The New Orleans bulletin. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1874-1876, 1875-02-07
NEW ORLEANS BULLETIN
NEW ORLEANS, FEBRUARY 7, 1875.
THE UNFORTUNATE SURRENDER.

It is by no means easy to command sum
Gent calmness to speak Of the abandonment
of their position by the majority of the caucus
of Conservative members OF the House. Far
taking largely of the general indignation at
the surrender, hearing it everywhere de-
nounced by men, whom we know to he hon
orable and patriotic, knowing it to have
caused glow Of shame to mantle the cheeks
even of gray headed men, and to have
brought the moisture of sorrow to the eyes
of those WAC are seldom moved, we are no.
in frame of mind to discuss it upon its alb
stract merits, to analyze its motives or to cal
culate its probable effects immediate and
remote.
Alta pacific and unusually fair election a
majority of twenty-six Conservative members
was returned to the House of Representatives,
BY the action Of wicked Returning Board
the will of the reople was defeated as to all
but ffty-two Of the Conservatives elected.
These ffty-two returned Conservatives
Joined with few returned Republicans and
entered upon temporary organization.
Pending such temporary organization the
cases referred by the Returning Board to the
House were considered and five members
more were seated. According to established
usage tho House organized permanently.
Thereupon, at the call of Kellogg under
orders from the President, an officer Of the
United States army expelled, literally at the |
point Of the bayonet, the five members last |
seated, and then ordered the roll to be called |
anew by one not recognized as an officer.
After this assault, Eruption and armed VIC
lence, the Speaker and majority Of the
members protested and retired, resolved to
return no moro until able to return TO the
identical status occupied by them at the mo-
ment Of the intrusion of the military corps.
Then followed a statement Of all the facts
signed by all the Conservative members, with
an appeal from local tyranny and usurpation
to the Congress of the United States and the
American people The protesting members
remained in the city and assembled daily in
caucus from January 4th until after midnight
of February 9Th
This action WAS approved by all patriotic
and sagacious citizens. 1t was applauded by {
Demo Gratis and Conservatives all over the s
Union. 1t paralyzed the action of the falsely
returned Radical Legislature, and made it
powerless for further mischief It kept Exec
utive tyranny conspicuously before Congress Ii
and the public. II transferred the cause of {
defending civil rights, Legislative privileges,
and the freedom Of home government to the
great tribunal of the people of America.
This proud, patriotic and noble stand. and a
this persevering adhesion 10 good cause a
under trying and aggrayating circumstances !
has been. in all respects, in marked contrast 4
with the bargain and surrender. The en- +
phatic and eloquent protest persistently t
maintained had for its motive the highest r
which can inspire those who love liberty and
heir country; the surrender was for motives a
# a far different aud far lower character &
The whole land rang with plaudits and 0
ulogy Of the nobly ffty-two, just az Il
he maledictions of millions will descend A
lpon those who forced an abandonment of the a
antage ground which they could hold only d
y being united and firm.