The Rutland daily globe. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1873-1877, 1874-09-18

distant countries In following the
action of New Orleans and giving
up the several offices TO and giving their
adherence to the McEnery party, on the
reason that the French element so largely
predominates in the state and city. This
"whie mans league" probably, permeates
The whole state, and has its clubs or organ
izatlons in every county, parish and settled
portion of the state. The same action,
the same drilling has undoubtedly been
going on In the country as in the city. The
blow was not struck in New Orleans until
everything was ready for instant action
everywhere. If the movement had been a
failure there, nothing would have been
heard of 1t in any place. Its breaking out
was something like the outbreak of the
''know nothing" movement, and 1t will be
as short lived as that was, but for different
reasons. II will be remembered that no
one, outside of the organization. knew or
dreamed of its existence until it met with
such wonderful and overwhelming success
at the polls. This ''lcague" business was
not kept quite so still, but its strength and
intended movements were unknown until
final action was taken.
But the rule Of the "acting governor and
COMMUNICATIVE chief" of Louisiana and his
party throughout the state will be short
lived. II must be short Hoed. The Presi-
dent of the United States, as the political
head of the government, having recognized
William Pitt Kellogg as the governor of
Louisiana, he must now sustain him. 1t
makes no difference now whether his de-
termination of the matter, in first place,
was right or wrong. The "abdicating
must now be on the part of the 'acting
governor Kellogg must be re-nstated If
it takes the whole body of the militia of
the United States, combined with the regu-
lar army, to accomplish it. He must be
reinstated and retained in power If the city
of New Orleans is laid waste to accom-
plish it. If the "acting governor" and the
others of his party of officers do not CON-
mence that "abdicaling" they spoke of at
the end Of the five days given them by the
President, then troops must commence
their march toward Louisiana, and "iron.
clads' be under way for New Orleans.
This now ceases to be a question of party
politics. 1t is one in which every lover of
his country has a deep and abiding interest.
II this movement, now apparently on
The top wave of success, is allowed
to remain permanently there, what be-
comes of republican government in
the United States Governments of the
people, by the people, for the people will
vanish from the face of the earth forever.
The war of the revolution will have been
fought in vain. The blood and treasure so
freely poured out during the four years
succeeding the Inauguration of Mr.. Lin
coin VIII have been expended for naught.
Admit, if you please, that McEnery was
duly and legally elected governor, and how
does it alter the present case ? Kellogg
had been declared by the canvassing board
and the courts as governor, and has been
recognized by the President as such. The
only way ia which he can be 'ousted" is
by ballots OF judicial process. But bayo-
nets are used, a revolution is inaugurated,
and another governor placed in power by
force. If they are allowed to remain in
power, then Bingham, year hence, can
declare himself to have been elected gov
ernor of Vermont and, if he can obtain the
aid of enough ''leagues, take forciole pos
session Of all the other offices in Vermont
for the defeated candidate of his party.
For if this is allowed to be a success in
Louisiana. it may be in Vermont and so on
in every state in the Union. The question
is presented whether ballots or bayonets
shall be used to redress real or imaginary
grievances. 1t was supposed to have been
settled nine years ago, but Louisiana pre-
sents the issue again. 1t will find General
Grant as ready to meet the issue now as then.
We fear that bloody lesson is in store for
Louisiana, but she has brought it upon
herself. The lesson must now be taught
so that 1t will never be forgotten, that in
the United States contested elections can
not be decided by bayonets, and that can
didates are elected to office by the use of
ballots not bullets.