The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1873-06-11
The Louisiana Shame.

III LOulSldud, lIOlu CuO UCsAAuAH3 va AsS
contamination in the late proclama-
ton, has been followed and exposed
with fidelity in most of the Democratic
Journals of the North, .but By none with
a more intelligent apprehension of all
its legal and political bearings than by
the Albany Argus. We commend its
latest discussion upon the subject to
the attention of our readers:
THE CONQUERED PROVINCE.
w. P. Kellogg, bayonet ruler of the
province Of Louisiana, having certified
to President Grant that he is unable to
preserve the peace in the territory thet
government Of which he has usurPed,
His Imperial Highness has issued al
proclamation to all persons to obey the
authorities constituted by the illegal
midnight order issued by Durell. This
is the first act taken by the President
within the forms of law, so far as the
present trouble in Louisiana is concern
ed. He interfered first to establish a
Government, and now responds to its
request to be maintained. He illegally
gave it existence, but it is unable to
maintain itself in power without Fede-
raj aid, and so the bayonets which were
unlawfully employed to install Legs
lature are now to be used to sustain 1t.
Without the slightest authority in law
the Federal soldiely forced a Govern
ment into existence, and now are to be
used to compel acquiescence III the des-
potic act. They cleared legislative
halls, and now intend to clear the State,
of ali who have the manliness to deny
the legality of the Durell-Kellogg coup
d'etat. And yet there is no more ques-
ton that Kellogg was foisted into the
chair by "gross uSurpation" than
there is a doubt as to the occurrence Of
an election in that State.
Grant may consummate the tyrannl-
cal act he initiated. He held Kellogg in
his seat, by unconstitutional means,
long enough for him to make a formal
call for Federal support. He used arbl-
trary power in defiance of the Constitu-
ton, in order that he might get into
position to proceed constitutionally.-
He first uses the military power unlaw-
fully to dispense the lawful Government
| Of the State and set up an usurpation,
and then responds to the call OF that
usurping Government to maintain its
power!
The constitutionality of his course
cannot be tested by considering isolated
facts. 1t must be considered as awhole
and sustained or censured i'll its incep
ton. The question is, how came the
n hninOS
}, proclamation, the usurper who occupies
the Presidential chair does not ailudt
to that pivotal question, but seeks tt
: place himself upon local judicial decis
!, ion. He cannot do this. No judicia
decision can justify his course, OF palli
ate in the slightest degree the wors'
5 than Napoleonic usurpation by which
$ he destroyed free government in
State. ..-. s
Senator Carpenter, in recent speecl
!, in New Orleons, said that Kellogg wa
!. never elected Governor. And yet tn
usurper is to be maintained in a posi-
ton to which he was not chosen by al
the power of Federal authority! An
this against the protest Of the intelli
= gence, the culture, the wealth and til
worth of the State, without exception
Warmoth, the lawful Governor of til
= State, was driven from the Executiv
;. chair at the point of the Federal baye
net before his term expired, in orde
= that a shrewd and inscriptions mt
i latto might be placed in his seat. Ha
# the forms of law been observed in tn
State, and no illegal Interference bee
Is had, McEnery would have succeede
d Warmoth at the close Of the term of tn
j. latter, and the legally elected member
If of the Legislature would have take
u their seats.
'e The only act which prevented this r.
Il suit was the unparalleled infamy pc
. petrated by Durell, to enforce While
8 Grant had ordered troops from Florit
days before! Durell, with the troo]
to at his disposal, made Kellogg Governo
- and gave him a Legislature obedient
:, his will. And it is admitted that Il
~ result of the election was Overturnt
III by the act!
th The only justification for this infan
e. is the expressed belief that McEnel
~ was elected by fraud. If he was, VIII
I'd had Durell to do with it? Can FEEDER
eff officials be justified in reversing the /
\, suit of q State election merely by f:
W leging fraud? The suspicion of frau
'st jUstiies inquiry, but it does not just
g revolution.
i, The State of Louisiana was revol
u" tionized by Federal power, and the K
logg crew placed in possession.
one pretends that there is a shadow
I'M authority or warrant for this act.