Weekly Trinity journal., 1875-01-09
A BAD OUTLOOK,

class of men who possessed the attribute
of personal courage, who, when their oc-
cupation Of fighting was gone, by an easy
process Of transition became politicians.
The battle-scarred veterans Of both the
Federal and Confederate armies, having
served well upon the tented field, became
ambitious Of political distinction also
The result has been the sudden elevation
of class Of politicians who live by cat
ering TO the popular impulse. To them
it does not matter whether that impulse
is right or wrong, SO long as it furnishes
the means Of gratifying selfish ambition.
They are found alike in both parties, and
let the question at issue be what it may,
the stand taken by these demagogues is
invariably the same. If the popular i'm
pulse tends TO scenes Of bloodshed and
violence, these palterers are on hand to
urge the mob along. In other cases it
may take the form Of political action and
the multitude, listening 10 the siren voice
OF some self constituted reformer, ostra-
else all who do not go with it in the on
slaught it makes upon some supposed
evil. In either case the moving power
is the same, the same ends are sought TO
be accomplished, and it is only in the
means employed that the actual differ
ence exists.
In past years we have looked with
feelings ofpty upon the Spanish -Aneri-
can Republics, our neighbors, and de-
clared our belief that the Anglo-Saxon
race alone was capable Of self-goyern-
ment. How stands the case to day p
Look at the scenes the past Summer has
witnessed in several of the Southern
States, and then answer, as you must,
that we are fast approaching the condi-
ton Of anarchy and rebellion which
seems chronic with our ncighLors. In
Arkansas, in Mississippi, and in Louisi-
ana, we have seen organized rebellion
against the constituted authoritics-a re-
sort to arms to clothe one set Of officers
with the powers Of government, resisted
by force by the partsans Of those in pos
session. Scenes Of violence followed,
blood was shed, and it was only when
the Intervention Of the Federal govern
ment was invoked that law and order re-
sumed their sway and hollow truces
were patched up. What is the situation
Of Louisiana to-day, Notwithstanding her
State government is recognized at Wash
ington That Of a slumbering volcano,
which may burst into flames at any mo-
ment. Republican members Of the Leg
islature upon arriving at the State Cap
ital, are kidnapped and secreted in order
to give Their opponents the organization
Of the Lower House. The United States
troops in the city are called upon to pre-
serve order while the Legislature CON
venes and organizes. 1t is said the Dem
ccrats want the organization OF the House
in order TO present articles Of impeach-
meat against Governor Kellogg, the effect
Of which would be to depose him from
office during the subsequent trial. Ii
Kellogg has done anything deserving of
impeachment, is his trial contingent up
on Democratic majority in the House
where the charges must cmanate. Ifthey
can he sustained by ec parte testimony,
will they be ignored by ithe Republican
members from political considerations !;
and will unsupported charges be sustain
ed by the Democratic members because
they are aimed at n Republican officer
1t speaks badly for the state of public
morals in the Creole State, if II mans
innocense or guilt Of crime is made to de-
pend upon the political principle he pro-
fesses. Yet this is tie view apparently
taken by the Democrats OF Louisiana,
else why this insane desire to control the
House in which the articles of impeach-
ment must originate? If Il case is to be
tried upon its merits alone, it would seem
TO be a matter in which men sworn to
the performance Of their duty, could be
looked to act without letting their politi-
cal sympatLies warp their judgment Of
right and wrong.
We do not condemn these things as
Republican, but as citizen. We have
indeed fallen upon evil times, if force is
to determine who are to be our rulers,
and might becomes right. Such con
dition OF affairs cannot long continue.
without Involving dangerous conscduen-
ces. These uprsings in defiance Of law
and order, are not made without the as
surances Of sympathy from other quar-
ter3. The White Leagues of New Or
leans and Vicksburg would not inaugur-
ate rebellion against the authorities, un-
less their movements met tho approval
Of the White Leagues Of other localities.
Snch proceedings indicate a widespread
dlsaiiection. which lacks only what it
deems the safe opportunity, to provoke
collision with the National government.
We do not think the Southern people ms
a body, are Iipe for another rebellion
but that many OF them are, none will
question, and these are the moving spir-
its in such scenes as the past six months
has witnessed. The decision OF all polit-
ical questions should be left to the ballot
box, where the voice of the majority
be final as to their adoption or rejection
but when mob violence and rebellion are
to to oVerrue that decision, it
becomes an evil hour for the perpetuty
Of Republican government.
A SERIAL STORY. The Peopie's Cause
a Red Bluff paper, comes to us with