The Cairo bulletin. [volume] (Cairo, Ill.) 1872-1878, 1875-01-14

Republican Against the Dangerous
Policy Of the Admin II tration La
Louisiana.
ON Monday last. senator Schilrz, IN the
senate chamber. crowded TO its utmost ca
pacity. called up the resolution submitted
by HIM last week instrltcting the Judici-
airy committee to inquire what legislation
Of Congress Is necessary to secure TO the
people of Louisiana their rights of self
government under the constitution and
report with least possible delay by bill or
otherwise.
The galleries being crowded. Mr.. Stcv-
enson moved that the privileges of the
floor in the rear of the seats b. granted
to the ladies who could not gain admis-
sion to the galleries.
Mr.. Hamlin objected. Mr.. Scurz then
spoke In favor Of the resolution sumbitted
by him.
About 10 retire to private life the sue
cess of no party would benefit him. nor
tile defeat of any iniure him. The subject
now before the Senate was 20 great that
pa ssion or prejudice should find no place
In the breast. Of Senators in discussing il.
lie lid not think the debate OF last
week premature or in advance of the
fcis. All the important facts of
the case were IN the possession Of Sena-
tors.
lie then reviewed the scenes in Louis-
ana of Monday last, attending the organic
alton Of the Legislature. the interference
Of the military, ETC.. aud said What pro-
vision of the constitution - what law
l. there on the statute books furnishing n
warrant for such proceedings. 1t Is said
IN cXtenuation of the interference Of the
military power of the United States that
the persons elected from the Legislature
by the Federal soldicry were not legally
elected members OF the Legislature.
Surprising that had been so, but that i
not the question. The question is, where
j. the constitutional principle. where the
law. authorizing the United States sol
diers with muskets in their hands to de-
terminc who are the lcagally elected
members OF Il State Legislature. and who
nott II j. SAIL that the mode of organic
ing that Legislature was not IN accor-
dance with the statutes of that State.
Suppose that had been 50. but that l.
not the question. The question Is, where
l. the constitutional or legal warrant for
the bayonets OF Federal soldiers TO in
terpret the statute ofthe States AMI to de-
eide for and on legislative points of par
liamcntary law.
Ii is said that the Governor requested
the aid of United STATES soldiers to purge
the Legislature of illegal members. That
may be- so, but that l. not the question.
| The question j., where i the law author
| izing the United States soldiers to do the
| bidding OF the state Governor who at
| tempts 10 decide who are TO be members
| OF the Legislature regularly convened III
| place aud at 4 time fixed by law. II j.
| SAID that trouble was threatened between
| the contending parties in Louisiana. Sup
| pose that had been so. but that is not the
! question. The question il: where is the
| law from which the national government
| in case of threatened trouble In Il State
| derives it, power to drag out by armed
| force persons seated a. members Of a State
| Legislature. that others may take thcir
! places: Where j. the law. ! ask You
wi / search constitution and statutes ii
| vain.
II Is my deliberate Judgment. consci.
| entiously formed. that the deed done on
| the Ith ofJanuary. in Louisiana, cOnsti.
| lntes gross and manifest violation OF the
constitution and laws. We have an aci
before us Indicating spirit in our gov.
eminent which is either Ignorant OF The
| constitution and laws, or ~ interpret.
| them that they cease To De safeguard OF
| the independence of legislation. the rights
| III liberties of the people: and that spirit
| shows itself more alarming still in the i'll
| strument the executive has chosen to ear
| ry out his Will.
No American citizen can have read
without profound regrets and equally
profound apprehcnsions the recent dis
| patch of Gen. sheridan, to the Secretary
| OF War, in which he suggests
| that numerous class of citi-
zens should by wholesale be out
| lawed ne bandtti by a mere proclamation
| OF the President. to be delivered over To a
military commander for summary judg-
| mcnt by "A military commission. Nobody
respects General Shei idan more than
| do for his brilliant deeds on the field OF
battle. The nation has delighted in hon
| oring his name, and the nation would sim
| ccrcly deplorc to see the hero of the
ride of Winchester" and the charge
| at Five Forks" stain his name by an at
| tempt to override the law and lead a
! Charge against the constitutional
| rights of his countryncn. II Is another
| illustration of how great a man may he
ms a soldier, and how cOnspicuously I'M
| able TO understand what civil law and Il
| constitution means. How glorious in
| fighting for you, but how little iii to gov
crn you.
On all sides we hear questions asked il
| this can De done in Louisiana. II such
| things be sustained by Congress, how
| long before il can be done In Massa-
| chlisetis and Ohioy How long before
| the constitutional right, of all the States,
| the Seli-gOvernmcnt of all the people Will
| he trampled under foot. How long be-
fore general OF the army may At IN the
chair you occupy To decide the contested
elections. in order Ia make the majority IN
the Senate. and before soldier viii stalk
| into the house of the nations represents
lives, and pointing to the Speakers mai
let, say, take away that baublt.
Mr.. Schdrz said hr contemplated the
! present crisis with grave apprehension
| that our time-honorcd constitutional pril-
ciples would be gradually oblileratcd, by
the repeated abuses of power, establish
ing themselves rs precedcnt>, and that
I the machinery OF the administration may
become more and more an instrument OF
! ring rule. tool to manufacture lnaJorl-
| ties. and To organize plumber that IN the
hollow she'll OF republican form OF gov
! ernment Will become mere iuolDaii oi
| rapacious and lcspotic factions.
lie commented upon the condition OF
affairs In the South. and said that Con
grcss passed laws comforting upon the
National Government dangerous powers
of very doubtful constitutionallty. The
effect was most deplolablc, IN several
ways.
Your partisans In the Southern States
a Al, 4, a.