The anti-monopolist. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1874-1878, 1875-01-21
Senator Carl Schurz on Louisiana,

leoislation is necessary to secure to the {
neople of Louisiana their rights Of self ..
government under the constitution, and ,
to report with the least possible delay
bv bill or otherwise. The galleries
we're crowded and Mr.. Stephenson NOV
ed that the privilege of the floor and
rear seats be granted to ladies who
could not obtain admission to the gal
leries. Mr.. Hamlin objected.
Mr.. Schurz then spoke in favor OF
his resolution. He said he approached
the subject in no party spirit. About
to retire to private life. the success OF
no party would become benefit to
him, nor its defeat injare him. The
subject now before the Senate was SO
great that passion or prejudice should
find no place in the breasts OF the Sena-
tors discussing it. He did not think
the debate Of last week premature, or IN
advance of the facts. All important
facts in the case we're in possession OF
Senators. He reviewed the scenes IN
Louisiana of Monday last, attending the
organization of the Legislature. the IN
reference of the militia, ETC., and said:
What provision Of the constitution:
| what laws are on the statute books fur
nishing warrant for such proceedings!
It is said in extenuation OF lnterfer-
ence Of the military power OF the
United States, that the persons expelled
from the Legislature by the federal
soldiery' we're not duly elected members
Of the Legislature. Suppose that had
been so: but that is not the question.
The question is, where is the constitu-
tionai principle, where the law author
ling United States soldiers, with mus.
kets in their hands, to determine who
are elected members of State Leglsla'
ture, and who are not
1t is said that. the mode Of organiza-
ton of the Legislature was not in ac-
cordance with the statutes OF the State.
Suppose that had been so: but it IS not
the question. The question is, Where
| is the constitutional or legal warrant
Tor the federal soldiery to inspect the
Legisle lures of States, and to decide for
and in Legislature points Of parlia'
mentary law!
1t is Said that the Governor request
ed the aid Of United States soldiers to
| purge the Legislature of illegal mem.
bers. That may be so; but that is
not the question. The question is,
Where is the law authorizing United
\ States soldiers to do the bidding OF a
State Governor, who attempts to de-
eide who are to be the members Of the
Legislature, regularly convened at the
: place and at the time fixed by law!
1t is said that trouble was threatened
between the contcnding parties in Lou
isiana. Suppose that had been so; thu
n question is, Where is the law from
r which the national government. in cas-
y of threatened trc uble In State, derives
: it's power to invade the Legislative
4 BODY bv armed force to drive out per
sons seated as members Of the Stat
Legislature that others may take thei
" place! Where is the law | ask 1o'
:. will search the constitution in vain.
# 1t is my deliberate judgment, con
T scientionsly formed, that on the 4th o
l. January, in Louisiana. a gross and man
ifest violation Of the constitution an
4 laws was perpetrated. We have an &C
before us indicating the spirit in on
i government which either ignores tn
H. constitution and laws, or so ipterprei
$. them, that they cease to be safeguar
'e Of independence. Of legislation, tn
re rights and liberties of the people; an
f. that peril shows itself more alarmingl
still in the instrument the executiv
I'd has chosen to carry out his will.
n. No American citizen can have rea
or without profound regret, and equal
If. profound apprehension, the recent di
n. patch of Gen. Sheridan to the Seer
n. tary Of War. in which he suggests th'
he a numerous class of citizens should. b
D. wholesale, he outlawed as banditti by
mere proclamation Of the President,
be delivered over to the military cor
= n.ander for summary judgment by
ay military commission. Nobody respec
re- Gen. Sheridan more than do for b
ne brilliant deeds on the battle field. ii
ae nation has delighted in honoril
~ his name, and the nati'
aiI would sincerely deplore to see the he
ny of the Ride to Winchester. and I
charge at Five Forks. stain his name
ZEE any attempt to override the laws al
me constitutional rights of his countryme
GU 1t is another illustration of how gre
Of man may be soldier. and how CO
he So cuously unable to understand CT
the law and the constitution. He mi
the glory in fighting for you; but how !
md tie fit to govern you.
in On all sides we hear the question as
the ed if this can be done in Louisiana
such things be sanctioned by Congre
,s.. how long will it be before it will be dc
= in Massachusetts, and Ohio-how 10
~ before the constitutional rights and
VS. rs; self.government of the people. will
~ trampled under foot! How long bef'
tue a General Of the Army may sit in
res. chair you occupy. to contest elect.
ac' in order to make majority IN the 5
ear ate. and before soldier will stalk i
,rs' the house Of the nations represen
nan tives, pointing to the Speakers Ga,
the and say. Take away that bauble :!
Mr.. Schurz said he contemplated
ago present crisis with grave apprehens
,eenI that our time-honored constitutio
this principles would gradually be obli'
did ated by repeated abuses Of power.
hey tablishing themselves as Precedei
ab- and that the machinery Of the adm
lila istration may become more and m
nds. An instrument Of ring-rule. tool
- il manufacture maioritieS and organ