New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1872-03-08
STATE RIGHTS

throughout GreSldent GfanJ aQmlnlSlfa-
ton to ignore the rights Of States COM
posing the American Union. This is just
as wrong as the disposition Of the States
Rights party before and during the late
civil war, to ignore the rights and author
ity Of the federal government. The war
rendered concentration Of power neces-
sary for the suppression Of rebellion; but
the people Of this country, in granting
this power never intended it to be used
for the subversion of State rights guaran
teed by the constitution of the United
States. 1t is true the federal government,
in making war against the States that
claimed the right to secede from its au
thority, used force to bring them back to
their allegiance, and until they could be
properly reconstructed and placed in pos
session of their forfeited rights, held
them as conquered States; held them by
military force, and they were ruled
by military authority. This was the
result of war waged by certain States
against the national government. The
gage of battle was forced upon the supreme
government and large majority Of the
people of this country who were opposed
to the disruption of the Union; and if the
States that were in rebellion suffered
temporary loss of their rights under the
constitution, it was because they had en-
deavored to nullify the laws, and for the
time being placed themselves beyond the
pale OF civil lew. This was right enough
in the time of war, and until civil rule
could be properly restored. Congress has
restored the rebellious States to the posi-
tons they occupied before the war, and
the true policy Of the national administra
ton is to leave them free to manage their
Own civil and political affairs to suit
themselves. We regret to say this policy
does not seem to meet the appreciation Of
President Grant, if he is to be held re-
sponsible for the actions of federal Off
Gals in this and other States of the Union.
Obnoxious interference in the local
affairs of States by federal officials is be-
coming dangerous evil, because it en-
courages and gives prospect Of a strong
Capitalization Of political power secured
by military aid. We shall speak more
particularly of this State, because the
growing evil comes more directly home 10
us here. Louisiana, under President
Grants administration, has been cursed
with q meddlesome set of federal officials
who have done their level best to destroy
the prospects of the Republican party in
this State, and overthrow a Republican
State government. To accomplish this
purpose they have coalesced with the most
dangerous and unprincipled element of
the Democratic party, and have used other
means to secure political success totally at
variance with Republican customs and
principles Collector Casey. United States
Marshal Packard, Postmaster Lowell,
United States Assessor Joubert and
other federal officials in this city
have long been engaged i'll this work
of bringing about 'disunion in the Repub-
lican ranks in order that they might con-
troll, through Democratic aid, the political
power of this State. They have even gone
so far as to prostitute the Customhouse
for political purposes in calling political
convention to be held there, and causing
United States troops to be present to assist
them in defeating the wishes of the Re-
publican voters of this State In doing these
things they not only struck blow at the
Republican party Of Louisiana, but at the
great national Republican party of the
United States, and President Grant HIM
self, if he is to be the candidate of that
party for reelection. And yet the Pres
ident hesitates to remove the federal
officials who have fagrantly abused
the power and patronage Of their
official positions, although his at
tention has been repeatedly drawn to their
conduct, and he has been notified that it
is the wish Of the great majority of the
Republicans Of this State that be should
do so. The removal Of the men from
federal positions who are engaged in dis
rupting the Republican party, and the ap-
polntment OF popular, representative men
of that party, could not fail to have most
beneficial effect in healing up its divisions
Ia that case victory would be certain to
perch upon the banners Of Republicanism
in this State in 1872. But President
Grant still hesitates to do what the Repub-
licars of this State have warned him is
necessary to be done in order to insure the
State for the Republican Presidential can
didate next fail. By removing these men.
Grant will remove the stain of their conduct
i'll striking at State rights has fixed upon
his administration, and deprive his po-
ltical enemies Of the benefit thereof in
the coming contest Will he do It?
Notwithstanding the long list of names
to the call, We are assured that only
twenty-seven persons could be got to
''sign the pledge" at the Tenth Ward
meeting on Wednesday night. The re-
Of the gathering did not seem
convinced that they could yet better their
condition by deserving the old organiza-
tons. If any man yet possesses nerve