The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1875-02-10
THE LOUISIANA QUESTION.


To THE EDITOR OF THE HERALD:-.
have carefully read the letter OF Mr.. Curtis
published in your paper ths morning and your
comments thereupon, ana have lately reelected
much upon the course 10 be pursued Tor the pur-
pose o! restoring law and It's administration,
social order and its consequences TO the people OF
Louisiana. l have reached the conclusion
lthina Is in harmony with your views ana with
those entertained by thoughtful men or both po-
htical partics-that largo number, perhaps
majority. OF the citizens OF that State submit with
great repugnance 10 the kellogg. govern
ment, and that many OF them are re.
strained from rising in force to over
tnrow IL only BY the presence OF the
military power OF the United States Thus Mr.
Curtis says:-"It seems to be generally conceded
that II tie troops were Withdrawn the Kellogg
government, which nobody can pretend Is any
thing but usurpation, would dissolve and melt
away" BY Whit means Is IT supposed that this
dissolvng and melting process would be pro-
duced Evidently by the action or menace OF
that armed and organized force, now existing In
Louisiana, only restrained by soldiers our gov
eminent from immediate action; and, therefore,
IN plain language these gentle words-"dissolve"
and "nelt''-when exploded mean ''revolut,on;'
and this 1t Is the duty oil the United States pre-
vent, Tor the Kellogg government mas been re.
cognized as the only LAWFUL one OF Louisiana; and
recognized, too, by the political department OF the
general government, the only department, as was
held by the entire Supreme Couft-Taney.
Chief Justice. delivering the opinion-havlng
power to determine which or TWO persons claim
irg TO be the CHIEF Executive or State was en-
titled TO that office. To this decision it Is lair
presume that all QUEENSLAND especially demo-
crats-wi yield obedience. And the same Court
has moreover held, in considering the power OF
the President under tnat clause OF the constitu-
ton which requires the United States to protect
each State in the Union against invasion and do.
nestle violence, that 1t was his right ana duty to
provide the means for such purpose In advance.
and, eleIore, in prevention OF the actual emer.
gency. Assuming, therefore, as 1t Is far TO do
and, us think, must on fac is we'll established
that the Kellogg government thus rccog.
nized by the only lawful authority would
on the withdrawal OF the federal troops,
Dissolve and melt away before the I'm.
gentle force or menace OF organized insurrec-
tionists, the President is at once confronted by
the stern duty imposed by the constitution and
laws and by his oath to enforce them, to stand
sword IN hand upon the soil OF louisiana prepared
to prevent That insurrecton which he would be
bound to repress by the bayonet II successful. He
has NO alternative, and, as have elsewhere said
should he wuly fail In this he would be justly
subject to impeachment. Let US suppose, how
ever, that this dlssolying and melting process
| takes place, and that Kellogg and his government
vanish from that distracted State, where then
Should we .ooS for its government A paper con.
stituton 1t would still have bat would that pre-.
vent ANARCHY and violence? Would 1t be capa-
BILE OF self-enforcement Would the advocates
OF this dissolution, however peaceful, hope or
expect to see the advent OF McEnery as Governor,
and if so, how would they expect this to be
p!ished9 Will he ald his associates be expected to
mount to their places upon the shoulders Of
White Leaguers and If this should happen what
reason have we to nope that large portion, per-
maps majority OF the citizens OF Louisiana will
not regard him and his associates as usurpers
also TO dissolve and melt away before armed clti-
zens organized TO put down usurpation and punish
instruction? And VINO ventures to say on
adequate prooG or PROBABILITY that McEnery, and
those who were candidates for office with him In
1872. were then fairy eected-and as was sug.
gested in your editorial OF this morning. why
should VIC turn one bogus Governor out merely to
let another In? Indeed this cannot be permitted.
and honest. thoughtful men, OF both parties must
cOncede that until Congress shall take control
OF the subject the President must stand at the
threshold OF this hrea ened insurreCtion repress-
| ing 1t by menace, ready should 1t break out IN
force. to crush 1t by violence. How shall he be
relieved o; his paint duty against the perform
ance OF which the prejudices even OF many good
!
can do this; for That body may take from him the
discretion to decide whether insurrection exists
or Is threatened IN louisiana, and may deprive
Elm or the power TO repress 1t, aud confer tnat
dis cretion and power upon others. Congress may
also II 1t will, for 1t Is, rather represents the
majesty and power o. the United sta ties, declare
by law that the Kellogg government shall cease to
be longer recognized as such, and should IL order
another election. 1t may az think it should pro-
/ atoc nf
but for the election OF Governor and Lieutenant
Governor also. providing that when this is done
| the Kellogg government snail cease and be super
seeded. AS have elsewhere sad, SUCH an cleo.
! ton may be lairly urged upon two 2rounds-frst,
that IN substance, and within the meaning OF the
! constitution Louisiana has not a republican form
! OF government, for it cannot be maintained that
the adoption OF a paper form merely answers the
constitutional requirements. This may exist with
government of usurpers, not chosen by or in
any sense representatives Of The people, as Is said
now TO prevail IN louisiana, and upon this paper
form there may arise 4 military government, ex-
ecutcd upon the people, or portion OF them, by
martial law, or such armed permanent Organiza-
tons may exist within a State as to prevent q
portion OF Its citizens from voting, thereby ut
terly destroying that representation which all
reasonable men VIII admi. 1t was the purpose OF
the trainers OF the constitution TO secure 10
the people or every state OF the Union. II the
duty OF the United States, guaranteeing to eacn
State republican form OF government, could rot
arise so long as one in form on paper existed, IT.
respective OF the kind OF government actually en-
fo ced upon the people by usuIpation or other.
wise, then, indeed, would this solemn guarantee
| be of paper merely-without substance, without
| hope and VOID. Whether the condition., social and
| political, or Louisiana demands OF Congress
the enforcement OF this guarantee 1t is lor that
body TO judge. I have here aud elsewhere sug-
| gested some reasons why this may be lawfully
| cone by ordering new election, to be fairly con-
ducted IN all respects, under the direction Of hon.
est men. composed equally OF both political par
ties. Such moae would be peaceful, as believe,
and If not IN strIctness within the constitutional
power OF Congress might in the mode suggested
! be held without forming q dangerous precedent.