New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1874-11-07

continuance, an instruction against the
federal government. There followed,
then, q substantive and paramount course
of action on the part of the President
under which he might have exercised
direct authority to close our port, inter-
dict our trade, and arrest our citizens.
It becomes further duty to remind
those who consider the ex parte or parti-
san statement of election results as equiv
alent to the election report Of the return
ing board, that the federal government |
has announced the same paramount au-
thority in regard to State election IS
as in respect to State insurrectif ms.
Both these declarations of parar Iount
authority, both these claims OK origi-
nal and supreme rule grow. out Of
the results of the var. Eth .er of these
powers could lave bee'l exercised
before the war They 'Sere, however,
never asserted. The States suppressed
their own instructions, with the subor-
dinate aid Ct the fe1eral troops. The
States conducted the If own elections. We
do not say that the powers now enacted
are usurpations. They mag be legalized
on one of two principles. /. That tho
powers, not delegated to the United
States, nor prohibited to the States, are
reserved to the people OF the United
States. 2. The times, places and manner
of holding elections for Senator'S and Rep
rcsentatives shall be prescribed by the
State Legislatures, but Congress may at
any time make or alter such regulations,
except as to the place Of choosing Sen.
ators.
These powers are now asserted, and
will be enforced in all cases and every
where within the jurisdiction OF the
United States. Indeed, the federal ex-
ecutive has been sworn to enforce these
laws, with all others. Let US, then, see
in what the reconstruction laws alter the
federal relations to State elections. Under
the law of May, 1870. all citizens Of the
United States otherwise qualified by State
laws shall be entitled and allowed to vote
at all State elections. Congress, then,
takes paramount jurisdiction over every
State election at which federal repre-
sentative or officer is to be elected, and
prescribes the manner in which it shall
be conducted and its results verified.
Under this law Of reconstruction the cir.
cult courts of the United States shall ap-
point supervisors of the election, and
these supervisors are endowed with power
to superintend the registration and con-
duct of elections, to personally scrutinize
and count every ballot, and generally to
supervise the election. Nor will any law
of the State prevent the courts and COM
missioners Of the United States from as
suring themselves Of the entire legality Of
all elections in which federal representa-.
tive Or officer shall be a candidate.
We can not give the details Of the re.
construction laws. They have been, no
doubt, passed to guarantee all the condi.
tons of civil rights. These laws are open
to the inspection Of all. Our only object
is to call the attention of our fellow-citi.
zens to the obligations and powers Of the
federal government over State elections in
the cases referred to. We deem it a duty
to remind them that formal proceedings
must be conducted by the federal govern.
ment. with OF without the consent Of our
State authorities. to determine the legality
and validity Of all elections. that no I'M
due excitement may be instigated about
proceeding incidental to all elections. in
which federal officers or representatives
may be involved. It is a question with
the fed sral as well as with the State au.
thorities. and while we make no intima.
tons Of any intention TO investigate ex-
cept in conformity with law, We mean dis.
tinctly to say that no intimidation or
possible consequences could deter the
federal or State authorities from perform.
ing the duties which the constitution and
State laws have imposed on each.
THE TIDAL PHENOMENON.
We think they cali those extra sized