New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1875-01-24
state STANDARDIZATION the Doctrine
FlOurishes in Louisiana.
}, in the Chicago Tribune, says;

ia LouAsliIAus
Reno, in the Chicago Tribune, says:
The Tribune alone OF all the more promi-
nent Republican journals, may be said to
have proved itself equal TO the problem of
the hour. In forcing home upon the
Democracy the issue "a State sovereignty
it has struck the key note of all these
troubles in the South. Bad as may have
been the situation, it is seen as made inf
nitely worse through the advent of the old
time Democracy in control of the ship of
State The party opposed to the prOsecu-
ton of the war for the Union once more in
power, and the old fell spirit of the rebel
lion is seen as again rampant and aggres-
/ sive. The inference would seem irresistible
that the two are inseparably connected.
That such are the undeniable facts in the
premises, not a candid, thoughtful observer
in the South but must admit. 1t is worse
than nonsense in fact, TO talk of all these
troubles N the South as due to bad govern
ment and maladministratl0n of affairs.
There is a general foundation underlying
the whole deeply imOedded in the minds OF
the people. There lie a view of the case,
too, that seems never to have been taken
into consideration.
1t has been said, in effect, and with no
little show of justice, that people always
get about such a government as they de-
serve. Uncharitable as it may, seem, the
saying lis far from inapplicable to the peo-
pie of the South, and particularly of Lou
isiana. Not day since the advent of re.
construction in which the more respectable
classes might not have virtually assumed
control of the political and governmental
affairs of the State. The tact is, they
have never, practically, accepted the situ-
alton. They have never, save as under a
pressure they might not resist, accepted the
blacks as an element of. the body polite
They have never, indeed been willing to
accord them any liberty OF thought and &C.
tion in the exercise of their political rights
The blacks, naturally enough as it would
seem, have an instructive aversion to the
Old'time Democracy The more re-
spectacle elements, as found in Lou
isiana at heart have much of a
similar feeling. The old Wings
in fact, hesitate little in expressing love
for the Democracy, much akin to that the
Devil IS SAID to entertain for holy water.
Once cut loose from their prejudices, and
their present condition of servitude. in the
ranks of their oldtime enemies, aud they
would be masters of the situation. BY
very force OF character and numbers, they
might control the Republican organization
at Will. They have neither the moral cour-
age nor patriotism to avail themselves OF
the opportunities presented, They are sad
died with government, as a consequence,
their very weaknesses, will not permit the
attempt to reform.
The doctrine of State sovereignty is as in.
delibly fixed in the minds of the politicians
of the South as though the war for the
Union had never been fought. 1t is Just as
thoroughly indoctrinated in. the minds of
the masses of the people. The issues of tue
war may be said to be settled
only so far as they are recognized
as beyond recall. There are few Of any in
telligence, for instance, that would wish
for return of the old-time institution of
slavery. There are comparatively few,
again, but would practically reduce the
blacks to condition but little if any re-
moved from peOnage, if they could He
who says to the contrary either misrepre-
sents or knows little of the Southern body
polite as it is. The right of secession Is
recognized as definitely settled, only that it
has been proven impracticable.. The the
Ory-the sovereignty of the States-a com
pact of sovereign States in lieu of nation
is just as rigidly adhered to as though the
issues had never been fought to the bloody
end. 1t is the fundamental creed of the
Southern Democracy. 1t is the secret OF
the general hue and cry about federal inter-
| ference in the South. The constitutional
amendments are the impositions of the con-
querOr upon a subjugated people. They
are binding only in so tar as they may not
be resisted with impunity. Their inforce-
ment at the hands of the federal govern
ment is the abuse of power that, illegal at
the best, would seek to rivet its chains upon
| once free people. In tOlerating the one
| and enduring the other, they are bowling to
a necessity aud submitting to an outrage
they are powerless to resist. They are to
| tolerate and submit as best they may until
returning strength enables them to throw
off the yoke and break the chains of the
| party in power. The defeat of the party in
/ power is the repeal of the constitutional
amendments-the reinstatement of the old
time Southern intluence-State sovereignty
He who delndes himself with the idea of
much Of feeling of loyalty to the general
| government to be found among the whites
in the South, save, at most, as second to
allegiance to the State, is deluded indeed.
| This is particularly the case as observable
in Louisiana. IL is State sOverelgnfy--the
State first, and possibly the government
afterward. Cavil who may, there is no
such thing as loyalty, In proper sense, TO
be found among the masses of the whites in
Louisiana. l am aware that, in this / am
trenching upon forbidden ground. Toe
facts, nevertheless, however unpalatable,
are as lndisputable as those of Holy Writ.
For proof, one need but listen to the deep
mouthed curses on every hand vented
against the general government for sup
preston of an armed and bloody revolu,
ton. The very presence of its forces is
assumed as an insHlt and degradation
to the people of the State. The as
sumptions Of themselves, appear q
sufficient refutatiOn of any claim OF
loyalty in behalf of admitted and self
clarifying rev0lutionists. The distinction,
as drawn between the State and federal
governments, would seem as Of altogether
20 slight texture TO long deceive an intel,
| lgent public. However, 1t might serve the
partisan pfeiudices Of heated campaign,
IL can certainly in bear the test of a cooler
Investigation, Whatever the respective
claims of Kellogg vs.. MeEnery, they were
! certainly for Congress rather than an armed
aud irresponsible mob to decide. An appeal
from such tribunal TO that Of armed revo.
luton must rank a. nothing. short of rebel
lion. The repression ef this latter day re-
belliOn, as with that OF 1861, has developed
a feeling that certainly savors little OF
loyalty TO the general government. The
presence Of lite land and Haesl forces, now
~ then, "a assumed a. proof Of the subjec.
ton and consequent degradation, OF the
people II the State. The assumptions Of
the revolutionary leaders Of to-day, and the
case as experienced in 1862, are seen e.
almost exactly analogous. Tho only diff
ference Of note IL, that the federal officers