New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1872-12-10
D E. T, DURELL.

no better proof OF the wisdom ana
craftsmanship of the enforcement law
could possibly have occurred than the
painful necessity which has just arisen in
our own St4te for its execution. That
such an occasion should have found the
| bench of the United States Circuit Court
filed by a clear headed and firm hearted
man, is a cause Of seIf-gratuIation to every
good citizen. Under the, specious name
Of reform, but in reality with q view Of
wrestling the political power Of the State
from those to whom it rightfully belongs,
the majority being of a class whose lack of
political experience seemed to encourage
such a project, a conspiracy has been
Matching for a year past, which no power
short of that welded by the United States
government would be strong enough to
defeat; and to which even that
would not be equal, were a
weak, dull or corrupt man in Judge
Durells place. For, against weakness has
been arrayed the strength of that element
in our midst which before the war monop-
olized political power, during the wal
made political sentiment, and since the
war has struggled necessarily to regain its
former influence; against dullness, the
keenest of legal acumen, sharpened to
even more than its ordinary penetration
by the friction of self-.nterest; and against
v~enaIity q prodigality Of corruption N
equaled save in the case Of the desperate
political gamester who risks his all to save
himself from ruin. All these forces, how
ever, though welded by a spirit of IN
paralleled audacity, have been powerless
against one who, to intrepid stability
unites a legal sagacity fully equal to
that of the brightest among the counsel
for the conspirators, and a majesti tic in
compatibility which has disarmed them of
their heaviest weapon. They dared not
even attempt its use.
In making the accusation of an intimi-
dalton, we do not mean a direct attempt,
but that mean, underhand method of egg
ing on the desperate and irresponsible,
and Of calling attention to the danger of
assassination or mob violence, which at
tains its object without risk to the meters.
This would not be the first time in our his
tory that people too respectable" to en-
gage personally in acts of outrage or as
sault, have been known in seasons of pub
lie excitement to incIte others to them, to
rejoice in their performance, and to plead
n extenuation the hypocritical pretense
that ''the boys were uncomfortable"
All danger Of this sort is now, we be
lieve, happily over; the power Of the Uni
ted States to enforce the DEGREES of its
courts is acknowledged to be sufficient
even by those who would fain oppose it.
Howls of rage and modification on the
part of the bafled p~lotters against the
will Of tie majority take the Place of the
premature shouts of triumph which so re-
Gently resounded through the columns Of
their organs; and the tone alternately ca
joling and bullying by which they sought
to influence the decision Of the
United States court has been changed to
Il Of bitter censure and low personal
abuse. Their abuse, however, is as impo-
tent to move the imperturbability of him
at whom it Is aimed as their cajoleries and
i~ntimidaticns we're to affect his decision.
Placed by character and position far above
the reach Of private or partisan influences,
Judge Durell sits as the exponent Of the
law; exercising his right to maintain its
authority in a spirit of lofty Indifference to
consequences. compared to which mere
courage sinks into insignifcance. Storms
Of vituperation from the defeated conspira-
tors, foiled by his action, beat about his
head in vain; threats of assassination have
had no power to move his iron resolution;
showers Of filth from that powerful engine
of injustice, the partisan press, fall harm
lessly from his ermine robe, leaving it
still the spotless emblem of judicial puri-
ty, Responsible to himself, his country
and his God, he heeds not the clamor of
the hour, confident that when the tumult
shall be over his course in this critical
point in the destinies of Louisiana will be
justified by the verdict of impartia! his.
tory