The New Orleans bulletin. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1874-1876, 1874-05-01
POLITICAL TREACHERY.

recognition Of the legitimate government Of
Louisiana, represented by Gov. McEnery,
should fail, upon no one can the response
bility more fully rest than on those who, in
the critical moment of the contest, ignO-
miniously deserted their party and took
refuge in the camp of our political enemies.
Whether they were actuated by mercenary
motives or mistaken sense of duty to their
constituents; whether they yielded under
protest or voluntarily joined the ranks of
our political foes in their crusade against
the white people of our State, it signifies
but little. The substantial results and
moral effect have been the same.
Those members of the legitimate or Nc
Emery Legislature, who, deluded by the
idea that they could accomplish some good
for their constituents and the country by
their attendance on the Kellogg rump as
sembly have been wofully deceived, and,
at the same time have, by their lack of
wisdom and want Of moral courage and
political consistency, accomplished for the
Radicals what they never could have done
without the aid and cooperation of the very
men whose mission it was to undermine and
destroy the fabric of Republican rule in
Louisiana.
to Senator Sherman, in bis remarks upon
the Louisiana Bill, it is plain to see that he
construed, as undoubted and conclusive
evidence of acguiescence in our present
SO called government, the occupation OF
seats in the Kellogg Legislature by Demo-
cratic members elected on the McEnery
ticket; and that our readers may see for
themselves how much Importance is at
tached to this fact, we subjoin the following
remarks of Senator Sherman, taken from
the Congregational Record:
Mr. Sherman-If my friend will allow me,
/ desire to present one matter to him. The
point upon which he is now speaking, the
acquiesence of the people and the McEnery
Legislatures in the present Government OF
Louisiana, is one which has controlled my
opinion and will control my action in this
matter and desire to submit to him some
information which / have, upon which
have relied in the course | have pursued,
and intend to pursue, in regard to Louisi-
ana. / have here statement furnished me
from the Governor of the State, Gov. Kel-
logg, and l wish to see whether it is con
tested. This statement certifies to me that
eighteen members of the House of Repre-
sentatives of the Legislature elected on the
McEnery ticket, acting in the origin of this
controversy with the McEnery party, adj
mitted to be elected by both sides, have
since the original controversy taken their
seats I'D the present Kellogg Legislature,
and acted with the Kellogg Legislature, and
contributed to the passage Of laws, and
have by their acts expressed their acquies-
cence not only as citizens, but as repre-
sentatives duly elected by the people of
Louisiana in the Kellogg Legislature. The
names are given. | have also a list of six
who are said to have been thus elected
legally and who have refused to acqniesce,
and only six am informed that there are
but six Of those admitted TO be elected to
the House of the McEnery Legislature that
have not participated in the laws passed
last winter by the Kellogg Legislature. The
names are given to me here with the dis
tricts they represent. | have also tho
names of Senator'S elected on the McEnery
ticket, certified to be elected and returned
by the McEnery party, and who have par
ticipated in the legislation OF the last SEES
sion, and the names of two or three now
contesting for seats in the Kellogg Legisla-
ticket.
frankly say to the Senator from Della
ware that l believe there has been gross
irregularty, gross fraud, gross wrong i'll
Louisiana on both sides; but ! desire to
submit to his Judgment the legal effect of
this acquiescence, not merely by citizens
who have the right to do as they please,
and whose action only affects themselves,
but by the chosen representatives OF the
McEnery party who have participated and
shared in the legislation of last winter, and
have acquiesced in the legality of the KEEL
logg Government. That with me is con
trolling fact If this statement l have
made is disputed, l should like to know the
basis upon which this information is dis
puted If this information is not correct,
given to me rs it is, should like to have
the proof.
Here, now, we find Mr.. Sherman assum
ing the fact chat the McEnery representa-
tives, having shared and participated in the
legislation of the Kellogg Legislature,
thereby recognized its legitimacy. And with
him this was "a controlling fact, whilst at
the same time he fully acknowledged the
frauds and outrages that had beeen perpe-
trated upon the voters of Louisiana by kel-
logg, United States Judge and the Federal
troops.
We do not envy the position Of those de
linquent Representatives,. When the fact is
brought home to them that the oppressors'
chains have been rivited upon their own
people through their lnstrumentality, then
reflections will not be of the most happy
character, nor will they find themselves held
guiltless by those whom they have betrayed
and to whose interests and political redemp-
ton they have proved unworthy representa-
tives and unfaithful servants.
And here we would avail ourselves of the
to commend and applaud the
manly and heroic conduct of those brave and
steadfast patriots who resisted, to the last,
the seductive appeals and tel pting offers Of