National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1874-09-18
PRESIDENT GRANTS LAST VIC.
IInR z Z

TORY
In our news columns this morning win
be found the gratifying intelligence of the
surrender. OF rather the dispersion, of the
New Orleans rebels. As the result Of the
decisive action Of the President in the issue
of his proclamation, and the determined
preparations Of the Government to main
tain the supremacy Of the law, this was 10
have been expected. The Fusionists, under
the hare-brained leadership Of 'Iieutenant
Governor" Penn, carried to their logical
end the incendiary suggestions and appeals
contained in the speeches and addresses Of
Governor McEnery. They were carried
away with the violence Of prejudice and
an excitement which could only have been
aroused by the most earnest political feel
ing. Behind all this, however, was mis-
taken belief or perhaps delusive hope,
that the President would not interfere to
prevent the realization Of their designs.
This belief OF hope found its origin in the
misstatements of the Opposition press and
In the misrepresentation Of few so-called
independent journals, who, in their en-
deavor to besmirch the Presidents charac-
ter, have tried to make the people believe
that he would descend TO any degradation
or dishonorsble compromise for the pur-
pose Of currying favor with the Southern
people. They knew that he was magnani-
nous, and misconstrued, under the false
teachings Of treacherous leaders, the gen
erous impulses Of his character. No doubt
many Of them-the rank and file, the
bearers Of muskets-in the White Leagues
honestly believed that the REASONABLE
course for which they ventured their lives,
liberty and property Easa righteous course,
and did not comprehend the stern fact that
the overthrow Of government placed in
power by the courts, sustained by the Ex-
ecutiFe and tacitly recognized by Congress
was an act Of treason. On the other hand
II is certain that many Of them, possessed
with spirit of hatred towards the General
Government, reioiced when the oppor-
tunitF was afforded them to defy
its mandates and antagonize its au-
thorify. But when the Presidents proc
lamation came, tersely commanding
them, as turbulent and disorderly
combinations to disperse, they were con
froDted with the appalling alternative of
aooDhict with the arms Of the United States
Added TO this was the unmistakable tone
of the Northern press, regardless Of party
sympathy, in support of the Presidents
course, and although they may have sworn
to die in the attempt to Place the AcEnery
government in authority, the array Of
power thus so suddenly brought to bear
was Sufficient to give them shock which
sobered and brought them to full rcaliza-
ton Of the danger Of their position. They
began to appreciate the fact that the old
sectional feeling which sustained the North
in the war Of the shareholders rebellion
was again aroused. SUllen as their COM
plianee with the tones Of the proclamation
has been, and with mutteringsof hot-rem-
pered defiance, it is evident that they
have been conquered withouta shot having
been fred BY United States soldier. In
fact, President Grant has gained victory
over this incipient rebellion, nipped it in
the bud by a single stroke Of his pen. His
quick decision and prompt action queIled
the furbulence, which, If it had not been
checked, would ere this have drenched the
South with blood.
It win now be in order for the rebels and
their friends to boast and prate Of their re-
spect for the authority Of the General Gov
eminent They claim that they did not
surrender to the Kellogg State govern
ment, and that nothing less than the au-
thority of the United States, which was in
voked against them, could have compelled
them 10 disperse. They VIII argue from
this that they are "loyal, and that the
obedience which they have 50 reluctantly
yielded to the orders Of the President
Should cntitli, them to Consideration as law.
abiding citizens We shall hear al this in
8 thousand different ways, and it win be
repeated again and again by the Opposition
press. But with thinking men, and with
the people whose business interests have
suffered, as wei as with the eager patriots
Of the North who stood ready yesterday to
shoulder their muskets for q renewal of the
sectional war, this kind Of pleading viii
carry no weight. The rebels have proved
themselves to be rebels now as thoroughly
and as uncomprOmisingly as when they
fought under Beauregard and when they
were in the ranks Of the Confederate hat
taliOns What assurances can they give
that they win not repeat their crime again
tomorrow, or next week, or next month";
II is true that their experience Of the past
week has been bitter and that they have
been subjected at last to the humiliation of
a bloodless defeat. but il will required long
probation Of peace and quiet to restore them
to the confidence Of the law-abiding people
Of the country.