Rapides gazette. (Alexandria, La.) 1869-187?, 1872-12-07
Testing the Work.

The interest that has been excited
In the Northern States in the great
trial now pending before Judge Durell
does not arise SO much from any SYM
pathy with either Governor WarmOtk
or Senator Kellogg as from the con.
victiOn that the reconstruction laws
are on trial. The fifteenth amend
ment was adopted to secure a certain
purpose, the achievement of which has
been resolved u;,On, and will be per-
sistently urged. This purpose was to
place in the hands of the colored peO-
pie of the South the means to defend
their own rights and interests against
local expressions. They were admitted
to the right to assist in the election of
their rulers, anc anything that can de-
feat that intent will nullify or render
imperative the reconstruction laws.
For instance, if State is permitted to
complicate the process of voting in
such manner that only the expert,
the dexterOus and the acute can COM
ply with the complex provisions of the
law, it would virtually amount to a
denial of the rights of citizenship to
all who are not SD highly favored. If
irresponsible agents of State, who
look more to white public opinion than
to the laws for instructions in their
duties can he permitted to throw out
what ballots they please and substi-
tute such as they please, the actual
right OF decision is vested in them,
and the prior popular action is render
ed vain thing. A vote is of no use
to man unless it is honestly connt-
ed, and to give him the right to put it
into y ballot box, and at the same
time to another the right to withdraw
1t, or refuse to count it, is to vex his
ear with vain promise. The fifteenth
amendment means something more
than this. 1t means that the negro
shall have the right to vote, and his
vote counted. 1t directs Congress to
see that this intent is carried out. That
high authority, in its turn, has exer-
cised its wisdom in the adoption of
what it believes the necessary rules
and directed its judges, district attor-
neys, marshals, commissioners and all
its agents to enforce them to the end
that no man shall be cheated or trick
ed out of his vote. The amendment
RENTS the whole matter of carrying
out its mandate to the discretion OF
Congress. 1t is not competent for the
courts to inquire into the manner in
which that discretion has been EN-.
plOyef. If it shall be found that a
duty has been imposed upon Congress,
1t must be left to that body to adopt
the appropriate means for dischareing
it. Thus, the people of the United
States have acted, Congress has re.
SpOhded to the demand made upon it,
and it now remains for the federal
courts to determine whether they have
done the work well, OF whether 1t has
all to be done over again. Whether
the charge committed to them to pro
tect voters has received the proper
sanction, or whether they are still
helpless until the whole political fabric
of the United States is pulled down
and built up again with the point in
dispute incorporated as the leading
idea.
We hope and believe the statutes
will be found sufficiently cl, ar as they
are without the necessity of sending
the question again before Congress fol
revision. That the Legislative work in
the plan of reconstruction has beer
well done, and that nothing remain,
but for the agents charged with en-
forcing the laws to do their duty
IN. o. Republican.