New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1872-02-09
A CAUSE FOR AsTONIsHMENT.


ministration of affairs in Louisiana, he
only expressed an opinion that thousands
of other people entertain in common with
himself. 1t is matter that ought to ex-
cite universal establishment, and We have
no doubt that it does command that SEN
timent even from those who attempt to
deride its open expression.
Two attempts were made to secure the
readmission of the State of Louisiana into
the federal Union previous to 1868, both
Of which failed because Congress distrust-
ed the movers in these efforts. The third
attempt, in which Governor Warmoth par
ticipated, succeeded, because it ignored
every other issue than fair and honest
compliance with the requirements Of the
situation. First, the people of the State
We're honestly dealt with; secondly, the
laws of Congress were honestly subscribed
to; thirdly, the political equality ofall men
was honestly acknowledged. No interests
but those Of the community, in its separate
and relative capacities, were consulted.
What belonged to Caesar was rendered to
Caesar Individual aims and selfish pur-
poses were rigidly excluded from the
movement which had for its object the re-
Mobilization of Louisiana in her position
as sister State of the reconstructed Union.
This singleness of purpose secured the
confidence of Congress, and resulted IN the
immediate acceptance Of the returned COM
munity. This was the first establishment.
The State government was organized to
achieve at home the same victory that had
been won at Washington. The people
who had been astonished at the acquies-
cence of Congress in the return OF Loulsl-
ana to the Union upon an equality with
the other States, next expected that the
government, which had thus been organ
lied without their assistance, would soon
fall to pieces in the face of their contempt
and hatred They lavished all sorts of
hard names upon it, refused to sanction it,
laughed at its elements, deied its power.
They declined to pay taxes, mobbed the
revenue officers, killed some Of its friends
and put others in peril, scorned to read
the laws that were to govern them, emil
grated to foreign shores, discharged labor
ers who would not think as they thought,
called on Heaven to witness the outrage
that was being committed against its de-
crees, and swore that they would never
abide by such monstrosity as that which
federal bayonets had set up as travestie
on republican governments. We are
merely describing affairs as they existed
only three years ago.
The State, nevertheless, organized its
and set about the work Of con-
ending with portion of its own citizens
Is it had contended with suspicion in
Congress. Riotous proceedings were firmly |
oppressed, disorderly suggestions were
mildly rebuked, schools were literally dis
ributed where none had existed before, |
md encouraged, factiousness was met by |
,ersuasions to peace and good will, the |
evenues were collected, and men were |
aught that Republicanism neither meant
oppression nor social degradation. The |
people were persuaded to disregard the
iolent men who sought to abuse them
With prophesies of imaginary evils. Their
ttention was called to actual facts, and
he reports of wicked men were disproved
" the realities that were within their own
The government that had
zen suspected of an intention to degrade
hem convinced them that it had no such
esign, bat rather intended to elevate the
lass by raising a portion Of its elements
, higher plane Of existence.
The effect is seen In the altered condi-
on of affairs that surrounds us to-day
,om that which existed only few short
lonths ago. When Congress sent an in
estigating committee to this city three
ears ago, its members were rejected bva
Irge portion Of the people from all social
They were derided as the
nissaries of despotisn, and to hold COM
lunion with them was considered de-
To-day similar committee is
Gated with the utmost respect, and the
1thority of the nation which has hitherto
zen reviled as the author of all sorts of
ovelties in despotism, is now patronized
the main hope Of the very people who
1t recently refused to speak of it in any
her terms than those of contempt
More than this, that spirit of prejudice
nich existed toward the E9red people
IS given way, and the class that once |
reatened to exist in continual array E
,ainst each other, have so far forgiven t
I'd forgotten their apprehensions and an i
pathies that political alliances now exist
tween them of the fondest description.
i the opinions and protestations that t
ere recorded by the Democrats in their c
cret lodges, have been torn up and de-
royed from sight; and the drift Of public c
ntiment is to the fullest recognition Of
e rights Of the colored people. At least
oh are the open declarations of the men i
no once swore never to accept Of negroes T
the political equal Of white men. a
Now, considering the beginning of the t
and tracing its policy and +
) efforts down to the present day, We t
bmit the question if the results that c
We been achieved in three years are not t