Fayette County herald. [volume] (Washington [Washington Court House], Fayette County, O. [Ohio]) 1860-1???, 1878-11-21

Southern Policy.

President Hayes, in recent interviews
held with him by friends, does not admit
that what is called his southern policy
was wrohg, or that he has abandoned
it; he still thinks it was the best thing he
could have done, and that he does not
now propose to abandon it; but he has
evidently been disappointed in the full
filment of promises made to him hereto
fore by those Southern men who were in
rebellion against the Government. There
IS no doubt but that pacific policy, un-
der some circumstances, is the better pol
icy; but. occasionally in our history there
comes time when ''forbearance cases to
be virtue.' When the olive branch of
peace, held out to the enemies and per-
secutors of our common liberties and le-
gal rights is Indignantly spurned and
trampled upon by these enemies. may we
not ask: have they not, while they persist
in this course, forfeited all claims upon
the friends of the Government, of Gov
ernment officials, of freedom and civil
rights for forbearance?
We admit, that forbearance in Nations,
as well as individuals, is virtue; but,
there is point beyond which transgres-
sors have no right, without showing, by
their works and deeds, that they have
truly and heartily repented of their re-
bellion against their Government, and
their wrongs and cruel treatment of their
neighbors.
Now, have these people of the South
lately in rebellion against the Govern
ment, shown by their acts, even wher
the olive branch of peace has been ten
dered them by the Executive of our Gov
ernment, that they have repented of theiI
wrongs, and that they have been lega
citizens to the Government, and that they
yield to their neighbors, without distinc
ton of color or previous condition, equa
rights with themselves? If they have
they are entitled to the respect of all gOO'
citizens, and equal protection under tn
laws; but, if they have not, ought not tn
power of the Government to be employees
to enforce compliance with the requisite
of law, and to secure equal rights to al
under the law? If we can not do this
our Constitution and our laws, which ar
designed to secure equal rights, and ma
tional happiness and prosperity, are bu
ropes of sand, and might as we'll not b
as to be.
AS it regards the Presidents disposi
ton to enforce obedience to the laws,
dispatch to the associated press of til
18th inst. says:
"The published statements effectin
| rh vyio hn hny
question, seem to have been exaggerate
in both directions. The fact appears t
be that the Administration has decide
upon no new steps, but that the Presider
is thoroughly in earnest in his intent (
protect the United States citizens whe
F their rights are violated, irrespective {
their political faith. The instructions r.
Gently referred to in these dispatches
having been Issued by the Attorney Gel
, eral, obviously contemplated this objec
f though there has been no change in the
original tone and temper"
From the violation of the faith heret
fore reposed in the Southern rebels |
the President, and their murderous &C
toward the colored citizens, we may e
pect that the president will have h
hands full when he undertakes to prote
the United States citizens when the
rights are violated, and it will require
/ will and determination, and nerve tn
admits of no equivocation or child's pla
We fear, in view of the outrages that ha
. recently been perpetFated in the Ia
slave States to prevent the free right
: suffrage, that no power on earth, exec
g the strong arm of the Government, ri
e idly enforced, will effect obedience to t
e laws of the Government, and respect +
i. the rights of others under the law. Y
e may capture a rattlesnake, and, in t
# goodness of your heart, swear him
# support the Constitution and laws of t
@ Government, and return him to his #
Is mer liberties, but he still remains t
Z, same snake, with the same propensit
a to bite, and when the opportunity offe
a he will bite all the same; and expe
j. ence proves that these late rebels are,
a. heart, rebels still, and Mill-bite Mh
ID the opportunity offers, notwithstandi
ID they have pledges themselves to be 10
citizens.