Year: 1877

From the manner in which the Re-
publican papers are discussing the poll
cy Of Mr.. HAYES administration, and es
pecially with reference toward the South,
it looks as though the result Of the late
contest might be summed up in this, a
Republican President goes into office
upon q Democratic platform. The Re-
publicans completely abandon the posi-
tion they took in the canvass SO far as
the South is concerned, and announce in
advance that Mr.. HAYES will carry out
the exact policy laid down in
the st. Louis platform. 1t may
be some consolation TO Democrats to
know that If they cannot secure the
Presidency they can at least get recog-
nition of the soundness OF their platform.
The Democratic party has had its princi-
Piles fully vindlcated. The decisions of
the Electoral Commission are as ultra
State rights in their effect So the most
violent Nulliher in the days of CALHOUN
could have desired. The financial plat
form fthe Democracy was acknowledged
as thoroughly sound; their plank OF civil
service reform was not contested, and
now the wise and liberal policy toward
the South for which the Democratic party
has so long contended, is at last
recognized and adopted by the opposl-
ton. The Democrats could afford to
rest their case here, but for one thing,
and that is the party now undertaking
to carry out Democratic principles is not
qualified for the work. Their sincerity
is questioned, because nothing but the
pressure of large popular vote against
them in the last election compels the Re
publican party to adopt these princi-
Piles. Again, no reliance can be placed
IN the professions Of an ad-
ministration which goes in defled
with fraud and tainted with
corruption. Therefore we take it that
these professions Of wise and liberal
policy on the part of Mr.. HAYES ad-
ministration are not sincere, and that
some fine morning the South will wake
up to find themselves bound with a
stronger chain than any GRANT ever
fastened upon them. 1fsuch be the case
they have no one to blame but them-
selves, and from the course they are now
pursuing will lose even the sympathy OF
their Northern friends.


1t would be wise, however, IN Mr..
HAYES to pursue the policy he has indl-
Gated, for by doing so he will build ups
party in the South which will be invinc-
ible for the next twenty-five years at
least. The negroes, uI der his direction,
will have change of political masters
from that of the carpet bagger to the
native Southerner. The latter class
having control of the negro vote will
secure good local governments and will
in the next national election, give at
least two-thirds of the Southern states
10 the administration party. II, on the
other hand, HAYES should pursue the
policy that President GRANT did,
then the people of the Southern
states, with no future before them,
but that of continued misrule and pros
trstion, will grow reckless and desperate,
and, as DoN PIATT prophesled, lamp
posts will bear abundant fruit, in short
time. There is nothing so fearful as the
outburst of people driven to despera-
tion by the continual goadlng of tyrant.
Mr.. HAYES, when he becomes President,
will have the two policies to decide be-
tween, and upon his choice depends the
future veal or woe of the nation.