The New York herald., 1874-09-25
SCHURZ ON THE SOUTH.

>
The Missouri Senator Arraigns the
Adm istra tion tho Difficulties In
the south, Especially In Louisiana
Strong AntagOnism to the Civil Rights
Bill.
ST. LOUIS Mo-, Sept "a, 1874.
Senator Schurz made lengthy and elaborate
speech upon national and State questions at the
Temple tonight. After referring in general terms
to the present cOndlJlon of the public mind. the
widespread and deep dIstrust and scepticlsm
which have taken the place OF the confident assur-
ance and sangulne expectations formerly prevail
ing, he entered into discussion OF Louisiana
affairs. He reiterated his opinions, expressed
in the Senate, that Kelloggs government is
an usurpation; but 1t had been recognized
by the President, and when last week the
McEneryites overthrow 1t the President con-
stituti0nay reipstated 1t. and that was
the end OF the Louisiana revolution. But It Is not
the end OF the disease, neither is 1t the final rem
edy great wrong has been cOmmitted. The
wrong does not consist in the Intervention Of the
President against those who, by force OF arms mad
driven Kellogg to flight; for the President acted in
the exercise OF his constitutional authority.
Neither can in republic, the right OF sel-help by
force be admitted, for such an admission would
encourage every party and every individual tnau
nary to resort to force for redress, and
state OF anarchy would ensue. which
withstand. But the great wrong was committed
before. 1t was when federal Judge, palpaby
am ne s vi s anG
history, was supported by the power Of the ma
tlOnal government In the act OF virtually creating
State government which had not the least evil
dence OF an election by the people. it was when,
even after the President had confessed his doubt,
Congress neglected to undo the usurpatlOn, an
to make room for those who had prtnla T1cie evi-
dence OF an election by the people. The wrong
States than Louisiana. 1t was when federal offce-
holders IN the South were permitted to use their
conflict and for the support and perpetuaton Of
partisan State governments and the most rapa-
clous and corrupt that eyer dsgraced republi-
Southern States was deemed more important than
that they should have honest and constitutional
government.
OTHER WRONGS IN THE SOUTH.
Nor was that the only wrong committed in the
South. There was another and on the other size.
1t was when bands OF lawess ruffians infested the
Southern country, spreading terror by cruel per-
oners were slaughtered in cold blood. 1t was
when neither officers nor volunteers could be found
to arrest the perpetrators Of such bloody deeds or
no jurles to convict them. II when the better
classes OF society cOntented themselves with con-
demnatOry resolutions and pious wishes instead
OF straining every nerve to bring the maleactors
TO justice, and now it is SAID that many OF the
bloody stories which reach us from the South are
inventions aud exaggeratons That may have
been, and undoubtedly in some cases was So But
we know, also. that very many OF them were put
u
mere defence against official robbery, and the
murdered victims were mostly poor negroes, while
also that there is rufilanIy element in the South
which, unless vigorously restrained by all the
power of society win resort to bloody violence as
pastlme especially when 1t Is permitted to believe
itself engaged in partisan service and safe under
the protection OF public opinion. The senator
then said d:.'ThlS Is the state OF Things have TO
deal with'i and asks, ''is there no remedy except
the employment OF iotce ~ He thinks there is ana
proceeds to say :-"rhere is no further attempt
at anarchal movement on the part OF the people
OF Louisiana, put there is another kind oil anarchy
tions and to the welfare of the nation, as the law
less self-hep by force OF individuals and parties;
1t is the ANARCHY OF power; it Is the iawless-
70 se's respect and obey the sa laws coSsinss @
disregard them" He tnen referred to tue fact that
an election for new Legislature is impending
and that United states troops are there profess
edly to enforce the laws in that election, but
whether they are used impartiaily or not Will de.
be in great measure in the hands Of United States
Marshal Packard, who, besides being Marshal, was
one OF the principal accomplices OF Judge Durell
aud Kellogg In the usurpatlon two years ago, and
Co@mittee Of tne Kel!oag party: TINS IS not
he used in that election. 1t is OF the highest i'm
portance that especially under existing crcum-
| stances, the peoD.e of Louisiana should not only
have fair election, but also that they should be
made to feel that they shall have one. The past
Packard are not calculated to inspire confidence.
/ Hm sure the whole country would applaud an
order OF the President relieving Mr. Packard Of his
Official duties and the substitution OF q man Of
! such character that everybody will believe him In
capable of abusing his power Tor partisan ends.
He tnen urges that all federal offlcehOiders in
! the Southern States who have looked upon them
selves as the mere party agents, using all their In
suckers desolating that country, and probably not
In many cases obllvous of their own profits, be
! STRIPPED OF THEIR OFFICIAL POWERS
| He says he was rejoiced a few days ago, when
reading in the papers. that the President was con-
ttemplatng the hohing Al OF tsrrSs muster Of
more necessary. Let us hope that not single
one Of tnYse who have made made the FED,
power and greedy oppression may escape
him, and that the beginning be made
| with Packard and his associates But, he says. the
duty Of the government does not end here. Con-
gress should at once on reassemDling, undo the
nU he set Gy dEs ana
bayonets and make every citizen understand and
feel that while preserving intact the lawful au-
thority OF the government they are ready to throw
aside all selfish considerations OF party interest
when the rights and welfare OF the people aud the
ton On the other hand, the citizens of the south
must not be permitted to forget that they, too:
the, the North sincerely desire that they Should
have honest and constitutional government.
ne Hen ars sve onr been me nea
with the government OF thieving adyenturers
which plundered the south: But wnen that pub.
lie opinion was on the point oil becoming so strong
that no partisan spirit in power could long have
stedit, what happened The bloody riot in
|
all over the South the butchery OF Grant parish in
1878; the murders OF COnshatta; the slaughter OF
helpless negro prisoners in Trenton, Tenn; lot to
speak or minor atrocities What was the enectS
The growing sympathy with the victims OF plum
der was turned into sympathy with the victims OF
murder. IL is to be hoped that by this
time the people OF the South have
learned that those who disgrace them by
deeds OF bloody violence are their worst enemies.
Let them act upon that lesson. Let them dissolve
their White Mans League; ior every organization
based upon distinction OF color Is not only wrong
! in itseiI, but harmful to both races Let them
make the poor negro feel that he has not only q
willing, but an active protector in every good citl-
zen. Let them understand that the most efficient
method to fight the thieves who rob them is by re-
lentlessly suppresstng the murderous ruffians
among themselves VINO strip them OF the sympa-
thy Of the country. Silent disapproval Is nothing,
good intentions are nothing, mere pubc resoiu-
tions are nothing.
ONLY VIGOROUS ACTION WILL AVAIL.
Only the practical punishment OF maelact0rs