The Ouachita telegraph. [volume] (Monroe, La.) 1865-1889, 1875-02-12

MONROE, La, FEBRUARY II, 1875.
COMPROMISING PRINCIPLES.
For some time it has been apparent
that the Conservative members of the
legislature were not indjsposed to effect
an adjustment with the Kellogg legis-
Iature. This feeling has eliminated in
O formal agreement, on the part of
thirty-eight Conservatives Of the
House, to enter the State blouse, with
Conservative majority of the House,
but with a promise not to interfere
with the present political status of the
Senate, or to inquire into the conduct
of Kellogg Or his administration of the
State government.
We publish elsewhere the utterances
of several prominent Conservative
leaders at a meeting held in New Or
leans to protest against the proposed
arrangement.
Weeks ago, in anticipation of this
very trouble, we emphatically con-
demned any backing-down on the part
of the Conservative members of the
legislature. We believed that Kellogg
and his adherents, being clearly in the
wrong and in the minority, would offer
inducements of some kind to break
down the opposition to his administra-
ton, and we expressed the hope that
the members who left the Capitol would
adhere tenaciously to their grounds of
censure.
Neither the names, nor high charac-
ter of the Conservatives who have
sanctioned the published compromise,
has changed our convictions. We are
unable to discover what is to be COM
promised, unless it be principle, and
such a compromise, at this juncture, is
downright folly. If the Conservatives
are to ratify the ubiquitous proceedings
which made Kellogg Governor and the
no less outrageous wrong perpetrated
in seating maj ority of Radicals in the
legislature, as well as the unwarranted
Intervention of Federal soldiery in the
organization of the legislature, there is
nothing left for the Conservatives to
struggle for. Such compromise is
worse than absurd.
The people are not engaged in a con.
test for mere local offices, for the per-
diem of Legislators, or the empty bauble
of participating in the Kellogg State
government. We understand, speaking
for the people and the moderate class
too, that there are certain principles at
stake which should not be comprom-
ised. OF compromises and fusions and
conferences, the people have had all
they can carry. They want nothing to
do with Mr.. Kellogg, or his govern
mcnt, that involves a voluntary recog-
milton of his election as Governor.
1t will be remembered that the
strongest claim urged in the last Con-
gress in Kellogg's behalf, was that the
people supported him. It has been
n sore subject with this paper that KEEL
logg has been applied to for appoint
ments, and that citizens, not of his
party, have sought f,vors at his hands
and we have never been able to answer
tho proof of such acquiescence in the
Kellogg fraud, except that it was a
matter Of dire necessity.
We look ahead to 1876, with every
confidence in Louisiana's cause and
pride in her course. The weary road
our people have travelled has been
heightened by unwise concessions and
want OF steadiness and by systematic
deception on the part of those with
whom our leaders have treated. Stead
lily Louisiana has gone down, and all
her material interests have gradually
sunk under the baleful influence of con-
cession to demagogues who are her enc
mics at heart. There is nothing in the
present state of affairs to compromise.
All our strength lies in opposition to
the decree of Durrell, the armed inter-
ference of the President, and in the
exposure of the rascals who compose
the Kellogg government.
The congressional committee closed
its labors on Monday, and adjourned to
-, ~,