The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1873-01-29
28} ALEXANDRIA, LA, WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 49, 1873 mo rs
mo. Is,
Observation-Disclosures.

A little while ago we had two 1egisia-
lures in session at Montgomery, one Or
raniZed by the Democrats, with all the
prima f,cia conditions Of regularity. call
ed together in tue usual place, by the us"
nal officers, and composed entirely of mem.
bers who held the regular certificates of
election; the other assembled in the con't
house, by Republicans who believed that
The Democrats meant to deprive them Of
certain seats (eisht in number) to which
they contested the returns. Both parties
asked for the intervention of the Federal
Government. But Grant very properly
refused to interfere. Finally, at the suS-
"estiou of one of his cabinet officers, q
compromise was arrived at, each yielding
something. and the administration of the
| State returned to it's ordinary channel.
In Louisiana we are also threatened
with rival Legislatures. There are two
sets Of men, each holding certificates from
what purports to he legal Returning
Board, there are two Governors, each
claiming to be elected by the people, and
also 10 hold proper certificate. One OF
these Legislatures, however, and one Of
these Governors, have received in ad-
| vance the sanction Of the national Execu-
tive and tile unconditional support of the
army. The Government of Louisiana has
by this preference been lodged in the
hands of Mr. Pinchback. who holds no Of
fee whatever from the people, being mere.
Nv State Senator whose term has expired
Mr. Pinchback issues a proclamation to the
effect that no persons claiming to be leg
islators. except those belonging to the
Kellogg faction. shall be permitted even
10 assemble. 70 provide for this case the
Kellogg Legislature recently made it q
misdemeanOr for any ten or more persons
unl;,winlly to assemble s'for any unlawful
purpose, with the intent to disturb the
pnblic peace OF to cause public disturb
ance.' Under this elastic law, Mr. Pinct-
back declares that mo pretended General
i Assembly shall convene because it's do
lug so would tend to disturb the public
neace. The ''folled and defeated leaders
OF minority" he says, care revolntionists
and guilty of treason against the State,
and are dstnrbers of the public peace,
and must be dealt with Us SUCH" Where
for. the Federal troops are TO be called in,
land il the McEnery Legislature attempt
to 90 through the form Of organization, it
shall be dispersed at the point Of the bay
onet.
! Now will not tile President show the
same impartiality at New Orleans that he
exhibited at Montgomery 1t is we'll uu-
Fderstood that the McEnery Legislature
metlitates no disturbance of the peace. no
forcible resistance to the authorities who
hold the reins of power. 1t looks to Con-
gress for the restoration of what it de-
clares TO he it's right. 1t believes, or pro-
fesses to believe, that an organization pro
ltoraa is an important preliminary to tho
prosecution Of it's claims So long as it
shows disposition to conduct itself quiet
I1y and orderly, it ought to be protected;
and the President should disregard Mr..
Piuchback's ligh-souuding nonsense about
treason and revolution. We shall await
the news of to-day's occurrences in New
Orleans with anxiety; it will tell us wheth-
or there really is such thing as a free
ipopnlar government there, or whether the
Slate is 10 be ruled entirely at the discre-
ton of the President. The people will
not be satisfied if law is meted out with
Que measure to Kellogg aud McEnery, and
with another to Alabama II New York
Tribune.