The Rutland daily globe. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1873-1877, 1877-03-20
TUESDAY, MARCH 20, 1877.
THE COLOR LINE.

The remarkable effects which have fol- |
lowed the announcement by President
Haye, that his policy toward the south
would be dictated by the endesvor to break
down the color line in politics, so that no
more would be heard anything OF a solid
south or a united north, but only of
united country, coupled with few pracli
cal acts looking 10 that direction, show
how ripe the country was for an effort
toward southern pacifcation founded on
the right of selfgovernment and having
due regard to the constitutional rights OF
white and black alike.
1t is but little over two weeks since con-
gress adjourned, the democratic majority
breathing threatenipgs aud slaughter,
while the democratic leaders were advising
q virtual uon-recognition of Mr.. Hayes as
president anda negative to all his appoint
mentc. A portion of the democratic press
draped their sheets in mourning, and all
united 10 referring to him as Returning
board" Hayes, the de tacto president, and
calling him cheat and fraud. Now,
with few insignificant exceptions, they
vie with each other in giving him a cordial
and hearty support.
On the other hand, few radical and
disgruntled republicans, led on by Blaine
and Cameron, were open in their express
sions of hostility to any policy which
should show itself except in the recognition
of the carpet bag politicians of the south,
the support of Packard and Chamberlain,
and the maintenance of their pretended
governments by force of arms. A factious
opposition was made to the confirmation of
his cabinet, because, forsooih, he had dared
60 outside the ruling ring of republican
politicians and had selected his constitu-
tional advisers with reference to the carry
ing out of his southern policy. he OPP
position, however, was but short lived
The response from the country was so en-
thutiAstic, 30 hearty, so emphatic, That the
opposition made haste to hide their dimin-
lshed heads and to jim hands with those
who we're disposed to give the administra-
ton cordial support.
The change in the republican press has
been no less sign ficant. II is but few
weeks ago that their columns teemed with
accounts of southern p ilitcal murders, ss
the law there, aud they we're loud in their
denuncali)ns of Hampton, Nichols and
other southern leaders, aud emphatic in
their demands for bayonet governments in
louisiana and South Carolina If go be
Packard and Chamberlain were not allow
ed quietly and peaceably to usurp the func-
tions OF the governme ats in those states.
Now all is changed, and they clamor as
loudly for the Withdrawal of the army
from the south aud for letting the dua
governments of LOUISIANA and South Caro-
lina settle their differences among them
selves unaided or unhindered by the gen.
eral government as they clamored before
fQr. carpet bag governments and bayonet
That tho south was ready to respond,
heartily and homes ly, to such policy was
shown in the senate Saturday. 1t will be
remembered that when the president NOM
mated David M. Key for poslm aster gen.
eral exception was taken thereto, because
he had been an Off GER in the confederscy,
and onsthat account James G. Blaine and
others had refused to vote for his confr-
nation. Such courte was calculated to
exasperate southern leaders and unite them
in opposition to any policy the prsiden,
might undertake. But they were wiser
than the ultra northern |. aders and it IL
noticeable that the presidents policy has
been such as to leave these extreme lead
ers, on either side, without any followers.
Liter the president nominated Frede-
rick Douglass, colored man, a
former slave, aud leader among the
abolltonists, for United States marshal for
the District of Columbia. The nomination, if
any could be, was one that might be sup
posed distasteful to the southland the
nomination was made to senate temper
arily democratic, and with ex confederates,
or southern dem ocrats, constituting ma.
Jority OF the m' joIiy. The question came
up on his confirmation, Saturday, and
Senator John T. Morgan of Alabama, al
ex-conft derate officer and legislator whose
right to seat had been obj cted to by
Blaine, Morton ard Cameron aud all of the
carpet bag enators-although the opposi
ton was subsequently, withdrawn-spoke
in favor OF his confirmation. This speech,
so remarkable Ia itself, so responsive to
the presidents policy, and showing the
readiness of the south to respond TO all eff
forts looking toward the abrogation of the
color line and the identification of the
country, we reproduce, although it ap-
peared in our uelegraphic columns yester-
day. he said
was candidate on the democratic elect
oral ticket for Alabama. solicited the votet
OF black men and obtained them to the
number OF 10000 and now when the name
of the most eminent representative man OF
this race is presented for the sheriff Atty of
district five miles square, shall 20 back to
the colored peope of Alabama whose vote
solicited and received, and tell them ! re
fused to vote for HIM for no r. ason except
that he is a colored man No, sir, can
not perform such an at. / know mol
what may be the opinions or policy Of
others in this regard, but do know that
have no sympathy with any opinions or
policy that would draw a color line on an
executive nomination, particularly In view
OF national events that are now transpiing
and which are so full of promise for the
future OF the country.
The result was, the nomination Of Mr..
Douglass was confirmed. We do not fat.
Ter ourself that the color line has been al
ready obliterated, that all the caste dstlnc-
tons fostered by nearly hundred years of
slavery have been wiped out, or the hate
engendered by fosr years of war and twelve