Weekly Trinity journal., 1877-06-02
SENATOR MORTON's LETTER.


The opinions of one who holds the no
sition 10 political circles 80 long held by
Senator Morton, are always received with
a degree of respect commensurate with
the recognized ability and standing of
the speaker. Mr.. Morton has long held
high place in Republican circles, and
late events have contributed to bring him
yet more prominently before the people.
In framing the Electoral bill he was one
of the Committee to whom the Presiden-
tial situation had been referred, but dis
sented from his colleagues of both parties,
believing that Mr.. Hayes had been fairly
chosen and that any submission of his
claims to yet another tribunal, was
sacrifice of right to which the political
friends and supporters of that gentlemen
should not submit. And in one sense
Mr.. Morton was right-any sacrifice of
principle or right to expediency is wrong;
yet it is difficult to see how a peaceful
solution of the vexed question could other
wise been attained.
The policy indicated thus far by the
administration of President Hayes, is
distasteful and alarming to many South
ern Republicans, who think the Presi-
dent has cut loose from the party which
elected him, only to throw the power Of
the administration 10 the support Of De-
mocracy. Recognizing Morton as one
whose views upon the Southern question
were of character not to be doubted,
number ofSouthern Republicans address
ed, through the columns of the New
York Times, letter to that gentleman
asking his views upon the Southern sit
uation. Mr.. Morton replies in a letter to
the indianapolis Journal. Mr.. Morton's
views of the situation are expressed in
language which at once carries convic-
ton that they are given only after an ex-
haustive and careful review. Like his in
terrogators the Senator is not satisfied
with the present condition Of affairs in the
two States claimed to be Republican, but
does not, for that reason, think it worth
while to impugn, either the motives or
the action Of the President. He sees the
difficulty of the situation which had been
bequeathed by Grant to his successor !;
and while saying that the Governments OF
Packard and Chamberlain had yielded
only to force, and that the President
would have been justified IN sustaining
them in power by the aid Of the Federal
arms, he was not in a situation to sustain
them in that Mariner. To have attempt
ed it, under the circumstances, would on
ly have resulted in failure. The tone of
Mr.. Morton's letter is generally friendly
to the President, in whose Republcanism
he places full trust.
But he is not SO hopeful of results as
some of the more sanguine. He has lit
tie faith in the promises of party which
"belieVes that the coored man ought not
to have political rights nor even personal
freedom, and who have never considered
HIM part Of the people" Perhaps, it
is, indeed expecting too much. But we
must remember that the granting of po-
litical rights to the negro has given the
South great increase of political power
But he says truly that if. the men who
held the negro in bondage and who, ever
since the war have fought against giving
him civil rights, are to day regenerated
and will administer the government ac-
cording to the principles asserted by the
Republican party and engrafted it in our
constitution and laws, it is consumma
ton devoutly to be wished. And such a
result would be grand triumph of the
Republican reconstruction policy the
more brilliant that it is extorted from its
enemies. These, however, are results
more to be hoped for than expected.
The situation so far as suffrage is con-
cerned is summed up in a few words !;
in number of the Southern States free
Suffrage exists only in name. The white
and the black Republicans are alike
'outcaats from society oppressed in
DuSlicsSj Hulltcu IKE CflLnlIldlS ana de-
MED the protection of the laws" This is
true indictment, and one for which the
subseryient Democracy of the North are
mainly responsible. The great effort of
Northern Democracy has been to find in
Southern affairs something on the part
of Republicans to condemn. The bull
dosing, White Leagues, Kuklux, social
ostracism, and every other means resort
ed to by the worst elements in the South
to obtain political control, have been
steadfastly ignored by the Democratic
leaders, and when their attention was
called to a state Of affairs which could not
be concealed, they found il more profita-
bic to palliate the acts of their confrercs
than to admit them. If Democracy is to
have control in the nation, we may ex-
pect as of old, that the Northern wing
will be completely subservient to the
Southern. The Republican governments
of South Carolina and Louisiana have
been replaced by the governments of
Nichols and Hampton, and they rest un
der the cloud of having been installed by
force. 1t was through force that the
Democracy redeemed" Georgia, Missis-
sippi, Alabama and other States, and