Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1873-01-23
The Louisiana Middle.

The most Interesting debate in the pre- =
enf Congress thus far, was that on Tues
day. Jan. 18th, upon a resolution offered
by Mr. Sheldon of La, providing for a
Committee 10 inquire into the elections
lately held and report TO the House. The
leading men of all parties participated in
the discussion, and their views, a TO the
powers and duties of Congress in regard
to the trouble, We're as various As the
speakers. Below We give the remarks OF
Mr.. Hale
Mr. HALE. For the lat few years the in
fanny and disgrace Of certain southern state
government, have been constantly on the in
crease There have been corrupt electors and
corrupt elections; there have been corrupt
legislators and corrupting legislation: there
have been double Legislatures, double Cover
nOrs, double Representatives in this uou...
and double Seustors year b. year in many
States. There have been tad men in ia. i.
states who have bought power by wholesale
bribery. and have enriched Themselves at the
expense OF the people BY peculaiion or OPEN
handed robbery. Corruption AMI anarchy
have occupied and Possessed these uuforiunit ate
STATES.
felt the force Of all this when it was charr-
ell IN the canvass before the late election. IL
- anu venture 10 saw bN
no gentleman with more force than by the gen
tleinan from Indiana Mr.. KERR who nov Oh
lects To interference in these States. or, at least
in Louisiana. | never doubted the facts; the
people were impressed with them. But there
were things OF higher import before the p.o-
pie, and so the Republican party did not 90 to
the wall because OF the corrupt carpci-bag gov
crnmcnfs. The whole was greater than the
half. What should be the fate of the whole
nation was of more importance TO the people
Nh.,s la( st.. q .safa A -
kansas.
Besides this, the unerriny instinct of the peo-
pie told them that for many exce,se, in the
south the Republican party was not RESPONSE
BILE, was not accountable. Many of these dis
turbng manifestations fell in the natural
course Of things following the commissions at
tending the great rebellion. But now n differ
ent rule applies. The Republican party ha-
been given = new lease Of power. lts Presi-
dent ha, been reelected BY = majority greater
than ever before given for any President. with
an Overwhelming sustaining force in Con-
gres>.
| believe that heresfter-and on this side
Of the House shall DO well TO take the con, 10
ton home 10 ourselyes-the Republican party
will b5 held responsible il anarchy and corrtll-
tion run further riot in the >ou'h for wears 10
come A. they haze been in Years past. for
one want strenuous and fundamental action In
this matter. do not want ANY more commit
tees 10 report their biz volumes OF testimony
~ lli' rom >Acflu-ttts MI. III
LER has said. Let US 20 to the bottom of thi,
thing. Let Us put in actual force and operation
what has only been talked about heretofore.
that provision of the Constitution making il
the duty Of the General Government TO guar
antee republican form Of government TO each
State. They have il in Louisiana; they have
no real form Of government. Anarchy i.
f0rmless. There Is no citizen in Louisiana
who to-day knows whom he should obey, in
the Legislature or in the gubernatorial chai,. -
That Louisiana has laws and a con Institution i
not enough. She j. entitled to Il living gov
erning force that shall govern, as well u obey
those laws.
In my opinion il is time, and | hope all Re-
publicans Will appreciate this, that we take
this matter with 4 strong hand. And the last
men 10 object TO such action on the part Of the
Government, taken with due regard 10 the
spirit of our Constitution. are the gentlemen
on the other side, who have claimed that the
Republican party is accountable because it will
not interfere, but allows thieye. and robbers to
pillage the South. Let us 90 to the root of the
matter. If necessary, let Us take entire charge
there for the time, put down the oreiensions of
u>urpers. drive out thieves from high place. to
which they have never sbeen duly elected. find
out if there is any real State government with
proper authorization. and if, as suspect,
there i. none. give To the people Of this desola-
ted and plundered State an opportunity for a
fair electio1, and when government has been
set up under such guarantees, stand by ii with
the whole force Of the General Government,
civil and military.