New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1870-11-19
THE ENFORCEMENT Law.


We are not little surprised to observe
that the city papers have generally as-
sumed an attitude of antagonism to the
act Of Congress to enforce the fifteenth
amendment to the constitution.
Certain citizens Of Baton Rouge are
charged with Instruction on the night
after the election: with having forced
open the doors Of the courthouse for the
purpose of taking possession Of the bel
lot boxes and with the cri,-.es Of Y;us and
murder All this. took place at Baton
Rouge on ,ne day of the election. Ths
as1eaults upon the law by the city papers
raises the presumption that there is no
better defense for the accused. For if
they are able to establish their innocence
Of the acts charged against them. they
have no reason to fear punishment under
this law or any other. Interference with
the ballot boxes should be regarded as
heinous crime in every community where
the elective franchise exists. There can be
no honest apologies for it. Murder is
usually regarded as the highest otiense
against mankind, while rioting is con-
demned by all decent people. These are
the crimes for which penalties are pre-
scribed in the enforcement law. These
are the crimes for which the sixty odd
citizens Of Baton Rouge are required to
answer. And the apologists of these
prisoners sigh and groan over the hard
ships to which they are subjected without
limiting at the possibility of their limo
cence. The Bee says:
1t is for a violation of this act, said to
have been committed by those citizens of
Baton Rouge that they have been torn from
their homes, brought a hundred miles I'M
der guard of soldiers of the army, near
cerated in the Parish Prison in this city. and
marched daily. backward and forward,
from the prison to the United States
Courtroom, for the purpose of being
examined by United States Commissioner
as to the charges made.
Yes, sit is for violation of this act.
that the arrests were male. The act was
violated, and the culprits deserve severe
punishment. But we do not go SO far as
the Bee in assuming that any one Of the
prisoners is guilty. They are on their
trial, and are entitled to all the means OF
defense known to the law and usage OF
the courts. But the acts complained Of
admit of no excuse. The testimony Of
Captain Meyers, which We published yes
terday morning, needs no comment. An
officer of the United States army, and e
gentleman, he relates the events of the
riot in a straightforward, ,lnimpassioned
manner that compels belief. The
conclusion is irresistible that there was {.
premeditated, well conceived plan to kill
the Republicans and destroy the ballots.
If not ALL at any rate large number of
the white men of Baton Rouge had been
informed of the plan, and their conceal
ment goes to establish the fact that they APP
proved Of or connived at the outrages. No
position of social standing, education,
wealth o. official station can be pleaded
in justification of the damnable crimes
which have destroyed the lives ofinnocent
men, thrown families into mourning for
their murdered protectors, cruelty
wounded others and endangered the lives
Of hundreds Of others. The government
that fails,to protect its citizens is contempt
ible, and soon has 10 be changed. The
United States government has made ample
provision by the Law in question to preserve
the political rights Of all its citizens,
and mono but an enemy Of justice can as
sail its excellent provisions. The case Of
Baton Rouge prisoners is in the hands Of
the United States authorities. We have
every confidence il their discretion and
ability, aud while We shall not say any
thing to PREJUDICE the case against any OF
them until they are proved to be guilty,
we will maintain that the law is just and
necessary. and the infraction of it at Baton
Rouge on election day WAS outrageous and
should be severely punished no matter or
whose head the bolt may fall.