His opinion in Yick Wo v. Hopkins in 1886 advanced his and Hayes's views on the protection of ethnic minorities' rights.[210]

Post-presidency (1881–1893)[edit]
Official White House portrait of President Hayes by Daniel Huntington, 1884
Hayes declined to seek reelection in 1880, keeping his pledge not to run for a second term.[211] He was gratified with the election of fellow Ohio Republican James A. Garfield to succeed him, and consulted with him on appointments for the next administration.[212] After Garfield's inauguration, Hayes and his family returned to Spiegel Grove.[213] In 1881, he was elected a companion of the Military Order of the Loyal Legion of the United States. He served as commander-in-chief (national president) of the Loyal Legion from 1888 until his death in 1893. Although he remained a loyal Republican, Hayes was not too disappointed in Democrat Grover Cleveland's election to the presidency in 1884, approving of Cleveland's views on civil service reform.[214] He was also pleased at the progress of the political career of William McKinley, his army comrade and political protégé.[215]
Hayes became an advocate for educational charities and federal education subsidies for all children.