The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1868-02-12
revolutionary Acts Of Congress
From the MO. Picayune.1

~
TFrom the NJ 0. Picayune.l %oE
qFhe Southern mind has lately been much
exercised by the very aggressive a1nd, IN
deed very revolutionary character OF two
measures introduced into the Congress, one
Ofwhich has passed one branch of it by
more majority than is needed TO- overcome
the veto, and the other is supposed to have
favor with it. ri ed. tsa ~" .'9al i1a
It is said the first Of these, the. military
bill which makes Grant virtually dictator
in the Southern, States and Comtnander-in-
Chef of the President, was earnestly OBJ
iected to by Grant himself, as dangerous,
not merely to the country, but to his own
credit and fair fame as soldier and a citi-
zen. It's also said that its uneonstution'
alityis confessed by those who propose
and who vote for it, and that it is fer this
reason that they now offer to arrestthe
constitutional power Of the Supreme Court
to decide upon; the conysittijtutionpaality Of
their legislation. sId1aslk al 7sra.h ailtg9
Itisamatter of no small interest to see
how the wiser heads dfthe Republican parg
tylook at these measures, which caucus
supremacy compels them to vote for. 'l Soo
Wehave frequently alluded to and quo7
ted the New York rNation,sItis the cream
Of deliberative and thoughtful fradicals
ism, and contains the caution and forecast
ofits sagest leaders and directors. Rash.
men may get ahead of it at times, but when
itgives wnrninsofa fall, and its call is not
needed, the fall vii come, assuredy - ~. 3! /,
The Nation foretoHs the disasters to- its
party in the New J ork aud other electiopsi
itcut loose early from iThaddens Stevens
yiudictive schemes for plunaeft, it gave its
support reluctantly to unlimited negro sui
frage, it openly expressed its disgust. with
Hsnncat and the negro Bradley. and'it
predicted that these things would lead to
defeat. It now declares its want of conf
denee eifherains the power Of Congress to
pass the laws now proposed, or The wisdom
Of passing them, if the power EXISTED.
That journal Which,is SO thoroughly and
irsversibly attached to the Republican
party, and which, in far higher degree
than Gieeltys Tribuneor Forney' Press
or Chronicle, expresses the, sober second end
thought ofthat apnrty,should come, tosaehI
conclusions seems strange, when awe see
the bill giving Grant the dictatorship pass.
byafull party vote, aud the belief to 3,lbses be
that the. other, whereby the law passing.
power in effect arrogates to itself the pows
ers Of the judiciary and abolishes the latter
will pass Also a Ho''se' F'5 ION o a
We can only give as reason forthis,'
that ewhom the gods wish to dlstrey, they,
first make mad" How mad is the attempt
to throw this bolt at the Supreme Court
and how it will rebound upon those who
send Il, may be imagined BY reading the
following from the Nation OF the 10th
alt: rs,za1 .saql,oii l,se5sG .ioilns
Another great objection, is, that tits an;
attempt, by a party vote-.the party being
one which has Just been defeated id an ap,
peal to the co,mtry--andint "a time Of great
excitement and for the temporary purpose,
and with the view OF affecting o particular
decision, to change the. constitution Of the
highest judicial tribunal in the county.
Wewill grant freelys if'desired, that the
proposed change is in general, desirable
We will grant that the past conduct ofthe
court shows that Congress, reaaires. aaddi-
tonal bulwaFks against possible judicial
paftisanship. If measure were, brought
forward by competent men, in quiet times,
and after mature deliberation, we doubt if
Eeshould have a word to, say against ii,
But it's brought forward ~, persons whom
hall tie legal voters. at the North, consider
eager partisaps; il. is. supported in speeches
ofeStreme violence; It is, lot denied that
it's intended, to meet a,temporary exigen,
cy, Does any intelligent man suppose leg
islotion Of this kind will stand; that there
Is any political party in the country strong
enough n the confidence Of the people to
support the burden hitff Is not iKis a
game at which two can plays Are we sure
OfalwaYs having Republican majority il
Congress? Are we sure''6 having obe
three years hence? What il to binder .
Democratic majority From tepealiHg thisact
and doctofing the Court 50 as, to make i
swallow acts of its own. which, unlike The
reconstruction bill; wilt have neither the
flshtsgoisman norlofRemat, nor any other
good thing for their object2 Would il + be
possible for The worst enemy of the, country
todeSise more effective instrument for
putting us to shanesaiid' confusion than a
nigh court Of justicelillI which the judges
were reiarrapged and divided every two OF
Miee years, by party votes so as to secure
'leit approval Of certain measures, thn con
s'lnhonal presumption that they will pro-
a9unce on the validity ofaets of Congress
$50 all other things, without fear or favor
oe'eg turned into a legal fiction and made
Me laughing stock Of bar-room politicians