New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1872-11-14
TIE SITUATION,

az the late election progresses toward
close. Che interest in the result becomes
intensified 20 q degree thas threatens to
end in q disruption Of the public peace.
The contest between the candidates FOR
State Offices on the two tickets is 60 close
that il is believed 20 be an easy mater 70
turn sle scale either way. In oug Judg-
nent. founded upon the best information
we have been able 90 obtain. Tie Repub'
leans have fairly carried che State. and
such will appear by che oficia! canvass u
the reported irregularities IN several OF
the parishes are corrected by the returning
board. But it appears that tie board, as
| constituted according 20 law or majority
| q the members qualified 70 sit, have e.
pressed & determination to discharge ?he1T
duties with rigid irnpartiahty and deter
mination 20 carry out the will Of the
legaI voters. TO this end and n purs1'
| ance q Ghe authority conferred by the
federal law. every voter who has been de-
priyed q his franchise through the fault
Of the agents Of the State will be permitted
vet 20 vote upon making the proper affi'
dayit. Bu: i: appears that this wise, just,
equitable and legal course will not suit
the :usioatsts. They have demanded the
disruption OF the board. and the virtual
appointment Of o new one. 20 be come
posed 81 members who will disregard the
provisions Of the federal law and accept
the returns as reported by the supervisors.
The work .! complying with this demand
was begun Yesterday, but was 0nexpec:"
edly Distracted by the drmness with
which Messrs. Heron and Lynch resisted
any Hnc!oac hments upon their duties as
officers Of the board. Not being able,
howeveP, 20 accomplish any good sesult
when opposed by the Governor. they re-
tired for the present, and have applied 70
the Eighth District Court for judicial soiu'
ton Of the questions IN dispute. Attorney
General Belden will to-day appear upon the
scene, armed With the intrusion ace, 20 in"
quire into the claims Of Messrs. Wharton,
Hatch and Da Ponte 20 be members Of che
board, and unless they can show better
cause shan we believe shey have, they
will be quietly and promptly retired.
We do not share in the apprehension en-
tertained by many thar yesterdays coup
dstat Q! the susionists will lead 70 @ con
fice Of authority between che State and
federal powers which will bring about 9
trial Of physical force. For however dis
posed the Democrats may be 70 put down
the Republicans at any and all hazards,
and rob them of their victory az the polls,
we feel sure that the Governor will submit
to the laws he has himself assisted to
make, and the decision Of the tribunals
established for their Interpretation and
enforcement. Any attempt by anybody
to forcibly resist the laws viii natu-
rally provoke conflict less doubtful
as to the result than the one in
which the whole South ATTEMPTED to
defy the power of the Union. But while
the result would not be doubtful the con
sequences Of a tumult would be exceed
ingly disastrous to our local interests.
Martial law would doubtless be declared,
and the whole State taken into national
military custody. 4 provisional Governor
would be appointed by the President, who
would be charged with the duty Of count
ing the votes over which the contest now
is, if possible; and if not, to order new
election. For We may safely assume that
there is a fixed determination that the Re
publicans shall have fair play We hope
to be able to obtain it from our own chosen
officers, without being compelled to appeal
to The higher power.