Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1878-11-27
Views OF A. II Stephens.

WASHINGTON, Nov. l7.-An inter
view with Alex. II. Stephens is 10 be
published in the Post in which the fol-
lowing questions were asked and
answered.:
"What do you think, Mr.. Stephens, of
Hayes's recent change Of policy?"
MY answer to that is, / haven't
seen any change Of policy on the part Of
Mr.. Hayes. AS far as l have heard
anything from him, it is that he intends
TO execute the laws rs eXpouAded by
the courts. This understood to be
his policy from the beginning. As l
understood IL from the beginning, twas
to withdraw the Federal troops from
the occupancy of State capitals, where
they had been for som time before, and
to allow the people cr each State re-
spectively to govern themselves under
their own State constitutions as they
pleased, provided they violated no
Federal law. This | regarded as the
true constitutional policy then and now.
and have seen nor head nothing from
Mr.. Hayes Inconsistent with these
principles upon which his adminlstra-
ton was based at the time Of his iuaugu-
ration. The foundation principal OF
Jcfersonian Democracy. which is the
true basis Ofall constitutional liberty,
is law and the enforcement Of the law.
Mr.. Hayes has done nothing contrary
to this. so far a. am informed, and |
cannot see why Democrats should find
fault with any executive Tor carrying
out their own fundamental principles.
Mr.. Hayes has only, as | understand.
undertaken to carry out the laws. and
Il Congress has made Il bad law il is
not the Presidents fault. II IS his duty
10 execute it, audlf he don't do it he's.
not lit for tic place. Whether it is Il
moonshncr or a bulldozer or anybody
else. il the Law has been violated il IS
thc Presidents duty to enforce it,"
"What is your opinion Of Senator
Hills recent letter criiicising Hayes
and his administration -
Il think it was an exceedingly in
judicious and uni Stiliable attack upon
the President, particularly coming from
one occupying Mr.. HIPS position. Bat
it is Il matter that de- not wish to enter
into any discussion about. Mr.. Hill is |
q gentleman of high order OF talent, but
he is not usually very discreet in his
actions or counsel, if You will excuse
me for what | very much dislike to do !
that is passing judgment even upon the
discretion or indiscreiion o. others"
"What do YOU think. Mr.. Stephens, OF
the outlook for the Democratic party"
ITS good. if good sense and patriot
ism prevail. but don { care to discuss
the future Of parties. I'm no partisan. /
though 4 party man. - 10 the future
Of the whole country, think well OF Il.
Financially, the country is in a worse
condition than il has ever been in my
day, and the prospect in that respect is
exceeding discoura-Ing. But yith wis
dom, prudence aud patriotism on the
part CT COn-rts-. lhiuk very hopefully
OF the general future o! CIR common
country. Sectional anGpathy and sec
tional parties ( trast VIII cease. and
men in high Office. from the Executive
down. will look chiefly to ccncilillion
and the prosperity Of all tAcpaople ua-
der this the eraudcsl Federal repnb'i,
that ever existed. But The people of
all sections mE-t De thoroughly imbucl
with the great tluih that free constiU-
tional government can only be mantain-
ed and perpetuatcd upon Tie principles
Of law aud order and the endorsements
o! tie laws a, cXpomded bY tie courts.