The Opelousas journal. [volume] (Opelousas, La.) 1868-1878, 1868-08-29
Condition Of AaisiTs in LagsisE-
:sma-Tzsc Eooissy OF TIE Psesi-
dent.

The letter Of Governor Warmoth, Of
louisiana, to the President, calling for
two regiments Of cavalry, regiment Of
infantry, ard battery ~of artillery to
preserve order in the State, represents a
very bad and gloomy state Of things.
His Louisiana Excellency says he has
no doubt l5O men have been murdered
in that State within the last month that
bands of armed men rove about unmo-
lested and unpunished committing the
most terrible crimes, particularly in the
Northern and Northwestern parishes,
and that the Sheriffs and other civil otfi-
GERS proclaim their inability to stop crime
or arrest the criminals. Altogether the
Governors communication is very lu-
gubrious document. In making this call
upon the President, he confesses that
the organization of the militia for the
suppression of these outrages ''is ques,
tionable expediency, inasnuch as 1t Will
be, under the present excited state OF
mind, one political party armed to the
support Of the Government against an
other" Here, then, lies the whole mis-
chief. It is war Of political parties.
1t is the natural result of Radical recon
struction and the efforts of TIE Radicals
many of them outside Northern car
-baggers, who neither have any abld-
ing interest in the State, nor sympathy
with the population-to disfranchlse the
native citizens, and to control affairs for
the sake of the Office. As consequence
this excites bitter hostility and outrages
Oh the other side. Western and North
western Louisiana, with the bordering
sections of Texas and Arkansas, were
the most lawless portions OF the country
during the war. Even the Confederate
authorities could not keep down the
bauds Of robbers and independent guer-
rilas there. A Federal army could not
do it now under the proscriptive tyranny
of Radical rule.
However, we have no doubt Governor
Warmoth's representations are greatly
exaggerated, as well informed people from
Louisiana and our Washington corrcs-
pondents state. The truth is, there is a
probability that the Democrats will car
~ the State in the approaching election
by twenty thousand majo.ity Or more
which alarms the Governor and his Rad
ical confiSres, and they want the United
States troops to help them out of the di-
lemma. They want the aid Of the Fede-
raj Government to defeat the Demo
Gratis; and this is the real secret and mo-
tive in calling for troops. What is the
duty of the President under these cir
cumstances Evidently to let the rival
parties and factions fight it out among
themselves. Mr.. Johnson, we under
stand, holds the matter over for consid
Grafton, and to submit it to his Cabinet
We do not know yet what course he will
take, but unless there be a positive re.
bellion, he should insist that Louisiana
must execute her own laws. The Fede
raj Government is not required and, in
deed, would 60 beyond its Legitimate
functions to exercise ifs authority il
support of any party in that or any 9th
er State. Louisiana is a State Of tht
Union now the same as New York
The Radicals have had it all their owr
way in reconstructing the Government
and have all the advantage Of govern
mental authority in the State. If they
cannot hold what they have got, with al
the advantages on their side, they mus
, yield to the popular will, That is thu
way of republican government.
The people of the North cannot ant
, will not be taxed to support vast arm,
in the South to keep the Radicals Or an,
} other party in power. No, the peopl
} of Louisiana must fight it out anon;
themselves and We hope the Presiden
: will tell them so. however much the Rad
{ icals in and out of Congress may how
or threaten him with impeachment
| They may, and will, perhaps. abus
[ him, or even threaten Impeachment a
, gain, for what they may term neglect G
: duty in not protecting loyal citizens
{ but nothing short of rebellion agains
| Federal authority should cause him t
5 send an armed force, or to interfere i
| the party fight in Louisiana.-N. y
t Herald.