The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1873-03-19


mlttee OF the United States Senate, was
basea on Che assumption that there ex-'
listed de ,tacto government in Lonisi-
ana, separate and apart from. and OPP
posed to the de jiure government. and
that heswas bound to Recognize the de
5acto autlprisF. n M s.f
! Totally dissenting from this view,
that there Can he any legal Govern
ment in "a State entitled TO recognition
hy the Federal autllorify which is not
ge J"rS as well as de faeto. we have
Ifnrtherfo record the moftifyinS fact,
as declared by the report Of thesaeam-
mltteel-"f" the United States Senate.
that such Government is maintained
and its authority enforced, hy. the aid
of the military power of the United
States. It. has even been iDtimated,
that the Government de jure does not
command the support and approval oi
the people of the State, because that
Government is unwilling to DEFY and
unable to overcome the power of the
United States. Because Of tIis unwll
Elingness and inability the stupendous
falsehood is proclaimed that the peo-
pie of Louisiana voluntarily submit to
and acqniesce in this nsurpation.. =, If
we resist the Executive Of the United
States, which with arms defends this
usurpatien, we are rebels if we DO not
resist. ie,i we submit to and acknowl
4 edge its authority and power. We do
mot; believe that the founders of this
Government, or the friends of republi-
can institutions aud of Liberty, in any
part of the world, have. ever sanctioned
such doctrine and proposition. We
believe that the Federal Government,
represented by Congress and the Pres
ident. are under sacred constitutional
obligation to protect aud defend the
| people OF the State in the enjoyment of
h cir republican right, OF selecting
their own political agents, and that
Fthis right ID utterly disregarded and
trampled on BY the course pursued in
OUT case,
/ In so clear a path Of duty and man
hood, we:dssve deemed it imperative. to
assert this right. guaranteed by, tile
Federal Constitntion. and to endeavor
to perform the functions and exercise
the powers confded to us by the peo-
Iple. We are, prevented and lilnderel
therein, by what we regard the wrong
fHl and unconstitutional intervention
q of the Federal Executive. Such inter
veniion being so regarded by us, we
cannot if we would, aud we would not
if we could, cease our protest and OPP
position thereto. We appeal to on,
brethren in the other States, for thci!
sympathy and support of a position
which they are all interested in main.
tainiag, thus vindicating a cardinal
j principle of our political system. We
: have no other hope or means of de.
fence against the wrongs done us. We
can only assert our rights, refuse snb
mission to usurpation aud abide the
7 Judgment of the. Anne. ican people il
: our case. Meantime it belioeves the
people OF Louisiana tn preserve thei
manhood, their dignity apd their pa
tience. Suffering under the CREATES
r indignities which can, be perpetratet
: upon free people, they are threaten
ed with the proiousation Of reign o
corruption, spoilation and oppression
: for four years longer. .rf q.
/. We have no other recourse agmns
! such calamity, and 30 means of re es
j tablishing our rights as a people ant
:, our status as "a republican State, bl
y by a firm and nnyieidipg adherence t
= the lawful Governments OF the State.-
y" We therefore urge our fellow-citizen
to give. MS. their jealous support ant
enconragement in omr endeavors t
{ support and put in operation this Gov
. erpment, vaet by violent resistance t
>, the authority of the United States
Z hut by; firm and united opposition t
6 6 any and every act of the ,usurpin
" Government Of kellogg andehis con
!" federates.
III In view of the great disasters of on
% State, resulting from political troubles
,f we have been disguised to make larg
% ehbeessioas and compromises tn secni
g. peace and. good govelnme to Louis
.e ana, bnt all propositions of that cl,al
" acter have been haughtily. rejected b
!. the usurpers.5 Embroidered by III
conntenance and support extended t
:. them by the Federal Executive, no,i
10 ing then is left to the free and homes
= citizens of this State, who elected |
- aud our associates but to rally wit
:, renewed earn, stness and devotion