Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1877-04-20
The New Policy toward The south.

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The New Policy toward The south.
A Conversation WITH PRESIDENT HAYES
HE GIVES FREE EXPRESSION TO MS
VIEWS, AND EXPRESSES CONFIDENCE THAT
THE RESULT WILL JUSTIFY HIS COURSE.
Handblls, it is stated, have been posted
all over the city of Washington, containing
an extract from Secretary Evartss speech
on Louisiana before the electoral commits
sion Feb. 18th, in which he declared that
If the black people of the South were LEFT to
their fate, they would have been made vic
Tins to the constitution which gave them
suffrage and sacrifices to the triumph of
the government over the rebellion. One
of these handbills having been shown the
President Saturday night, he remarked,
after carefully reading it aloud, that the
sentiment which it contained was an ex-
cellent one, and that Mr.. Evarts certainly
could not find fault with its publication in
any shape. On being informed that the
purpose of those who posted the handful
was to recall to public attention the senti-
ments of Mr.. Evarts's address by way OF
contrast with the Presidents southern pol
lily, which the authors of the handful
claim is at variance with the doctrine enun-
ciated by Mr.. Evarts before the electoral
commission, the President replied that
he had no defense to offer for the efforts he
was making TO bring about reconciliation
in the South. His works must be known
by their fruits. He believes many Repub-
licans honestly differ from him with refer
ence to his southern policy. He is firmly
convinced, however, that the result will
Justify the wisdom of his actions. Ii may
be possible that he is mistaken, but time
alone will demonstrate who is right. The
turbulent, exasperating and disastrous con-
dition of affairs that has prevailed in the
South for the past decade should not be
permitted to continue without an honest
effort at correction. The policy that has
heretofore obtained in dealing with the
Southern States has been a lamentable fall
ure, and is so admitted by men OF all par
ties. 1t has become necessary to inaugu-
rate a new policy, and while that adopted
by him may not be best, it should not be
condemned in advance of trial. Should it
fail to accomplish the results desired, no
one will ascertain the fact sooner than he
will, and no one will have TO petition for a
change of remedies. He proposes to have
no controversy with those who honestly
differ from him, nor will such differences
on the part of his friends alter his feelings
toward them. He gives them credit for
sincerity OF COW lotion, and only asks that
the country shall patiently await the issue.
His course has been marked out, after
much deliberation and with full sense of
the responsibility resting upon him, and
he is determined to follow that course,
firmly believing that he is right, and that
his efforts will restore peace and prosperity
to those sections where these blessings
have been unknown for the past eight
years. He will not stubborny cling to his
theory should it fail 10 speedily produce
the results expected. His only desire is to
promote the peace and happiness oil all the
people, and he will not hesitate at any time
to adopt such methods as will secure that
end.
In the course of further conversation the
President went fully into the history of his
record on the Southern question, with
view 10 showing that his policy since he
became President has been perfectly con-
sistent with the constant tenor of his pre-
vious declarations, and that If anybody is
surprised or disappointed in his course it
is because they did moi believe that he was
sincere in his prediction pledges. Going
back to the Ohio campaign of 1877 3, in which
he was elected over Allen in a campaign
which concentrated the national attention
upon him, he referred to his speeches then
made, especially to one made July 81, at
Marion, in which he declared that the con-
ciliatiou Of the South was the only true pol
icy, and deprecated the further use Of bay
onets TO keep it in order. For the rest, the
convention which nominated him as Presi-
dent pledged him 10y lis platform TO secure
the complete pacitication Of the South, and
in his letter of acceptance he referred to
and adopted this pledge in even stronger
language, declaring for local self-govern-
meut in The Southern States without mill
tary interference. He spoke with earnest
ness when he said: "My belief is that this
course tends to give good government TO
the South; it tends to secure peace between
INC sSCNlOnSs duu DCtNccu lut races OF par
ties OF the South and il tends 10 secure
the rights, interests and safety of the color
ed people; therefore l am in favor Of the
policy. / do not know whether / shall
succeed in carrying it out, because there
are northern and southern men who, in
various ways, may possibly lhwart me !;
but of one thing l am confident, namely,
think it my duty 10 try and carry out the
policy, and am going TO do it,"
The President seems TO be informed that
some Republican leaders wish to organize
an opposition to his Southern policy before
that policy has been fully developed. He
expressed regret that these gentlemen
should feel it to be duty to differ from
him, but said he had no fault to find with
them, and believed they will be among the
first 10 commend his policy should il prove
successful. Il respect the convictions of
those who honestly differ from me-" said
the President, "but am indifferent to those
who propose a malignant opposition, be-
cause ! cannot see that public duty leads
me in the path that they would mark for
my Off cial footsteps"
\ COMMENTED PRIs st. Johns
bury Caledonian is responsible for the fol-
lowing "a few weeks ago Gov. Fairbanks