Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1878-11-13
.rhe Presidents So-CaIIed SGTthcrh
E01joy

'Ehp FfpStAGuGS SO-SA1kGA SGEtHSth
Policy.
The following report of the interview, SAID to
have been held with the President ny lead
Jog republican" iS published ia the Washing
ton Republican Of this morning -:
10 Response TO q question about discussion
of Southern affairs, the President rep|lod:--
THAT is mistake; the time for discussion
has passed. 1t is pow too late for anything Dul
the most determined and vigorous acton. ibis
determination was reached several days ago,
and the deliberations of the Cabinet Oh this
subject since then have been comparatively
brief, and confined mainly to tho consideration
Of the duty Of tho Attorney General 10 the
premises
To these remarks the interviewer replied ap'
provingly, and then asked the President how
be accounted for the result of solid South 10
the face of tho pledges of fair dealing by
leading Southern democrats?
The President-"Thatq question leads directly
to discussion Of what has heen lsttery termed
the South policy of the Administration. When
that policy was inaugurated it Was with an osrn
est desire to conciliate the Southern leaders, to
round off the sharp angles Of sectional difference,
and to soften the asperities of political strife.
No one will deny that the attempt to enforce
this policy was most earnestly made, DOR that 1t
was carried out with conscientious desire to
accomplish the result for which it had been 10
augurated. OF the personal and partisan sac,
rioes | made 10 this effort and Of the conse-
uuent interruption Ct certain relations which
had previously existed between myself and
some Of my supporters, | have nothing to say
lust now. Blu. it appears that the leaders who
made those pledges either did not exert them.
| selves to keep them, or wcro unable to do so.
| La fact, | em reluctantly forced to admit that
the experiment was failure. The first cleo.
ton of importance held since it was attempted
has proved that fair elections, with free suffrage
for every voter 10 the South, are al impossible
| ity under the existing condition Of things"
| Interviewer-"An the republican party, ex.
ccpt 10 North Carolina, hat thereby been wiped
out of existence 10 the South? p
The President-"lt is not because the re-
| publican party appears as the sufferer IN these
results that l complain; 1t is because tree
suffrage and freedom Of political rights have
been iuterfered with that am called upon to
take cognizauoe of these disturbances. 1t the
facts were exactly reversed, and if the repub!i
oaus had committed these outragcs upon tho
democrats, my duty would be tho same. 1t will
not do for me, or for any official before whom
| wise than in a non partisan way. The partisan
Dress will naturally lako a partisan view OF the
| case, and will DO held to account Tor aiding
TIC republicans, tho Stalwarts. L mean, in
Haunting the bloody shirt, as tits called
Internationally es; it has boon charged that
you are following in the footsteps Of your pre-
decessor."
The President l expect that, all
that ADD more. | can't expect to hold the
Office | do without being kicked aud oufiod q
little, you know. But tor all that | shall do my
| duty as the Chief Magistrate OF all the people,
| democrats and republicans alike, and it, in tho
faithful! execution of the laws justice shall de-.
mand the punishment Of this or shat map,
whatever his political connections may be, |
shall not be deferred by partisan criticism. All
that | know is that great crimes have been
committed, and it is my duty to aid 10 the pun.
ishment Of the criminals
Iuterviewer--"And you do not think the
Southern leaders, the democrats. L mean, who
! have promised 30 often to protect the blacks OF
the South in the exercise Of their rights ere re-
sponsible tor these crimesT'
| The Presidents. "Frankly, do not. Governor:
Hampton, for example, has tried repeatedly to
repress the violence which has characterized
the Campaign 10 South Carolina and failed.
Such republicans as Judgo Lee and Mr.. Ralucy
and ex. State Senator Swails, Of that State, have
advised me Of these facts. They say that
Hampton cannot control the Red Shrts,as they
call them, aud they have repeatedly Informed
me Of speeohe8 he has made deprecatlnG Viz
lence 10 the conduct OF the campaign. And it
appears that Governor Nichols, in Louisiana,
is earnestly opposed TO these proceedings or thu
same kind OF violence 10 bis State.
Neutrality-suspicious. the officers of the Da.
partment of Justice have been Instructed to
carry out the proceedings already begun against
these dopredator5?
The Presideut--''Not Only against those who
have already been arrested, but against Others
who will soon be arrested. Ii is proposed TO
make clean sweep of this business and exhaust
every legal resource 10 the execution OF justice.
The integrity of American citizenship has been
grossly violated in wide spread localities, Ii
must and shall be vin6icatsd.'
Iatcrviewcr--"Will it be necessary to make
any removals or changes among the District
Attorney. 10 the Southern States?'
The Presideut-"l hope not, and believe not;
but if it is discovered that any ofiaer of the
class you refer to is not earnestly endeaVorlng
to do his whole duty in the matter, there will
be 20 hesitation in taking proper steps 10 re-
place him and to secure vigorous prosecution
| Of these clse5."
Here tic interview came to 90 cod.
Grave Robbers.
Fort WAYNE, Ipd.. Nov, l3,-The excite