The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1878-11-21
Flom the Chicago Evening Journal
THE PRESIDENTS EXPLANATION
AND OPPORTUNITY,

There seems to be a good deal of diff
fculty in defining the Presidents posi-
ton ON the Southern question. 1t is an
embarrassment growing out Of the con
sistency, yet inconsistency, of charity
and justice. They are ethical traits or
attributes which are interchangeable
IN prominence according to the state Of
facts at the time One day the report
is that he pronounced his concilatory
policy failure, the next he is repre-
sented as defending that policy, and
now at length he is said to have offer
ed the following explanation:
My position has not changed toward
the South 1T is the same now as when
[ wrote my letter Of acceptance, my
inaugural address, and my message to
Congress q year ago. In my message
said-and the President read as fol-
lows: 1t should be cur fixed and un-
alterable determination to protect by
all available and proper means under
the constitution and laws the lately
emancipated race in the enjoyment of
their rights and privileges. Whatever
authority rests with me to this end
| shall not hesitate to put forth.
The violations of the negroes right
Of suffrage in connection with the re-
cent Congressional elections at the
South were not as bad, SO far as con
Germs violence and bloodshed, as those
OF two years ago. The murders we've
not as numerous, and not a single step
was taken, SO far as we know, to bring
the political assaSSins Of 1876 to judg-
ment. If there should be no attempts
now to punish the outrages Derpetra-
| ted at the recent elections, there
would be a great 0utcry throughout
the North. In one sense, therefore, the
Administration must turn over new
leaf, and, it may be added, seems re-
solved to do SO.
The truth is that there was a very
general feeling after the Presidential
election that if the Southern native
whites were allowed to have their own
way in State politics, they would be-
! have themselves; that "carpet-bag-
gers were responsible in some way
for the violence and bloodshed in
Louisiana, South Carolina and Texas,
1t is now evident that nothing would
satisfy the old rebel element short Of
the reduction of the colOred people to
the condition Of voting cattle" With
This sentiment and purpose neither
Mr.. Hayes nor any element Of the Re
publican party has or ever has had any
sympathy whatever. Consequently the
crimes which were overlooked and
palliatod somewhat then are regarded
now lii their true light The clemen-
cY OF 1877 prepared the way for retri-
butiye justice now.
The administration need have no
concern about being misunderstood
1t will be judged by results, not by
promises. So far as the political erin
inals Of the South are amenable to ma
tional law, let them be indicted and
FURNISHED. Ii this is done, all the Re
publican party and a very considera-
BILE proportion Of the Northern De
(mocracy will approve. The President
mas great opportunity. If he i'm
i proves it, he can realize the grand aim
LOT his Presidential life-the solution
Iof the Southern Problem. His past
puts him in position peculiarly fa-
yorable for the yindieation Of tho
i rights Of suffrage, with the approval
| Of the people. Fine words will NOT do
it. Prompt and energetic action is re-
quired. Explanations are not impor-
tant. The homely proverb, ''the test
OF the pudding is in the eating aD.
,Ephes here and now with especial EN-,
Iphasis.
Dr.. M. 7. Hanson will give a free
lecture on THE TURKISH BArH, at s
o'clock z. Nj next Monday, Nov. Is
Tat Lyceum HALL, Gold Fniseppa1 church,