The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1867-03-27

lty passed it over his head. And though
pronounced by him to be unconstitutional
ne ne is already preparing to enforce it,
threatened with Impeachment, if he pos
sesses the will he has not the power, to
resist the despotic sway of Congress or to
protect US from the operation of the law.
But it is said we may appeal to the Su-
preme Court, and that, that august tribunal
will interpose the ermine of the Judge as a
barrier against the bayonet Of the Soldier.
have full faith in the courage Of that
court, and believe that whenever case
shall come before it, of which it can enter
tain Jurisdiction, it will fearlessly declare
its Judgment of the law, and uphold and
maintain the Constitution In its integrity.
But in our own State we have had a
memorable instance, in the case of the
Union bank bonds, of the inability ofcourts
to enforce their judgments on questions of
a political nature against the will of a
majority of the Legislature.
But the Supreme Court can entertain no
Jurisdiction of any question arising Under
the military bill, which will be of the least
practical political Importance In the case
OF Luther vs.. Borden, decided In 1s4S, re-
ported in 18th Curtis, p. l, this question
has been settled. There, controversy
arose Under the constitution and laws of
Rhode Island, and the Supreme Court was
required to determine, which of two rival
governments was the constitutional gov
eminent of Rhode Island. Chief Justice
fancy delivering the opinion of the court
says; "fhe fourth section of the fourth
article of the Constitution of the United
States provides, that the United States
shall guarantee to every State in the Union
a republican form of government, and shall
protect each of them against invasion, and
on the application Of the Legislature or of
the Executive (when the Legislature cannot
be convened) against domestic violence.
Under this article Of the Constitution, it
rests with Congress to decide, what gov
eminent is the established one in State.
For as the Union States guarantees to each
statea republican government, Congress
must necessarily decide what government
is established in the State, before it can
determine whether it is a republican or not
and when the Senators and Representa-
tives of a State are admitted into the coun-
ellis OF the Union, the authority OF the gov
ernment under which they are appointed as
well as its republican character is recogiiz-
ed by the proper constitutional authority.
And its decision is binding on every other
department Of the Government, and could
not be questioned in judicial tribunal. 1t
is true that the contest in this case did not
last long enough to bring the matter to
this issue, and as no Senators or Represen-
tatives were elected under the authority of
the government of which MIR. Dor was the
head, Congress was not called upon to de-
eide the controversy. Yet the right to de-
eide is placed there; and not in the courts"
This decision settles the question, so far
as the action of the Supreme Court is con-
cerned. That tribunal there decides, that
1T is q political question to be decided by
Congress and not the courts, whethcrthere
is an existing State government having
Senators and Representatives entitled to
admission into tho councils of the Union.
In the Military Bill, Congress has declared
that no legal State governments now eX-
list in the rebel States that the existing
State governments are provisional only,
and it has refused the Senators and mem
bers OF Congress appointed under their au-
thority, admission into the councils of the
nation.
AS we are powerless, if we had the will,
to resist by force the execution of the Mill
tary Bill-as the President, if he has the
will, is unable to shield us from it's opera
ton, but on the contrary is now making
every arrangement to carry it into effect
and as the Supreme Court can entertain no
jurisdiction to decide the political question
involved IN this controversy, we are with
out redress, unless we take action in order
to retain portion of political power, and
ondeavor as far as possible, by the use of
the ballot under the provisions of this Bill,
to protect our property, our liberty and
our lives.
Among those whom the bill and the con-
'titutional amendment disfranchise, are
included many of the ablest and NEST men
If the State; but the elective franchise and
he right to hold Office is retained by con-
rolling numbers OF the white citizens of
he State. A supplemental bill has been
in Congress providing. for q
egistry ofVoters and the call of u Conven-
ion preparatory to the organization of
he State Governments. under the plan
proposed by Congress. It is tie duty, in
ny opinion, of every citizen entitled to
,ote under the provisions of this bill, to go
Onward and register his name, to attend
he polls at the election and cast his vote,
nd to take an active part in the reorgani-
elton of the State. He owes this to him.
elf if he wishes to retain his personal and
olitical freedom. He owes this to his fel-
ow-citizens, DISTINGUISHED by this bill; for
hey look to him and his influence to pro-
ect them in person and in property. He
lso owes it to the large number Of black
eople who, ignorant Of their rights asrel-
ctors and totallyunqualifed to participate
n the affairs of government, have had
over conferred upon them which they are
to use, and which must be
roperly directed, in order to save the
tate from utter anarchy and misrule. In
ctiOn will not do now The Government
ill I've reofganized under The provisions of
his act of Congress whether we will or not,
t the good and true men of the country
ill not participate in the organization it
ill go ON withoutthcm. The demagogue,
he political aspirant, bad and iinscrupu-
,us white men, will solicit the suffrage of
he ignorant negro, and Installing into his
lind prejudiees against those to whom he
as been heretofore attached by the stron-
est ties of sympathy and affection, they
ill use the political power placed in his
ands, to subvert and overthrow that con-
rol and influence, which judieious conduct
n our part can perpetuate in The hands Of
lose who have heretofore possessed it,.
/ have heard the fear frequently express
4, and the question has been asked me, if
believed that Congress would proceed to
general confscation of property. do
Of Although there are SOME, whose mall
violence would induce them to proceed to
nat extremity, yet do not believe such
n idea is entertained by any large num-
er of that body. The action of the major
j in adopting the measures proposed to
,organize Southern State Governments,
ad its origin In political motives, They
ave been adopted with a view TO perpet-
ate pOlitical mower. Believing that a