Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1877-03-28
The Presidents Southern Policy.

give PRESIDENT Hayes new SOUTHERN POioy
a fair trial. So far as developed, it seems
to be founded upon just principles. If sue
cessful it will rebound to the honor and well
fare of the country, and peacefully solve the
most threatening problem of the future. If
unsuccessful, it certainly can leave the in
ternal affairs of the South in no worse con-
dition than they now are While we have
no words of condemnation for the policy
pursued by President Grant, and even be-
lieve it to have been, in principle, rendered
necessary by the attitude assumed by the
dominant race of the South, we just as fully
believe that the time has now come to try
new departure. And we believe this conclu-
sion had been forced upon President Grant
as well as upon the Republican party, and
that, had his administration been prolonged
| for even a few months, a radical change of
policy would have been adopted. Indeed,
his latest official acts in reference to the
Southern question, both of omission and com
mission, seemed specially adapted to prepare
the way for fair trial of the new policy of
President Hayes.
1t cannot have been forgotten that, at the
close of the rebellion, the Republican party
in Congress, and throughout the country,
divided in sentiment upon the Southern
question. One element, under the leader
ship of Mr.. Seward, believed that the best
policy was to create union party out of the
old wings in the South, reinforced with the
radually-emancipated blacks. This policy
was bitterly opposed by Thaddeus Stevens
and the more radical of the party, who IA
vored the immediate enfranchisement of the
blacks, and making this element the basis of
a Southern union party. As is well known,
the latter policy prevailed. As result, the
whites sullenly refused to participate in po-
litical affairs, and the black element came
to the front, largely under the lead of un-
worthy characters, whose vicious action has
fastened the opprobrious name of carpet
Dagger" upon some better men. With
much ignorance and no little vice FREEDOM
mating, bad rule naturally followed. A re-
action succeed and the kuklux movement
|
of course, bound to suppress. But the brains
and the property of the South have at
length gained the mastery, and we are con-
fronted with the problem of attempting
longer to sustain the Republican element of
the South by methods which have proved ut
terly Intellectual or try the other alternative,
and seek to attain the same end by promot-
ing friendship instead of antagonism. We
cannot always protect elections with soldiers.
We cannot forever sustain governments with
the bayonet. A stolid persistence in the
old policy will prolong a disastrous strife,
and end in signal failure, Frustrating Re-
publican influences and leaving the blacks
without guarantees in the hands of those
who have triumphed over them. The old
system has been thoroughly tried and found
wanting. We cannot be any worse off with
different course and we have good reason
to believe we shall be great deal better off.
So that now, although Mr.. Seward is long
since dead, we have reason to believe his
policy will be adopted, so far as it can be
|
case and that the old Wing element will be
largely utilized in the formation of new
union party throughout the Southern states,
An additional proof of the wisdom of the
Presidents plan is found in the fact that he
acts with due caution and deliberation in car
rying it out. To have adopted hastily either
of the courses urged upon him might and
probably would, have resulted in serious dis
aster, and perhaps boodshed. To have re-
cognized one of the civil governments in
Louisiana and South Carolina, would have
been to decide Immediately, and foreclose
from review, question which requires more
consideration and fuller understanding.
1t would, too, have excluded the effort for
IN adjustment acceptable to both sides. And
to have at once withdrawn the troops
meaning thereby to withdraw all federal in
tuence and protection-would inevitably
have involved the risk of conflict and blood
she'd. The President has therefore wisely
determined upon such an inquiry as will
enable him to act intelligently and safely in
reaching the desired end. Whether that
knowledge shall be obtained through com
mission, made up of wise and conservative
men from various sections of the country, or
through personal interviews with representa-
tive men from each side of the controversy,
or possibly resort to both methods, it is
morally certain that a full knowledge of
the situation will be obtained, and that
prompt and decisive action will follow.
OF one thing all may rest assured what
ever change in the Southern policy is finally
decided upon, a primary and indispensable
condition will be that all the rights of the
freedmen shall be fully recognized and sa.
credly observed. The effort will be, by re-
cognition and Cancellation to secure them
friends in their late masters, rather than
perpetuate the alienation which has hitherto
existed, and thus maintain the lamentable
conflict of the races.