The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1867-03-11
Southern Folly.
Fron The IYneS.

UIO" GtS LHbSS'
The Louisiana Legislature is intent upon
precipitating a conflict with Congress. 1t has
before it proposition to declare the unconsti-
tutionality of that body as at present Or
ganized, and the ineficaoy of its acts. And a
bill has actually been passed over Governor
Wells veto, providing for the election of
delegates to Convention to form a State Con-
ventiOn the voting power to be in the hands
of the existing constituency. In other words,
only "the qualified voters of the State" are
to be permitted to take part in the election,
and these do not include the enfranchised
freedmen. More than this, the bill has been
carried with deliberate and unconcealed pur-
pose of setting at naught the acts of Congress-
and testing the ability of the Legislature to
overcome the military authority prescribed
by national law. So much is substantially
admitted by the New Orleans Crescent which
says
For several days the bill has been pending
and during these several days the members, no
doubt, deliberated freely among themselves
the important question before them as to its
propriety and eXpediency. The legislation
adopted by Congress was of character to
demand mature reflection before the adoption
OF a measure which many persons supposed
might bring the State into conflict with the
Federal Government. A decent respect for
public opinion required Gnat time for such re-
Election should be taken. But a decent respect
for public opinion likewise required that, after
due consideration, the bill should be passed.
Perhaps the very threat of conflict to grow out
OF IT confirmed the already determined senti-
ment in its favor, because such "a conflict
could not be the kind of collision danger
GUS to the peace and order of the State,
but simply a judicial issue which will hasten
the decision of the questions involved in the
unconstitutional legislation of Congress. The
objection urged by the opponents of the mea-
sure. that the United States military authori-
a
is invalid in every respect Even if we were
very sure that there would be such military in
from the exercise OF our constitutional rights
in advance OF the unconstitutional interference
with which we are threatened. Such course
would be an abandonment of our position-a
concession to the pretension of supreme autho-
rity over the States, set up by the radicals, and
the first step towards an acceptance of the pro-
gramme of radical reconstruction ostensibly
Contemplated by the Congressional act"
The folly both of the Legislature and of
these declarations III its favor is transparent.
1t is hardly conceivable that a legislative body
would set themselves to work to devise the
means of adding to the difficulties with which
its State is environed, and of increasing the
irritation which provoked and justiHes the
action OF Congress. Yet this is what we see
in Loui lana.
If thy l6were any chance of advantage from
the jud cialissue ON which the Crescent dwells,
the act might admit Of palliatiOn. But there
Is no suoh chance. Assuming that a case fol
an appeal to the Supreme Court may be made
up, that cannot save the State from the opera
tion of the new law. Before decision can by
any possibility be rendered. the present Legis
lature OF Louisiana will be swept out of exist
ence; the qualification for voters which i
recognizes will be set aside; many of the mel
who, by this Convention bill, determine whC
shall be voters, will lie themselves disfran
ohsed; and instead of the projected Conven
ton in the interest of Rebels, another conven
ton will be held, with delegates elected Il
part by negro votes These results will
assuredly be brought about-by military inter
Vention, if necessary.