The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1893-02-04
THE LATE R. B. HAYES.
DIR. Jim. CURRY'S PERSONAL RE-
COLLECTIONS or HIM.
Fellow Students ut Harvard and Intimate
Friends-Thc Presidential Steal.
MT. Hayes Goodness.
Editor OF the Times:

| quest for some "reminiscences and my es
innate of President Hayes. but l shall
have to beg the readers in advance Il
excuse an apparent egotlsm. which seems
unavoidable, IL l am to tell what l knew
Of my late friend.
In 1913 to lSi5 we were fellow-student'
at Dane Law School, in Harvard Univer
sity. and enjoyed together the instruc
tions of Justice Story and Simon Green
leaf. In 1874 we had rooms at the same
| house, and, for several months, at the
same table. This threw us into intimate
relations and learned to respect and ad-
mire my college mate. He was several
years my senior, but treated me with
! much kindness and confidence. AS a
member of the law school, and as young
| man, he was of studious habits and digni-
| fed demeanor gentemanly in his inter-
course with his fellows. frank in the ut
terance of his opinions, and warm In his
| friendships. i remember that he argued
case in the Moot Court, by assignment
of Judge Story. and his preparation was
thorough. and the manner Of presentation
clear and logical. He was not ranked
among the most brilliant or promising
students, but was sensible thoughtful.
| intelligent, and always came up TO the
| measure Of what was required OF him
Our remote residence, he being in Ohio
and | in Alabama, and subsequently the
war between the States, prevented any
personal intercourse. but his professional
and military and civil success always ex-
cited warm interest. Notwithstanding our
antipodal positions in politics.
On Saturday, the Sd of March, 1877, l
was casually in Washington, and in a
x,-fth with
whom l had served in the House of Rep
resentatives. during the Thirty-fifth and
Thirty-siXth Congresses, he asked why /
did not call and see the Presdent-elect,
who was then guest at his house.
consented to do So and was received most
cordially. 1t need not be stated that at
that time there was extreme bitterness
toward General Hayes on the part or the
Democrats and particularly In the South.
because it was believed that Mr.. Tilden
had been elected the President. In the
conversation which ensued there was evil
dent concern by the President as to the
embarrassment of his unique position,
but :he predominant thought and senu-
ment were a sincere desire for the har-
mOny of the late bellgerent sections and
an earnest purpose so 10 use his high
Office as to conciliate the South and pacify
the whole country. There was manifest
ed most clearly a broad patriotic deter
mination to be the President Of reunited
States. and 10 bind. so far as he could
the entire citizenship in the bonds Of
peace and fraternity.
At that time the Cabinet was incom-
plete and my opinion was asked as 10
the sutableness Of several persons for
such an honorable post. II was distinctly
declared that having voted for Mr.. Til
den would not be a bar to appointment,
and that the only precedent condition
was a willingness to cooperate honestly
with the administration and give 1t
fair and unpreiudiced trial. He expressed
his willingness to take into the Cabinet
such a man as General Joseph f. John
ston, Hancock Of Texas. Key of Tennessee
or myself accepting on such conditions.
Thanking him for his good opinion OF
myself. / declined to have my name con-
sldered in connection with such an office.
While / transcribe these facts from my
diary, recorded on the same day, II is
proper 10 say that | must have misun
dcrstood the President as 10 General
Johnston. for I'm "A late conversation about
him. what was said by General Hayes
would not tally with my recollection or
understanding. His attention, however,
was not called to our interview. or what
had occurred at it. Even If am in error,
anxious intent Of the President TO rise
above mere partisanship and sectional
anmosites and to labor for the unifica-
ton of the people In heart and in spirit
In reply 10 statement of mine that the
South was more interested in having
honest men in Federal offices than TO
get "spoils" for Democrats, he declared
his wish to put in only such men is would
be acceptable and would help him in the
work Of Cancellation.
Much harsh criticism was made about
that time on the President for holding
his office by what was called a fraudulent
title, and cheap satire and ridicue have
been kept up. in some journals, until,
and even after, the earth received him
into its bosom. To those who know me,
II is needless TO say that | supported Mr.. |
Tiden, and shared in the common Demo |
cratic opinion that he was legally entitled |
TO a majority of the electoral college. |
II nevertheless remains historical fact |
that both parties assented TO the COM |
mission, and both committed their cause |
to that arbitrament, so that by concur |
rent action Of both branches of Congress. |
and of the commission, the title of the |
presidency was passed upon, sanctioned |
and guaranteed No other President ever |
had his legal right to the seat contested |
and adjudicated The court OF last re- |
sort TO which both political parties Gov |
ernor Tilden conspicuousy asserting, re-
ferred the disputed question, decided in |
Hayes favor, and certified to the validity |
of his election. He had no moral right |
to do otherwise than to accept the posi-
tion and enter upon the duties OF his |
office. To have refused would not have
put Tiden in the place. The popular
filings about being fraudulent President |
are ridiculous. After a score OF years or |
separation from that troublesome period
we may well doubt whether we were
I'm a condition to cast the first stone.
1t may not be very consistent for either
party 10 be putting on airs" about cleo
hon frauds. 10 go into chancery one must
90 with clean hands. 1t
is questionable whether Republicans or
Democrats in that fierce contest, can vim
dicate all their actions In a court OF
Public men are the conscience
and character of our people. We are the
guardians OF their reputation. Readiness
10 ascribe corruption 10 those elected 10
high places, or discharging public func-
tons, is not a favorable sign. The ae-
cusation reacts terribly against the peo-
pie.
The horrors Of reconstruction cannot
De exaggerated State governments were
lnnulled; States were partitioned into
districts and put under military
'ule; negroes were enfranch.sed and many
II the best white citizens were disfran-
,hised Life. liberty and property were
n the hands of the army officers and
heir agents. Employees OF the Freedmen's
Bureau were active In oppression and
obbery and in persistent attempts to
live dominancy to those who had been
ateIy emancipated. In one State 200
Justices who could neither read nor
.,.f.o toi1 ,bafr commissions nv axecu-