The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1875-01-20
An Election in Louisiana.

An Election in Louisiana.
After very deliberate consideration OF the
question Of ordering new election IN Lou
isisna, We are clearly Of opinion that II
should be ordered as the only present means
Of placing the government OF that State in the
bands of the proper constituent body. Con.
r,ess will do nothing else that may in any
manner relieve that State from the tight and
suffecatipy grasp that is now upon hcr
throat. All true civilians and sympath'zers
with her down.trodden condition will eagerly
seize upon this means of relief in preference
to leaving the Louisianians for two years
longer the victims Of outrage from oand OF
rocues and scoundrels that are supported BY
the Federal sword. s.
The All section Of the Constitution, ar
ficle 4. declares that "the United States snail
" guarantee to every Stale in this Union
"Iepublican form of government" Inc
entire opposition in the country and large
majority Of the Republican party deciare
that Louisiana has no such government al
this time. A large portion of the kcpuoil'
can party 10 Congress are ready to "lthora"
the dominion of the sword and leave the
prople Of Louisiana to govern themselves
The opposition, If united with these Con
gressmen, could pass law requiring ne"
election under officers fairly appointed ano
under forms that would exclude altogether
the interference of the scoundrelly Return
ing Board, which all men unite IN exc
Grating.
Such a measure holds out the strongest
hopes that the people oil Louisiana may
through i. be set at liberty. Why should 1t
not be passed?
We do not mean to undertake the Office
Of prophet and say what may hsppen if this
measure be not extended TO the suffering
people of Louisiana but we are profoundly
impressed with the belief that the failure to
extend il will contribute more TO the strength
of wrong.d ,ers than it will to the strength
Of those who haze the power TO extend this
Door boon to Louisiana and fail to pass il or
prevent its passage.
President GRANT having declared to Con-
cress that things must continue AS they are
unless that body otherwise orders, in the
event OF its failure to give any orders on tue
subject, will be as good as his word, and
continue the reign Of rascality and lncompe-
tcrcy in Louisiana. In his defence 1t Will
be said that he can do nothing Clsc-indeed,
that he don't know how, and is lncapacilated
from doing anything else; and this we are
inclined to believe. And SO the wronged
can't be rightcd aud the grievances can't be
rcdresSed.
What win be the view of the country in
this event: First, that General GRANT is a
stolid and persisting person, unacquainted
With civil responsibility and law-that, this
Congress as we'll US everybody else knows
and that to leave such man to pursue his
way will be more crime of those who know
this than Of GRANT, who is incapable OF doing
ant better! Upon ,chon, ,ciN public ceasure
fail?
Congress is q coordinate branch of the
Government, occupying the eminent posi-
pie. The obligation imposed on the Govern.
meat of guaranteeing a republican form Of
government TO every State must be dead and
in, fficient until quickcned into life and vigor
bv Congress. which must discern the cause
for its exercise and direct the measures for
lis enforcement. The State of Louisiana
furnishes the case, and there is no valid rea-
son for delay in giving her the benefit of the
constitutional guarantee. Any delay must
lie from the delinquency Of Congress, and
those who ctuse that delinquency, whose
ever they be, ,csH be held accountablef9r IL.
we behold that Louisiana is The victim q
Executive u,urpation. The act of Congress
which may rescue her from the heel OF Ex-
ccutiye power will be advantageous TO the
legislative department, while it will increase
tue odium with which the people must look
upon the Executive. How mistaken must
those persons be who think that any adran-
tage will flow from leaving the EXECUTIVE TO
continue his Tyranny 10 any party that stands
for the Constitution aud the rights Of the
States Can we expect clemency from the
tribunal of justice for any who know the
right and yet the wrong pursue!
AS We understand it, those Republicans
who regard Louisiana Us wrongcd and out.
ragged, including members OF that noble sub
committee Of Congress on Louisiana atflirs,
are uuavoidably thrown into hostility to the
Administration on that subject. Can any
one doubt the policy, much less the justice,
of joining those gentlemen in any measure
that may restrain the President and Iioerate
(eyen partially the victims Of his usurpa'
lions? TO combine for that purpose would
increase the breach that exists between the
Liberal and the Ultra Republicans, and make
It irreparable To fail in such combination
will in all human probability enure to the
benefit of oppression, and strengthen the
cohorts of the Administration.
With these views, We trust thaea new cleo
ton will be ordered under proper officers
1t Is the best that can now be done, we be-
Ieye, for down.trodden people. To leave
them is to continue the tyranny over them
It will end likely in the recognition OF the
KELLOGG government. Neither policy nor
ustice would justify this; and those who
might prevent it and fail to do SO will be
probably more censured than the oppressors
themselves.
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The Presidential Responsibility.
- La