New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1874-12-10

A REPUBLICAN, PORN OF aovERSHEsr'
From indications that surround N there
is reason to suppose that the authorities
Of Louisiana may be compelled to demand
of the federal government the lawful exc
cution of that provision Of the constitution
which requires it to guarantee to each
State republican form of government.
A republican government is that which
has been adopted by the vote Of citizens
qualified by law. This government must
be executed by officers and representa-
tives chosen by majority of the voters.
There can be no assurance that all
these voters will go to the polls, and IT
the aggregate vote cast in State fall be-
low the whole number of qualified voters,
there would be no reason for setting aside
an election for such cause. When, how
ever, it shall appear that such portions Of
the voters of State have been under
duress by fear of life or (under the law of
Congress) by deprivation of employment,
and that officers acting under the law
have been systematically prohibited
from performing their duty in organizing
or executing the official administration OF
the government and laws, q case of OBJ
to the representative choice OF
the people will have been proven. 1t
will, in such case, then be apparent that
no government in form republican exists
in such State. 1t will then become the
duty of the federal government to guaran-
tee, by q new election and inaugura-
ton of lawful officers and representatives,
such Republican form of government as
was intended aud enacted by those who
framed the federal constitution. In such
case the State authorities can give no
relief under the legal judgment on the
returns and election of its own members,
because these State authorities are them
selves held in duress and their legal func-
tons paralyzed by violence.
1t is not expected that Congress will act
upon the er pate statement Of news
paper, nor that it will perform duty SO
grave upon the complaints of Republicans
evicted OF excluded from Office. Congress
may send committee to investigate the
facts before taking steps in compliance
with any call to be made by the proper
State authorities. 1t is case differing
from the mere existence of domestic viO-
|ence. We will, as guide to this inquiry,
state succinctly the reasons which may be
alleged for this demand on the federal
government by the State authorities of
louisiana:
1. An appeal has been made to Con-
,ress to determine between contending
claimants for seats in that body. This
involves decision upon the
legality of the State government.
2. Disregardiug this appeal. one Of the
parties on the record has organized
military force throughout the State with
the effect: 1. OF driving the State gov
eminent from possession of the Offices.
J. OF keeping from the polls, or control
ing by threats. voters who desire TO e1er-
Else the right of free suffrage.
}. Holding in fear of their lives officers
appointed by law to certify the list of rep
and officers prima tacie enti-
lied to seats and commissions.
L. Disregarding two proclamations Of
The President commanding the same lille
gal organization to desist tom acts Of
domestic violence.
These allegations will, if proven to the
satisfaction of Congress, form basis for
such Intervention as will, by new election
Or otherwise, assure to louisa ma repub-
ican form Of government.
We will only comment upon the third al
legationin the above category. The Return
ing Board is beset by astute attorneys and
by armed bands ambushed,
in the ordinary occupations of society, but
ready to execute the orders of their chiefs.
The attorneys for the White League hourly
admonish the Returning Board what they
may do. The organs of the White League
daily inform the board what it must do.
The penalty of failure to obey these or
ders is to be repetition of tie violence Of
the fourteenth of September.
The Returning Board is not permitted
to act on its own construction of the law.
It is not allowed to do acts identical with
those performed by preceding board,
of members of the present
White League. One example will be given:
The board proposes to suspend considera-
ton of the vote of Sabine parish. The
polls show Democratic vote Of 841, and
a Republican vote of 2. The table Of
population shows in 1S7O-whites, 1892;
colored, 1s47. Taking one voter to every
five souls as rule. this would give a
white vote of 918, and q colored vote of
500. Certainly there should have been
more than two colored voters, disposed to
vote, among lS47 persons.
1t would be unreasonable to assert that
the colored voters in Sabine voted with
the whites, because the whole vote of the
whites is short of the white strength. 1t
is S41 out of 91S.
Now what will the public think when
informed that Returning Board OF 1872,
composed of some of the present White
Leaguers, made the following just ruling
in regard to the parish Of Jefferson:
There we're :55 Fusion tickets, and not a