The New Orleans bulletin. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1874-1876, 1875-01-10

The first coup daat, as it installed Kellogg
in power, was justified by tho Radical party,
and AL appeals to Congress to redress our
wrongs were in vain. A violent opposition
was made in Congress by the Republican
politicians to any interference IN the political
affairs Of this State. No action was taken.
The vote Of the State for President was not
received. Pinchback was not seated. The
course of the President was neither approved
nor disapproved.
Everything remained in Louisiana in the
same condition a. it was in 1872. And why ?
Because the Radical party, by the admitted
coup detot. were still in power. When the
next election Of 1874 was held, the unmis-
taxable will Of the people was pronounced
against Kellogg. A second coup detat was
resorted to according to Dibble, and a Con-
SENTATIVE Legislature was dispersed by Fed
eral bayonets. This second outrage, this
second coup detat by Federal bayonets, has
raised storm which cannot be lulled. All
these main facts are virtually admitted by
Dibble.
Public opinion cannot ratify these arbitrary
acts, and after upsettipg two governments by
orders from Washington, carried ont and en-
forced by bayonets, the people are gravely
told that there is no republican form of gov
eminent in Louisiana, and that the interfer-
ense by the General Government, by an armed
force. is the only course to be pursued to re.
store republican government, in form, and
new reconstructive acts are recommended,
not by the people Of the State, but by the au-
thorities at Washington.
The first reconstruction acts were passed
in defiance Of every constitutional provision
and justified only by the laws of war. 1t is
now ten years since the actual termination OF
the terrible civil war. Can it be possible,
that ct this late date, war presents its horrid
front? Can it be that a second reconstruc-
ton, Is > war measure, is to be adopted to
restore Q free government here, twice over
thrown by Federal bayonets?
Il seems impossible yet such is the policy
urged by the powers at Washington. A sec
ond reconstruction, enforced and carried out
by Sheridan, under tho pretense Of maintain
ing free governments. is the establishment of
military government in this and in every other
State. It would DO the utter ruin Of the peo- |
pie. now nearly on the verge OF starvation it
would be the installation in power aud Office
Of = host Of political cormorAnts of the ultra |
Radical order. Dibbls and his confreres
would gain honest Republ,cs7s would 60 to
tho wall. ss ~ a
For cheek, for error in tn. statement Of the |
causes which led to the two coup detat, for
the candid admissions of the Intervention Of
Federal force, for a profound ignorance Of
what constitutes the first elements OF free
government, for an utter disregard Of the
win Of the people; for the misconstruction,
or rather the want Of ability, to understand
the plainest principles of the Constitution Of
the United States, and for the recommended
ton Of martial law, this letter, addressed to
the Hon. Charles Foster is the height Of
impudence. We cannot suppose for mo-
nent that Congress could countensnce, at this
time, any measured which could lead to q
Of this or any other State.
We have endeavored to prove and to make
clear some Of the fundamental principles Of
Tree government. The idea OF sovereignty
seems not to be fully comprehended. Ac-
:ording to our conceptions sovereignty resides
md is in the people alone. It is not in one,
u in any specified number. It is dis
inguished from monarchy. for in monarchy
resides the sovereign power. Here, it is ex-
pressed at the ballot-box, and when the ballot
oox is stuffed. or when the will of the people /.
3 thwsrted by fraud, perjury, or the instru-
mentality Of returning boards, or by military
the actual sovereignty is over
brown and in its stead is created the will Of
! despot We, here, are tbs stern and
determined advocates of tho doctrine OF the {
Of the people. Our cause is the
ause of the people Of all Of the States. Twice q
las the will Of the people been borne down by /;
'ayonets. The last charge Of the army, if
is tho last OF free government We .
70 determined to protect all, white and
lack, in the perfect enjoyment of all political
lights. We advocate liberty Of opinion on all I
uestions, and We viii contend for the right {
= CntA 0Au O'OAJ oAo w PuACuo snas CVO10oS
'hether in business, or politics, or religion,
'hioh he may consider most congenial to his =
leas. We prescribe no one, il he is honest,
nd We will hail with joy the time, which we
rust will soon be at hand, when
he will Of the people will be declared the
overeign power, and when coup detot will be /
bhorred, denounced and proclaimed as the
lst refuge Of tyrants. Without military in !
srvention. the prosperity Of the State down
, 1868 would have continued and increased. t
wo coup desat have destroyed nearly every
hing. and . threatened third one in the
aape of new reconstruction, would, in
W years, convert this city to the present
ondition Of the great Babylon Of old.
Kellogg is said to have received q blow yes
rday 80 keenly cruel, so overwhelming and