The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1878-02-14
The President Losing Confidence
In the Good Intentions
OF the South.
He Thinks the Returning Board
Trials Will Reopen Section
al Controversies.
He viii Not Sit Still and Allow In
nocsnt Men to be Oppressed.
The Cabinet viii Approve Any
Measures He May Adopt.

WASHINGTON, February 12.-The lats
occurrences 10 Louis lana were the sub
ject Of earnest discussion in the meeting
Of the Cabinet to-day, and the fact was
disclosed that the President and his con
stitutional advisers are unanimous in the
belief that the prosecutions Of the Return
ing Board are breach Of good faith on
the part Of the Democrats OF LouiSians
are in violation OF the understanding be.
tween the President and Representatives
OF the people Of that State, and that their
tendency will be TO destroy the confidence
OF the country In the good intentions Of
the Southern Conservatives, and TO re,
open old sectional controversies which 1t
has been the aim OF the President to close
forever.
Some members Of the Cabinet, either
from having been witnesses Of what took
place in Louisiana year ago, or from
their less conservative tendencies, show
greater indignation than others. secre-
tary Sherman's opinions are known, for
he has already published them 10 the
world. What he says in such forcible
language Is indorsed by Secretaries
Thompson and McCrary and by Attorney
General Devens, and in regard to any
measures that may be adopted by the
President, It may be said with confidence
that there will be no division in the Cab
met. The President has already ad-
dressed letter to the Attorney General
calling his attention officially TO the con-
yiction OF Gen. Anderson, and the arrest
of other members OF the Returning Board
and asking for his opinion what the Ex-
ecutive can do, il anything, TO insure
Wells, Anderson, and their associates
fair and Just treatment. In this
letter, which will probably be publish
cd to morrow, with Gen. Deyens' reply,
the President takes occasion TO express,
in very vigorous language, his opinion OF
the proceedings before the court in New
Orleans, and 10 characterize them as he
thinks they deserve. To give more force
to the communication, he reviews briefly
the history OF the events which preceded
the accession OF the Nichols administra.
tion in Louisiana to undispnted power,
and recalls the general understanding that
was arrived at. giving emphasis TO the
whole by quoting from the resolutions oil
the Nicholla Legislature, and from letters
written by Governor Nichols. President
Hayes letter is not long, but like all his
State papers, it is direct, pointed and nn-
eaniyocaI, and shows beyond all question
his determination not to sit still and al.
low men whom he believes TO be innocent
to be outraged and oppressed, as he thinks
the members OF the Returning Board are.
The letter would probably have been
published tonight, bat for the fact that
Il ia being revised. More SNAP" is being
put into II.
Attorney General Deyens will act very
promptly in this matter. He has never
looked upon the Southern policy OF the
Administration with that unquestiouing
confidence that has been felt by the Pres.
ideut aud Eome other members OF his
Cabinet, and has never held that the
President could not change his policy At
any time II circumstances should seem to
demand Il; not that he or any one else
10 whom the President looks for advice
con,em plates the possibility Of military
interference under any circumstances,
but be has looked upon the oyertures Of
the President toward the South rs In
some degree experimental, not to be per.
sisted 10 unless the South showed itself
ready 10 reciprocate, and to meet the
President ut least half way. There are
several ways In which steps eau be taken
TO have the proceedings Of Judge Whit
takers court reversed, and one OF these
General Deyins will undoubtedly rec
ommend to the President Tomorrow.
The President has spoken without re.
serve on this subject to-day to every one
who has approached him and referred to
II in conversation. He has shown no i'm.
patience or yindicliyeness, but he has
eyinced deep feeling, which some de-
scribe "a sense OF injury, and \ determl.
nation that will not be shaken to act with
promptness aud decision. Noman in the
country believes more implicitly In the
lasfulness OF all the Returning Boards
proceedings than President Hayes. He
thinks the members Of II did their duty
In counting the vote Of Louisiana, con.
scientiousiy and iearlessly, and he does
not believe that any other result than
that which was announced could have
been legally reached. II Is not, therefore,
from any sense Of obligation 10 Messrs'
Wells and Anderson and their associates
for service Of doubtful character, either
TO the party or 10 himself, that he now
feels bound to do what he can to save
them from the malignity OF Bourbon
persecution, but is from his sense oi jus
lice, based upon n belief that they are
being pursued simply because they did
their duty conscientiously in time Of
great trial, II not Of danger.
As an example Of the Ptesideut's feel.
inga on this subject, reference may be
made to au interview between him and
| Dr.. Loring, OF Massachusetts,, to-day, In
which he spoke very Indignantly OF the
course pursued by those having charge ot
the Returning Board trials 10 New Or
leans, and by the Bourbons who are nrg'
ing them on. He 10 reported IA having
said to DR.. Loring that these prosecu-
tions were inspired "by tue deyilishness
Of the worst elements OF Louisiana poll.
tics." He added that he should give the
subject instant confederation, and that he
would resort TO every legal expedient to
arrest any further persecution Of the gen
tlemen referred To-. He spoke Of the letter
that he had already addressed 10 Attorney
General Deyens, asking his opinion as 10
the powers OF the Executive In The
premises, and as to to the most direct aud
effective means Of reaching the case.
In n conference with several other
gen ullemen, the President expressed him
self with great earnestness, and said that
he was willing to use all peaceful means
to correct this injustice, but absolutely
refused to entertain the Idea Of employ
log force.
4 telegram was received today from
Gov. Nichols disclaiming all sympathy
with the movement against the Return.
Ing Board, but admitted that he was pow
erless 10 Interfere 10 prevent those who
have assumed control ot the matter from
carrying out their purposes.
sixty.one Years q Nun.
BALTIMORE, February 1S.-Mother
theresa, OF the Order Of Carmelite Nuns
died in their Convent 10 this city OF
Monday evening, In the Slst year OF her