The interior journal. [volume] (Stanford, Ky.) 1872-1881, 1873-04-25

FRIDAY. Afhlb %. 1870.
DuRrxo the late canvass for Prcideni
Of tho United States, and in fact While
subsequent thereto, there Wa quite a
number Of our respectable jcu'nali t. and
Statesmen. who noted the revivsi of IN
terest in Constitutional discussion with
something akin to citation Of pirit; see
ing IN sundry critical comnentaiious up
on the ultimate umpirego Of Consiitu-
tiopsl questions, gratifying evidence of
break IN the era Of that physical force
that dawned upon the country With the
out break Of the late war. The subs,i-
tuition of appeals to reason fr iniolor.
rnce Of political debate was embraced as
ifit were nm JUNCTION from above, and
politicians Of the better class c.ngratu-
lated the country upon the fair Prospect
Of the spcedye end Of this rcignof frantic
violence.
But, as 50 often witnessed in the
history Of the world, these hopes have
been dashed into thousand fragments.
Nations, fike individuals. are ofcn led
by false guides into the indulgence Of
nnwarrn,ci expectations Of some com
ing good. Whatever Of public bod our
most hopeful statesmen may hve OK
pectcd, from the respectful audience that
was given n few months since 10 the dis
cussion Of those questions, which so re-
Gently were whistled dowp, is Certainly
now, viewed IN the light Of the moral
truths which are gathered from he Lou
isian. imbrng'io, wi,hou, any sui stapiial
prospect Of a speedy realization.
Among all the acts Of partisan tyran-
ny which the States have been snbjcctcd
to, there never yet has occurred one, SO
violentin outrage Of the fundamental prin-
ciples Of Republican Government as this
-A,sssl and --o6Freeelentcd maiatainace
by Grant of the Kellogg Government in
Louisiana. Without even color Of
right to the Office which be has usurped.
Kellogg is kept in place by the mere
fat Of President, who tramples upon
laws aud Constitutions. as IL thep were
made only to. be violated. The people
Of Louisiana are practically denied their
right to choose their public servants, and
commanded to render obedience and pay
tribute to the chiefleaders CT faction, who
prostitute the functions of the Offices they
have usurped to the base purpose Of pub
lie oppression.
In vain it is, that State after State
shall enter solemn protest against
the outrageous procedure; in vain that
the oppressed citizens of that State shall
10 turn demand a recognition Of their
rights, and appeal for eommiseration of
their pitiable condition. Grant is deaf
to their demands and entreaties alike I;
and from the depths Of their despair and
humiliation, they rise in arms against
the minions of-their oppressor, to, assert
for themselves the r,ghts which they can
not otherwise obtain.
And when we see public action taken
by other States, in condemnation Of the
oppressive measures which have been
forced upon Louisiana, it neel not be
supposed that it grows out Of mere sym
pathy for an outraged sister State; 1t IS
felt and realized that similar course
may at any time he attempted with ref
erence TO any other State. It is no shall
low and cause,ess alarm that il felt; il Is
not merely an idle fear or a feverish fan
cy; il is just and well grounded ap-
prehension that Grant. sustained BY bay
onets, will kick the last vesiige OF life
out Of. Republican institutions. 1t has
already within the brief life of this Gov
eminent passed into historic fact, that
: the Federal Government, has become
absolute and irresponsible in the same
proportion as the rights of the State
have ceased to be respected, and their
authority for the correction of Federal
abuses denied and overthrow.
The only safe remedy against the
usurpations of this great central power,
is to cease treating the Constitution as a
splendid pageant, or a decisive phan-
tom of sovereignty; and to enlist an IN
terest in the proper application Of those
checks which the unavoidable imperiec'
tons Of the Federal Government ren