The New Orleans daily Democrat. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1877-1880, 1877-09-26
SOUTHERN POLITICS.

The Mississippi election furnishes q
theme for several OF our Northern con-
tempefafies, cut Of which they evolve
but one marvel, and that Is the benefi-
cence of Hayes Southern policy and
the wondrously soothing effects of his
Southern tour, and it's profusion Of gush
and palaver. The New York Herald
tells us that sit is curious and instruc-
tive to notice how different Is the spirit
which prevails there from that OF pre-
vious years"-all Of which Is ascribed
solely to Hayes and his adoption OF pol
icy that was forced upon him, which he
acceded to only under duress, and to
which he owes his present position.
This 'curious and instructive" lesson
has been read to but poor advantage If
the altered temper Of the people Of Mis-
sissippi is to be attributed to him and
Wanted as triumph of his so-called
Southern policy, and any journal that so
construes it proves itself but poorly in
formed in relation to the true condition
of affairs in the South, and the in
fluences which have brought it about.
It Is due. it is true, to the recovered
autonomy OF the States, to the Danish
ment of the carpet-bag adventures
who have been sustained by Federal
bayonets In their usurpations Of our
governments and the systematic rob-
berry Of our people, and encouraged
under their shadow to provoke resent
ment they had neither the courage nor
the strength to put down when aroused.
But the part Hayes has enacted in this
deliverance was but small indeed, and
that little was under duress and by COM
pulsion. Let these results be credited
where they are due-to the sturdy man.
hood and resolute independence Of the
Southern people themselves, and to the
not less commendable sense of justice
Of our countrymen at the North. to
which the course Of Mr.. Hayes is itself
entirely attributable.
It is some consolation, however, to
see the more liberal OF the Northern
papers noticing and commencing the
altered spirit of our Southern political
campaigns, even though they fail to at
tribute the change to the true causes.
There Is an active campaign now pro.
crossing in our adjoining State, and yet
we scarcely know Of it. The Republi-
cans have no State ticket, but in all the
counties where there are negro MAORI
ties they have county tickets, and In
the doubtful ones there are independent
candidates, backed by Republican sup
port, in opposition to the regular DEM
ocratic nominees.
Yet we hear Of little or no violence.
In one or two counties there are reports
OF disorders, but the authorities and
the press are open and strong In their
opposition to the unruly element. Gov.
Stone has given notice in the three
counties from which these reports come
that he will enforce the law at all haz-
ard, and in one county, Amite, a num-
Der OF these disturbers Of the peace
have already been arrested. In these
measures he is sustained by the better
sentiment Of the State, while the press
demands that he do his duty without
fear or favor, and this we have no doubt
he will do.
In noticing these facts the Herald
passes the following comment:
"All this means that just public opinion
has revived in Mississippi, which not only
resents lawlessness but demands that the
local authorities and the Governor shall Wig
orously enforce law and order. Before this
new spirit intolerance and violence must
rapidly disappear.
This ia all the merest bosh. The
"public sentiment Of Mississippi is now
just what it has alwaysbeen. There are
no lying carpet baggers there misrep-
resenting the people and working up
sensations for the outrage mills at the
North, to begin with, and then Gov.
Stone Is the rightful executive Of the
State, backed by legal government,
sustained by the people from whom
they derive their authority as we'll as
the ability to enforce the laws OF the
State. The same results can be seen in
every Southern State. and the only
moral of this curious and instructive"
lesson is that only those governments
that are founded on the will of a repub-
lican people can command or are en-
titled to their respect and allegiance.
Such governments we now have, and
we confess to no gratitude whatever to
Mr.. Hayes or John Sherman either, that
such is the fact.
rrrr1 omDrrnTr TIT NTTDA