New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1868-07-14
TERMINATIoN OF MARTIAL Law.

4a4AWANA4ASAt Va
After nearly seven years Of martial law,
more or less rigorous, the people of LOufsi-
ana enjoy once more the advantages OF
civil rule. Yesterday General Buchanan
announced formally, in orders, that in con
sequence of the ratification of the fourteenth
amendment, in pursuance Of law and in
compliance with orders from the General
Of the army, the authority of the military
commander over civil matters would cease.
Commanders of posts are forbidden to in
terfere in any manner with the officers OF
the law, unless it shall become necessary
! for them to assist in preserving the peace.
The PRONUNCIATION of martial law by
General Lowell was greatly deplored by
most of the citizens of New Orleans. 1t
was deemed an unnecessary exercise of ar
bitrary power, as it unquestiOnably was.
At that time the dominant feeling here
was apparently enthusiastic in favor OF
secession. Nothing like an expression in
favor of the Union was tolerated and an
abolitionist or man merely suspected OF
being one, was promptly removed by self
appointed vigilance committees. What
few Union men there were here at that
time remained quiet. They hardly dared
to express their sentiments in the privacy
Of their houses. So that the declaration Of
martial law came rather unexpectedly,
and at the same time opened the eyes Of
our people to the fact that the war, to
which they had given such ready consent,
was something of sterner character than
holiday parade.
When General Butler arrived he had
ample reasons for continuing martial law.
The appearance the city presented for the
first week or two was that of almost
unanimous hostility. The few friends of
the old flag who were found here were
timid, and unwilling to risk their lives by
coming forward and declaring themselves
until they were assured Of protection.
And while the causes which rendered mill
tary rule necessary under succeeding COM
manders were gradually and only partially
removed, there was no relaxation of the
claim OF the military to supreme control in
case it became necessary to exercise it.
Six years of martial law have accustomed
the people to its operation, and removed
from their minds the vague, underlined terror
they felt when they heard Of its promulga-
ton. Some Of the people finally came to
regard it with great favor, and protested
preference for. this form of government
But the majority of our citizens either dis
approved it or deplored its necessity. But
whether beneficial to the city or not,
whether salutary or injurious, we have
been relieved from military rule. We
hope the people will never again create a
necessity for its restoration. A proud peo-
pie, justly boastful of their capacity for
selfgovernment, should be able to keep
their passions in control sufficiently to
execute their own laws. So long as they
do this there will be no need of the employ
ment of a stronger force to hold the tur-
bulent in restraint. With the departing
shadow of military supremacy we
earnestly hope our people will Danish
all the resentments engendered by the
war, and each resolve, for himself, that he
will do nothing unworthy the character
and dignity of our regenerated common
wealth, There is work enough for us all to
do to restore peace and prosperity to the
land. One year of honest, earnest endeav-
or in the right direction will accomplish
more good than the ill-judged, misdirected
efforts of the past three years have been
able to bring about. If our people will
accustom themselves to yield to the civil
law the implicit obedience they have ever
rendered to the authority Of the sword, cur
troubles as disturbed State will have been
ended.