The New Orleans bulletin. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1874-1876, 1875-01-28
MILITARY FORCE THE LAST
RESORT OF THE RADICALS.
Proposed Increase of the Army Under
Pretense of War with Spain.
A Nice Little Game to Perpetuate Radi.
cal;Sm.

| NASdlNGIoN, u w., Jan. Z4-AmODg tn,
desperate measures suggested to save tn,
Republican party and perpetuate It's rule ovel
the Southern States, is the proposition which
was preached in the caucus of the members
of the House last Friday night by Gen. L.
Hurbut, OF Illinois, that the Republican ma
Jority should take advantage of their presen,
opportunity, and at this session appropriate
money enough to supply the army for two
| fiscal years instead of one, as has been the
practice since the foundation Of the Govern
ment. This proposition, which almost borders
on revolution, finds special favor among the
carpet-baggers, and the more extreme men
like Butler and Morton. The idea lit is al
leged) first came from the immediate friends
OF the President, who, it is authoritatively
stated, Endorses the scheme, and is anxious to
see it carried.
The party leaders, who are driven almost
to the verge OF despair, feel that unless they
have free swing with the military in the South,
there is no prospect whatever of being able
to carry single Southern State in 1876, and
that, in fact, unless the different rotten Re-
publican State governments are sustained as
to-day in Louisiana and Mississippi, not one
of them will be in existence as soon as the
people shall have chance to express their
opinions at the polls The ostensible reason
put forth for this outrageous action is that
when the Democrats shall obtain control of
the House next December, they will either
refuse to make an appropriation for the army
altogether, and thereby cripple that branch Of
provision in the bill that the troops shall
not + be used for the purpose of
setting up governments and overthrowing
legislatures, as they have been employed ever
since the so-called reconstruction of the
South was begun. That the Democracy
should practically annihilate the army by re-
fusing to provide for its support, is Of course
absurd. Every Democratic leader laughs at
the idea, and indeed no sane man OF the
other side believes that any such foolish
course would be pursued. That they will,
however, endeavor to curb to some extent the
power of the Executive in this respect is
probable enough, and that they will have the
support of the country in so doing is very
clearly shown by the late elections
CONSERVATIVE REPUBLICANS OPPOSED TO THE
SCHEME.
But while the administration men in Con-
gress and out of it are plotting this serious
blow at the liberties of the Republic, there is
very large element in the Republican party
in Congress which is opposed to this extreme
policy, and will be very apt to oppose it, even
if it should be stamped with the approval of
the caucus as the policy to be pursued. They
regard it as unwise and dangerous in the ex-
IRENE, and will fight it in every way possible
The carpet-baggers however, are very san
guine of success and as they are really run
ming the party here just now, it is not impos-
sible that, backed by the administration, they
may be able to carry out the desperate
scheme they are pressing with SO much ardor
The proposition still hangs fire, even in the
caucus.
A FOREIGN WAR
The rumor OF war with Spain gains
credence. A peculiar significance is given it
by the unprecedented action which it is said
Congress is about to take, and which is GER
tainly favored by majority of the Republi-
cans, in extending the provisions of the army
appropriation bill to two years. The man in
the White-House has been understimated by
those who claimed that his resources were
unequal to the difficulties which confront
him. He has read as correctly as any one
the lesson of the reverses his party sustained
in October. The recent Senatorial elections
tell him that the reaction is still in
full blaze. The indignation meetings in
the North, and the rebukes there
given his Louisiana policy, show him
that the animosty once so general in that Sec
ton against the South is rapidly being re-
placed with sympathy for an oppressed peo-
pie, and lively apprehension that tho whole
country will soon feel the rigor of military
Government. He knows instinctively that
nothing short of a miracle can restore him to
the confidence of the people or reanimate his
party. He knows that he can not be re-
elected by fair and legal means, not even with
the sanction and help of Republican nomi-
nation. But knowing it all, and realizing in
full measure the precise nature OF the game
he is about to play, he is trying to make free
and fair election impossible. Sheridan could
not stir up revolt in the South, SO no pre-
text has been given in that quarter for calling
an army into existence; but war may be
declared with Spain, an army of three-years
men may be raised and organized In six
weeks after the troops have been recruited
and differed with the creatures of the Presi-
dent, the troubles with Spain may be adjust
ed nevertheless, the army will still remain,
appropriations for its maintenance will have
been voted, and Grant will be its chief.
Southern outrages will be reported with
alarming frequency and he will be too patri-
otto to aisband the army till the laws are vim
Dictated. Northern copperheads and sympa-
thizers will in turn have to be suppressed.
In the midst of the discipline the Presiden-
tial election will come off, The military will
keep order at the polls Grant will be elected
as a political-military necessity. Then will
come the end.
Such is the policy Of the White House
ring, which proposes to speak for Grant. It's
are bitter to the last degree against
Secretary Fish, who thus far has blocked
their game. They confidently assert that the
President is with them, and that instead of a
merely barren recognition Of beligerent
rights, he is ready to recognize fully and
completely the independence of Cuba as the
only policy equal to the occasion. That this
policy means war, military government, lib
eral expenditures, and the empire, the way
faring man, though a fool, may easily read
and discern how far the business and moneyed
interests which support the Republicans will
be ready to acquiesce.