The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1874-09-08


eayety and hospitality-for all of the COM
forts and most of the refnements of life.
In its rich soil it possessed source oil sound
ant prosperity aud in its great rivers and
harbors the means of communication with
other states and foreign countries for the in
terchange of luxuries. The state had
proved its ability to be a self ruling conn
munity by years of happy and peaceful ex-
perience. What was needed was that LoHisi-
ana should be lett alone-to regain her
former position. II may be said simply and
truly that all the evils which affiict that
commonwealth to-day sprsng out of the
want of faith in the accomplishment of re-
OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES of faith in popular
government. When Judge OF
the United States Court nearly two years
ago interfered and overturned the duly
elected government, and when the executive
of the nation recognized and maintained by
force set of usurpers, more injury was done
than one isolated act of political injustice.
The preparation of that wrong was the De-
ginning of the overthrow Of the work of re-
construction which overthrow the circularlet-
ter of Attorney General Williams completes.
After snatching power out of the hands
people it has been found impracticable to re-
store 1t and in order to maintain the violence
done. series of evils has been entailed that
brings the state to the verge of anarchy. Ev-
cry species of hatred and contention has been
sown broadcast in the politics Of Louisiana
and the harvest of these evil fruits has
been abundant. The setting aside of the
verdict of the ballot box in 1872, to crafty a
set of unprincipled political adventures at
the expense of the liberty of the people,
was the turning point in the history of the
state, as urged by the conservative commit
tee. The national government that allowed
itself to become the source of injustice and
oppression has fearful crime to answer for,
and the blood that has since been shed in
Louisiana is on the hands of the admins
ton. Had the usurpation of Kellogg been
followed by popular rebellion the outbreak
would have been perfectly justifiable. The
people chose to seek redress by peaceful
means and every step in the pursuit ofjustice
led them into disgust with the government.
The Supreme Court could not remedy the evil
which had been done in the name of law.
The president had grave doubts as to wheth-
er he had put the proper state officers in
power, and asked Congress TO decide the
matter. Congress investigated and did
nothing, although such partisans of the
dominant faction as Matt Carpenter de-
nounced the usurpation with a fire and
yehemence that would have won justice
in any other assembly than the United
States Senate. So the people of louisiana
have found themselves on the eve of another
election with their usurping government
stillin power and under system of regis
tration and election laws that put the
wealth. intelligence and numerical majority
of the State completely at the mercy Of
Kellogg and his faction. To their indigna-
ton at the sense of past wrongs and the
prospect OF future outrsges, the disorder in
the state is due. The peculiar shape in
which the political agitation broke out
and has been carried on, is worthy of notice.
The people have organized, and by system
of terrorism have forced the usurping officers
in various localities to resign and quit the
country. Such task could not, as matter
of course, be carried out without riot and
bloodshed 1t was the resort to force, and
the confession of despair in the forms of
law or the powers of civil society.
The interference of the general govern
ment may lead to the establishment of a
temporary peace, but it will be peace
founded on injustice, andeit can not be
durable. The argument of the committee
that the action of Williams really makes the
coming election farce is conclusive. To be
consistent the national government must
lay aside the pretense of popular govern
ment, in which the majority of the people
are to be held under the control OF an ig-
norant and irresponsible minority. 1t must
break to pieces the vast sham which it has
set up and called reconstruction, and begin
the costly work of recognizing the South
over again. Thus far it has made misera-
BILE failure, and it has failed because il
would not, as American principles demand,
trust the government into the hands Of the
people themselves.