New Orleans Republican., 1873-07-13
From the Republic.l
LOUISIANA.

endeavored to set forth, as distinctly and
impartially as possible, the political condi-
ton of the State of Louisiana. and we are
gratifed to find that our represen tatioH OF
the case has been so generally accepted as
fair and Just.
In treating of this subject we fully re-
cognize its vast Importance to the people OF
the State in question, to the nation itself.
and to each individual citizen. Undoubtedly
the principles involved are fundamental to
the very existence Of our republican system.
Ifout of this controversy shall come clearer
perception Of the nature of our government
and more hearty attachment TO it by all
the people. this will prove good measure
of compensation for the evils that have
arisen.
In this view. while we fee! the difficulty
and the delicacy of suggesting remedies in
the given state OF circumstances, we are
yet decidedly OF opinion that the subject
should not be ignored in the present june.
ture, but that it ought to be discussed and
set before the people in ali frankness and
candor. and with all the light Of experience
and reason which can be brought to bear
upon it. Conce;ving such task to be in
the direct line OF the objects and aims OF
the Republic, we shall undertake it, sus
tanned by the consciousness that we are not
engaged in mere philosophical or political
d
teal benefit, and that our labor is devoted
to the public welfare.
THE CASE UNPRECEDENTED
The state of affairs in Louisiana is novel
and extraordinary. Nothing of like char
acter and to like extent has before occurred
in any other State. The condition of Rhode
Island in 1874 and 1912 presents some
phases approaching to resemblance in
some general respects. In that State there
existed two organized State governments
each claiming exclusive State authority,
and, of course, in deadly conflict. One
claimed unde: British charter, which the
people had never adopted. but which had
been held by sutirauce in the State long
after the royal parchment had become a
dead letter. The other claimed authority by
virtue OF the popular action in the State.
A very large ma ority of the whole people
of Rhode Island had, in the exercise of
their inalienahle sovereignty conferred
upon the latter the administration OF the
State government: and had by the same act
powers from the former. But this move
ment Of the people against the charter gov
ernment in Rhode Island was regarded by
the functionaries OF thao government as
seditious and revolutionary, and the Gov.
ernor king representing the proscriptive
government, in the midst of the disorder
and violence incident to the controversy,
called upon the federal executive tor aid in
suppressing the opposition.
In this emergency President Tyler did
one Of the most sensible things OF his whole
public career: Previous to. sending. the
troops asked for by the Governor, private
him, under date Of March 9, 1912. In this
letter the President recommends that a
new convention of the people should be
called. "to settle existing troubles and diff
culties." And he continues: "Why should
not this be done. A government never
loses anything by mildness and fOrbearance
toward Its own citizens, more especially
when the conseG uences of an opposite
course may be the shedding of b,oo. :"
I'm your case" he says "the one-half
of your people are in, Owed in the COL,
:9uences OF reoen7 proceedings. Why
urge matters to an extremity! If you
succeed by the bayonet you succeed against
your own fellow-citizens, and by the she'd
ding Of Blood whereas, by taking the cp
posite course, you will have shown pater-
nal care for the lives OF your people,"
"My own opinion is he continues, that
the adoption of the above measures will
tend to give you peace and insure harmony.
A resort to force, on the contrary. will en-
gender for years to come feelings of ami
mostly
These counsels, however. went UNDECIDED,
and civil war was inaugurated. 1t then be-
came the duty of the President to furnish
troops in support OF the charter govern
ment against the known will and wishes Of
a majority OF the people of Rhode Island.
Thus, By the aid OF the federal government,
the popular will was defeated, the govern
ment of the people was destroyed, and Mr..
l.. DOrr. their chosen leader, was
convicted OF high treason and sentenced to
tor life.
But the reaction il favor of the rights
and liberties OF t!a people was sure to
come. Tie Legislatures of New Hamp.
shire, Connecticut and other neighboring
States passed resolutions of sympathy in
his behalf and of condemnation OF his sen
tence and Imprisonment. After a years
confinement he was hardened out and the
Legislature OF Rhode Island subsequently,
IN i355, tooi1 decisive action annuling all
the proceedings a einst him. restoring full
y his civil rights and re;nstating him IN
the estimation and good opinion OF the
whole country. lie lived 10 see his State
placed under liberal constitution and his
political party completely triumphant.
Such and SO general was the rebuke adj
to the atle1npA bot that day, even
lnder the form OF law. to thwart and set
aside the popular VII. For the time being,
indeed, the attempt succeeded, and sue.
,eeded Dy the direct aid of federal in
erposition. But even though this were
10 no one, il is believed. has ever ventured
% accuse the federal executive of any un-
awful or unconstitutional interference in
hat case. There was nothing eft but this,
lnder the peculiar circumstances then
existing, although .he President was called
ipOn to support state government in
ahOde Island which was known to be
obnoxious to large majority of its Cit
;ens-a government Oy whose rovai charter
he appor5;Onment OF representation in the
legislature was greatly al variance with
he distribution OF the population. the elec-
i've franchise was limited to The holders of
certain amount Of real estate. and TO their
ldest sons. and by which, consequently,
about two-thrds Of all the citizens of the
state were entirely disfrancl.ised.
The case o. Rhode Island. although differ
ng almost totally from that of Louisiana in
he origin of the controversy, still serves to
how that after all, the Oni' etfectua! rem
II for the redress Of grievances is through
he action OF the people themselves. Bear.
NC in mind this single principle. which lies
II the foundation OF all systems OF popular
government, let Us inquire further as TO the
question of federal and State relations.
The existence OF our political system is
dependent on the preservation of the rela-
ions suhsisting between the federal and
state governments az defined in the consti-
ution. Any departure from these wise and
veil considered provisions. on the cDe side
n on the otiier. must be detrimental to the
epublic. This vita! point has been sedu-
ously guarded and Increasingly incUlcated
y all the best writers and mosr eminent
tatesmen o! the country throughout our
n-ire political history. If there is any one
,rinciple which ought by this time to he
learly understood and firmly established,
t il Is the principle OF the federal and State
citations. Ii ia essential 20 proper view
# the congle. SYSTEM. that the people
hould know alike .he positive nature of
he teLeral and Stat. ynyeIulueuts and tie