by the
convent n at Cincinnati in 1872.
The programme Ct thst convention aimed
chiefly ut the extinction and absorption of Sec
tional parties, and the obliteratlen OF Old lssuea
and political distinctions and names, which had
ceased TO be applicable to the present state OF
asairs and Of the public sentiment. To the
South il WAS considered that such programme
would prove great boon, IS it would dlsentangle
her from the old strife between the national par
ties the Democratic and Republican, and enable
her TO pursue and recover her rights, independ-
ence and aatonomy, without the burden OF a ma
tional party, whose name and antecedepte were
certain to revive and keep alive the sectional ami
mosiiies, growing out of the war and lts conse-
quences.
There sre few thoughtTul persons who do not
believe nogc that this would have been the wiser
course for the South. There were a few who
even believed after the nomination OF Mr. Hayes,
under the suspiees OF the very same persons
who inaugurateG the movement at Cincinnati in
s72 that such course ought then to have been
continued in 1876. These few were composed OF
those who knew Hays, who were familiar with
his pclltieas anteceaents, tendencies and sur
roundings and who believed that he would re-
verse the policy of Grant and lesve the South in
the full enjoyment OF her rights of local govern
ment, and that to secure these and relieve our
people of the burdens and unpumbered evils Of
she State e. vernments imposed on us by the
military Intervention Of Grant, were OF far more
imp6rtancs than any advantage to be shared by
ms through an allisnce with the National De-
mocrscy. Such course would have at least
protected us against the hostility and opposition
Of the powerful Republican party in the North,
and would have arrayed IN our defense the con-
servatiye portion OF that party.
The gentlemen who held these views had not
tailed to observe closely the indieations in the
Cincinnati Convention of 1876, of the large and
determined opposition the part Of the con-
serSatiye Rfpublcans to the radicals and ex-
tramests IN that body.
The gentlemen who led the opposition were
the same who had been go prominent in the or
ganization Of the Liberal Republican Convention
held in the same place III 1872.
We NAV mention two Of them, who are now
conspicuous supporters and champions Of the
new President They are Stanley Matthews and |
Carl Schurz. These gentlemen marshaled the
opposition 10 the Radical sectional extremists
led by Morton and Blaine, and to the Grant |
ties, led by Conkiing. And after q severe strug-
Gle. they beat them with Hayes, who was
elected in 8 square issue between the Couserva-
tive and Radical factions. Hayes WAS chosen on
the same platform which was adopted and ae-
Cepted by the South in 1872. Matthews and
Echurz were peri. city consistent with their pre-
yions course on championing and adopting him
as the representative of the party which had dis
solved after the defeat Of Mr. Greeley in 1872.
And the South would have acted more wisely
and consistently if it had followed their example
The nomination of Hayes was defeat of our
great enemies and, as facts have since proved,
his election would have secured Us all that we
ever asked or needed from the Federal gov
ernkaent.
This nd least was the view held by certain par
SONS in the South, who suffered no small amount
Of obloquy for indicating the came, and were
finally crushed into silence and submission by
the overwhelming force and ssrtnestness of the
democratic party" 80 called, which without
distinct principles or policies as opposed to
those on which Mr. Hayes was nominated-ina-
posed on all who ha hitherto acted with the
party. In combination OF which it wss one OF
fhe eonpons snts-the new party name and
yakea We we're reconciled to bear these
under protests against the introduction into the
patty cf new elements, distinctions and polisies
which We had repudiated in our previous and
recent declarations, and by the character of the
large msiorlty ct the supporters of the nomina-
ton at Cincinnati Ii this state. It was the char
aeter of this party in this State its odious and
infamous government its persecution and plupder
Cf our people which left to the Liberals and Con
servatives the desperate alternative of choosing
between party with some objectionable fes lures
and policies, but composed of tha great mass of
the best, most intelligent and honest Of our popu-
lation, and one which whilst supporting candi-
date unobjectionabls. personally and politically,
included the great majority of the very worst
class OF our people, and notably those who had
brought 80 much disgrace and desolation on our
State. %N
have referred to these political facts not to
provoke controversy, of which we have had sl-
resdy too much, but rs embodying valuable les
sons, to be CONSIDERED In our future political
movements. and especially applicable to our
present situation and instruction as TO the true
course sna policy by which our State m AZ be re-
stored 70 her full autonomy and to wise, honest
and tficient government
President Hayes' inaugural and the constitu-
fann OF his Cabinet fully indicate the claims set
rapport Of the south. Thus far he stsnds ure
cisely whers Greeley stood in 1872. when he had
the support of the who.s Dsmocrasis-n nonserya
tive party IN the scnth As long as 10 il faithful
10 the principles gvowed by hirn ID his inaucrrsl
and to the programme On which be was norni-
mated, he should not only receive the support of