The Fremont weekly journal. [volume] (Fremont, Sandusky County, Ohio) 1867-1877, 1875-01-15

probable such course only can restore
peace now. If 30, it should be ordered
at once. But President Grant is not re-
sponsible for the delay 80 much as Con
gress, and Mr.. Fosters scondemnation of
him, if he is correctly reported, must re-
coil upon himself as q member Of the
Congress to which the matter was ex-
pressly referred by President Grant, in
December, 1872. in his message, in the
following language:
have no specific recommendation to
make upon the subject, butif there isany
practical way of removing thase difficult
culties by legislation. then l earnestly re-
quest that such legislation be taken of
the present session of Congress. It seems
advisable that I should state now what
course shall feel boundto pursuein ref
erence to the matter, in the event of nc
action by Congress at this time. Subject
to any satisfactory arrangement that may
be made by the parties to the controver
sy, which, of all things is the most desi-
rable, it will be my duty, SO far as it may
be necessary for me to act, to adhere tc
adhere to that government heretofore re.
cognized by me. To Judge Of the cleo
ton and qualification of its members is
the exclusive province of the Senate, as
it is also the exclusive province of the
House to judge of the election and quail.
ification of its members; but as to State
offices, filed and held under State laws,
the decisions of the State judicial tribu.
nal, it seems to me ought to be respect
ed. I am extremely anxious to avoid any
appearance of undue interference in state
affairs, and if Congress differs from me
as to what ought to be done, respect
fully urge its immediate decision to that
effect, otherwise / shall feel obliged, as
far as can, by the exercise ef legitimate
Authority, to put an end to the unhappy
controversy which disturbs the peace and
prostrates the business Of Louisiana, by
the recognition and support of that gov
ernment which is recognized and upheld
by the courts of the State.
Congress failed then to do its duty in
the matter, as much as it has failed sew
eral times since in meeting the expecta-
tions of the people. Mr.. Foster is not
Ignorant of these facts, and if he has OK
pressed himself at all in the manner re-
ported above, we have no doubt he re-
ferred to Congress and not the President
If, however, he is correctly reported, he
has, to our mind, made a great mistake,
and, in view of the facts, has brought a
greater condemnation upon Congress,
which "knew its duty but did it not, "
and he must bear his share of the respon-
sibility. If any one has kept the thing
up for two years" Congress, by neglect
ing to take efficient steps ct the time, did
it, and if it is to be kept up "two years
more, " it will be by the neglect of the
same power to apply a remedy now that
Congress knows is clearly in its power.
No one can read the above extract from
the Presidents message Of 1872, and not
feel that to attribute to him the blame of
prolonging the trouble in Louisiana, is a
rank injustice, and we must say is scarce
ly like Nr. Foster. The President could
not do otherwise than recognise the gov
erAment which the highest legal author
ity of Louisiana had declared to be the
legitimate government of that State, with
out subjecting himself to the charge OF
usurpation. 1t was and is not only de
facto but de iure, the government OF
Louisiana, until the decision of the courts
is reversed or set aside by the power
which creates courts.