The Athens post. [volume] (Athens, Tenn.) 1848-1917, 1874-10-19
The Trouble In Louisiana.


illustrates more pointedly than any pre-
vious event the mistakes that have been
committed Ia re- organizing the Soath-
ern State governments We intend no
criticism OF the plan OF reconstruction
which was first adopted Any plan
would have been abnormal aud attend
ed by inevitable embarrassments. We
speak OF the manner and spirit with
which the perpiexing questions that
have arisen from tine to time in the ap.
plicstion OF the plan have been dealt
sf there ever was an occasion Ia the
history Of any government when, more
than al any other time, there should
have been a complete abnegation OF per-
sonal and partisan feelings and in,er-
ests. II was In settling this most difficult
problem. Such feelings and iuteres,s
have not been pu, away. They havo
been allowed 10 prevatl In too many In,
st"uuor, ."a hove .lwaya e-gaancsS
trouble. aud have NJ last culminsied la
the Louisiana revolution.
The history OF this affair IL briefly as
follows: The State government and
Legislature existing IN 1872 were divid-
ed into two factions, both claiming 10
be Republicans. Both were anxious to
carry the election, and ready 10 use any
means to accomplish their purpose
One Of the factions joined hands with
the Conservatives, who were represeut-
ed by McEnery as their candidate for
Governor. When the time came for
counting the vote, q split took place In
the State Board OF Canvassers, A ma
ior.,y. preserving the apparent legal or
gauization, supported Kellogg, for Gov
ernor n part who supported McEncry
seeded, aud under the pretcnce Of FL
ling vacancies, constituted q new board.
which was irregular In form. The regu-
lar returns OF votes were sent 90 the
McEuery board to be counied while tho
Kellogg board was LETT TO act without
returns. II was equal to the emergen-
CIV, however. Ii manufactured returns
satisfactory 10 itself, and declared tho
kellogg ticket elected. The other board
found the McEnery ticket elected by
the real returns. and so declared, Ri.
val Legislatures met acting under tho
coiors of the two factions, and affairs
continued In a most chaotic condition
until Justice Durell. OF the United
States Court, interierred with an In
Junction against the McEncry Legisla-
lure. The President. acting under this
decision, declared Kellogg the Governor
and installed him by military force.
The case was brought before the
United States Senaie bv the appearance
Of two claimants fol a seat from Louis
lana representing either faction. The
committee to whom the subject was ro-
ferred for examination reported that
there had been frauds and Irregularities
on both sides to such an extent that II
was difficult 10 deteraine II there had
been a fair election but that McEnery
appeared TO have really received The
majority Of votes, and should be dccar-
od Governor II any one was. The Sem.
ate did not act upon this report. The
President sent u message 10 Congress,
reciting what he had done, aud the rea-
sons for his course, confessing his own
doubts ~ to the merits oi the case. and
asking II 10 decide II finally. ~ was it,
duty IL II failed TO act Congress. not
the Executive, would be responsible for
the consequences. Congress has never
acted upon this message.
Ii appears certain that the Kellogg
ticket vas not lawfully elected. II Ia
also true that the United States Court,
by virtue Of whose decision he was In
stalled In Office, had no Jurisdiction In
the case. The majority Of The people
Of Louisiana have steadily refused TO
acknowledge Kellogg's government la
any way they have allowed their pro-
pertv to be sold for taxes rathe than
pay them to II. They have Welded nn-
der compusion OF federal force. sicaLi.
w protesting that II was 10 the anthori-
ty Of the United States and not TO their
rejected Governor that they submitted.
Under the complicated circumstances
OF the case the ultimate decision IL nc.
kno W lodged on all sides 10 rest with
whatever II should be, would be accept
ed as conclusive, and would bring im-
mediate and lasting peace.
The key TO the sttitude OF Congress is
found IL tho report OF the Senate Com.
miltee. Its declaration would have 10
be in favor OF McEnery. McEDery lea
Democrat. II has permitted affairs to
drirt rather than offend It's partisan In.
stincts. Rather than take the response
bility OF deciding for justice against
the party, or for the party against JUS
iice, for either way OF settlement would
have been accepted, u has permitted tho
people of a whole State 10 remain in
avoidable discomfort aud finally 10
plunge themselves into revolution
The insurrec,ionists are justly con-
demned for their resort TO force. for hay,
Ing undertaken reckless conflict. aud
having endangered the peace Of the
country by measures wholly unjustifla-
BILE. What judgment do those deeervs
whose duty IL was 10 secure the poace
but who, through iimidity aud the ina.
bility to act upon fair motives, have
williully neglected 10 do ~
This case Of Louisiana, though the
worst is mol the only instance IN which
reconstruction has yearly failed by the
prevalence OF partisan spirit over ps'ri-
0lism IN the body whose duty " IL TO
see IL perfected. Most Of the Southern
States are troubled with conHicts aris-
Ing out OF frauds IN elections aud cor.
ruptions in Office. Attempts 10 settle
,Ia n, M hama ara dafeale ed hv noliticat