Rutherford B. Hayes

Rutherford B. Hayes (1822–1893) was the 19th President of the United States. His presidency ended Reconstruction, initiated civil service reforms, and sought to restore integrity to the federal government. Explore his life, presidency, philosophy, and memorable quotes.

Introduction

Rutherford Birchard Hayes served as the 19th President of the United States from 1877 to 1881, a pivotal period in American history. His term marked the end of the Reconstruction era following the Civil War, the beginning of civil service reforms, and efforts to unify a nation still grappling with regional, racial, and political tensions. Hayes is sometimes viewed as a transitional figure: not a sweeping reformer, but a man of principle whose moderate actions began a shift in how the U.S. government operated.

Early Life and Family

Rutherford B. Hayes was born on October 4, 1822, in Delaware, Ohio, to Rutherford Ezekiel Hayes, Jr. and Sophia Birchard Hayes. Sardis Birchard, became a significant presence in Hayes's upbringing, often taking a paternal role.

He was educated in local schools, then attended Kenyon College in Gambier, Ohio, where he graduated with honors in 1842. Harvard Law School, earning an LL.B, and was admitted to the Ohio bar in 1845. Lower Sandusky (now Fremont, Ohio).

His wife, Lucy Ware Webb, was a committed partner in his life and career. The couple had eight children (though not all survived to adulthood).

Early Career & Military Service

Before entering national politics, Hayes built a respectable legal and public service career:

• In Cincinnati, he practiced law and gained recognition, including defending clients in serious criminal trials.

• He was an ardent abolitionist, and in his legal work he defended enslaved people fleeing under the Fugitive Slave Act, particularly in cases along the Ohio–Kentucky border.

When the Civil War broke out, Hayes joined the Union Army:

• He served with the 23rd Ohio Volunteer Infantry, rose through the ranks, and was wounded several times—including at the Battle of South Mountain in 1862.

• He eventually achieved the brevet rank of major general by war’s end, earning commendation for his leadership in campaigns such as the Shenandoah Valley operations.

His war service bolstered his public reputation and lent moral weight to his subsequent political career.

Political Rise

After the war, Hayes transitioned into politics:

• He was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives from Ohio (serving 1865–1867)

• He then served as Governor of Ohio—first from 1868 to 1872, then returning to office in 1876 just before assuming the presidency.

In 1876, Hayes secured the Republican nomination for President. His opponent was Samuel J. Tilden, the Democrat. While Tilden won the popular vote, the electoral results in several Southern states were contested.

A special Electoral Commission resolved the dispute under the Compromise of 1877, awarding disputed electoral votes to Hayes and thereby granting him the presidency.

Presidency (1877–1881): Key Decisions & Challenges

Ending Reconstruction & the South

One of the defining—and controversial—actions of Hayes’s presidency was his decision to remove federal troops from the South, effectively ending formal Reconstruction.

However, Hayes defended the policy as a step toward reconciliation and local self-governance. In his inaugural address, he pledged support for "wise, honest, and peaceful local self-government" in the South.

Civil Service Reform

Hayes was an advocate of reforming the federal civil service away from patronage and toward merit.

To emphasize his commitment, Hayes appointed Carl Schurz as Secretary of the Interior and brought in reform-minded officials.

Economic & Labor Issues

Hayes’s term coincided with the Great Railroad Strike of 1877, the largest labor uprising to that time.

He also confronted monetary debates, particularly issues around silver coinage, vetoing the Bland–Allison Act (which sought to increase silver coinage). Congress overrode his veto.

Foreign Affairs & Other Initiatives

• Hayes arbitrated a boundary dispute between Argentina and Paraguay, awarding the contested territory to Paraguay. The country later honored him by naming a region and city after him.

• He vetoed the Chinese Exclusion Bill on principle, refusing to abrogate treaties without negotiation.

Hayes honored his campaign promise not to seek re-election for a second term.

Post-Presidential Life & Legacy

After leaving office, Hayes returned to his home in Spiegel Grove, Ohio, where he remained active in social causes, especially education and prison reform.

He served on the Board of Trustees at Ohio State University, promoting vocational as well as academic education.

Hayes died on January 17, 1893, in Fremont, Ohio. Spiegel Grove, and the first presidential library in the U.S. was opened on his property.

Historically, Hayes is often viewed as a middling president: not among the greats, yet credited with restoring dignity to the presidency after the turbulent years following Lincoln’s assassination.

His legacy includes:

• Restored public trust in the executive branch.

• Early attempts at civil service reform that would gain traction in subsequent administrations.

• A more restrained use of federal power and a move to reconcile divisions still lingering from the Civil War.

• Some criticism for abandoning Reconstruction too early, and limitations in defending civil rights for African Americans in the post-Reconstruction South.

Selected Quotes

While Hayes is not as well-known for quotable remarks as some presidents, here are a few attributed to him that reflect his character and philosophy:

• “He serves his party best who serves his country best.” — from his inaugural address, emphasizing his view that partisan loyalty should be secondary to national welfare.

• “I know that I’m going where Lucy is.” — reported to be among his last words, referring to his wife.

• “I trust still to the power of character and to physical force to maintain my position.”

• “There must be no compromise with men who promulgate falsehood.”

These quotes suggest a man of principle, fidelity, and moral resolve.

Lessons from Rutherford B. Hayes

1. Integrity matters even in constrained circumstances. Hayes’s reputation for honesty sustained him through contentious politics and disputed legitimacy.

2. Reform is often incremental, not radical. His civil service efforts, though limited, planted seeds for broader changes later.

3. Leadership often requires balancing ideals and political realities. His withdrawal of troops from the South was deeply problematic in retrospect, but was an attempt to stabilize and reconcile the nation.

4. Promises build credibility. His vow to serve only one term—and sticking to it—reinforced his sincerity to the public.

5. Service extends beyond the presidency. Hayes’s post-office engagement in education and social welfare underscores that public impact need not end at the White House.