Year: 1877

ing In response to an invitation to state his
views of the acts of the present sdministra-
tion. He stated that he spoke for himself
alone as a citizen of Ohio. The president
had authorized him TO say only one thing,
namely that all reports that impute to
him any participation whatever in the
nomination of candidates on the state ticket
or any desire or purpose to Influence in any
way the senatorial contest in Ohio are en-
tirely groundless.


Sherman then proceeded TO discuss the
case of Gov. Chamberlain of South Caro-
lima, and said "Strongly as desired the
success of Gov. Chamberlain and the re-
publican party in South Carolina, the pres
ident had not shadow of right TO interpose
the power of the army in this contest, and
his attempt to do so would have been rash
and abortive as well as without legislative
sanction. The case Of Louisiana was far
more difficult. The local returning officers
of that state had after q full examination
oedered to election of legislature showing
a republican majority in both houses.
Packard contends that a majority of the
two house as duly returned did pass upon
the election of governor and did return that
he was duly elected, but this was stoutly
denied by Nichols.


Packard and his legislature called upon
President Grant for the aid of the army to
put down insurrection and domestic vio-
lence. Here confess that If had been
president instead of Grant would have
recognized Packard and sustained him with
the full power of the general government.
My intense feeling caused by the atrocities
in Louisiana would have undoubtedly in
fluenced me. But Grant did not think this
his duty. He would only maintain peace.
He would not recognize Packard as gov
ernor But l know, what is now an open
secret, that the strong bent of his mind,
and at one time his decision was to with
draw the troops from South Carolina, rec
ognize Nichols, and thus end this dangerous
contest. He did not do this but kept the
peace.


The delay and hesitation Of Grant had
been fatal to Packard, and when Hayes
became president the practical question
was greatly changed. One thing was clear,
that the legislature had been duly elected
.in November previous, and was in exist
ence though separated into two parts. II
the members lawfully elected could be
convened they alone could decide who was
governor without the intervention OF
| troops, and their decision could be sup
ported if necessary by the general govern
ment Most anxious consideration was
| given to the question days and weeks of
anxious deliberation were given it by the
president and his cabinet.


| Sherman then proceeded to state the ap-
pointment of committee to visit South
| Carolina and the result Of their mission


which he said caused some disappointment
to the republicans, which even he shared.


But, he said, feel and know that every
step taken by President Hayes was right


IN strict accordance with his duty and from


the highest motives of patriotism. Some


are foolish enough to talk of his abandon


ing the colored people and their consttu


tional rights. Hayes has from early man


hood been an anti-slavery man. His life


was imperiled in many battles, in tht


great cause of liberty. He sympathize,


more and will do more for the equal right


of the colored people than those who false
ly accuse him, and believe that to-day tn,


policy he has adopted will do more to SO


cure the full practical enforcement OF thes


rights, than the employment of an arm!


tsnfold greater than the army of the Unitet


States. The equal rights of freedmen are


now placed on the same constitutional foot


ing as ourselves. Unarmed, unorganized


defenceless and ignorant az they have been
they can only realize the full enjoyment o
their rights when education dispels thei
ignorance and teaches them how to defen
their rights. The policy of the presiden
will make it possible, in the gulf states, 70
them to secure aid and sympathy of the in
, fluential portion of the whites.


Regarding the civil service reform polio
of the government Sherman spoke 6


length. He portrayed the manner i


which office holders had controlled th


machinery of election, which was offensiy


to most of the people, and tended to pre-
vent the just control of political nov
ments by free popular election. 1t We
n this abuse, the greatest Of all, that Ii
: president struck directly at. The presider
. has not nor never did object TO the mos
Q active men being appointed to and aspirin
-. for office. He would naturally select frol
:. among active men in private life those VII
are to hold public offices, and other thing
: being equal would select one of his ow
l. party rather than one of the adverse party
a At all events that is my own vies
There never was and never will be dang'


In our system that the necessary movemen


of the people need the guidance of paid o


fceholders. / believe in the order of Il


president and hope he will stand by 1t an


II he adds 10 the good work Of his admin
" tration the breaking down of this Off
l. holding officiousness In the management I
rs campaigns, this running of caucuses al
" conventions by office holders and the forc'
1t assessment from unwilling Office holders #
o political purposes, and win secure to Il
10 people the free and unbiased control
q their primary movements in the eleoiio
Q. of office holders, he will have accomplish,
,e a work second only In Importance to Il


pacincatlon of the south.