The New Orleans bulletin. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1874-1876, 1874-07-12
THE POLITICAL STATUS OF LOUISE
ANA,

The adjournment of Congress, without
giving the negro Pinchback the seat he de-
manded in the House Of Representatives, and
refusing to recognize his claims United
States Senator leaves the present so-called
Government Of Louisiana in a most anomalous
condition. 1t casts very serious doubt upon
the legality Of Kellogs's official position and
warrants the people in regarding him and
treating him as a usurper.
II stands TO reason that if Pinchback was
not elected and Congress so decided then
Kellogg has no right whatever to the office Of
Governor. Both Of these parties were candi-
dates and ran upon the same ticket and re
ceived identically the same votes. 1t is hard,
therefore, to separate their political fortunes.
If the one was not elected, we are at a loss to
see how the other can claim the right to fill
the position for which he was an aspirant.
The responsibility Of recognizing the Kel-
logg Government, in face Of the overwhelming
than Republican Congress could afford to
assume. It promised to be such a weight as
would seriously impede the progress Of any
party that would dare TO champion its cause
Whilst the President, in an unguarded
moment, saw proper under the advice Of a cor
rnpt and imbecile Attorney General, to extend
the aid Of the military branch of the Govern
me'lt to the Durel-Kellogg infamy, he soon
after Uncovered his error and attempted to
shit the responsibility from his shoulders to
those of the Federal Congress- Serious objec-
ti0ns, however, were made to the transfer, and
the result was that Republican politicians and !
eaders preferred to have President Grant bear
all the odium attending the blunder which he
had committed.
Louisiana, therefore, is in the position of a
State without any legally recognized govern
ment It is simply a. military despotism that
prevails here. 1t derives it's authority and
power from the strong arm Of the Federal
soldiery. 1t does not enjoy the confidence,
respect or support of the people, who feel,
with justice, that it is an imposition and
fraud, forced upon them in the face of the
most vehement protests and the most I'M
measured denuncations and reputation
All over this country, and even in Europe,
the State Government of Louisiana, as it ex-
lists to-day, is the theme of discussion and the
object Of ridicule. The most partisan and
bitter Republicans of the North doubt its
legality, and do not hesitate to denounce the
frauds and corruption perpetrated under the
name and gnise of their party.
We conclude therefore, that whatever legis-
lation may be had under government Of such
doubtful and questionable existence, will be
liable in the future to utter and entire repudi-
Ht'on by the legal representatives Of the peo- I.
pie. Nothing it may do can he held binding
upon any one, from the fact that it possesses
no right, no authority TO do anything what !.
ever. Its existence is purely ephemera and =
ust so soon as its military props are withdrawn Q
rom it's support, it will fall and crumble to
ltOms
Let our people, them labor earnestly and
to pull down the miserable fabric,
~ holding out their opposition and showing u
Q the world that they do not acquiesce in the '
forced upon them, and t at they :. y
re determined to assert their rights as free .
aen who claim the right to govern themselves -
s they mNy see proper.