New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1871-11-05
a MODEST plorQsIrIQN.

Dixon, giving his views Of the presen
state Of public affairs in this country
which he evidently regards in deplora
bic and dangerous condition from tn,
absence Of Democratic rule. Like tn,
new departurists, he recognizes the con
stitutional amendments and the legisla
ton growing out Of them as s'the logica
sequences of the war;" but has no faitl
in the party that brought them about
With the Democratic party in charge o
the national government, the ''logica
sequences of the war" could be cheer
fully tolerated; but with the party il
power, that carried the country success
fully through rebellion waged in thu
interest of slavery, the illogical sequences
of the war" are dangerous. And, there
fore, Ex-Governor Dixon, while Loyalty
yielding to them, asks that sixteenth
amendment be passed, virtually upsettine
the illogical sequences" The following
sections constitute his proposed sixteenth
amendment:
1. That the judiciary of each State shall
be free, and that Congress shall pass no
to penalty or punishment for any opinion,
order or Judgment upon any judicial ques-
ton pending before him.
II. That the elections in each State for
federal and State officers shall be free, and
in NO wise subject to military interference
On the part Of the federal government.
The abolition of slavery, the extension
of civil and political rights to those
emancipated, the supremacy of the ma
tional government, and the perpetuity of
the American Union are the logical Sc
quences of the war, and yet no reasoning
power under ''the constitution as it was"
could enforce them. It was found abso-
lutely necessary to add to the constitu-
ton and pass additional laws in order
that the results of the war could be en-
forced. What the majority Of the people
contended for when an appeal was made
to arms was sustained by the valiant SOL
diers Of the Union, and what Repub-
ican administration felt constrained to
do to assist those soldiers in fighting the
battles of freedom was afterward repeat
eddy ratified at the ballot box. In the
Presidential contest, which ended in the
triumphant reelection of Mr.. Lincoln,
the conduct of his administration and the
prosecution of the war we're fully sus-
tanned.
The sudden and violent death of Mr..
Lincoln soon after this and Immediately
after the military arm of the rebellion had
been crushed, gave the country bitter
taste of what was to follow. The Demo-
cratic party was thirsting for power, and
having given its sympathy to the slave
party in its efforts against q Republican
and the Union, it now
made desperate effort to regain posses
sion of the government through the aid Of
Andrew johnson and ''my policy" The
idea was to rush the States that had
to be out of the Union, by with
their representatives from Con-
gress, back into the same condition that
the commencement of the rebellion found
them. Thus situated, the rebel States
would have at once been placed in con-
dition to be the controlling power of the
country, for the Democratic party was
ready and anxious to act with the men of
the South who had plunged the country
into a cruel and desolating war. In this
case 1.-THE logical sequences of the war"
would never have been realized. A Dem
ocratic administration would have fol-
lowed the close of the war, the death of
Mr.. Lincoln, and the accession of
Andrew johnson to the Presidency. And
in such an unfortunate event as that the
country would have been compelled, at
no distant day, to pass through another
war to ascertain whether its government
elected by the people, had power to pro-
Eect its integrity; had power to prevent
he country from being torn by factions
md rent assunder by rebellion. But the
good sense of the people and their faith
n Republican principles led them to
'tand by the compression al mode of ad-
hitting the delinquent States to their
ormer status in the Union. And SO strong
we're the people in this belief that they
made Congress sufficiently strong to over
'ome the veto power of the President.
The reconstruction laws were strenuously
opposed by President johnson, but two
birds vote in the Legislative branch Of the
government efectually checked the power
# the President, and prevented his being
# any service to the Democratic party.
The constitutional amendments and the
laws passed, the Democrats |
determined to resort to violence to pre- |
'ent the success of the Republicans in
he presidential contest of 1868. Louis |
ana was prevented from casting her vote.
reign of terror pervaded the whole |
State, and blood flowed freely in this
;ity-the consequence of partisan vio-
ence. The same state Of things existed |
elsewhere, and prevented men from exer-
Using the right of suffrage. TWAS found
70 be useless to depend on local authority |
TO remedy this sad state of affairs, to |
Arrest and bring to justice the bands of |
political desFeradoes who conspired to
prevent Republicans from voting. Where
he authorities were disposed to do it,