The New Orleans bulletin. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1874-1876, 1875-03-03
communicated
THE ABSUIDiTI OF II.

G'af'ena'" The fill discussion of the sub
lect OF the Wheeler compromise, both through
the Press and by the distinguished gentle
men who addressed the public meeting some
few evenings since, renders it almost mpos
sble to add another argument to exhibit the
contemplated measure in all its hideousness
The great difficulty in opposing it lies in fine
ing an argument to combat. A, the measure
| cOntemplates a change the onus of proving
the rectltude and wisdom of that change logi-
cally rests upon the advocates of the measure
but this they refuse to do, and demand of Us
reasons for our non-action, or rejection OF
| their scheme. This there will be no diff
Guilty in doing, although at the risk of firing
| your patience by the recital OF arguments as
tedious as twce-told tale.
| Our Representatives can not accept the
terms Of this compromise without violating
their official oaths their constitutional duties
and their obligations to the people.
BY going into the Hahn House and having
the oath Of Office administered to them by
Hahn, it is direct recognition of him as
Speaker and q virtual acknowledgment that
they are or were minority on the 4th of
January.
By rIedging themselves not to impeach
Kellogg they violate their sworn duty and the
higher obligation due to the people, who Sc
interests they were elected to serve.
BY relnquishing their constitutional right
of being the sole judges Of the election and
qualification Of the members the House they
ignore their well defined duties, III regard to
which there can be no difference of opinion.
By expressing doubt Of the election of the
Fusion ticket in 1872 they do that for which
there is no warrant in fact, and indirectly JUS
tify every enormity and outrage perpetra ted
upon this people by the President and his col
leagues for the purpose of seating and retain
ing Kellogg in power.
In addition to the foregoing sacrifices, by
accepting these terms, we remove our case
from before the only tribunal that has the
will and the power to assist us-the public
sentiment at large The Louisiana case is
unqnestionably the greatest thorn in the side
Of the National Administration and the Re
publican party. The sympathies and fears of
the people are aroused whilst leading poll |
ticians use it as powerful lever to tn aart the
Administration aud to tear up the very
foundations of the Republican party
By accepting these terms -emanating from
our enemies in Washington, and approved by |
our enemies in Louisiana ave would condone !
Grants policy towards US, and remove our
case beyond the reach of sympathy, and per-
haps beyond all hope Of relief
The question naturally arises, what do we
gain by these sacrifices OF principle and |
policy? Absolutely nothing-not even
pledge or promise, worthless as that would
be. With an adverse Senate, we can defeat
no bad law, nor enact any good one remove
no grievance, nor make one effective move
ment for the relief Of this sadly oppressed
people.
Some persons well meaning but unreiiect-
ing, suppose that the mere act of our mem
bers going into that body will have some
mysterious effect In restoring public conf
dence, and thus aiding business. They think
that political agitation is the cause, instead
Of its being the effect OF our business prostra-
ton. They seem to think that the writings
Of the martyr at the stake are effects instead
Of the cause of his agony. These men are
men of expedients; they are willing to do any,
hing, without attempting to reason from eau ,e
to effect, SO that change, apparent or real, is
Effected. There is no mystery as to the cause
Of our utter business prostration, and the cor
,equent wretchednes5 Of the people. It is bad
government taking the shape of, and rendered
Elective to, our destruction by excessive taxa
ion. Unless this great burden is lightened.
10 mere change of the personnel Of the Legis-
allure will have the slightest influence in
prosperity.
There is no magical influence in the mere
,ersoHad of those who legslate for us.
Whether they are black or white, Garnet
vii lies altogether in their acts. Until bad
egislation is repealed, it is worse than folly
0 suppose that the mere presence of our
luly elected Representatives in the House |
an contribute in any degree to relieve the t
'eople Of their burdens. {
It's effect would be not only to lose us that
moral power which rules the world, and {
'hlch, under government Of the people, is t
Don felt; but 1t would have the effect also OF
living legality to that infamous body, that |
lever possessed quorum, to give a lawful
haracter to its DEGREES. 8
Why our Representatives LETT the Hall en |
he 18th of January, and return now, without !
single guarantee or pledge from the enemy, /
+ even probable assurance that they can t
erve the public in any N amer and at the
anne time pledging themselves to ignore their l
uties and condone crime, is past my compre-
lesson. 49, 8