New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1877-09-26
TIE SOUTHERN EXPERIMENT.

some remarks of President Hayes to the bel
"hgerent non-combatants" who oppose his
course. To be reminded that they began
fighting when other people stopped, is, OF 1t
self, not pleasing. But his brief statement at
Atlanta of the results of his course was the
worst pill yet administered. Not only has
peace come, he SAID, and revival OF prosper
lty, but since the war the coored people them
selves have never seen period so free from
outrages and murders as the time since troops
were Withdrawn. Never have they Deen
more fully protected in the enjoyment of their
rights than since the attempt to protect them
bv bavonets has ceased. They have never suf-
fered less injustice, and never before nave
they found white neigbbOrs so ready to con-
cede and even to defend their rights. In TINS
statement the President seizes the key of the
battlefield. All opponents must meet HIM
there, or quit the contest
Either this statement is true, or it Is false.
But if false, how could the President dare to
make it in the presence of vast audience,
largely composed of colored people, III one OF
the States where acts of violence were once so
frequent ? AS to that region, every man within
the sound of his voice knew if the statement
was untrue. But he virtually appealed, not to
single audience, but to the personal knowl-
edge and experience of cOlOred people in every
part of the South. He knew that his words
would go on the wings of the lightning to
every Southern town. He knew that opponents
would challenge his assertion if they could,
and array all the evidence attainable to disprove
it, He knew that false statement, of such ma
ture would be to the cOOred people an insult
more cruel than all their suferings. If it were
not true, would not chorus OF protest ana
indignation have risen at once from every
spot moistened by recent blOOdshedP Ii Is ut
terly incredible that the President made such
statement without carefully investigating IL,
and thoroughly believing it to be true. But he
has had rare opportunities to know the truth.
He has met the cOlOred people face to face,
and has heard both sides. What far-OH bel
"ligerent non-combatant will venture TO deny
declaration which the very people who best
know the facts most heartily applaud
If the Presidents statement is true, the ar
gument ends. On this single question of fact
hinges the final verdict of Northern Republic
cans upon his course. True, it should not.
Had mischief followed, still the President WAS
bound by his constitutional obligations. But
it is the unfortunate fact that the Northern
Democracy, by using the Constitution during
the war as the left wing of Lees army, have
greatly weakened the hold upon Northern
opinion of arguments based upon that inStru-
ment. at can be construed to suit either
party" men say the essential thing is that
"its objects shall not be defeated-that the
Country shall be well governed, and equal
"rights guaranteed to all citizens" But if the
course of the President has actually obtained
for the colOred citizens better protection in their
rights than they ever knew, even when
all the power of the Federal Government was
employed to uphold local rule professedly for
their defence, the people of the North will
surely and almost unanimously decide in his
favor. All critics will bite file, if it be true
that better government for all comes by re-
moval of bayonets. A practical people will
waste no tears over Republican politicians who
have been Ousted. They had full trial, ample
time, and all the bayonets that Grant could
give. If they failed to give to the South as
good government, and to the coiored citizen
az full protection as the white Democrats vol
unfairly give, the sooner they were swept out
of the way the better. Such will be the swift
verdict of men of patriotic feeling and practi-
cal common sense, and from it there is no ap-
peal