Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1878-11-14
Southern OutrageS.

PRESIDENT HAYES ON THE PRESENT SITUATION
WASHINGTON Nov. l2.-The National Republl-
can will print to morrow an editorial interview
with the President on the Southern situation.
Omitting questions, he is represented as saying -
THE time for discussion has passed. 1t Is now
too late for anything but the most determined
and vigorous action. This determination was
reached several days ago, and the deliberations Of
the Cabinet on this subject since then have been
comparatiyey brief, and confined mainly to the
consideration of the duty of the Attorney General
in the premises. When the Southern policy was
inaugurated it was with an earnest desire to con
ciliate the Southern leaders, 10 round on the
sharp angles Of sectional differences and soften
the asperities of political strife No one VIII dehy
that The attempt TO enforce this policy wa.
most earnestly made, nor that 1t was carried
out with q CONSCIENTIOUS desire 10 accomplish
the result for which it has been lnaugufa'ed
OF the pt r,oual and partisan sacrihces made 10
this effort and Of the consequent interruption OF
certain relations which had previously existed
between myself and some Of my supporters,
have nothing to say just now. But 1t
appears that the leaders who made those
pledges either did not exert themselves 10 keep
them or were unable to do 80. In fact, am re-
luctanily forced to admit that the experiment
was a failure. The first election of Importance
held since it attempted has proved that fair
elections, with free suffrage for every voter IN the
South are an impossibllity under the existing con-
dition of things II is not because the republican
party appears Il sufferer in these results that
complain. Ii is because free suffrage and the
freedom of political rights have been interfered
with that am called upon TO take cognzincs oil
these disturbances. If the facts were exactly re-
versed, and if the republicans had committed these
outrages upon the democrats, my duty would be
the same. 1t will not do for me, or for any ofhcsl
before whom these questions may come, to treat
them otherwise than In a non partisan way. The
partisan press will naturally take partisan view
Of the case and will be held 10 account for aid
ing the republicans, the stalwsrts, l mean, IN
hsu nting the bloody shirt, as 1t IS called But, foi
all that, shall do my duty as chief magistrate of
all the people, democrats and republicans alike,
and if In the faithful execution OF the laws justice
shall demand punishment OF this or that man.
whatever his pol teal connections may be, shall
not be deferred by partisan criticism. All that l
know is that great crimes have been committed,
and 1t is my duty to aid in The punishment OF
criminals. | do not think the southern leaders
who have promised to protect the blacks in the ex-
ercise of theii lights responsible for their
crimes. Governor Hampton, for example,
has tired repeatedly to repiess the violence which
has characterized the campaign IN South Carolina,
and failed.
such republicans as Judge Lee and Mr.. Rainey
and ex State Senator Swais OF that State have
advised me of these facts. They say that Hamp-
ton cannot control the red-shirts, as they call
them, and they have repeatedly Informed me OF
speeches he has made deprecating violence In the
conduct oil the campaign, aud it appears that Gov
ernor Nichols in louisiana is earnestly opposed to
these proceedings or the same kind OF violence 10
his State. The officers of the department OF jus
tce have been Instructed to carry out the proceed
ings already begun against the depredators, not
only against those who have already been arr ested
but against others who will soon be arrested.
1t Is proposed to make clean sweep OF this
business and exhaust every legal resource in the
execution OF justice. The integrity OF American
citizenship has been grossly violated in widespread
localities. II must and shall be indicated. The
President closed by saying. in regard to the dis
ict attorneys in the southern States that If 1t is
discovered that any officer of the class you refer
to is not earnestly endeavo,ing 10 do his whole
duty in the matter, there will be no hesitation IN
taking proper steps to replace him ana to secure
vigorous prosecution of these cases"