The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1878-08-07
Stepping Backward.


II there was anything wanting to provo
the utter imbccilty and fOrlorn condition 81
the Fraudulent Administration, it would be
furnished by the desertion of Mr. CHARLES
FOSTER from the so-called southern policy
Of HAYES and his return To- the Republican
fold. He is the man 81 all Others who, next
TO STANLEY MATTHEWS has shared the con-
fdonce and friendship 81 the Legitimate oc-
cupant Of the White House. He was the
spokesman Of HAYES on the floor Of the
House Of Representatives.. He was one Of
the principals to the bargain by which
HAYES was counted in after having been
defeated at the polls. He was the intcrmc-
diary between HAYES in Columbus and the
traders In Washington; and he stood near
TO JOHN SHERMAN in all the private ar
rangements that were made TO conquer
prciudices and TO buy votes.
Mr.. FOSTER is n candidate for reelection
with a large Democratic majority to over
come in district heretofore close. He OK
poets to be beaten, but he s now planting
the seed for his nomination lor Governor
next year, if the prospect of success should
be at all encouraging It did not require the
least effort on his part to discover. in min
Cling with the people after the adjournment
Of Congress, if he did not know it before.
that no candidate for popular favor in Ohio
stands the ghost Of a chance 10 gain IL while
defending or unfolding the Administration.
The feat of passing from one extreme to
the other did not embarrass him In any way.
He belongs to a school of acrobatic per-
formers in politics. who know all the tricks 81
the trapezc and never fail to fall on their feet.
But it must not be supposed that Mr. FOs-
TER who is as shrcwd and sharp rs they
make professional politicians IN these times,
was moved by any spirit Of Independence,
or experienced any inward change. when h.
crossed over from one side TO the other
individually this new departure of Mr.
FOSTER is Of no particular account, and
would have no significance il it did not pre-
figure Il cnangc Of base at Washington. lie
is the finger post pointing to the road Of re-
turn for HAYES. 1t will not be long before
they will bc following in FosTER's footsteps
and crying out that they We're deceived and
betrayed, and only ask to be taken back
without naming conditions.
Ever since the present investigation be-
gan. HAYES, SHERMAN. and their conted
crates have been seeking an entrance
through the back door Of the Republican
mansion hoping to find shelter and protoc
tion there for the frauds Of which they stan,
convicted as authors abcttor-, or benc
iiciarios. Many important appointments e
Office have been made to cOnciiatc hos I'll,
leaders The permission to assess The
ofllooholdcrs in all the departments, In
Guiding that Of reformer SEIZURE was givcI
% ll, Ia Adj ftuf inn 4 q
to run in the old rute, and to do anything
else to recover position inside the party.
Outside of the Republican organization
and branded as u Fraud, HAYES is entire
ly pOwcrless for mischief. He may cxhib
his personal spite and small malignlty b!
removing capable and faithful men from
Office, az he recently did in this city; bu
when those acts are understood, and thu
country secs the crowd of yagabOnds
forgers, periurcrs thieves, and scoundrcl
OF all shades to whom he has given tn,
highest honors and most responsible trusts
in Louisiana and Florida, there can be- bu
one opinion as to his true character.
Inside the party, welding a vast patron
age as unscrupulously as it was used b,
GRANT, vlndictiye In the pursuit of revenge
hypOcritical in professions Of friendship
false by nature, and unworthy Of the lcas
trust he is in n position to do harm, AM
will not scruple to do it if he gets the on
portunlty. EnyyiGg the leaders for thci
ruperiority, he will strive in the future, n
no has done for the past year. TO strk
them down when least prepared for assault
and to win over a following to be purchase
with Office, jobs, and public honora
ANY man, however weak or Yapid he ma
Dc, standing at the head Of affairs, an
armed with Executive authority, no matte
how he obtained it, must, from the natul
Of things exert an official influence at leas
II no is in position TO apply it. NeithC
JoHS TYLER nor ANDREW JOHNSON mad
any sensible impression ON the parties
their day, because they were prescribed b
ono side and not recognized by tho othe
30 long as HAYES ia kept where he now il
ho Is harmless; and he can only become