Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1877-09-29
II%GNIFICANCE OF THE PRESIDENTS
"TRIP AND RECRPTION SOUTH.

The New York Sun, a very able and
bitter Democratic paper, which often
toes to far to suit Southern Democrats,
discussing the Presidents trip South,
says:
The Journey Of Mr.. Hayes through the
South, unlike the previous exclusions of
the same parsonage, displays one feature
Of extraordinary su-ggestiveness aud in
l.ortance. We refer to the fact that
mong the throngs that have surrounded
lim and cheereG him, not one prominent
Republican has been seen. The repre-
tsntatives of the party which bore Mr..
Hayes to the White House have all been
CONSPICUOUS by their absence. Only
Democrats and ex ~Confederates have
awaited him, welcomed him and cheered
lin
The reason Of this is plain. Since
lir Hayes came into power he has
steadily turned his back upon the Re-
publican party, repudiating its ancient
j teas. pushing aside It's leading men in
i1e Southern States, and seeking for
friendship and support in the ranks Of
fAe Democracy alone. Hence the spec
iscle to which We have referred. Hence
the plaudits Of Democrats and the sui.
lsR absence OF Republicans. His own
PARTY stand alooi from him because they
feel that be has destroyed them. The
other party crowd around him because
they know that he has done precisely
what they require, and done it more
thoroughly and with less question or
] esitation than M. Tilden would have
brought TO the task.
To this the Knoxville Tribune, pub
lshed where Hayes received a character.
Isle and enthusiastic Southern welcome,
replies very happily aud t~ruthfully:
The Sun is correct in part only. Il
had no reporter with the Presidential
party, and is therefore excusable for not
having recognized the name Of ''one
prominent Republican" in the accounts
If the Southern demonstrations. Our
political centers in the South, such as
Nashville, Louisville, Atlanta and Knox.
vile, recognize as prominent in their
party a number Of patriots whose names
are not familiar 10 the ears OF New
Workers, and yet who feel themselves
quite tall peoples in the LEGAL Republi.
can gardens. Most Of these are to be
found comfortably established in post
offices, revenue Offices, district attorney.
ships, marshalships and the like, and we
are quite sure that some Of them took
special pains to manifest their apprecia-
ton OF the positions they hold by ioin
rag in the general welcome to the Presi.
dent. Neither did the Republicans Of
the rank aud file "sullenly absent them.
selves. They came out in respect
able numbers to see and hear
the President 1t was only alter
they had heard the surprisingly liberal
and Democratic u~tterances of the Presi.
dent and witnessed the unmistakable
heartiness with which the Democrats an.
plauded the generous and patriotic senii.
ments expressed by him, that "%sullen.
ness settled like d sign OF d~isappoint.
saent, mourning and disgust upon the
4tadical c~ountenance. IL was not the
sind OF feast they had expected to enjoy
They had not been in the haeit of near.
log such doctrine preached by Republi.
eau apostles They have never beior,
beheld such Democratic proceedings at q
Republican camp-meeting.
The Sun, too, IS unjust TO the Southern
Democrats. The few oliees-the very
few oliees-that here and there, at very
wide %interyaleg, have been giyento Dem
ocrats by the present administration
had nothing to do with the character o.
the Democratic demonstrations in th,
South. Democrats are not expecting The
offices. Politically speaking, they recog
nlzed simply that the President has don,
his duty, and they cheerfully availec
themselves of the opportunity to mani
fest their appreciation Of the fact. La (
social view OF the matter they but illus
irated the hospitality and politeness Cha.
have ever characterized the Southern
people.