The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1874-09-19
THE CONDUCT OF THE PEOPLE OF
I.OUISIANA.

will be general response to the call.
THE CONDUCT OF THE PEOPLE OF
LOUISIANA.
We care not what the Radical press OF
this country may say, nor how much II
NAV strive to mislead the masses regard
ing the conduct of the citizens of Loulsi-
ana; but we unhesitatingly declare that
their conduct has presented to the
world specimen of true nobility and
manliness, such as is rarely seen. Two
wears ago they elected Governor McEN-
cry and the State ticket, of which he
was the head, over the usurper, WILLIAM
PITT KELLOGG, and his mongrel crew.
Two years ago, in spite of the report OF
the Senatorial Committee, (appointed to
investigate the circumstances of the cleo
tion,) that MCENERY was properly
chosen, President GRANT made use
of the preteXt that, while Nc
EMERY was Governor de .jW%, still
KELLOGG was Governor de .facto, and
should be maintained in office by soldiers.
This was done. The people, hopeless OF
obtaining justice under Radical adj
ministratiOn, submitted quietly, and
though disheartened and discouraged, yet
manfully accepted the situation and
tried, peacefully, to follow their various
pursuits, and build up the prosperity OF
the State. But their efforts could
avail nothing. KELLOGG, rendered IN
solent and defiant from the knowledge
that he was backed by the Army and
NAVY of the United States, deliberately
commenced such series of fraud, Swind-
ling and stealing, that the substance OF
the people was consumed faster than
they could accumulate. Heavy taxation,
causing hundreds of acres of land to be
placed under the AuCtioneerS hammer;
reckless expenditure of the people :
money; an utter disregard for the happl-
ness or welfare of the State, and finally,
n forcible seizure of private arms, in def
ance of the rights guaranteed to freemer
by the United States Constitution, were
the prominent points characterizing this
administration.
But this last action of tyranny was too
mach for the patience of even this pa
tient people Determined no longer to
tamely submit, they made one bold
strike for freedom from their despots.
They succeeded. The usurper and his
government fell without making scarcely
an effort to maintain IT.
self while he surrendering his
position and the State buildings, took
refuge with his accomplice, LoNGsrREET'
in the u 5. Custom House, and com
menced whining piteously for United
States troops.
Governor MCENERY was installed in
his office; the people drew a breath of
freedom, and business was resumed with
renewed energy and confidence, nowthat
there was chance for an honest govern
ment. OF course, the troops asked for were
sent; but even here praiseworthinesS OF
conduct was not wanting. Governor
MCENERY in manly protest against
being disturbed, said that now the form
er pretext for interference was
wanting; that he was both de
facto and de jtre Governor of
the State; but he said further, that
should the government OF the United
States determine to supplant him, he
would do nothing which could attach to
him or the people the charge Of rebel
lion. He would surrender; but not ia
KELLOGG. Only TO the troops. AT last
accounts this had been done, and General
EMORY was the ruler of the State under
GRANT.
Certainly no people under similar cir
cumstances could have behaved with
greater manliness and circumspection,
and they must demand the admiration of
the generous everywhere. Let us hope
that President GRANT will show some
generosity to them, and, at least, not re-
store KELLOGG. Dangerous as the
precedent will be, it is far better that
these people be under an honest and just
Federal officer, than under those who
have well nigh wrought their ruin. Dan
gerous as the precedent may be. it will
be no worse than interfering to accom-
plish this dreaded restoration, or, indeed,
no worse than many which have already
been established.
THE UNIVERSAL CRY.