Rutherford B. Hayes Essays -- essays research papers

& international ampere9 Rutherford B. convert was considered by many an(prenominal) to be a simple, uncontroversial, and honest man to run for the presidency. That is why many people are perplexed that such(prenominal) an astute person should have one of the most controversial elections and presidencies ever. Considering Hayes honorable principles, it came as a surprise to see how he could unwittingly make a finale ab place reconstruction where its effects were so blatantly derogatory to the cause he was trying to help.&9The controversy began when he was merely running for office. Hayes was running against populist Samuel J. Tilden. When the ballots were tallied in 1876, Hayes clearly lost the popular vote, and had lost the electoral vote 184 to 165 . However, twenty votes in Oregon, South Carolina, Florida, and Louisiana were dispute due to the protest that blacks were not given the equal chance to go to the polls and vote. Congress created and electoral commission, which carefully decided that Hayes would bewilder all twenty votes. Facing the possibility that the country would be go forth without a president, both parties were considering taking the office by force. In arouse of all the conflict, a deal was finally struck. Republicans made a mystical deal with Democrats in congress, who agreed not to dispute the Hayes mastery in exchange for a promise to withdraw federal military from the south and end reconstruction . Hayes made good on the deal. He swiftly ended Reconstruction and pulled federal troops out of the last two occupied states, South Carolina and Louisiana . During the brief catch of radical reconstruction the negro enjoyed both civil and political rights. &9This political bargain contained three generally recognized move 1) The north would keep hands off the negro problem. 2) The rules governance race relations in the South would be written by ovalbumins. 3) These rules would concede the negro limited civil rights, but nei ther societal nor political equality (page 787) . It is clear, however, that by 1876-77, a majority of white Americans were play out of continuing to battle southern retaliation to the reconstruction, especially when there appeared both(prenominal) possibility that the South was ready to give more than lip serve up to the rights promised by the Civil War Amendments. This bargain quickly caused an uproar by its opponents. Democrat William Clay said, "Instead of withdrawing... ...et out his southern policy actually clearly. He wanted to eliminate political acts of violence against blacks. He insisted, and believed, that white southerners would adhere to the tenets of the Civil War Amendments. He insisted that the federal government had a responsibility to provide aid for procreation and public improvements. He similarly believed it was essential that honest government by enlightened citizens be restored in the south. His theory was that this kind of government could be ach ieved by insuring that blacks get an education so they can participate intelligently in the elections. His ideal of having educated blacks was quite strong. Hayes said, "securing peace, prosperity, and the protection of human rights require education. As foresighted as any considerable numbers of our countrymen are uneducated, the citizenship of every American in every state is impaired". There are many proofs that President Hayes had good intentions when making the policy to end reconstruction. His goal was to help the black man gain and maintain civil rights. Although he couldnt foresee at the time, ending reconstruction was a decision that rapidly decelerated the black mans race for equality.