The New Orleans daily Democrat. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1877-1880, 1877-03-29

the earnest and even bitter protest Of
the old leaders OF his party, and had
promptly issued orders withdrawing the
Federal troops from even o negative
support OF Packard and Chamberlain.
there would have been manifested
among the constituents OF many OF the
Southern Representatives such feel
ing OF joy at the prospect OF immediate
relief from the expressions under which
they have groaned 50 many weary years.
| that sufficient number OF these Rep
resentatives would, In all probability.
have united with the supporters OF
Hayes In effecting such an organization
| OF the House as would have insured to
his administration hearty support in
all Of its measures which aimed at the
general good Of the country. That the
Northern Democracy took this
grave fears Of losing control Of
the House, ID plainly seen in the
satisfaction which they now exhibit at
the failure Of Mr.. Hayes to meet the
great issue with which he was confront
ed with the boldness and quickness OF
decision characteristic of real states
manship, and at the consequent delay
in the settlement of the Louisiana and
South Carolina questions. Their inter-
ests and hopes lie In keeping open these
vexatious questions, and In preventing
the Federal administration from ex-
tn.x ls,e inF 70 m q yUi
strengthen 1t in that quarter and loosen
party ties sufficiently to make possible
o coalition Of some kind between South
ern Democrats and Northern and West
ern Republicans. They blandly tell us
to be patient ''awhile longer" and give
us positive assurance that II we heroic
ally grin and bear our ills until the
year OF grace 1880, there will be
such O. reaction In our favor through
out the country that o Democratic
President will be elected without diff
Guilty. This Is poor comfort to down.
trodden people standing upon the brink
| of ruin and anarchy-too poor, indeed,
to be accepted-and we propose to turn
q deaf ear to oil such suggestions.
Painful experience has taught us that
we have nothing to expect In the way OF
sympathy or support from either OF the
two great political parties OF the coun-
try, and that true wisdom demands OF
| us that we assume an attitude OF abso-
Lutte independence and even OF intense
gelfishness towards both parties.
| The result OF the late Congressional
elections was such as to place In the
hands OF O few Southern men the bal
ance of power in the House of Repre-
sentatives, and their policy should be to
make the most of their position and to
use 1t for the sole purpose of effecting
the redemption of the South, and par
ticularly of Louisiana and South Caro-
lima, from misrule and ruin. Once
unshackled and free, the South will be
able to take care of itself. From the
National Democracy we have nothing
to expect but barren sympathy; from
the Republican party we need expect
nothing but oppression, excepting
when we have an equivalent to offer
| for justice and fair treatment. We are
now in q position to demand what we
wish and most need from either party,
and the practical question for our deter
rnination 10, whether we shall be most
benefited by treating with the Repub-
| licans or with the Democrats.
| As matters now stand, our individual
opinion Is that we have more to gain by
supporting the Democratic party in ef-
fecting an organization of the House OF
Representatives, than by joining with
the Republicans. II Mr.. Hayes and his
Cabinet had promptly met our just ex-
pectations by such q measure as would
| have cut at once the gordian knot OF
our difficulties, various considerations
might have impelled us to q reasonably
active support Of his administration
but he has shown so much weakness
and inflrmity of purpose, where vigor
and boldness were required, that our
temporary confidence In him and his
ability to perform what he indirectly
promised US, has received blow from
which it will not soon recover. It Ia
not his sincerity Of purpose that we
doubt, but his moral courage and firm
ness. We may possibly have cause
before long to change our opinion Ia
regard to him, but the enthusiasm
which his announcement Of his South.
ern policy kindled in the South Is
already dead, and we propose to use the
utmost caution in our dealings with him
in the future.
It Is clear, then, that we have much
more to expect from the Democracy
than from Mr.. Hayes, 30 far as we can
Judge from present appearances, and
the objective point Of our alliance with
that party should be the defeat Of the
army appropriation bill, unless there
| ha lncnrnnrated In 1t the same nrQ.