Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1880-07-31
REASONS FOR ANTICIPATING THE Sue
CESS OF THE REPUBLICAN TICKET.

celVe tnat IDe Judgments Vi tlt HfaJoTlty U
the nation have throughout that period beef
controlled largely by pervading distrust o
the purposes of the Democratic party. S,
long as the Republican party conducted
itself circumspsctly, and exhibited con
scientious concern for the interests of the
commonwealth, so long was it impossible
for the Democrats to obtain the confidence
or even the ear, of the people. The neces
sity of maintaining the party in power
which had carried forward the war of the
rebellion to successful issue, and which
was committed to faithful enforcement
of all the principles involved in that con-
test, was recognized steadily, and as stead
| ily acted upon. By degrees, however, a
the voting public. The Reconstruction
measures, from which SO much had been
expected, proved failures. We now see
that this failure was inevitable, for that
the whole post-rebellion Southern policy
was a calamitous mistake, which has
vitiated national politics ever since. The
truth is that at the collapse of the rebellion
craftsmanship was wanting on the Repub-
lican side. The attempt to replace the
South in the Union, with all its original
rights, privileges and immunities, and to
resume the relations which had been severed
by the appeal to arms, was fatally i'm
practical and unsound. 1t was a policy
adopted in Difference to a sentimental de-
sire for the maintenance of the make
believe of an unaltered Union of States.
Stern facts had already shattered that
dream. 1t was no longer possible to
have the old voluntary federation of States.
An attempt had been made to dissolve that
federation. 1t had been resisted. And the
secessionists had been coerced into aband-
oning their scheme. The South was in fact
conquered country. 1t had yielded to
force, but it was none the more convinced
of its error. To admit these States to their
original relations again, therefore, was to
ignore the inevitable results OF humiliation,
chagrin, anger and vindictiveness, which
had been growing steadily ali through the
South for five years, and to expect from the
Southern people submission to law and a
respect for Northern political doctrines al
together unreasonable. Add to this the
natural effect of attempting at once to sup
press Southern sentiment, and to restore
the old condition of things, and Carpet
baggism was unavoidable. 1t grew out of
the initial blunder, and was really but a
fresh illustration of the Jolly of all attempts
to govern country on theory, without re-
gard to the actual condition of it. Carpet
baggism, however, afforded the South
ground for new complaint, and served as "a
justification for the perpetuation of those
feelings of i'll will to the North which must
have survived in any event. 1t is clear
enough now that the South, after the col
lapse of the rebellion, ought to have been
put under military territorial government
for some time. 1t was conquered country,
and it should have been so regarded and
treated. Had that been done the negroes
would have been gradually accustomed
to freedom; education could have been
diffused among them steadily and judici-
ously the impossibility of expressing them
would have familiarizedt the Southern whites
with the new social conditions and when
it was thought time to remove the military
government, the whole region would have
been prepared to return to more independ-
ent institutions harmoniously and without
evil designs The mistake, however, was
made, and from it have flowed nearly all
the difficulties which the country has since
experienced. Carpet-baggers Disguised the
independent element, and fretted the South
almost to frenzy. Still, the Democracy
were too little trusted to profit by the
growing decline of confidence in the Repub
licans. 1t was not until Grants second
administration, when scandals crowded one
another, when whisky rings, Indian rings,
Washington rings, local rings, all sorts of
rings, appeared to be swarming around the
Treasury, and the Government was more
occupied in defending detected defaulters
than in guarding the public interest. that
the resentment at this tide of corruption
overcame the rooted suspicion of Demo-
cratic fidelity. In 1874, however, the
independent vote did take a new departure,
and as result the Republican banners
were everywhere trailed in the mire. The
last part of Grants second administration
was marked by succession of reverses and
rebukes, and it was not until Hayes had
been nominated, and his letter of accept
ance had revived confidence to some extent.
that the downward tendency was checked.
The turning point was reached then, how
ever, and ever since the movement has
been the other way.
The first acts of the new Administration
disappointed the independent element.
They had become convinced that civil
service reform was necessary. They had
been led to expect great deal from Mr..
Hayes letter. And they found that the
new President appeared indisposed to
stand firmly for the cause of reform.
Nevertheless, it was soon apparent that
very considerable reforms had been
brought about. The old scandals ceased to
be heard of, and no new ones took their
places. Corruption among Government
employees was no longer the theme of
criticism. Rings were not heard of any
more. The business Of the country was