National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1875-05-11
ME-. wHEELKR,ANBTHE LOUISIANA CON-
PROMISE, &c..

Congressman Wheeler, of New York,
has evidently become FESTIVE under the
criticisms Of the press Of the country upon
the result of the Louisiana compromise, and
now attempts to explain that, after all, it
was not failure. In this attempt he places
himself in direct conflict with the state
ments of his colleague. Mr.. Frye, of Maine,
and asserts a new construction of the COM
promise which viii, to say the least, aston
ish large number of Republicans who
have heretofore believed that they IN
derstood every detail of it We print his
explanation in full elsewhere, and COM
mend it to the careful attention of our
readers, with the suggestion, however, that
they recall the fact of Mr.. Wheelers
silence pending action on the compromise
when Mr.. Frye was outspoken and de-
cided in his determination of its meaning.
1t is true this suggestion may give rise to
the idea that Mr.. Wheeler should not have
remained quiet so long as he has; but with
that we have nothing to do. We think,
however, that while he has this explana-
ton business on hand, he should clear up
all doubts and suspicious and let the public
know who has told the truth, Mr.. Frye or
himself
The argument that the Legislature had
constitutional authority to act as It pleased,
advanced by him, is the same that was ad-
vanced by the more earnestly Democratic
and so-called Conservative members Of the
Legislature against the adoption or &C.
ceptance of the compromise. Mr.. Frye
understood this, as did also leading mem
bers of the Administration and the majority
party In Congress. 1t was further under
I,egislst1rs7 that both parties La INC
thority for the purpose of securing har-
mony. There could have been no com
promise without this mutual yielding. The
very word compromise carries with it the
fercible assertion that the contending parties
had met on middle grounds, and in that
meeting were governed, not by any strict
construction Of the law. but by the equally
binding law Of mutual consent. This mu-
tual consent it must be remembered, was
pledged upon the word of honor of duly-
delegated representatives of the Conserva-
tive majority Of the Legislature. It was
acceded to in good faith by the Republican
of that body, simply because it
had the sanction of a committee of the
House of Representatives of Republican
Congress. There was no understanding
then that only those members whose sigma
lures were procured to the compromise
should be bound by II, but the declaration
was plain that the majority wings of both
parties should overcome the objections of
their respective minorities, and abide BY
The agreements or decisions of the Con.
yressional Committee. We did not believe
hen that the Democrats would faithfully
i've up to those agreements and decisions,
and we predicted the bad faith on their
part which followed as soon as the extra
session of the Legislature had convened
under Gov. Kellogg's proclamation.
Mr.. Wheeler boasts that good govern
ment has been established as the result of |
bis compromise, Notwithstanding the
of which we insist the Conserya-
ives have been guilty. We admit all this,
but further insist that it exists simply |
because the policy Of the Republican Ad-
Of the State, begun before the
has, fortunately, not been in
erfered with. But the facts prove that as
Don as the Conservatives obtained control.
IS the result Of their treachery, they began
system of extrsvagance which increased
he expenses Of the Government to an
farming extent in the matter of supporting
he Legislative branch. No one can deny
bis, and while we deplore it. we are willing
o join Mr.. Wheeler in his congratulations
hat peace and quiet are the order of the
sy. But We know the people of the State
0 well-or more properly speaking, we
oubt the sincerity of the mob element so
luch-that we are fearful of the future.
n other words, we confidently predict
enewal of the White League aad Banditti
errorism which has disgraced the State
nd destroyed the prosperity of her people,
) soon as the provocation of political ex.
itement shall be developed.