Democratic party of that section, and
hasten the day of better feeling between the sections. But the
President, either incapable of comprehending this idea, or jealous of
the credit that the country had already bestowed upon him, blundered
on in selecting men to represent his policy in the South who had no
following, and were, therefore, valueless to his cause. His heart was
right, but he put too much confidence in Southern statesmen.

The South showed no signs of improvement. White Republicans were
intimidated, persecuted, and driven out. The black Republicans were
allowed to vote, but the Democrats counted the votes and secured all
the offices. The President was under the influence of Alex. H.
Stephens, of Georgia, and Wade Hampton, of South Carolina. He expected
much; but he received nothing. Instead of gratitude he received
arrogance. The Southern leaders in Congress sought to deprive the
Executive of his constitutional veto; to starve the army; and to
protract the session of Congress. The North had invited its "erring
brethren" back, and had killed the fatted calf, but were unwilling to
allow the fellow to eat all the veal! The conduct of the South was
growing more intolerable every day; and the President's barren policy
was losing him supporters. He had not tied to any safe advisers. Hon.
Charles Foster, Senator Stanley Matthews, and Gen. James A. Garfield
could have piloted him through many dangerous places. But he shut
himself up in his own abilities, and left his friends on the outside.
The South had gulped down every thing that had been given it, and was
asking for more. Every thing had been given except the honor of the
cause that the Union army had fought for. To complete the task of
conciliation it was only required that the nation destroy the
monuments to its hero dead, and open the treasury to the payment of
rebel war claims, and pension the men who were maimed in an attempt to
shoot the government to death. To the credit of President Hayes let
history record that he did not surrender his veto power to arrogant
and disloyal Southern Congressmen. He became convinced at last that
the South was incapable of appreciating his kindness, and was willing
to change front. His policy was inevitable. It did great good. It
united the Republican party against the South; and a splendid cabinet,
a clean administration, and the resumption of specie payments wrought
wonders for the Republican party.

There was a ripe s