The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1878-01-11
WAS THERE A BARGAIN:
What Really Passed Between MIR.
Hayes or HIS Friends and the
SnufherD democrats.

II. V. Boynton in Cincinnati Gazette.
The attention of Republicans in Wash.
ington was first pointedly directed to the
state of feeling among Southern Demo.
Gratis by the marked uneasiness OF the
Northern wing of their party, caused by
the publication of what will be remem-
bered as the Roberts interview with Gov
ernor HAYES ut Columbus. For the pur-
pose OF this discussion, IS is not necessary
TO INQUIRE whether that interview WAS
correctly or incorrectly reported, but as
printed, it at once became as the hand
writing on the wall to Tilden's personal
sdherents. Emisssries from Liberty street
came post haste to Wsshingtsn, to sound
Southern men and see if there was any
response among them to sentiment that
would prefer Hayes, with an assured
liberal policy, to Tilden, with the GER
taintv of general trouble, Their anxiety
and the general uneasiness among their
friends in Congress disclosed the situation
to Republicans, and by the middle OF
December some OF the most prominent
among the latter had fully grasped Its
meaning and its possibilities. Repusll-
cans who gave themselves earnestly to
the study OF the situation found general
agreement among Southern Democrats
upon several subjects.
First They were more concerned with
regsining local government than
they were with the success OF Tllden.
The national administration had grown
to seem OF Tar less Importance to them
than the control of their own State a.
fairs.
Second. They had never been recon.
cied to the way in which the New York
element had forced Tilden upon the
Democracy OF the South and West at 81.
Louis.
Third. They were Disguised with his
letter on Southern claims, not so much
because they were looking to their pay
ment, but because they regarded it as al
assumption on Tllden's part that he could
safely lruckleto Northern sentiments the
expense of the South, since the latter
could not refuse him support under any
snubbing whatever.
Fourth. They telt that any interference
with y constitutional count Of the electoral
votes meant revolution, and rs Southern
men, anC in the main Southern soldiers,
understanding from sore experience what
was involved, they were united almost to
nan in the agreement that IN no event
should the Democrats OF the House be al
lowed TO plunge the country into war.
They saw that they held the balance of
power in their party, and they patrlotl-
cally resolved to use 1t tor peace.
Fifth. A number of them were con-
sidering whether, IN case the utterance of
Governor Hayes letter OF acceptance in
regard the South meant what the lam
gusge implied, the South would not be
better of ut the end OF four years OF such
Republican rule than 10 have the general
disorder and disruption OF social quiet
continue, as it certainly would continue,
through 8 Democratic administration,
with the certainty that At the eud OF four
years the same struggle through which
the South had just passed would be re-
peated. In short, number OF promin-
emit Southern men were earnestly consId-
eriny whether, in case Hayes should
honestly and earnestly set himself about
CARRYING into effect the idess of his letter
of acceptance it would not be far better
tor the quiet and material interests OF the
South, or whether the shortest road TO y
Just and permanent reconstruction did
net lie through Republican sdministrs-
ton under Governor Hayes.
These were the elements of Southern
thought which number of Republicans
found to be questions OF earnest though
quiet discussion. That they should in
stantly avail themselves of this knowledge
to widen the opening breach between
Tlldens personal sdherents and these
cooler Southern men was entirely natural.
That they should have been active in this
work was one OF the necessities of the
situation. The country was on the brink
OF anarchy then. 1t is easy TO look back
from present quiet and denounce all a.
tempts 10 avert civil war as bargains, but
some OF those who are busiest In such
denuncisiions now-snd some editors,
too should reflect upon what they