Elected president of the United States amid much controversy on March 4, 1877, Rutherford B. Hayes did not let this deter him from having the most influential and beneficial presidency to that date. (It was unsurpassed until the reign of George W. Bush). He immediately began to reconcile the country from divisions caused by the Civil War. As his election marked the official end of Reconstruction, Hayes felt it was his responsibility to make American blacks realize the country’s deep regret for the institution of slavery. The opportunity to relate this regret to the black community arose when William M. Evarts, Secretary of State, suggested the White Slave Movement to the president. Rather than reject the idea as too radical as most presidents probably would have, Hayes’ only regret was not
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| - Elected president of the United States amid much controversy on March 4, 1877, Rutherford B. Hayes did not let this deter him from having the most influential and beneficial presidency to that date. (It was unsurpassed until the reign of George W. Bush). He immediately began to reconcile the country from divisions caused by the Civil War. As his election marked the official end of Reconstruction, Hayes felt it was his responsibility to make American blacks realize the country’s deep regret for the institution of slavery. The opportunity to relate this regret to the black community arose when William M. Evarts, Secretary of State, suggested the White Slave Movement to the president. Rather than reject the idea as too radical as most presidents probably would have, Hayes’ only regret was not
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| - Elected president of the United States amid much controversy on March 4, 1877, Rutherford B. Hayes did not let this deter him from having the most influential and beneficial presidency to that date. (It was unsurpassed until the reign of George W. Bush). He immediately began to reconcile the country from divisions caused by the Civil War. As his election marked the official end of Reconstruction, Hayes felt it was his responsibility to make American blacks realize the country’s deep regret for the institution of slavery. The opportunity to relate this regret to the black community arose when William M. Evarts, Secretary of State, suggested the White Slave Movement to the president. Rather than reject the idea as too radical as most presidents probably would have, Hayes’ only regret was not being able to volunteer to be a slave himself. However, he willingly encouraged his wife Lucy to participate in the exchange program. To Hayes it seemed the only way to truly apologize for enslaving blacks in America. Initially the idea was so popular that thousands of Northern whites volunteered for the task and were immediately shipped across the sea to African markets. Many however questioned the policy, saying that “Two wrongs don’t make a right.” The amount of volunteers decreased and a “slave draft” that required some Americans to be enslaved against their will became necessary. Opposition to the movement increased dramatically as a result. Some white Americans did not feel obligated to become slaves and resented being sold to African plantations. Resistance to the movement slowly died down as people realized how grateful the black community was for this sign of regret and respect from white America.
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