The Ouachita telegraph. [volume] (Monroe, La.) 1865-1889, 1874-05-22

Tn 80 far as the quarrel between Baxter
and Brooks has illustrated the results |
of false reconstruction and the want |
or administrative ability in the Presi-
dent, every candid observer must adj
init that the state of affairs in Arkan-
sas has been scandalous. But we hold
it nothing but right to give credit to
the adherents Of both Baxter and his
opponent for their manly support OF
their leaders. Brooks was undoubtedly
elected Governor, but in the execution
of State laws, the decree, right or
wrong, was in Baxter's favor, and he
took the prize. Brooks, elected by the
Conservatives, went over to the Radi-
Gals, and Baxter, elected by Radicals,
went ten days march toward the Con-
servatives who were struggling chiefly
to disinthrall their State. Both went
back on their friends, Baxter having
the advantage Of allying himself with
the best people of the State whom
Brooks had abandoned. Baxter has
triumphed, as much because the Adj
ministration-is outdone in uphoidirg
the sinking fortunes of extreme Radi-
calls at the South, as because, as is pre-
tended, the legislature sustained him.
But the National scandal is not in
Arkansas; it only begins at its lower
boundary. Arkansas could arm and
muster her forces, and ala IN the Ma
ton, as it is called; but, Lot. isiana was
ANONYMOUSLY si1enced eve'- while her
rightful Executive was almost crawling
to the throne and plead ns to be heard
before being condemned. In Arkansas,
corrupt judges are not sustained; in this
State, they are, when their DEGREES are
notorious, confessed violations of law
and Justice. There is a government in
power in this State, organized and sup
ported by the Nation, SO degraded in
the opinion Of its creditors abroad that
they have refused charity to our suffer
ing inhabitants, this same government
having repudiated the plighted faith of
the State. Lawlessness, crime, high
wnymen, defaulters, loathsome merce-
naries of power and beggarly adventu-
rers occupy the foreground and lord 1t
over the virtue and wealth of fIouisi-
ana. The voices of honest men are to
be heard only in signs, their protests
being hushed. Mems minds are not
what they were, nor ought to be, and
their energies, sapped at the base by
the sight of SO much vcnality in the
blessed offspring Of the Nation, are in
evitably tending to imbecility. The
general dilapitlation of farm and city,
the sluggish current in which business
flows, growing year by year more mo-
tiOnless and stagnant, point backward
in reproach to the Nations interference
and the enriched throng who have
been cxhausting the fountain. Igno-
rance enacts laws in the name of prog
ress, and ignorant Jurors interpret them
to the understanding of those achooied
in the text books. ...
This is no sketch of tho fancy; it is
less repellant than the hideous original,
in tho presence Of which fancy herself,
out of compassion for the victims, must
close her eyes. There is no scandal
like the scandal Of Louisiana. No de.
cent, honest man in tho State supports
it's government without offering some
plea for tho pardon of his decent neigh
bors. He knows it is wrong, but he
must livc-poor in purse, and poorer
in resolutions; or he is pledged; or he is
hopeless of 81 reformation; has found q
crumb, or is keeping \ more unworthy
man from picking one up. This gov
eminent ia not alone Il fraud--it is a
miserable failure, despised for its
corruptions and spurned for its want
of popular support. 1t exists, like the
meanest felon, simply because breath
has been breathed into it.
What Congress will do with this
leviathan of scandals has all lost passed
the bounds of reasonable 60 lecture, if,
indeed, its affection for such .! onstros-
tiles was ever conjectura' 1T has sur
Tivcd protracted con iict with the
genius of liberty and The powers of
truth, adherence ut home and shame
abroad. It's destiny, doubtless, is to