New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1877-03-23
THE POLICY OF Mr.. HAYES.


junction of the old Latin proverb testind Icntc than
for that of President Hayes III framing its Southern
policy. This one question of American politics,
overshadowing all others in importance, is sur
rounded with untold dangers and difficulties. Com
pcated as it is with the conflicting interests OF po-
htical parties and individuals involving in Its solu-
ton perhaps the very fate OF the Administration
nsclf for the next four years, well as the peace
and prosperity of the South and the material adj
yancement of the whole country, thousand rea-
sons present themselves why i'll dealing with IT there
should be no undue haste. mistaken or lll-conSd-
cred step now might be followed by the most disas-
trous consequences TO those most vitality interested
and result in crippling the President during his
whole official term.
The determination of the Cabinet, therefore, to
send a commission of eminent citizens, representing
the conservative elements of both parties, to Louis
lana before disturbing the present status there, is
conspicuously wise one. Two governments, each
claiming 10 he legally organized in all its depart
reuts constantly menace each other and the. peace
of the State Before any general policy looking to
the permanent supremacy of the civil over the mill
tarv authority can be successfully carried ont the
present state of organized war must pass away The
duality of the legislative, executive, and judicial
DEPARTMENTS Of the Government of Louisiana is an
insupcrabe obstacle to any satisfactory or pcrna-
nent adjustment. If that is once eliminated the
Iousiana problem Is half solved and il is In order
10 see if some way cannot be devised which Will be
satisfactory to reasonable men of both parties ana
which will secure single administration, acceptable
and respected by all classes of people, that as I'M
derstand it, the appointment of commission has
been determined upon.
Ii would undoubtedly have been more satisfactory
if there had been longer delay i'll putting an end
to military interference in Louisiana; but i am
q Al 10
even look upon the appointment of a commission as
virtual abandonment BY the President OF his lew
Southern policy as it has generally been understood.
The President was never more i'll earnest in his
desire 10 solve the Southern problem III a manner
that shall be satisfactory to all classes of people in
the South than he is to-day; but he does not believe
in the resort to temporary eXpedleits, or III the
longer continuance of hap-hazard, hand-to-mOuth
policy. When the military commanders i'll the
South ordered to interfere no longer Ill the local
affairs of States he desires those orders to be perma
nent If the necessity for using troops to preserve
the peace should subsequently arise it would be the
cause of fresh irritatiOns and endanger the final
success of the policy of reconciliation far more than
the continuance of another month of the present
status in New-Orlcans
The danger of such contingency is very great,
too great III the Judgment of a majority of the Cab
met to make it wise for the Administration to take
the risk 1t is useless to say that on the withdrawal
of troops from the vicinity of the State House IN
New Orleans the Packard regime would melt away
and disappear without blow being struck. 1T Is
useless to point TO the pledges of Gov. Nichols not
20 attack Mr. Packard nor attempt to drive him
from his position by force. The latter has not prom
sed TO sit quietly by and allow his rival to gain any
advantage which he does not now possess. On the
other hand he has already threatened to attempt
The rccapture of the police stations in New-Oreans
and of the buildings in which the courts hold their
sessions and such an attempt made In real earnest
would certainly be followed by the slaughter OF
many men in the streets. Gov Nicholas pledges
have undoubtedly been made in good faith, and he
would certainly keep them until he was attacked.
Nobody could expect him 10 observe them longer.
change of the present status in New-Orleans might
therefore mean and probable bloodshed III spite
OF everything GOV. Nichols could do and 1t is to
avoid that that the troops have been allowed to re-
main in their present position until the report OF the
Commission has been made.
know positively that the Conservatives of Louis-
ana have no occasion to be disheartened at the delay
in putting an end to the disastrous controversy in
their state Ii does not mean continuance of Gen.
Grants half civil half military policy, which was
neither respected nor respectable If there is one
feature of the Southern policy which the President
understands and appreciates more than another 1t is
the utter failure Of that policy and the lmpossDlty
Of its continuance He looks upon it as weak sip
shod, and wholly Inadequate 1t failed to protect
the negroes, to give strength and stability TO the
Republican State Governments, or TO command the
respect Of the white people Under it the National
Government was looked upon with ever increasing
contempt. No matter what may happen, that pohcy
vii be abandoned.
Two other methods of dealing with the Southern
question only remain. One is purely military ana
tie other purely civil The first is hardly possible
one in the present state Of public opinion or without
the cooperation of Congress. If troops enough were
placed al his disposal the President would and coud
Preserve the peace in Louisiana and South Carolina
and make tie laws respected. Military arrest and
Trial before a military tribunal for infringement
upon the civil and political rights of citizen, if
carried out by force sufficiently numerous to ponce
every part OF the state, would soon restore order
aid insure peace. Many has been the time since
l5c3, when the people of Louisiana would have
hailed with JOY the rule of military dictator.
PrOninent business men of New-Orleans, Demo
eIdts, have repeatedly assured me that they wouId
welcome the return of Gen. H. +. Butler as
military governor, odiOus he is TO them III the
Place OF the administration under which they were
forced to live
purely civil policy is the one that will be
adopted. The President will say TO the Southern
people, "Thc time has come when yOu ought To be-
elh to govern yourselves we Northern people do.
W. know that you are not like lis i'll many respects
thai your education and habits have been different
That there has not been the same respect Tor law
among you in Northern States; aud tiat dlSorder
has IN measure become clifonic. But you must
learn to restrain yourselves, to obey good laws ana
Depend upon them for the redress of your wrongs
all in