Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1875-01-07
LOUISIANA.

ne UtSOlueIIl anu NlOftnt SCtUC IDitid-
tod by the conservatives at the opening of
the Louisiana legislature opens up more
clearly the desperate and dangerous char
acter of the party which through the agen-
cy of the White League seeks to control
the State. Its record is one of riot, MUIR
der. defiance of law and authority. viola
ton of the ballot-box, and organized ter
rorism over the whole State. Last Sep
TENDER it made an attempt by insurrec-
ton and force Of arms to wrest the author
ity from Governor Kellogg, causing the
streets of New Orleans to run with blood,
and only failing in its lawless and revolu-
tionary purpose through the intervention
of the general government. Its next
move was to create and exercise system
of terrorism throughout the State that
would intimidate the republican voters. so
that by their absence from the polls and
by fraudulent balloting and false returns
Il conservative majority might be secured
in the legislature. This scheme came
near being successful, but lacked few
votes of giving conservative majority,
as decided by the returning board after a
full investigation. Upon the assembling
OF the legislature last Monday, the con-
sentative members brought into the House
conservatives who had been rejected by
the returning board. and with their assist
ance and in an irregular and disorderly
manner proceeded to elect Speaker and
Clerk. Protests were made on the repub-
lican side to these proceedings, and at last
many of the republicans withdrew from
the hall. Governor Kellogg being notified
of the lawless course pursued. ordered the
ejectment from seats in the House of all
those persons who were not legally there.
This was done by q file of soldiers, after
which the conservatives withdrew in a
body and left the republicans in possession
Of the hall. The whole OF these disgrace
tul and anarchical measures hinged on
the fact that the republicans had legal
majority in the House, which the conserv-
atives determined to override by violence.
Ii the latter were not satisfied with the
decisions Of the returning board, there was
Il peaceful and orderly course to pursue in
order to obtain desired satisfaction and
correction, and if justice had then been
denied them by the authorities of Louisi-
ana an appeal to the public for sympathy
and redress would not have been without
effect.
We shall see in the democratic papers
loud complaints of outrage in this
matter, as we did when the border ruilians
were plying their business in Kansas, and
when President Lincoln was making prep
arations to defend the government against
the secessionists, but the sharp intell-
gence OF the reading people of the Norh
will not be deceived by the outcry made
in defence of the Louisiana bandits. This
attempt TO usurp the power 10 the Louisiana
legislature is of a piece with the other de
vices and insurrectionary acts of the White
i"aSucs ai vi gaHiAulipi tSitbit>hcu ny
tyrants and assassins, already black with
crime, and as hostile to the government
III heart as any of those which armed
against it in 1861. General Sheridan has,
very appropriately named them 'banditti.'
Ii expresses their character well.
Whether the corrective suggested by
him. the trial and execution Of some of
the leaders of the White League, would
be effective in breaking up their organic
alton and restoring the reign Of law and
order ia the State. we do not undertake to
say. That the leaders deserve punish-
men, is evident. but so demoralized Is the
condition of society in Louisiana that the
PEOPLE appear to be incapable OF self gov
,rnment. and punishment OF the leaders
you'd still leave the State demoralized
IDEALLY and politically. Tie public mind
throughout the North is generally coming
, The conclusion that Louisiana as well
some others of the Southern States was