The Opelousas journal. [volume] (Opelousas, La.) 1868-1878, 1873-04-26
The Situation.
Do, Nv Or1aons T;r,oo

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Roundabout in New Orleans Times.l
A crisis in the affairs of Louisiana has
been reached, the latent animOslty OF
the past four months has burst forth
with increased ire, and upon the history
of hours. rather than days or weeks, de-
ponds the fate of this unhappy cOmmu-
nifty. kilograms received yesterday
from the North assert that the recent
conflict in Grant parish has made the
Republican party a unit. Ignoring the
fact that a peaceful community has
been thrown into a state Of turmoil by
an utter violation of the law both of the
State and of the United States, Obsti-
nately disbelieving the notorious truth
that the band of armed negroes who
entered the town of ColfaX, were III
every sense of the word highway rob-
bers and enemies to the public peace,
they only see the dusky cOrpses, and
hear the blood of Africa crying aloud
for vengeance. The miscreant Ward
will be canOnized, and the aiders and
abettors OF this most perniciOus move
ment not only against civil liberty, but
civilization itself, are sainted martyrs.
The affair Of Sunday last will of course
be stigmatized Us a development of the
rebelliOus spirit, which they falsely al
lege has existed since the close OF the
war; the telegraph will be freighted
with the mendacious statements of
every malicious penny-a-llner among
us, and upon the mercantile community,
struggling now under burdens too
g]rievOus to he bOrne," will fall the blow.
We have reached an era when hours
must decide whether we shall have
tranquility, OF a wal which will dissi-
pate for months every vestige of com
mercial prosperity; we must decide
within the present week between an
anarchy before which Poland itself
might pale, or a complete restoration Of
at least a show of government:
A time has come when the whole DeO-
| pie must think and act, when commit
tees, legislative and others, must take
the public into their confidence, when
some concert of action must be decided
upon, and when every manin Louisiana
having the welfare of the State at heart
must work together. Impressed with
this belief, Roundabout, even at the
constrained to inform the community
concerning the movements of the past
few weeks. Of the incipiency of the
proposed compromise, all are of course
Informed. The Pardee proposition, its
rejection, acceptance and ultimate fate
is well known, and it's salient features,
pro and con have been fully discussed.
1t is also known that Col. George Will
hanson visited Washington for the ex-
press purpose of effecting some adjust
ment. Col. Williamson's identity with
the true interests of the State is unques-
toned, and concerning the disinterest-
edness Of his endeavOrs in behalf of the
people there can be no dispute.
He saw the President, the Vice Presi-
dent and every member Of the Cabinet,
with the exception of Gen. Belknap.
Gen. Grant spoke quite freely upon
Louisiana affairs, but the substance of
the entire conversation can be reduced
to one condition.
When the Republicans and Fusionists
adjust their difficulties, and notify the
Presidents over the signatures of the
Senators and Representatives of both
parties thus assembled or agreeing to
assemble together, that they are the
General Assembly of Louisiana, the
Federal Government will at once recOg-
nize them as such.
Upon the arrival of Col. Williamson
at New Orleans, it was agreed by prom
inent Republicans to enter into this az
rangement, provided the FusiOnists
would be content with a representation
OF fOrty-tive members of the House and
eleven Senators.
Anxious to learn in what spirit the
proposition would be taken, ROunda-
bout visited the Legislative caucus and
explained fully the ultimatum of the
President to n Of the most prominent
city members.
That gentleman frankly replied that
there existed in the midst Of the city
delegation very grave suspicious con-
corning their colleagues from the cOun-
try. 1t was their opinion thatinasmuch
as many of them would owe their posi-
lions to Mr.. Kellogg, all would be more
or less under his control, and that the
Senators and members from the city
would occupy the unenviable position of
being associated with a body notorious
ly corrupt without having it within
their power to benefit their constituents.
The matter for the moment drOpped.
but was again revived more than aWeek
ago, when a number of our prominent
citizens met Messrs. Sheldon, Pinch
back, Brown, Barber, and others, whose
names Roundabout cannot now recall,
for consultation. In this conference
MIR. Kellogg carefully abstained from
participating, saying to each that they
were the representatives of the two
great sides of the controversy, and that
whatever measures were mutually
agreed upon, would meet with his ap-
probation. These gentlemen have met
several times, but it was only on Tues
day that a direct proposition was made.
The Republicans then offered to seat
fOrty-tive Fusion Representatives and
ten Senators, the six Senators expelled
by the Dryades street Legislature to re-
Ill -
elected by the Republicans to be admit
ted 10 this proposition no formal an
sWer has been returned, but it is the
opinion of Roundabout that it will not
be accepted.
He believes, however, that were the
agreement modified to include thirteen
Senators instead of ten, with an assur-
ance, first, that the present city admin
lstratiOn will in no way be interfered
with; second, that the executive ap-
pointments hereafter to be made will
be men Of capacity and honesty: and
third, that Immediate steps will be talk
en- to improve the financial condition of
the State, the proposition would be ac-
cepted, and that the pressure of public
opinion, and their own better Judgment.
would induce the Fusion members to
comply with the stipulations.
The F~usionists not privy tothismove-
ment very justly say that Gen. Grant
either has supreme e%ontrOlin Louisiana,
or ne has not; that if his powers extend
to the placing of officers in position une
on his mere ipsi dirit, he should exercise
them, and settle finally the vexed ques-