The New Orleans bulletin. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1874-1876, 1874-04-09
PRESIDENT GRANT AND THE BAL
LOT BOX.

The reply of President Grant to the sout
Carolina delegation, will be received through
, out the country, by his adherents and part
sans, as very wise judicious and hlghl
satisfactory disposition OF the question SUI
mitted for his consideration. The telegraph
reports him as saying that if the condition
Of affairs in those: States, Louisiana ant
South Carolina, were as they are represented
the remedy was in the hands of the people, t.
be applied through the ballot-Dox." This, W.
admit, would be a very proper method OF re
dressing our wrongs and removing the politi
cal burdens that weigh upon us so heavily
We ask no other favor. But is Gen. Grant
sincere and honest in what he proposes
We, of Louisiana, are loathe to believe in
any such idle talk. The very remedy" tOl
relief to which he refers, was resorted to by
our people short time ago, and with what
success the whole nation is now familiar
After four years Of the most corrupt, venal
disgraceful and oppressive administration OF
the State and city governments by the Re
publican party; when the people Of Loui-
siana, by all the devilish schemes and cum
ming devices for peculation and fraud had
been reduced to poverty and absolute want ;
when property was so encountered by Excess
sive taxation that its ownership became a
burden: when the material and industrial
interests of the country were paralysed by
the disorganization of labor; when, in fine,
tI,c "a, Irir IN Iac
the hope was held out that the ballot-box
would afford remedy, aud there would be
found panacea for all our woes.
We gladly and willingly accepted the
protfered boon. Bravely, hopefully and
honestly the voters went forward, and with
that belief, which inspires the heart o.
every American citizen who trusts and re-
spects his Government cast their votes for
good and upright men to fill he high and
responsible offices Of the Government. The
result was declared. 1t was in favor Of the
long and sorely oppressed people Of the
State, and in condemnation Of Radicalsm,
carpet-baggers, scalawags, thieves and
negro domination. 1t was the dawn of a
bright and happy day for Louisiana. 1t
pealed forth the tones Of an outraged, but
long suffering and forbearing people. 1t
was the warning signal for the departure of
a horde Of vampires that had fattened upon
the life-blood of the people of the State. 1t
was, in fine, the utter humiliation of the
Republican party in this State.
But herein was the fatal error The Stare
IF Louisiana had been decreed to the Re-
publican party by President Grant, and
the people Of the State had
appealed from his decision to the ballot-box
he sO-called palladium of our liberties.
But how futile has been this resort to the
asst tribunal, and how absurd and ridicu
Gus does it make President Grant appear in
he eyes of the civilized world. He simply
means by his recent declaration, that the
allot-box is the remedy for the troubles of
tates, when Republican majorities can
hereby be secured. But when otherwise
nd Republicans are driven to the wall, then
he ballot-bor is "fraud and a cheat" and
ne strong arm of the military is invoked to
ullify the votes of the people.
Out, then, upon such twaddle as this OF
rant. 1t is false in sentiment, and 70 reign
, every honest conviction.