Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1877-04-27
THE SOUTHERN POLICY.

Politicians, and all classes Of intelligent
people, are just now interested in the pol.
icy OF President HAYES towards the South.
ern States. In South Carolina and Louis
lana, the State Governments have been in
an unsettled condition, certain Republicans
claiming authority to govern these States
and demanding the aid OF United States
troops to compel a recognition of such nu-
thority. The President has not been dis.
posed to believe that the Government, under
existing circumstances, had right to in
tcrfere in settling the local difficulties OF
these States, claiming that the State had
all the power requisite for the legal and
pcaccable adjustment OF all differences.
The troops have been Withdrawn from the
States, but not without such reasonable
guarantees as were proper for the security
of the rights Of all citizens, regardless of
race or color.
More than this the President could not
require, and it is all that a reasonable peo-
pie could demand. 1t remains to ne seen
how far the rulers of these States will feel
disposed, or fud themselves able to carry
out the pledges given. Any failure, either
through disposition or authority to fulfill,
abe pledges given, will justify the Govern
Ineat in such interference rs may be neces-
sary to protect the people. The policy
adopted is, to a certain extent, an expert
ment, yet the evidence of its success in re-
storing peace and prosperity are we'll cal
culated TO justify faith in its efficacy Many
Republicans doubt the wisdom of the Pres
ident's action, but the mass of the people,
OF all parties, and particularly the business
element OF the Republican party at the
South, cordially indorse the Presidents ac-
ton and have the utmost confidence in its
wisdom. Certainly it merits a fair trial
and the people will undoubtedly condemn
any who may seek to prevent full and
fair test OF the Presidents method for Sc.
curing the rights and protecting the inter
ests OF all classes in the South.
This is, in some respects, an unfortunate
time for the President TO iuaugurate any
new policy. There are large number of
men who begin to feel disappointment that
they have not been appointed to desired
positions, and naturally enough they feel
somewhat resentful and many of this class
wili'array themselves against the Pres-
dents policy, more from the promptings of
feeling than from the dictates OF Judgment.
A little time will wipe out much OF this
opposition, and should the new policy
prove popular, none will he more ready to
drop into the current than this class of
men.
While we are not disposed to condemn
men for want OF belief in the wisdom Of
the Presidents plan for restoring peace,
good will, and prosperity throughout the
country, we think all should be willing to
see fair test Of the new policy. Should
it not prove satisfactory, none will be more
ready than the President to abandon it and
inaugurate other means for securing the
end desired. Under such circumstances,
such exhibitions Of feeling as characterize
the letter of ex-senator WADE are unjusti-
fable, if not absolutely foolish. Let us
hope that the Presidents expectations will
befully realized and give him such en-
couragement and support as may be neces-
sary to full and fair test of his Southern
policy. Factious opposition can only re-
suit in obstructing the operations Of the
Presidents efforts, and in distracting the
Republican party.