National Republican., 1877-02-24
GOVERNOR HAYES AND THE LOUISIANA
CONTROVERSY.

SVNINVNBItsh.
President GRANT, as Il has been heretofore
announced, has declined to make any de.
cision In respect to the confl' citing govern.
ments IN Louisiana. This policy has evi.
dently been dictated by a sense Of courtesy
TO his successor, who will have to deal
with the practical results of any action
touchinP that controversy.
As to the course that Governor HAYES
will pursue in that regard when he be.
comes President Of the United States we
have no further information than is fore.
shadowed in the closing portion of his
letter Of acceptance, which will be read with
absorbiI z interest Of this crisis, and Is as
follows:
TThe condition Of the southern States attracts
the attention and commands the sympathy OF the
people OF the whole Union In their progressive
recovery from the effects OF the war. Their first
necessity is an Intelligent and honest adminstra.
tion Of Government which will protect all classes
Of citizens in all their political and private
rights. What the South most needs 10 peace,
and poace depends upon the supremacy Of law.
There can be no enduring peace II the Consttu.
tional rights Of any portion OF the people are
habitually disrcgarded. A division Of po.
iiticai parties resting merely upon dis
tinctions Of race, upon sectional lines, is al
ways unfortunate, and may be disastrous to the
welfare Of the South alike with that OF every
other part Of the country which depends upon
tho attractions II can offer to labor, to immgra.
tion and TO capital; but laborers will not 70 and
capital will not venture where the Constitution
and the laws are set at defiance, and distrActing
apprchen and alarm take the place of peace
loving aud lawabiding social life. All parts Of
the Constitution are sacred, and must be sscrediy
obseryed-tho parts that are now no less than
the parts that are old. The moral and material
prosperity OF the Southern States can be most
erectually advanced by a hearty and generous
recognition Of the rights Of all by ALA recog-
milton without reserve or exception. With such q
recognition fully accorded, It will be practicable
to promote by the influence Of all
legitimate agencies Of the General Govern
ment the effort Of the people Of these States to
obtain for themselves the blessings OF honest and
capable local Government. II elected 1 shall
consider II not only my duty, but will be my ar.
dent desire, to labor for the attainment Of this
end Let me assure my eounfrymen Of The South
srn States that II ! shall be charged rita the
duty Of organising an Administration, 10 piH be
one phieh riH regard aud cherish their Interests,
the Interests Of the rhiie and the eoiorsd people,
boih and equally, and rhieh riH put forth its
best GDortS IN hehay Of a civil policy rhieh riH
ripe out Joreper the didinefion befireen North
and South in our common country. With q
civil service organized upon system
which will secure purity, experience, en-
cheney and economy; strict regard for the
public welfare, solely In appointments, and
the speedy, thorough and unsparing prosecution
snd punishment Of all public ofhcers VIII betrsy
official trusts; with sound currency; wit h educa-
tion, insectarlan and free to ALI with simplicity
and frugality in public and private affairs, and
fraternal spirit Of harmony pervading the people
Of all sections and classes, we may reasonably
hope that the second century Of our existence rs
nation will, by the blessing Of God, be prom.
nent as an era Of good feeling and q period Of
progress, prosperity and happiness.
Very respectfully, your feliou.eitiren,
X. u. HAYES.