re the return of Tilden."--Thomas
V. Cooper and Hector T. Fenton, _American Politics_, p. 230; see also,
Rhodes, _History of the United States_, Vol. 7, p. 263.]

[Footnote 1554: Bigelow, _Life of Tilden_, Vol. 2, p. 84.

"Mr. Conkling felt that neither Mr. Tilden nor Mr. Hayes should be
inaugurated."--Conkling, _Life of Conkling_, p. 528.]

CHAPTER XXVIII

CONKLING AND CURTIS AT ROCHESTER

1877

Two State governments in Louisiana, one under Packard, a Republican,
the other under Nicholls, a Democrat, confronted Hayes upon the day of
his inauguration. The canvassing boards which returned the Hayes
electors also declared the election of Packard as governor, and it
would impeach his own title, it was said, if the President refused
recognition to Packard, who had received the larger popular majority.

It was not unknown that the President contemplated adopting a new
Southern policy. His letter of acceptance presupposed it, and before
the completion of the Electoral Commission's work political and
personal friends had given assurance in a published letter that Hayes
would not continue military intervention in the South.[1555] Moreover,
the President's inaugural address plainly indicated such a purpose. To
inform himself of the extent to which the troops intervened,
therefore, and to harmonise if possible the opposing governments, he
sent a commission to New Orleans,[1556] who reported (April 21) a
returning board quorum in both branches of the Nicholls Legislature
and recommended the withdrawal of the army from the immediate vicinity
of the State House. This was done on April 24 and thenceforward the
Nicholls government controlled in State affairs.[1557]

[Footnote 1555: Letter of Stanley Matthews and Charles Foster, dated
February 17, 1877.--Appleton's _Cyclopaedia_, 1877, p. 459.]

[Footnote 1556: This commission consisted of Charles B. Lawrence,
Joseph B. Hawley, John M. Harlan, John C. Brown, and Wayne
McVeigh.--_Ibid._, p. 465.]

[Footnote 1557: _Ibid._, pp. 456-465. Packard became consul to
Liverpool.]

The President's policy quickly created discontent within the ranks of
the Republican party. Many violently resented his action, declaring
his refusal to sustain a governor whose election rested substantially
upon the same foundation as his own as a cowardly surrender to the
South in fulfillment of a bargain between his friends and some
Southern leaders.[1558] Others disclaimed the President's obli