Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1878-11-18
HAYES AND THE SOUTH.

must nave q SenHitioh 70 tne euecOI
that President Hayes has reconsidered
his so-callcd Southern policy, and
would shortly re-establish the order
of things which prevailed in Grants
time. In the first place, he cannot do
it by law or any usurpatiOn, even if
disposed, and a majority of the Ameri-
can people are in favor of letting each
State alone in the management Of
its local or domestic affairs. In the
second place we do not believe that a
man of common sense and a level
head like Hayes can be influenced by
such reckless partisans as Blaine,
Zack Chandler, Eugene Hale and
John Sherman, to take step which |
would forever destroy what reputation
he has as statesman and a pacifica-
tor between the sections. His largest
weakness is his ambition. That was
made evident when he accepted the
Presidential chair secured for him
by his party through questionable
means. We still think, however,
that he means to be honest and means
to do justice to all men. 1t is mis-
fortune that he is surrounded by in
fuences which continually distort and
misrepresent facts, and perhaps preju-
dice him to some extent against the
people of the South. He was educated
in sectional school of politics, and it
is impossible for him to get rid of all
its false ideas and impressions. 1t re-
4 quires man Of broad humanity and
superb mental faculties, as we'll as the
highest moral courage to throw off
uch influences. Lincoln, if he
had lived would have come nearer it
han any man who has since risen or is
likely to until we have Democratic
President from the middle or western
States who will hold the balance be-
tween all sections, and meet out jus
tice to all parties. We have seen
nothing to indicate that Mr.. Hayes en-
tertains feelings Of hostility towards
the South II is reported that he has
ordered heprosccutions OF Democrats
in the South for alleged election frauds.
As to this We have only to say
that it is not likely any innocent
man can be found guilty. If any man
is guilty let him be punished. 1t is
the duty of federal district attorneys,
courts and marshals in all the States
to take notice of complaints made in
such cases, and to arrest, try and pun
| ish the offenders. 1t is not done al
ways, for the most enormous frauds
have been practiced and gone unpun-
ished in Philadelphia and other
Republican localities, when large
maiorities were needed to offset a
heavy Democratic vote in the rural
districts. There seems to be this
understanding between the President
and the South simply that he per-
formed constitutional duty under his
oath of Office in ordering the troops
from Louisiana and South Carolina.
He could have done nothing else a
Democratic President could have done
nothing more. The Southern people
respect Mr.. Hayes as law-abidine
man, but do not feel impelled to gush
over with gratitude on that account
or to join the Republican party which
has been abusing him ever since for q
simple act of duty. Mr.. Hayes evident
ly takes broader view of the country
and tsinterests than the agitators who
would keep alive sectional misunder-
standing and preiudices for selfish pur-
poses. He cannot, if he would, send
troops into State to interfere in local
afairs, except upon the call of gov
ernor or a legislature, and no Southern
State is likely to make such cal
lsoon. 1t always happens that South
orn outrages, so called, occur just be-
fore an election. Ii was so this year
land notably so in 1876. The croI
this year was small, as it had to b(
manufactured from nothing. The in
telligent Northern mind has almost
ceased to be influenced by this device
and yet there are papers and men who
use this old and well worn string as theil
chief stock in trade 1t answers onl!
with the ignorant, bigoted and vicious
We are satisfied that the President il
above the control of such influence
and is not imimical toward the South
and that the people Of this part Of tht
country appreciate his course for what
it is worth The people Of the Nortl
aud Of the South understand cacl
other better just now than at an.
inc since the agitation Of the SLAYER,
question began, and having nothing
o quarrel about, unless they dig u
he past, and no conflicting interests
will henccforth be at peace, and co
operate together in all that makes
people great and happy.
JrDGE JOHN L. 7. SNEED, late o