The New Orleans bulletin. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1874-1876, 1875-02-13
HARPER'S WEEKLY ON THE SITUA-
TION IN LOUISIANA.

HARPER'S WEEKLY ON THE SITUA
TON IN LOUISIANA.
The following leading editorial in Harper's
Weekly, Of the 18th inst, ought to make the
Radicals pause to consider 1t is an able ar.
gument from first to last and terrible ar
raignment of the Republican party and of
the President Harper's Ueecy has hereto
fore been a tremendous engine for evil It
may make some amends by endeavoring to
undo some of the mischief it has wrought:
The chief political question before the coun-
try is one of administration. There is no
serious proposition to disturb the Fl nal settle
ments of the war, however their wisdom may
be questioned The Democrats indeed,
would undoubtedly leave the amendments to
take care OF themselves, would paralyze them
as much as possitla, but they would not at
tempt to do more. Moreover the Democratic
party is so hopeful because of the recent Re-
publican defeats, and the election of 1876 is
SO near, that third or a new party organiza-
ton is out of the question, and the next
| p resident will be elected either by the Demo-
| Gratis or the Republicans.
Amidst the general Republican disaster
there is, however, profound apprehension of
the consequences OF Democratic restoration.
The real elements and tendencies of that
party, which are very different from those of
its doctrinaires, are essentially reactionary to
the movement of the last fifteen years, which,
with all Its errors, is movement of national
union, of liberty and progress. Thousands
OF votes which have helped to defeat the Re-
publicans during the last few months are
those Of men who are so to speak, naturally |
Republican, and who would greatly prefer to |
see that party, truly inspired and wisely man
aged, in the ascendant. They feel, however, |
that there is nothing but calamity to be ex-
pected Of the present Republican course, and
they decline to share the responsibility of the
result
The consequence of this situation is that
the Republican party is in great peril The
most sanguine Republican can hardly sup
pose that if the election were to take place
next month, Republican President would be
elected. Nothing is gained by beating gongs
and tom-toms, and vociferating that such a
view is cowardly and false, and comforting to
the enemy. The way to escape danger is not
to shut your eyes, but to open them. Repub-
licans know perfectly well that in saying that
the party is divided and disheartened, we
speak the simple and obvious truth, and that
nothing is palmer than that there must be
radical change, or the result is fatally sure.
Is, then, the cause of justice and of equal
conscience of the country in the government,
not worth saving? Shall no efforts be made?
It is objected to the Vice Presidents late let
er that he suggests no method of accom- plsh-
ng what he states to be desirable results. He 1
'ronounces for change, but he does not
pecify changes. But if we see what has
lienated the confidence and chilled the en-
husiasm of the party, we can also see now
hey are to be restored. What, then, can be
lone?
The President can emphatcally disclaim
II thought of a third term. The suggestion II
such purpose may have been joke, but IL
he consequences were not comical. A word II
'ell spoken and in season would have been
lost serviceable, but it was withheld If n
le proper and plain declaration were now r.,
lade, it would be late, indeed. but the sub ~,
'ct is not merely personal to him; it affects -;
le party, and it would relieve the public "
'alousy Of ofice-holding interference in
Lotions, which is more positive than ever.
it is supposed at the White House that
lere is no feeling upon this subject, and that
obody really cares, there is an ignorance of
ubllc opinion in that quarter which is an ill
lgury for Republicans. The President also
'uld purge the civil service in such way as
show that political activity not the tenure
office. His action could be such as to indi- I
tie his consciousness that he had hitherto
lied to satisfy in this matter the just expec-
tons which he had excited, and that he had
Nv overcome the adverse influence, which
We thwarted his declared purpose. Here
o two very simple and very practicable
easures which would instantly tend to re-
We the confidence of the party and renew its =
ergy.
Again, the President and Congress together
n adopt policy in the Louisiana question
alch shall satisfy the best opinion of the
untry. They cannot constitutionally re- ,,o
and the State to a Territorial condition. '''
ley cannot order new election in Louisiana apl
ore than in any other State. And they can tes
It recognize and sustain fraudulent gov -,
nment anywhere. The Republican Com ~
ttee OF Privileges and Elections in the ou'
nate, reported two years ago that if the
,ctlon OF 1872 was not void for fraud,
emery and his associates must be recog- =.
zed. I
The Republican subcommittee of Investi etc
ton In the House have just reported that a nan
ar conservative majority was elected to the aga
wer House of the Legislature last Novem- NJ
:. II MIR. Hoar and his associates make Ma
bstantlally the same report, the Kellogg stor
vernment in Louisiana must be considered and
at 1t is now generally believed to be, anc
udulent and illegal. To persist in sustain
, 1t after that would be suicidal folly, and n
rty which justified its Administration IN =
lntalnlng State government which its u
n investigations had shown to be not the
'ice OF the people would be in danger of
utilization at the polls. r.
s there any thing in these suggestions r. =,
cordant with Republican principles? Is "a
lot the first and most cardinal principle of IRON
party that equal rights are to be every IRON
ere and firmly maintained in the Union RI
Ter and by the law, and in no other way2
IS 1t not precisely because their defense
been attempted by stretching and strain
and wrenching the law, that the Republi-
party is SO shaken and riven as we see it
lay! Had there been prompt declaration 70
the President that he would c,,o