New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1872-12-18
iCommuuicated.j
THE POLITICAL DUTIES or THE
HOUR.

| EDITOR REPUBLICAN,:
In this somewhat important crisis in very
much that relates to the prosperity Of tie
people OF Louisiana, it becomes d matter
OF perhaps vital Importance for each and
every citizen to endeavor to ascertain and
ask himself the question: In which direc-
| ton ought my influence and moral support
be cast! Dees the white-winged messenger
Of peace and law and order beckon us OF to
higher degree of general prosperity than we
have recently enjoyed, by placing ourselves
IN sympathy and accord with the federal
administration, or are our interests best
subserved by placing ourselves in hostil-
ity thereto! Though you paint an inch
thick, to this complexion it must come at
last For this is the question and this is
the issue now before the people Of this
State, and in fact every Southern State.
Recent events, growing ous Of ithesjde,
cision Of a judge Of the United States Cir
cult Court in regard 70 the conduct of the
November election in this State, seem to be
the signal, on the part Of the Democratic
press Of this cjtye for nct only d general
vituperation and abuse of the judge,
but Of the national administration gener.
ally. What though the decision be ii ac-
cord with the rule Of evidence and the con
stitution and laws Of the United States,
still many are ready TO exclaim: . II is un.
constitutional and in violence Of our cher
ished dogma of State rights, and we will
not tolerate it, One would think, to hear
: 20 f1arTav+ -,,.,,, -,
thatw were again in the midst of the red sea
Of secession and rebellion. Ga, out upon |
such false philosophy: We are all now |
living under recen: articles Of amendment
to the constitution of the United States, |
which, though they do not materially
abridge the rights OF citizens of the several
States to enact such laws as they shall deem
best Cor the interests Of all the people OF
each State, provided tlrey do not con
tict with the !aNs ~ the United
States, still these amendments have. in
a great measure, abroyated and wiped
out the old regime Of the States rights doe
trine, in at least 50 far as the rights Of citi-
zens to vote ami have sheir votes rightly
counted is concerned. We do not think
that even the Times will deny that in many
parishes of this State especially in East
Baton Rouge) very many Of the col
Ored citizens and voters were denied and
deprived Of the privilege Of registration,
If they do, we can produce the evidenced.
Conceding that they We're debarred from
voting. what becomes the duty Of the United
States in the premises, in lew OF the tact
hat the fifteenth amendment says, "that
he rights of citizens Of the United States to
7ote shall not be denied or abridged by tile
United States or by any State on account
4, etc! Why plainly it is, that there is =
way provided, and that way is through a
process in the United States District Court
or the State Of Louisiana. That process
Tas availed OF by Senator Kellogg. simply
,ecause it was his bounden duty to do so: he
lad traversed every parish Of the State in
us recent canvass, and as these facts came
oefore him in multiplied evidence. lie was
4 honor bound, in justice TO the constitu-
ncy that had voted for him. and others :
hat had been GUbarrcd from voting. 10 be. '
ONE the main party in the process before i
he United States District Court to see to it G
hat those rights were protected. He did j
0 this according 80 regular form .: law j
nd Of the statutes il such cases hadc and I
rovided, and for this and for the decision I
rowing out of if. the government Of the
'nited States is again assaiIed by the Nc Il
merry party very much as it was in 1861
nd 1862. Oh lie on such proceedings they -
elong to past age, and are not in accord a
ith the cause Of right and progress. There o
no reason why Louisiana should not q q
gain be one Of the brightest stars i'll the h
outhern constellation, and all her people Ia
prosperous and happy; but this result Q,
n only and best be attained by placing =
lrselves in full sympathy ana accord with Al
e general government, and by full and 81
mplete respect not only for its constitu- II
N and laws. but also for its judicial de- u
ees regularly promulgated through its b,
1eral courts. NOOLSET al
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