The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1872-04-24
The First Law of Nature

they are the source of all power, an
that they never cease to exercise
controlling influence in the admin.
tration of the public affairs. If the
neglect the duties incumbent ON the,
as citizens and relax in their vi.iIapc
over public liberty, a failure of til
system of government necessarily re
suits. Republican Government is syn
onymous with representative Govern
ment and implies responsibility G
public officials to the people. Thes
officials cannot throw off that respon
sibility or make themselves indepen
dent OF the community whose servant
they are, if the people of that commu
nifty are true to themselves. To
certain extent, then, it is true tina
whatever government is suffered +,
exist, at all events in country rule.
under the Republican system, must b,
fair representation of the people, ant
suited to their habits, manners, want
and condition. Republican Govern
ment also implies that the people VIII,
have established it have the jnheren,
right to defend themselves against all
corners be they enemies either foreign
or domestic. They have the right tc
defend themselves especially against
those OF the community who would
usurP power and prevent the laws and
the machinery of the government to
the enslavement of the people. If
force be necessary in defending their
rights it is entirely lawful to use force
but only achen oil other means fail
This right is founded upon the duty Of
self preservation, which is the first law
of nature, as all the philosophical wri-
tiers and commentators upon the laws
tell us. The rule laid down, on tha
subject of self defense by the writer's
on criminal law may be safely followed
by the people in Republican Govern.
ment in taking measures for the pro-
lection of their liberties. They should
employ only such means as are abso-
lutely necessary and at the time when
they become absolutely necessary.-
Government ought not to be resisted
on every occasion, which may seem to
some persons just occasion. There
should be sufficient provocation be-
fore an organized resistance is made.
bnt when there is such provocation
it is not only the right but the bound
en- duty of the people to refuse submits
sion. We do not say that the people
should wait until they are driven TO
the wall, but only that forbearance
should be practiced until it ceases to
be virtue. 1t is justifable to defend
our dwellings against the thief and the
robber even by taking their lives
The law does not require us to wait
until they have accomplished their
purpose. The moment they have man
lfested their purpose to steal and rob.
and we have reasonable apprehensions
OF danger, it isjustifable to resist even
to tue death. No rule of law or morals
requires that we should parley with
the burglar or the highwayman. We
perform public service in putting an
end to their lives when we
cannot by lawful methods put period ,
to their depradations. The Constitu .
ton of the United States recognizes s
the right of the citizen to bear arms ,
For what purpose Not for ornament. +
certainly. q
These propositions we do not snp- c
pose any one will dispute. They are 9
introductory to a few observations we It
nave to make in reply to an article Y
which appeared in the Times of Sun p
aay, wherein that journal expressed its =
disapprobation of a movement which
has been organized by a number of our
most influential citizens, looking to '
orcle!e resistance Of the excessive and t.
ntoiefaole lmpositions which our pre- o
'eht State government has laid upon ft
Is IN the shape of taxes and licenses g
u Is the calm Judgment of many iudi- '
'ious members of the community that m
nefe can be no solution of our present 0
''mcultles except by the use of force. p'
''r rulers themselves have set the ex- tt
hple OF force and have shown us that in
hey anticipate the necessity of en- a
ioylng 1t In the execution of their un- de
odions and oppressive to
sw. The Metropolitan Police of this OF
ny a band of janissaries organized by tie
Governor Warmoth and his accompli- til
Is IN the Government, for the express so
irpose of overaweing the people and 70
nttlng down resistance to his rule, are We
ally drilled in the use of the musket tn
nd the cannon. They have already to
cen marshalled as soldiers against the Ell
'ople OF this city when the latter af
'asht to overthrow the power of Gov ha
NOR Warmoth. And yet the Times tn
MS US that we may not employ force TIN
the defense of our liberties against as
lis nsnrper, because it is "utterly i'm / r
'ac'ieable even if it were right on
"e Hmes says military organiza- no
0ns ior such purposes as these citi- th'
nx,n