The Opelousas courier. [volume] (Opelousas, La.) 1852-1910, 1871-12-02
The War Upon the Carp et-
Bag-gers.

Although we assumed it to I've the case
in our article of yesterday, it does not
follow that because President Grant and
his advisers have l,een digesting the
ku- klux law, that their real intention is
to employ its powers in the cause of
reform in the Southern States. There
is too mucl, ground for believing that
their motive is mainly partisan, aud the
end in view the crushing out of all op-
position to General Grants reelection.
None of our readers would construe our
remarks on this subject as intended to
piece of legislation rs the ku-klux law,
it's use for any such purpose as the
election of any man to Office. We have
never had but one opinion of that extra
ordinary and unprecedented statute. Its
entire Inconsistency aud incompatibility
with the provisions of the Federal Con-
stitution and republican doctrines would
prevent our being reconciled to the EN-
ployment of powers so dangerous to the
people. Tt is unquestionably revolu-
tiorary in it's character. But when ones
house is ON fire he is not very particular
as to the means employed for it's ex-
tinguishment, and it is only in this sense
that we could witness with satisfaction,
Federal interposition under the ku- Klux
law, in our State affairs. We may prop
erly aud without violence to the princi-
plies we hold, encourage President Grant
to use all the powers he possesses for
the benefit of oppressed communities,
our ewn in particular. If lie is sincere
and can put stop to the ruinoua gov
ernment under which We have been liv-
ing we know of no reason why We should
reject his aid. But, then, if he inter-
feres in our local affairs, it should be
solely with the view Of restoring to the
people of the State the control of their
own concerns and not for the further
| ance of party interests. Without pla
cling too much confidence in the good in
tentions of the Radical leaders, there
may not come any harm to us by assu-
ming that they have at last come tothe
conclusion shat it is for the interest of
! their own party that the reign of corrup-
ton should be speedily closed. There
are oatgivings by prominent men of the
Republican party to that effect. They
admit now, because they cannot deny
the widespread decentralization conse-
quent upon the defalcations and robber-
leB GOHAEHlttSN Uy OlAC6-nDtU6ES OI tn6lr
appointment. Wendell Phillips, great
light among them, asserted in a late
speech that ''in one-half of the States
there is no republic" Who is response
BILE for it? We take it for granted he
would mot accuse the Democrats Of the
country of bringing about such a state
Of things. When men welding such an
influence, make confession Of wrong do
ing, there may be some hope of their al
90 discovering the proper remedy. That
remedy is not by o continuance Of the
wrong and we would fain trust that the
purpose of these leaders now that they
are convinced of the mischief which
has been done, and Of the peril Of the
country that their measures have been
taken with an honest intention to effec-
tnate reform. These measures must be
comprehensive in their scope and states
manlike In their character il their authors
desire to obtain the confidence of tho
people. N. O. Bee, Nop. 5th.