New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1875-02-21


The return of the Louisiana investigation
committee has developed the fact that but
for the mob spirit which rules the city of
New Orleans. inAamed by Northern sympa-
thizers and allies, q peaceable and complete
adjustment Of the difficulties of that unfOr-
tunate State would have been accomplished.
Mr.. Hears committee seem to have ap-
preached and conducted their labOrs in the
broadcast and most liberal spirit. One Of
the chief results of their presence in New
Orleans, not as members Of the committee,
but as able and sincere men, earnestly
desiring the peace of the State, and the
welfare of the whole country, was q basis
of compromise of existing difficulties invited
by the Conservative members Of the Legis
lature, and presented to them, unofficially,
but with the knowledge and consent of his
colleagues, by Mr.. Wheeler Ofthe committee.
This proposition of adjustment gave the con-
troll of the Legislature to the Conservatives,
q tact which will be conceded by the unan-
imous report OF the committee, and at the
same time it required, on behalf Of the
Conservatives Uf that body, that they
should place upon the official record a
resolution declaring that without approving
the same they would acGuiesce in and abide
by the results of the election of 1872; that
they would not disturb the present State
government, or seek to impeach the Gov
ernor for any past official acts; and that they
would henceforth accord to the Governor all
necessary aud legitimate support in main
tanning the laws, and in advancing the peace
and prosperity Of the people Of the State.
This proposition, with but a slight and
unimpOrtant variation, was subsequently
adopted by the Conservative caucus, and
preparations were at once made, with the
cooperation OF Governor Kellogg and
Speaker Hahn, for carrying it into effect.
1t also had the approval OF hundreds of the
best business men of New Orleans. 1t was
earnestly supported by the leading men of
the country parishe s-amOng them A. H.
Leonard, editor Of the Shreveport Times,
who has been one Of the most violent men
in the State-but on the very eve of it's
successful accomplishment the mob spirit
of the city broke loose, and under the in
tuence Of an armed mass meeting, COM
posed of the worst classes of the city, the
Conservatives were intimidated into
reconsideration Of their action. These
proceedings were led BY McEnery and his
followers, who seek only the overthrow of
Governor Kellogg. A counter proposition
was subsequently submitted by the Con-
servatives TO Mr.. Wheeler, but as it left
open the whole question of recognizing the
kellogg government, it was promptly re-
jected. Since the return of the committee.
however, negotiations have been resumed
upon the basis OF the first proposition.
There is still. therefore, prospect of an
amicsble settlement, and we earnestly trust
it may succeed. The desirability Of it, it
seems to lis, can not be Overestimated. 1t
will be happy way out Of the whole diff
Guilty. 1t is manifest that Congress will
not act, and In that case it will leave
upon the President q load of respOn-
sibllity from which a man with even his |
great courage may well shrink. We be-
lieve we are correct in saying that the |
President has within the last twenty-four
hours expressed himself as earnestly desir- |
Gus that the people of Louisiana should set |
tie this matter themselves, and relieve him |
from the distasteful necessity of further in |
reference. Governor Kellogg and his friends |
have eviDced their willingness to accept |
such solution with the full knowledge that |
The result would give one branch of the |
Legislature to their political opponents. We |
believe, further, that such result would be |
almost unanimously approved by Congress,
and that the people Of the whole country,
except "last ditch" rebels and their extreme |
Democratic allies, would join in such ap-
prevail. So far as the substance of this |
agreement became known among members |
'f Congress yesterday, its features were
warmly sanctioned, and it will be very un-
Ortunate If they are not finally carried out. |
We beg the people of Louisiana to believe |
hat if they will act with entire good faith |
n this matter they will be met by CORE
spending good faith and liberality here
Washington National Republican.