The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1875-01-15
Current Notes.


The Pttsburg Gazette publishes a list of
names nearly two columns long-men who
want Congress to make business lively and
times better. D-n Congress If all the men
who signed that thing will grab plow and
till the soil for year or two, raise more
hogs and hominy, they wouldn't have time
to think of Congress or dull times either.
Let 'em try it and see.-LouisuiUe Courier
Journal.
The country looks to Congress for some So
luton OF the Louisiana problem. We trust
it may not look in vain. Hitherto Congress
has shamefully avoided its responsibility.
Long ago the President asked Congress to
legislate in behalf of Louisiana, stating dis
tinctly that he should have to follow the die
tates OF his own judgment if il gave him no
directions. 1t did rothing; and he did some
thing-did, probably, the wisest thing he
conld, under the circumstances. 1t must
meet\its responsibilities now, or the blood of
many innocent pen may be upon its gar
Rochester Democrat
Mr.. Stephens, ex-vce president of the
Southern Confederacy, called on the Presi-
dent recently, and was honored by General
Grants coming down to the lower floor of
the presidential mansion. The interview
was cordial, and the two distinguished gen.
tlemen separated the best of friends. Mr..
Stephens iustifies the President in his course
in Louisiana, to the vexation of many of his
Democratic associates. s.-Springfeld Repub-
Hcdn.
The temper and the terms Of the message
sent to the senate yesterday indicate, on the
part of the President. respectful Difference to
the public opinion, and desire, which can
not be doubted. to conform to the laws and
the judgment of the country.-Boston Aduer-
tiser.
The Administration labors under the great
disadvantage, at the present time, of having
forfeited public confidence in respects other
than those for which it is now so severely
condemned. 1t has heretofore alienated
troops of friends by apparently flying in the
face of the best Republican sentiment, and
thus creating the impression that it was
given over to the control of the baser ele-
ments of the PARTY. But it is now before the
country on matter far graver than any
questions of ordinary domestic policy. 1t is
endeavoring to protect the rights of class
in the Southern community who otherwise
are virtually helpless before organized bodies
or armed men. IL sent General sheridan TO
Louisiana as an officer of observation, but he
found it necessary totake the command. and
Immediately enunciated the proposition
than which there is none truer in Euclid
that secret armed societies are Incompatible
with the public peace He may have taken
unwise measures in interfering even with an
Illegal legislative body, but it was done for
mertorious purpose, to save hloodshed.
Few men will doubt that General Sheridan,
if sustained, would speedily crush out the
law'essness of New Orleans.-Boston Tran
script
The President is right in demanding OF
Congress that it make his duty plain, and
not leave him to be condemned for doing
what he is required by existing laws to do, be-
cause it does not satisfy the people of Louisi-
ana. While measures should be taken which
will ensure a fair expression of the will of the
people of that state, it must be remembered
that a large portion of that people are secured
in an equal exercise of political rights by the
fifteenth amendment Of the Constitution and
the enforcement act, and that they, as well as
the rest of the people, must be defended in a
free exercise Of their privilege.-Boston
Globe.