The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1871-11-01

of this nation, has exposed itself to the
scorn and derision of mankind. The
whole world knows the Administration
is responsible for the late ignominious
legal tender decision.
The following comments from the
London Times shows very clearly
what is thought of it abroad
"The decision of the present court is
violent as we'll as unjust.
cit has been pronounced by a court
packed for the purpose. 1t reverses
a Judgment arrived at after deliberate
argument by the same court, before
new members We're added for the pnr-
pose of swapping its decision. We
must add as being able to survey the
question from position of impartial
ty, that it is directly in conflict both
with the principles and presidents of
American law"
National honor and justice have re-
ceived terrible blow. The course of
law has been perverted. The guaran-
tees of individual right are set aside.
Much has been said of the patriotic
anguish of French statesmen who saw
Prussia made strong by the victory Of
Sadowa; but the phrase thus misap-
piled to describe miserable jealousy
at the development of neighbor may
be rightly employed to represent the
shame and sorrow that must fill the
minds of patriotic Americans when
they see their highest tribunal-the
court which had won the admiration
and respect of the world, brought down
SO low as to pervert judgment and
throw gloss of legality over private
and public dishonesty"
Any man who has common sense
and who observes what is passing
around him, can see in every State
and county of the South evidence of
the most audacious and shameless
villainy perpetrated through the in
strumcntality of this infamous political
organization. 1t embraces nearly all
the ignorance and dishonesty of the
nation and composed of such elements
what better can be expected of it.
Incited and controlled by the basest
instincts OF mans nature, it is deaf to
the suggestions of justice, honor OF
patriotism. "The certainty of forfeit
ing their own rights, when they sac
rifice those of the nation, is no check
to a brutal degenerate mind"
These audacious violations of JUS
tice and right-this diabolical perver-
sion of popular governments, is GER
tainly most appalling and lamenta-
bic evidence of national decadence.
by the action of Congress, the in
telligence and integrity of tho South
has been excluded from our conven.
tons and legislative assemblies, and
the consequence is that base and un.
principled men have crawled n t {
power, who seem to regard the favor
of the Government as license to steal
Even those to whom the law has dele
gated authority to execute it's man
dates, seem to regard the possession
of property crime, and the rich a.
the especial objects of their vengeance
and greed. 1t is not indeed time tt
call this generation of vipers to &C
: count7 Protesting the most intens,
patriotism and devotion to the Uniol
they are digging the grave of this Re
public. How are we to live in peace
, and, develop our resources under sucl
t circumstances 2 Our liberty, once lost
can never he regained, except by lonl
, and bloody revolution. Let the PEG
+ pie awake from their lethargy ere it b
, too late, and make bold, determines
S and manly effort to wrest the Govern
} ment from these political madmen.-
l The supineness of the people is no
5 only surprising, but is beginning to b
considered an evidence of popular i'm
becility. There was q law in AtheD
= that compelled every citizen to declar
himself on one side or the other O
8 every political contest, and such a.
enactment in this republic might b
n productive of much good. have see
it stated that for many years prior t
g 1861, the full popular vote had no
e been polled in many of the States q
: this Uuion. Eternal vigilance on tn
y part of the people is necessary to pre-
: serve our political institutions, an
: prevent the Government becoming cor
t rupted and prevented by factions. .
: full and fair expression of the popula
i will through the ballot box, where til
e people are the source of power and au
s thority, is indispensable. We hav
i much to discourage us in the comm
e contest, but this should not deter an
n citizen from discharging his duty
+ the best of his ability. The life an
o honor of the nation is What we have t
: contend for. Let us try the fu
t strength of ballots before we are drive