The Emporia news. [volume] (Emporia, Kan.) 1859-1881, 1871-03-10
WHAT TO DO.

The reports of rebel outrages in many
of the Southern States are becoming so
incessant and are made upon such ap-
parently reliable authority, that the
question of restoring and preserving
order in that section bids fair to over
shadow all other public matters. Gen.
Butler declared in the House, Tuesday,
that the only proper object of the pres
emit Congressional sessions is to place
such power in President Grants hands
as would enable him to put down and
keep down the the rebel element upon
which these outrages are charged. The
President himself has virtually request
ed Congress not to adjourn until he can
decide what further legislation is neces-
sary to this end. The Senate has had
a committee at work for several weeks,
hearing complaints and taking evil
dence, and if the testimony given be-
fore it is accepted, the facts are even
worse than generally reported. Gov.
Scott, of South Carolina, has officially
requested a permanent garrison of Uni
ted States troops for several counties of
that virulent State. We may seriously
question, six years after the last rebel
army surrendered, if the pro-slavery re-
beIlion has really been conquered. 1t
certainly does not appear TO consider
itself subdued.
We look upon this state of affairs
with most profound regret. tits injur-
ious to every legitimate interest of our
country. We cannot afford to allow its
continuance.
There should be no occasion for in
creasing our army expenditures. There
should be no necessity for garTlsoning
any State or section; for placing the
civil beneath the military power. And
there should be no such evils as the
angry political controversies which will
arise and overshadow all questions OF
finance, economy, and public prosperity.
if this apparently outrageous condition
of the Southern States exists, and can
be suppressed only by the military arm
of the government.
The democratic leaders must likewise
regret this mistaken course of their
southern rank and file-for they can see
that it forces the next Presidential can.
vass to be decided upon the issue OF
loyal preservation, or rebellious destruc.
ton, of the nation. We would rather
do away with the existence of such al
issue, than win a party triumph. But
If we must vote on that as the uuestior
of the hour-loyal men will vote a;
they fought, and the Republican candi
dates will surely be elected.
The duty of Congress is plain. If il
is satisfied that Gov. Scott truly repre-
sents the Southern situation, let Gran
have alls:the men and all the musketi
necessary to crush out the disorderly
element. And, if force only will avail
let Grant use force forcibly, vigorously
effectually. People Alaska with th'
Ku Klux.
But if Congress concludes that force
is not necessary, that the reports o
violence are greatly exaggerated, anC
that the South is doing reasonably well
then it should most severely rebuke any
and all who attempt to deceive the
country, and promptly adjourn. L
there is a new rebellion, stamp it out
If there is not, brand as worse than dis
loyal the reckless partisans who would
sacrifice the country to perpetuatt
their useless offices and their parasitica
existence.