National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1878-03-18
RennhIicnn Duty.

10 such proposition we must most re-
spectfully dissent II is true that the Re- |
publican party and the Electoral Commits |
sion-which is not purely Of Republican
originate jointly responsible for giving
this Administration to the country. What
proportion of this responsibility attaches to
the Republican party IL is not possible now
TO define precisely; but II is manifest that
it holds the greatest share of the stock in
that copartnership Of political enterprise.
But for the devotion, energy, and fidelity of
the Republicans, North and South, in re-
sisting the wrongs and atrocities of the
Democrats South, and their merct nary and
fraudulent depredations upon the purity of
the elective franchise North, the Electoral
Commission would not have been invented
TO decide closely-contested campaign, and
place Mr.. TTLDEN in the rear and Mr..
HAYES at the head of the Government.
For these reasons, and Others less i'm
portant and unworthy of mention, the pres
ent Administration is an item in the ac-
count of the Republican party, though 1t is
far from being the party itself The ques-
reeled off twenty-five per cent. OF the his
tory of hisadministration- the dog
il to way the tail or the tail is to wag the
dog-in other words, whether the Republic
can party is to be controlled by the Admin
istration, or that party is to exercise some
influence over the policies and measures of
an Administration for which ii is chiefly re-
sponsiblc For the leading measures of the
Administration relating TO the Southern
States, and what is known as civil-seryice re-
form, the Republican party cannot be justly
held responsible. The enactment Of such a
role by professedly Republican Admins
trntion was never anticipated by the Re-
publicans during their efforts and sacrifices
to vindicato Republican principles and
policy in the election of Mr.. HAYES We
assert asa solemn truth, that had the Re-
publican party been made to believe an
terror to the day of election that the Presi-
dent, when elected, would confer some of
the most important and honorable trusts in
the Government upon leading Democrats,
thus stultiying the principles, usages, and
traditions OF the party, there would have
been no need of an Electoral Commission to
decide the question of an election, for there
would not have been Republican State
scored to his credit. Could they have fore
seen the Presidents policy Of pacifcation
and Cancellation, as demonstrated in the
total abandonment of the Republicans in
the late insurgent States 10 an impending
!, fate of persecution and ostracism of I'M
paalleled cruelty and injustice. Mr.
HAYES would not have received the cleo
toral vote of a solitary State. The people
had not the rcmotest suspicion when they
were making sacrifices to elect Mr.. HAYES
that he was to give the fruits of victory
E away to the party against which they wer,
= cOntending. II such suspicion had ever
f dawned upon the Republican mind 1t would
D have beclouded the campaign and led ia
inevitable defeat. The American people
f are reluctant to believe treachery and aban
I donment of principle even possible will
a those to whom they yield their confidence
| and hence the conviction of such things ar
Q only forced upon the public mind through
such experiences rs the past year has al
1 iOrded.
0 The history of the first year Of Presiden
r HAYES administration is revealed. 1t i
0 no longer matter of doubt or conjecture
= 1t is known and read Of all intelligent men
: and it presents a sad wreck of good faith I,
e the party through whose efforts power wa
: secured to it. The Republican party Of tn
!, South has been insulted and mortified by
f wanton desertion of its members to persecu
9 ton and imprisonment, if not to death. 1t
c able and faithful men in repeated instance
have been put aside, while the Adminstra
# ton has preferred for public position tn
c most bitter rebels and the most blatan
Q Democrats. The very men who CAV
x to Mr.. HAYES the Presidential It'll,
i are now hunted by persecutio
It and languishing in prison, for the act whic
II crowned him with title and power, withou
Ia look of sympathy or an apparent though
II or care from those most benefited by tn
It act that is made now the engine of thei
t persecution and suffering. Then, beyOn
l. these instances of individual immolation t
l. Democratic hate and revenge, the Who'll
: htpuDliCtn party VI luc ''phth nA7 Dtt
II snubbed and insulted by the measures an
o policies of the Administration relating t
o that section of the country. Their OF
" pressors have had more favor with the Z,
,, ecutive than those who perilled their liy,
If to cast Republican vote in the electio
d which resulted in his elevation to power.
l. Then, again, the leading measures of tn
II Administration thus far in its history, whic
Of have had a political party bearing, hay
he afforded more aid and comfort to the Den
a. ocratic party throughout the entire countr
er than to the Republicans who gave it ii
at power to enact such measures. Indeed, VI
o. TuDEN in power, surrounded by the yer
er worst element Of his party, could not hay
re brought deeper Encouragement, mortitic
Of ton, aud disgust to Republicans ever,
q where than they are suffering from the pc
De icies and proceedings Of President HAYE
T. We feel confident that the Republican par
y, would have emerged from the contest, had
n resulted in the success Ofthe Democracy, wi
al as much, and perhaps more, strength thi