The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1877-03-18
Who's your Friend.

II the South were asked this question
now, We think that time for consideration
would be required before replying. Certain
ly no country ever fought harder on the
political arena to prevent the success of an
opponent than the Southern States did to
defeat the election of Mr.. Hayes. Tilden
was their friend, and most Loyalty did they
| work fer him Hayes was the heir of thei.
direst enemy, and their struggle to defeat
him was not more jealous than their dissp-
pointment was bitter on seeing the danger
of his impending triumph. eight to seven"
was written on the scroll Of fate, and
Hayes was inaugurated. Two weeks have
| scarcely elapsed and the men whose bowed
| heads spoke of defeat and despair, are
looking up astonithed and inc1edulous.
What! Is Hayes our friend7 No one
can say yet. but strangely enough he has
placed q number of our friends in his
Cabinet. Indeed, the only Radical of the
seven is Sherman. OF the six others, near
ly every one may be considered moderate,
liberal, and conservative. The s'bloody
shirt" and the "baycnet rule" have no
friend among them. 1t would be most
strange, indeed, if Mr.. Hayes should be
found intent on views of Southern oppres-
sion while surrounding himself with such
counsellors; strange, too, that all intina-
tions coming from himself and his most in :
innate friends should tend 60 strongly to
the condemnation of armed interference in
State government.
"Put net year faith in princes" nor in
politicians. We remember the injunction,
and, therefore, shall not jump at cosclu-
sions, but-but suppose Hayes 10 q gentle
man after ali. When We look back at tina,
sentence We find it going long way; We
never dreamed of making such a supposi.
sinn in regard to Grant.
Grant was by Instinct Of that class Of
character called "lOvfung.n He was ar
essential rOwdy, fond OF low company
prone to low vices, aud incapable of look.
ing above low, narrow policy. His am
bition, though egregious, was not soaring
not respectable. He wanted to rule, lie
wanted to get money, he wanted to enjoy
the luxuries Of high life, but he didn't care
cent about having a decent reputation
much lees . lofty one. The idea of break.
lag with anybody OF sacrificing an ally in
order to do q patriotic act would have
struck him as Quixotic and sentimental
His ambition was fully satisied with being
the President of party, and his reach of
policy vas confined to maintaining the
supremacy of that party at the expense,
even, of q ruined country and wrecked
Consultation.
Now it may easily happen that Mr. Hayes
10 not that sort of q man. He NAV have
ambition Of q purer, loftier, more decent
type. He may feel that his reputation is
at stake; that his estimation now and his
memory hereafter require of him a policy
that shall stand the test of time aud the
scrutiuy of history. Mr.. Hayes has de-
ciared that be will never again be q eaudi-
date for the Presidency. To a certain ex
tent, then, he is free from party bondage
free to do right. Does it require any
stretch of the Imagination to conceive that
be would like to see himself President Of
the Whole cOuntryi Would not suy states
man, any patriot, any decent, upright man
naturally and necessarily rise to tha;
height Two things are before him. There
is the Presidency, say of James Monroe,
the chief magistraey Of q great, prosperou.
and happy nstiOn-a position loaded with
honor and surrounded with dignity; there,
too, il the military dietstoEsbip Of Grant
over divided and Agitated people, posi-
ton contemplate through its dishonest an
liatiODs and hateful through its usurpation
and cruelty. Which yould an bonesa man
ehOoeeS
We do NOT think it At all Improbable that
Ar' Hayes will discard absolutely and
ANONYMOUSLY that insOlsBt policy Of usur.
patton, that daring treason Of military
deePOt, through which States sslf-rov.
ernmens IL trAnPled under foot By an in.
gaaisg eoa6isry. CeEtatnlY 10 kna aia.
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