New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1877-04-04
THE PRESIDENT AND THE SOUTHERN
QUESTION.

QUESTION:
The slow haste of the President in taking
action with reference to affairs in South caro-
lima has been WISE 1t was well for the coun-
try and for all parties Immediately concerned,
AZ il certainly will prove to be well for the
Presidents own fame, that he proceeded In
the matter with great patience and dellDera-
ton. taking no step without the utmost care
and forethought, and yet neglccting nothing and
indulging in no unnecessary delay. His first
four weeks in Office have been a month that
would have made most men dizzy. 1t is a
great thing for him not to have lost his head
under the circumstances. Rarely has Presl-
dent or any other public officer been Launched
at his first entry upon the duties OF his posi-
ton on such tumbling pillows and such
troubled and uncertain sea. The experience
and skill GOODNESS, confidence and stcadlness
of an old pilot have been required OF nm
from the first moment he took the helm, ana
it is not too much to say that he
has fully answered every such require
ment. His modest self-possession and perfect
eouanmity under all circumstances during the
long campaign that preceded and followed the
election might have taught us to expect from
this comparative stranger to the country ana
to the duties of his high Office just the cool
ness, steadness Of nerve, and carelulness
he has already shown, and not the br1iliance
of genius for which we are always longing,
and of which we so soon tire. The quantities
he has thus far exhibited are such
MS will grow in the public estimation. lie has
not "struck twelve the first time" Nor, to
use another figure, has he started Off at
brilliant but in the end killing pace. If the
little month Just passed may be taken as
criterion of what his administration will be
and under the circumstances we do not see
why it NAV Motive may expect it to be char
acterized by prudence rather than brilliance,
bv wisdom and forethought rather than in
cenuity and smartness, by steadiness and per-
sistencc instead of sporadic enthusiasm and
ftful endeavOr.
We have no disposition to "gush" or get
sentimental, or, In Artemus Wards most ex-
| prcssive phrase "slop over" toward President
HAYES or the new Administration. They have
their spurs to win, their fame to make; we
shall endeavor to judge them fairly and i'm
partially as they go, Withholding no ccnsure
| when due nor praise when deserved. But
we take leave to say that the action of
| the President thus far with regard to
the DISPUTED Southern States must challenge
the admiration, as it commands the confidence,
of the country. Remember that he came into
Office at time when the people were weary
| of q long, prOfitless controversy, anxious for
| an end of it and for rest that under the IN
0uence OF the impression conveyed in the first
| place by his letter of acceptance, strength
eued by the utterances OF his intimate
and confidential friends, sustained by
the conservative action of Southern Demo-
Gratis with whom there seemed to be tacit
understanding, and finally confirmed by the
President himself in his inaugural address,
there had come to be very general expecta-
ton that he would Immediately solve the prob
lem in South Carolina and Louisiana, and with
a stroke of the pen bring order out of chaos.
II was not reasonable to be sure, but the pco-
pie stopped TO think of nothing but that
they were weary of the everlasting contention,
and wanted, by any process no matter what,
| the dispute settled. The President was beset
| ON all sides at once. Though all the indica-
tions pointed to an adjustment which would
| accord with the unmistakable popular desire,
! the public was inpatient the press fretted at
the delay, and popular enthusiasm began to
sour The men who wanted the millennium
in ten minutes could not bear to wait. 1t
| had been reckOned a favorable omen for
the new Administration that the Cab
met selections and the policy they fore
Swallowed had been so cordially received.
BIT there was much deeper significance i'll the
steadiness with which the President con-
fronted the clamor for immediate action, and
notwithstanding the risk he incurred of cool
ing popular enthusiasm and estranging new
found but ardent friends, postponed to full
examination and careful delibcratiOn his de-
csion of the questions in dispute.
1t has been urged that considerations of
political expedicncy and party advantage D.
manded prompter action and an earlier settle
ment; it may be said even now that the delay
has weakened the Administration by dulling
the enthusiasm with which the conservative
sentiment of the country welcomed the first
signs Of the policy of confidence and kind
ness. All such judgments arc hasty The
best thing the President has yet said
is, "He serves his party best who serves the
Country best :" the best thing he has done
is in acting as though he believed it, The
hope of the country is in his clear and honest
Judgment, his steadiness without stolidty,
persistence without Obstinacy. and care for
the public good rather than for party
advantage. The signs are propitious