Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1874-09-25
SCHURZ.
His Views on Louisiana and the
South.
Marshal Packard Ought Not to
Control the Troops in the
Louisiana Election.
Congress Should Undo the kel'
logg Usurpation.

Congress Should Undo the Kel.
lOgg Usurpation.
The Course of Gov. John G.
Brown Applauded.
Civil Rights-WOrds of Caution and
Advice 90 the Negroes.
ST. LOUIS, Sept. 24.-Senator Schurz
made lengthy and elaborate speech upon
national and State questions at the Temple
tonight. After referring in general terms
to the present condition OF the public mind,
the wide spread and deep distrust and skep-
ticism which have taken the place Of the
confident assurance and sanguine expecta-
tions formerly prevailing, he entered into
discussion OF Louisiana affairs. He reiter-
ated his opinions expressed in the Senate,
that the kellogg Government is a usurpa-
tion, but it had been recognized by the
President and when last week the MeEnery-
ties overthrew it, the President constitu-
tionally re-instated it, and that was the end
of the Louisiana revolution. But it Is
Not the End of the Disease.
Neither is it the final remedy. A great
wrong has been committed. The wrong
does not consist in the intervention Of the
President against those who, by force OF
arms, have driven kellogg to appeal to the
President. In republic, the right of self
help by force cannot be admitted, for such
an admission would encourage every party,
every individual that has a grievance,
either real or imaginary, to resort to force
for redress, and state OF anarchy would
ensue which no political or social organi-
zation could withstand. But the great
wrong was committed before. Ii was
when a Federal judge, palpably Overstep-
ing the limits of his jurisdiction, and per-
petrating an outrage without precedent in
our history, was supported by the power of
the national government in the act Of viz
tually
Creating q State Government
which had not the least evidence of an
election by the people. Ii was when, even
after the President had confessed his doubt,
Congress neglected to undo the usuTpation,
and to make room for those who had dprima
facie evidence of an election by the people.
The wrong was committed even before that,
and
In More states than Louisiana.
1t was when Federal Office holders in the
South were permitted to use their authority
and prestige as power in partisan con-
fict and for the support and perpetuatiOn
Of partisan State Governments the most
vapid and corrupt that ever disgraced re-
publican country. 1t was when the keep
ing of the Southern States was deemed
more important than that they should have
honest and constitutional government.
Nor was that the only wrong committed in
the South. There was another; and the
other side; it was when bands Of lawless
ruffians infested the Southern country,
spreading terror by persecution and mur-
der. II was when helpless prisoners 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 iuries to convict them.
Ii was when the better classes Of society
cOntented themselves with condemnation,
resolutions and pious wishes, instead of
straining every nerve to bring the malefac
tors to Justice. And now il is said that
many OF the bloody stories which reach Us
from the South are
Inventions or ExaggeratfOns.
That may have been and undoubtedly in
SlLlE GdsFS WIS 50. DAtL VIC hlEON elSV Nnal
very many of them were but too true and
that they cannot be explained as mere
defense against official robbery, and the
murdered victims were mostly poor negroes,
while the real plunderers went free and
safe. We know also that there is reaf-
finity element in the South, which, unless
vigorously restrained by all the power Of
society, will reseTt to bloody violence as a
pastime, especially when it is permitted to
believe itself engaged in partisan service
and to be safe under the protection Of public
opinion. The Senator then says: This
state of things we all have to deal with.
He asks,
Is There No Remedy Except Force +?
lie thinks there is, and proceeds to say
there is no further attempt at anarchial
movement on the part Of the people of
Louisiana. But there is another kind of
anarchy which is just as dangerous to re-
publican institutions and to the welfare Of
the Nation as the lawless selfhelp by force
Of individual and parties. 1t is
The Anarchy Of Power.
II is the lawleSsness of authority. If you
want people to respect and obey the laws,
convince them that those in power do not
wilfully disregard them. He then refers to
the fact that the election for a new Legisla-
ture is impending; that United States troops
are there, prOfessedly, to enforce the laws
in that election. But whether they are
used impartially or not will depend upon
who controls them. This contest will be,
in a great measure, in the hands of
United states Marshal Packard,
who, besides being Marshal, was one of the
principal accOmplices of Judge Darrell and
kellogg in the uSurpatiOn two years ago,
and is now the managing spirit Of the
Central Committee Of the kellogg party.
This is not a fit person TO control the
United States troops to be used in that
election. 1t is of the highest importance
that, especially under existing circumstan-
ces. the people of Louisiana should not only
have a fair election, but also that they
should be made TO feel that they have one.
The past performances of recent functions
of Mr.. Packard are not calculated to in
spire confidence. l am sure the whole
country would applaud an order OF the
President relieving MIR. Packard OF his
official duties and the substitution Of a
man of such character that everybody will
believe him incapable of abusing his power
for partisan ends.
Schurz then urges that all Federal office
holders in the Southern States, who have
looked upon themselves as mere party
agents, using all their Influence to sustain
and strengthen the party, deSolating thai
country, and probably not in many cases
oblivious of their own profit, should b
stripped of their official powers, and says d
was rejoiced few days ago when reading
in the papers that the President was con
templating the holding of
A Terrible Muster
of Federal placemen in the South. Neve
was it more necessary. Let us hope that MOI
a single one Of them who have made The
Federal army a symbol of selfish partisan
power and greedy oppression may escap'
| him, and that the beginning be made viii
Packard and his associates.
But, he says, the duty Of the Government
does not end here. Congress should
once, on reasseinbling,
Undo the UsurPatiOn
set on foot by Federal government, sup
| ported ty a United States Marshal an
| Federal bayonets, and make every citizel
understand and feel that while preservin
intact the lawful authority Of the govern
ment, they are ready to throw aside al
selfish considerations of party interest
when the rights and welfare of the peopl
and the integrity of republican institution
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