New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1875-08-07
STAND By THE LAWS.

STAND By THE LAWS.
II happens in the recess of the Demo-
cratic Central Committee that expressions
of opinion occur in the Democratic jour
nails which are in direct censure OF the
doctrines taught by those guides of party
action. Here is one which would never
have been permitted when the Committee
of Seventy was in full function:
He who does an act contrary 70 law re-
sulting in the killing of . citizen, 10 held
responsible.
Such is the language OF the Bulletin.
1t is the natural expression of mind
trained to believe that We must abide by
the laws until they shall be amended in
the same manner that they we're made.
1t signifies that at the last he who takes
the power into his own hands is wrong
doer, and that all the evil which results
from San act contrary to law" is charg-
able directly against the illegal act which
has caused it. No man of Anglo-Saxon
descent-no one who comprehends the
nature of an elective and representative
government, Can extirpate from his con-
science the obligation to obey the law
until he can reform the law.
Eminent men have taught the higher
law doctrine. 1t has been expounded in
Louisiana since 1866 Under this law,
higher than the obligations of the statute,
men have slain those whom they were not
willing should execute the Offices Of the
State. Under this doctrine, an attempt
was made to assassinate the Governor Of
the State, as the President of the United
States had been assassinated. The armed
organization to over hrov an elective gov
eminent, pending lhe question whether
it was or was not legal. was the result Of
the same theory.
The proposition WAS announced that if
voters who had been defeated in the eiec.
ton should choose to say that they had
been defeated by fraud, they had . right
TO overthrow tho obnoxious government
by force of arms.
We have seen many examples Of the
consequence Of these doctrines. They
have been translated by the people 10
mean that when man does not think he
owes another judgment at law, he has a
right 20 avoid payment; that when
several men think the political affairs Of
the community have been bestowed upon !
men Of . wrong complexion Of skin or
politics, they have . right 10 run those |
obnoxious men out OF Office OK out OF !
breath, at their pleasure.
We have had singular attraction held
out to immigrants Certain Austrian i'm.
migrants chose 10 institute the new indus !
try Of planting oysters. 1t is done around |
all the bays Of GU, Eastern coast. Il was
not only an innocent Industry, but it |
promised TO add to the wealth and attrac.
ton Of our State. Il did not suit the |
primitive monopolists Of BaratariA They
thought that no laws which allowed men
20 depart from their own usages or 20
interfere with their profits should be tol-
Grated. Many months ago these little
following the example OF
the larger. though without the same war
rant Of law. assailed the Austrian immi.
grants, and with the advantage of superior
arms and numbers compelled them 70 re.
sort to public protection. More lately the
same hostility to strangers which was
checked by the law. fesorted TO the law
FOX means 70 carry out its enmities.
They brought to bear a Law enacted for
he preservation OF oysters, and employed
/ against the propagation and improve
nent Of oysters. The Dogberry who
gave his official aid arrested these poor
oyster planters, sentenced them TO fine
md imprisonment beyond his authority
md jurisdiction to impose. and sent these
worthy pioneers Of the palate TO expiate
heir offense in the Carrollton Jail. They
AVE been liberated. but under the doc
rine that no community is bound to sub.
nit 60 any law which does not suit it,
'ther means will be no doubt adopted to
make BaSataria too hot for Austrian resi-
lencs. just as East Feliciana has been s
made too hot for the residence OF any ,
awful! officer who does not suit the White {
Ieaguers. The principle is identical in both {
lese cases. with the raid into Grant par
'h. and all Of these FACTS contrary to law {
re sactioned by the teachings Of the Dem.
cratic leaders in Louisiana. One organ of ,
ne same party notices the outrage Of the {
French custom whereby the ! q
ublic disapproval OF q ridiculous or ILL ,
ssorted marriage is manifested with all q
tanner Of discordant sounds and con. =
,mptuous expressions. All these acts
ontrary 70 law are wrong, and all are {
able TO peryersion TO evil. The doctrine | {
reputation and of tax resistance is di. {,
'ctly derived from the, same right Of 9
riyate discretion 20 obey or resist law -
as the opinion Of one citizen or -
'veral citizens may deem. it proper or 4
nproper. l.
Gould We dare anticipate the universal
inflammation Of this dangerous doctrine
? the Democratic press and party: We
,prehend it will be resumed and taught {,
lew in the impending campaign. Yet n
would seem that those citizens who f
I've land or merchandise to sell, or houses 0
rant ChOnl6 1ooE az fhn cooCaorooooc | =,