The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1868-09-02
What Then?


tions, in which it and those for whom it
speaks have a vital interest,:i6i
L. In the event of the election of Sey-
mour, will he, as President. use force to
disperse,. abrogete, or interfere with the
present State Government of Louisiana as
established under the constitution of 1863
2. In the event OF the election Of Sey-
mour. do the Democracy of Louisiana pro-
pose by force to disperse, abrogate, or mod
ify the present Government Of the State
as established under the constitution OF
1867 $50 Ys
8. Tn The event of the election of Sey-
mour, if force is not employed either by
the President elected, or by the Democracy
Of the State, now is the present State
Government of louisiana, established I'M
der the constitution of 1868, to be dispers-
ed, abrogated or modified and of what
advantage will it be as against this govern
ment to Irave elected Seymour
Will the Picayune favor US with answers
to these questions ? He4
We are by no means entitled to reply in
behalf of Horatio Seymour as a man, nor
to make any engagement for his action as
President Of the United States NOR are we
the organ of the Democratic or any other
party, but we think we know enough Of
human nature, both Of that party and OF
the Republican, to answer as to what will,
in our opinion, be the condition of things
upon and after the election. a
The election of Horatio Seymour will be
accompanied by that sof a very large ma
iority of the representatives to the Forty
First Congress of the United States which
viii, or at least can be called to meet,
Immediately after the 4th of March. 1869,
when Seymour will take his seat as Presi-
dent. The Senate of the United States,
though nominally Republican, will hardly
attempt to act in such way as to prevent
the restoration of the legitimate govern
ments in the Southern States when this
shall be evidently demanded by the people
of the whole Union. Should they do so,
they can only protest. They cannot pre-
vent its being done, and no sane carpet
: Z
Dagger will stay, relying merely on, their
refusal to consent to bis expulsion from
office. t
Now, we presume, that it will be then
necessary toshave Legitimate. State Gov
eminent in Louisiana, legitimate in a I'm
ion ard constitutional point Of view, and
as there was such.an one in 1860, and as
the governments which have, ssincc then,
de hArto exercised power, have had the
invalid titles of secession, or military, or
congressional usurpation as the basis Of
their authority, they must, one and all, be
set aside. $50
The consequence viii be, that Thomas
O. Moore, thelast Governor elected under
the constitution Of 1852, the last constitu.
ton adopted by the people Of Louisiana,
uncontrolled 10y these usurpations, viii as
semble together the Legislatdres Of that
era, which'wiil, We presume, at once call
for the election of delegates to as.State
Convention to receive and'propose amend
ments to that constitution.
What it will be in its terms as to suf-
frase, we do not pretend to foretell but
will PROMISE that it will be quite as liberal
as the constitutions of the States whence
Grant and Colfax hail, and, it's members
fully as much so as these Republican lead
ers have ever been to the negro as "a man
and a brothe' !" Moreover. we will engage
that all the promises they make to the lat
terrwill be fulfilled. They may not pro-
mise much, but will do all they promise to
do. ~
We do not think that there will be any
early resumption of authority by the Iegiti-.
mate Government of Louisiana, provided
the dc facto government acts with that
prudence and propriety which becomes
men occupying furnished houses during the
absence ofthe owners. If, however, they
should undertake aggressive legislation,
TRUSTING out of Office those elected under
their own laws and constitution, making
fiagitious and excessive grants of money
or power, and following them up with an
offer to force compliance, and the threat.
" Your money or your life r we cannot
answer fo: the consequences. - q
As for the application Of free we have
no idea that IT will ever be needed. Ger
tainly so polite gentleman as Gov War
moth will not refuse to leave the house
when the legitimate owner comes back, ac-
companied by so large retinue as that Of
the great majority Of the people of the
State, inclusive Of the black and eolorcd
people, and backed by the great mass of
all the Union. p Nei
On the contrary, we expect the return Of
Thomas @. Moore to be the signal for the
most hilarious rejoicing, in which all will
join. Should Gov. Warmoth and his staff,
editorial. judicial, legislative ard police,
governing, not be able to ante in this, they
will doubtless go on their way frejoicing.-
Perhaps he and the better looking among
them will remain, and having Gained the
bigh waves Of party by temperate, wise
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