The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1877-08-27
The South---Party Politics.

questions that are presented and mainta'h'
ing a state Of calmness entirely free from
impulsivenesS aud prejudice.
The South made war and fought heroic
ally. She was overwhelmed, and like brave
peo3le. As the southern people are thes
prorerly construed defeat and the obiga'
lions it cnta,lad upon them. Had those "h"
held tho power OF the Government Se'eu
wisely and generously in the business Vi
reconstructing the nation. all "oota ia.
-nsu,.ed for the welfare and happiness Oh
all sections. But the measures Oh so',i" IL
mem were controlled by fanat'cism' Ha''ee'
.,d ambition, and that which was worse 1of
.,,n South and bad for the whole country was
DOM. Certainly we need no reminder OF
tho misery brought upon the Sonth. we
soow that the North in the course OF events
has shared our disasters: but that cannot
-o,,ir orr mis.ortuues. We remember now
,,i.oovernulcnt and the rapacity and plum
s.,;nn Of alien and barbarous officials were
,-,Ionrcd by the outIageS and usurpat1ons
o. he Federal Government. We remem-
her now the discomfort and apprehension OF
thu oppressed and wrongcd were continued
through GRANTS administration, and how
tie hope OF ultimate Gcliyerance by the trl-
rn,nh Of the Democrats WAS cherished as
il /, were the last hope that was left lis or
The south.
And what 4 strange history We have had :.
L has seemed that storm ful OF threaten
inc prevailed over the land for weary ana
aronizinc DAYS, and that at its close there
appeared tt:e rainbow OF peace and the sun
shine OF prosperity. The country never
had such period OF anxiety, it never was
blessed by the advent OF so much hcne-
rceucc after such uncasincsS>.
The Electoral Commission that seated
HAYES had been mutually chosen by both the
great parties as Il means OF escape from dam
ger. Both were by their joint net pledged 10
abide lis decision, whatever it might be. IL
seated HAYES, and Congress enforced lis
decision. As with the war, the South ac-
&c otel the result. We may say OF the South
tha. i sense OF duty governed her, and
thai her people, without anticipating the
good fortune in store for them, suppressed
the feeling Of disappointment arthe defeat
OF TiLpES under the higher sentiment OF
obligation and honor.
After. this the strangrst OF all strange
events in politics was developed. Thc
President elected by the party We had
opposed. and from which we feared the
worst, inauSurated policy for according
the right Of self-sovernment to the southern
states and for paciticating the Union. At
lrst it was regarded with doubt; but so
rersistently and firmly was it carried out
that in month or two it was successful in
deliveria be South from the terrible gov
crnrnentS 81 ignorance and dishonesty. IN
setting free Louisiana time was required,
during which the South showed Impotence
and the parties about to be driven from
their usurpation bitterly inveiShed. The
President calmly and firmly carried forward
his plan. The South was delivered, and the
usurpers, where are they:
such deliycrance, to come from the party
that threatened so much longer the policy
Of outrage and affection, presents case OF
wonderful character in political history. As
we have remarked before, It had an appear
ance somewhat miraculous. Arc our peo.
pie fully impressed with its peculiar nature
and the great benefits it has conferred upon
lis: We sometimes doubt it. rs.
What entities the President most peeu-
!iarly to the profoundest respect as we'll as.
gratitude OF the South is the answering
determination he has displayed in, doing
Justice to the South and administering the
the Government for the good Of all the peo-
pie and with entire impaftiality. .-..
Now, then, we see wonderful condition
of things and it is the duty OF the South
and every southern man to take care that
no Injury shall come to harm the South or.
disturb the public peace from any act OF IN
discretion and tmpulsireness. The policy
OF the President, has completely reversed
the southern policy OF the Republican party.
1t ends the war. policy OF that party, and
terminates the strategy OF sectional hostility
as The means OF perpctuating the power OF
Republicanism. ..
II is plain that there must he reforma-
ton OF parties and platforms. There must
be new issues to take the place OF those
which are crowded out. We are there
fore passing through transition state IN
which prudence becomes great virtue.
The South bas suffered most, and has most
to gain and most to risk now.
The northern parties are animated by the
desire to control as the road to office and
eno,uments. But the South has higher
motive: the desire to secure her rights and
her social safety. She cannot look upon
struggle political with an ordinary party
passion. She regards it as affecting vital
interests: her peace and right; nay, all
she holds dear. She cannot, therefore,
trust to party preiudices and passions
things so dignided. w.. 'tg ..',
The Democrats have won the southern
sympathy in the past, yet it cannot be safe
to adopt their impulses and imbibe their
passions. Behold at this time the denun-
citation OF the Electoral Commission, which
is a plank in the platform Of Democratic
conventions at the North. Should such
denunciation appear in q southern plat
form? We hold that the Electoral Commits
sion was one whose arbitrament was bind
ing, and that il Is not now open for partisan
strife: and certainly il such be the fact it
would be the greatest folly imaginable fol-
the South, who found in the man seated by
the Commission deliyerer and patriot
,},o.n al