New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1874-09-27

The Picayr',e made a good deal OF fun
Of the mud turtle monitors anchored in
front of the city. Whether the jest was at
the expense of those who own no ship
ping. or OF those who hold the damage to
property in such salutary dread, We can
not say.
The Appearance Of two ships o: war in
our port. avowedly sen: to enforce the
laws if necessary. increases the hilarity Of
the journal. while the iatimation tina:
apprehensions of yellow fever disturb the
soldiers. and that distractions oIferet: Ly
the ba: impede the largest naval vessels.
inspires peals and paroxys:ns Of laughter.
This is reverberated from the parishes Of
North Louisiana which seem to DEFY any
officials appointed by the State TO execute
their duties, and the address Of the Sew
en:y styles this tie province OF Louis
Jana
We reere: TO observe :ils :oa. NL.th-
e- the army or navy OF the Ua;.ed States
be needed or rot. i. wi. likely remain
here until the State executive has 10
longer need Of its possible services. This
apprehension will not be at al! diminished
by the temper displayed by the White
League and the persistent purpose Of that
body to maintain its organization and
carry its purposes into electoral effect.
Every one understands how a person or
a people may keep within the technical!
letter and yet oppose the spiri: of author
ity. We had hoped obedience. not to the
force of the federal government. but to
the constitution and laws. Suppose in
the opinion Of large number of citizens
cause exists for the violent overthrow of
the State government. 1t has been agreed
by all that the fedora! constitution is the
paramount: law. and such citizens should
surrender-not thei, personal opinion
but their obedience to the decision of the
federal constitution as the rightful arbiter.
For it will be remembered that
the obedience to military force
is By no means the only duty Of
intelligent citizens. There should be an
obedience to the rightfu! powe. which
invokes or employs that force. Obedi-
ence from fear Of punishment is by no
means so high q motive as if based OIL a
conviction that the authority exercised is
based on justice. even if believed mis-
takan IL its action. Our citizens should
respec. the Intervention Of the United
States, because it is in accordance with
the law. and should not, we think resis.
it as oppressive. OK evade it as impotent.
We regret this exhibition Of discomfort
because Of its effect upon the commercial!
prospects Of our city. Ships of war an
chored of the mouth Of our port. ships of
war stationed to command our principal
streets do not look we'll to foreigners. How
car nations who do not understand our
usages Or our language. view this port
thus b.ockaded by vessels and occupied
by troops: How can they tel: whether
some new instruction il tie COUNTRY
par:sLe, may not place our city in non
intercourse not only with our ov.. but
with other countries: II such case vha.
would be the business situation O: a
vesss! sent around for freight at this port:
What would be the condition 0: the river
boats and barges if poi;tica! events should
compe! the President and Secretary O: the
Treasury to exercise these powers with
which tie law has invested tLe.ns We
hear excited inen talk Of forcing the fed
era! govern ment to establish a military
government in Louisiana. The RErvB.
:.,cAS has already explained that any Mill
tary government mus: be auxiliary and
subordinate to the State government. but
if the federal government should establish
a military government. it could only be
under the laws referred to. and the law of
blockade and forfeiture would be the code
of Louisiana, as the law now stands.
Such consequences are very fearful to
those who have business or capital at
stake. It may suit the political attorneys