Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1878-02-26
Beginning to See the Truth.

President Hayes and those who have
upheld his southern policy are beginning
10 see the mistake they have committed
in regard TO the South. The prosecution
OF The Returning Board OF Louisiana hiss
had the effect OF opening thar eyes TO
the temper of the southern people. Al
that the President hiss done IN the PohcY
of Cancellation has but served 70 encourage
the White League of Louisiana to ASSall
his title, 10 persecute those who supported
him, and embOldeD them to endeaVor
through the courts Of the State to disgrace
his administration SIS one built upon fraud
aud corruption. The letter OF Sherman
Matthews and others 10 Anderson, Is 10
dispulable proof that the current oil Iee4-
inc in administration circles has ceased
40 run in the cOnciliatory channe! Is
strongly as il did. The Washington cor
respondent OF the Boston Journal makes
some pretty plain admissions in the fol-
lowing, Published in Mondays issue OF
that paper:
There are indications that President
HAYES may find that be has repOSed too
much confidence in the political honor OF
Southern politicians, and may feel II bis
duty 70 modify the Southern policy which
he inAuguraied soon after he became
President. He then announced his wish
that this policy should not be condemned
in advance of It's trial, and declared that
should il fail 10 accomplish the desired
results, no one would ascertain the tact
soor er than be would, and 20 one would
have to petition for change. Il was his
desire to promote the peace and happi-
ness OF all the people 81 the South, and
be would not hesitate 81 any time TO adopt
such methods SIS would secure that end.
II now appears that he was then deceived.
The prosecution of Anderson snd other
members OF the Returning Board a. New
Orleans appears 10 be in drec. violation
of q solemn pledge made by what was
known IS the Nichols Legislature, on the
10Th OF April, 1877, before the recognition
OF Nichols IS Governor by the Admins
tration. The Commission OF Visiting
Statesmen was then in New Orleans. en-
deavoring 70 adjust the political troubles
there, and congressman Gibson, Ellis
and Levy OF Louisiana were st this end
OF the line, with Senators Gordon and
Lamar looking after Democratic inter
es.s. On the 18Th day OF April, lS17,
these Congressman joined in telegram
TO Governor Nichols and the Nichols
Legislature, 10 the effect that before they
could expect anything from President
Hayes they must give him some aSsur-
ances that their future conduct would not
cause him to regret his action in abandon
ing the Packard Government. Ga the
subsequent day the Nichols Legislature
passed = series oil resolutions which were
telegraphed 10 President Hayes, signed
by them and Governor Nichols, in which
II was pledged that the policy OF the Ad-
minislration should be sustained, that the
anti-slsyery amendment should 5e &C
cepled in good faith. that white and
eolored children should be educated, and
then in conclusion they said DESTROYS
OF healing the dissensiOns that have dis
s1rbed the State IN years past, and anx-
ious Ihst the citizens Of al political par
Ties may be free from feverish anXieties
OF political strife and Join hands in hon.
estly restoring the prosperity OF Louisi-
ana, the Nichols Government will dis
countenance any attempted persecution
from any quarter Of individuals for past
political conduct President Hayes be-
iieveS this pledge. especially the last
clause of it, 10 have been violated by the
indictments and prosecutions of the
members OF the Returning Board. as
these indictments have been found and
these prosecutions conducted under the
personal direction oil Governor Nichols
and the Attorney General. Tue President
declines to make any statements on this
subject, but the members Of his Cabinet,
especially Secretaries Sherman, MeCrary
and Thompson, and Postmaster General
Key. talk very plainly and without hesi-
tstion.