With his political background, extensive knowledge, and Harvard Law education, Rutherford B. Hayes was a president that voiced for progression from the beginning of this term during his inauguration. His presidency was outlined by many important issues that formed many of the acts of civil rights after it.
Political Offices Held
Governor of Ohio (2 times) - 1868 to 1872 and 1876 to 1877
US House of Representative from Ohio (1865-1867)
Main Points of Inaugural Speech (Link):
Hayes wishes to commit to permanent pacification of the country. Many of the issues with the south remain and they are impoverished. It is the duty of the local governments to deal with the complications of both races. The question that must be considered of those States is the question of government or no government.
Hayes talks about the four million people released from the shackles of slavery. He states how impossible it would be to occur without presenting problems and a moral obligation lies on the National government to establish the rights of the people.
The problems of the south lie in the conflicts between the two races. It can only be removed by the harmonious efforts of the two. He will make the effort to accomplish this by asking cooperation to all those who have the best interest in the welfare of the country
Hayes wishes to see the end of the issue with universal education. Liberal and permanent provision should be made for the support of free schools by the state governments. He has an interest to protect those interests of both races.
In terms of the political parties, it is vital that both of them give their support to reform the subject of civil service.
He makes the bold claim of creating an amendment of the Constitution prescribing only one term of 6 years for the Executive Office.
He acknowledges the currency problems and says that the only safe thing to use is paper currency that rest upon a coin basis.
The precedent of noninterference in the affairs of foreign nations has proved of great value and shall be continued to be followed.
Regarding the question of counting electoral votes, it should be referred to the decision of a tribunal appointed for that purpose. Its decisions are legally conclusive.
Main Conflicts
Reconstruction
Civil Rights
Currency Debate
Tribes and Treatment
Civil Service Reform
Media
Presidential Podcast by The Washington Post - Episode 19, Rutherford B. Hayes
Presidential Commentary
In the past, most of those who were lawyers and became president were from their own teachings and passing the bar exam. President Rutherford B. Hayes, however, was a Harvard Law graduate and practiced law in his home state of Ohio long before becoming a politician. With his extensive knowledge, experience, and progressive views that reflected the Republican Party, it was no wonder Hayes achieved the accomplishments he did.
One of the strengths of his presidency was his outright, honest nature. His wishes in the inaugural address proved to be true in his presidency. He advocated for pacification and helped aide those in the South by advocating for peace between all races. This progressive mindset helped the people especially when he balances the concerns of both parties by withdrawing troops from the south while overlooking internal improvements (Miller Center). Although many argue that Hayes should have put more troops within the boundaries of the South, it was only going to last peacefully for a little bit longer until new conflict arose. In understanding the point of pacification that he wished to achieve, his actions are not surprising and simply reflect his honest intentions. On the other side of Civil Service, Hayes had helped reform it by forbidding the involvement of federal employees in political activities. This action was important to ending the corruption seen by the end of Grant’s term and to this day is in effect. His honest nature reflected in his policies and actions and helped gain the trust of many of the sates that lost in the Civil War. By repairing this trust, he made the US come closer together which was the goal of many of the presidents before him.
One of the weaknesses that was seen in this presidency was the inability to preserve the culture of the Native Peoples. Instead of allowing the Natives to be who they were, he appointed a policy where they were forced to assimilation and education for them to blend into the US society (Library of Rutherford B. Hayes). Although it might have been done out of good intentions, it ultimately disrupted the history of the people and erased some of the knowledge that many would find beneficial today. These actions coupled with the killing of Bison ultimately changed the face of Native Americans and their numbers, like today, dwindled and parts of their history was erased from the face of the nation.
Ultimately, there were many changes that occurred during this president’s time that forever changed the path of the nation. Around one hundred years after the initial beginnings of the United States the nation had expanded and grown tremendously. Some of these changes were good and some were terrible but nevertheless, they were changes that the Founding Fathers had set up to create. Some of the accomplishments like freeing the slaves and the advancement of technology, were never even imagined by the common man. Looking at the presidency of the first to that of the nineteenth it is clear to say that they all had their impact one way or another. Without them, the United States of America would have had a different history that might have collapsed if they were not all united in saving the Union.
