The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1868-01-01
Law in Walrussia, but not in Viz
ginia.

The addition Of Alaska to the military
division Of the Pacific has furnished to Ma
]jor General Hallpck the opportunity to
promulgate one of the volumnious and sur
passinely elaborate general orders for which
that general has been more celebrated than
for his achievements with the sword. Gen
eral Halleck is unqnestionably better
lawyer than soldier. No man is better ac-
quainted with the laws of war, or the prin-
ciples Of justice on which these laws are
based, and no man possesses the faculty Of
stating what they are with more elaborate
precision of phraseoogy. In his lengthy
letter Of instructions to General JEFF. G.
Davis, he says:
.l6. 1t may be proper to remark, in this
place, that it is well established principle
of international law that change Of soysr-
eighty involves no change in the rights of
private property, whether of individuals or
CT municipal corporations aud that the
existing laws Of any territory acquired by
the United States by conquest or by ces-
sion. which do not conflict with the consti-
tuition or fundamental principles Of our
government, remain in force till suspended,
altered, amended, or repealed by proper au-
thority. All citizens Of the seeded terri
tory are, therefore, entitIe to oil rights and
liberties which they enjoyed under their
former government, and also all the rights
and privileges guaranteed by the constitu>
.tion and general laws of the United states,
And to those will also be added, in due
time, the political rights which belong to
citizens in the territories Of the United
States. 1t is important thot you make
yourself familiar with these principles Of
international, constitutional,and municipal
law, so as not only to avoid errors yourself,
but to be able to advise and warn Others
about TO imnligrate to and settle in that
country
That the principles of internationa! law
thus stated are well established, no man
can deny without repudiating the history
Of all civilized Eatious. But how have
these well established and inst principles
been applied by the government Of the
United States-a government which is
supposed to be civilized--towarl the PEG.
pie in the conquered provinces" Of the
late Southern Confederacy? Has the rulnp
congress recognized the well-established
principle that change of sovereignty in
those provinces involved no chanes in the
rights Of private property? Has the ruling
party suffered the existing laws in the
southern states to remain in force until al
tered by proper authority? Is the militia
Try power the proper authority to " sus.
pend, alter, amend, or repeal" laws that,
under u republic, only the people themselves
can make?
| The civilization of the Jacobin party in
this country is well illustrated 10 the fact
that that party holds it just to visit upon
white Americans pains, penalties, and dis
qualifications that are unknown to the
civilization Of any other nation on earth,
while it recognizes the obligations Of solne-
thing like civilized decency toward q few
thousand semi-barbarians, lately subjects
of the moss intense despotism on earth.
White men in the south, under the despot-
ism of socalled republican masters, might
well deplore the fate that caused them to
he born American citizens instead of Rus
sian serfs. For, had they been domestic
seris in Walrussia, instead OF free citizens
Of America, they would not be denied the
rights Of citizenship which are assured, by
the we'll established principles Of interna.
tonal law, even to halfcivilized Esqui-
maux Indians. - Chicago Times.