New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1875-09-19
A SECOND DANIEL,


There has been always as wide differ
ence between the people of Georgia and
of South Carolina as if the two peoples
were divided by an ocean. The latter seem
| dissatisfied with republican form of
government. A large proportion of the
property and intelligence of South Caro-
lima sided with the British government in
the revolution, and it is probable that the
descendants of these men have received
accessions to their opinions.
Georgia has been planted by people
who have never known anything else but
devotion to republican form of govern
ment. Georgia has been the first to
establish the homestead grant of public
land, and has maintained universal suf-
frage even before the war The conduct
of Virginia and Georgia has been in
| marked contrast with that of some other
Southern States. Each fought bravely to
the last in defense of the Confederate
cause, but each has kept its faith since the
war. In both may be found the same de-
votion to law. not because it is govern
ment, but for the far higher reason that
law is the act of the citizen. 1t is his own
sign manual and seal placed there by his
own representative, and it is regarded as
dshonorable to violate his own contract.
Judge Herschel V. johnson, in the re-
cent trials for alleged instruction, pro-
nvuuueu lvIivuIns zap. vss,v.. pop.
lar duty:
1t is of the utmost Importance that we
adhere to the law, follow the law, conform
to the forms and principles of law. The
law is our sheet anchor. Its mission is to
protect property, lite and liberty. 1t
guards with flaming sword the howell as
we'll as the palace, and throws it's pgis over
the poor and the weak as we'll rs the rich
and the mighty. Without law, anarchy
and revolution must reign, and society re-
cede to the darkness and cruelty of barbar
Ism. Its supremacy must be recognized
and maintained, and this implies not only
its enforcement when violated, but also
cheerful obedience to it by all. Voluntary
obedience to wholesome laws is the very
essence OF liberty and the most distinguish
ing characteristic of good citizen, and
their firm and impartial enforcement, when
y
is the very essence of good government
In this his honor spoke for himself and
for his race. The Anglo-Saxon abides by
the law whether he likes it or not. To
change an obnoxious law he may over
throw the form of government which en-
acted it, but he never descends to evade
or nullify law, and especially a law
made according to the republican forms
of the government of which he is citi-
zen. The reason of this is that if ma
jority of the voters prefer different law
from that which we prefer, it is a duty
still to obey this law, and seek to CON
vince enough of this majority of its error
to unite with us to repeal the law. For at
least this is better than to fill the land
with perpetual riot, and bring the laws
and their administration at last to signify,
not the will of the greatest number, but
the fears of the greatest number, added to
the military strength and skill of the mi
nority. Men who make their own opinion
of the law that of their turbulent follow
ers, very soon come to believe that they
have right to nullify any law, even by
armed and systematic opposition.
1.-The law, says Judge johnson, sis our
sheet anchor" The late war showed
very large portion of the American people
| opposed to the Southern movement If
there were at present any similar motive
to concentrate public opinion against the
South or against any other section, what
| could shield such section from the de-
structive violence of an irresistible force?
The law, and the law alone. We have no
hesitation in saying that if the doctrine
of the Pennsylvania miners association or
the Southern White League prevailed
throughout the United States neither life
nor property would be safe. The law
is, then, the bulwark. 1t is the broad
embankment under detection of which
Holland sleeps serenely because it re-
strains the lawless waters.
The guarantees of the law are properly
valued by the Georgia judge and by the
people of Georgia. AS result peace and
order prevail, and immigration will tend
wherever assured of respect for law. We
should be very mnch gratified to know
that the Democracy of Louisiana were pre-
pared to adopt the same doctrine.