The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1877-04-11
The Pledges to the South.

The revelations made in regard to
the bargain by which MIR. Hayes pur-
chased the support ofcertain Southern
Democrats during the progress of the
electoral count have created great ex-
element, and the President is making
Il desperate effort to shirk all response
bility for the compact in which he was
one of the contracting parties. 1t is
not easy to see how he can clear him
self His conduct since his Inaugural
ton has been that of Il man who felt
himself bound in honor to adopt just
policy towards the South and was
slowly yielding to party PRESSURE
Moreover he has shown by his conduct
to the men who carried on the negotia-
tons with the S0utherners aud pledged
him to the recognition of the Nichols
and Packard Government that he ap-
proved of their action: and it is a set
tied rule Of law that the principal who
accepts the work of one unauthorized
to represent him, by the approval
makes him an agent. But there is an
other rule of law which holds that a
principal is bound by the acts of per-
son whom he allows to appear before
the world as his agent and transact
business for him. Mr.. Hayes knew
that Stanley Matthews and Foster were
representing themselves as authorized
to make promises for him, and not on
~ failed to warn the country against
them but praised what they had done.
His relations with Stanley Matthews
were such that only the most specific
warning could put the Southern poll
ticians on their guard against that
gentleman, for he was the counsel of
Mr.. Hayes before the Electoral Com
mission, and as such empowered to act
in his behalf in all negotiations touch
ing the settlement of his clients title
to the Presidency. If the denials of
Mr.. Hayes are to be taken as any
thing more than statements that there
was no formal agency on the part of
Messrs. Matthews and Foster to enter
into any bargain with the South, then
those gentlemen stand before the coun-
try convicted of making pretenses to
powers they did not possess, giving
pledges they could not redeem, and
deliberately deceiving reputable peo-
pie by their fraudulent representa-
tons. But we cannot believe them
guilty of conduct which, in ordinary
business transactions, would render
them worthy of the penitentiary. 1t is
to be presumed that without a formal
authorization they were virtually the
agents of the President, and that they
then considered themselves as such
and have siuce been considered as
such by him.
1t seems clear, moreover, that other
leading Republicans, notably Secretary
Sherman and Congressman Garfield,
are Involved in this bargain to secure
the acquiesceuce % the South in Mr.
Hayes Inauguration, and that the af-
fair was carried so far that General
Grant actually issued on order direct
ing the withdrawal of the troops from
Louisiana. The evidence on this point
is said to he conclusive. anh, if it sus-
tains the charge, the result Of the rev.
citation must he the moral and political
ruin of the Republicans engaged in the
compact. The treachery of such a
bargain towards their allies disgraces
them as partisans. The treachery to-
wards those with whom they made the
treaty, in refusing to carry out their
agreement. disgraces them as men.
In. Y. World.