The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1875-01-12
Cabinet without losing what must be far
dearer to him-his place in the respect of the
American people.
Carl schurz's Speech.

Carl schurz's Speech.
The speech of Mr.. Carl Schurz in the SEN
ate yesterday, reproduced in full in our col
umns, is worthy of even his own splendid
reputation as an orator and statesman. 1t
begins with o brief recital of the facts, so
clear and unprecedented recital that even the
defenders of the acts in Louisiana must accept
it as the truth. He then gives q definition OF
the United States laws which can possibly
apply to such acts and refutes the claim that the
military, in interfering with the Louisiana
Legislature, had the authority of any law
whatever. This exposition of the law and the
facts is mastery, dismisses all side issues,
and ends with the deliberate Judgment 'that
the deed done on the 4th of January in Loui-
siana constitutes gross and manifest violation
of the constitution and laws" The spirit of
usurpation is then declared more alarming in
the instrument the Executive chose to carry
out his will. Mr.. Schurz pays q deserved
compliment to General Sheridan's military
achievements, but says 'the policy he has
proposed is so appalling that every American
citizen who loves his liberty stands aghast at the
mere possibility of the suggestion" He then
asks the Senate how long it will be. if these
things can be done in Louisiana, before they
are done in Congress, before general Of the
army may sit in the Senate to decide contested
elections, and soldier take from the Speaker
OF the House the msllet which, represents his
power. He points out that abuses of power
have grown greater by the misfortunes
of the country, and that the country is on
downward slope. Disorders in the South he
does not deny, but he af6rms that the uncon-
stitutional interference with the Southern
States has only increased disorder there and
created new dangers for the country at large
The elimination of this policy is the military
outrage in Louisiana, which requires the peo-
pie to make stand here and now or lose the
Republic. Mr. Schurz does not believe that the
Republic has failed, but insists that those who
defend acts of arbitrary power imply that it
has failed, and that peace and order cannot be
constitutionally maintained in America. If
there is revolution in the South such acts
only increase it, for how can the citizens Of
Louisiana be expected to ''refrain from revolu-
tionary acts if the national government has
set them SO revolutionary an example?" He
warns Senators against the danger of such
acts; urges the people of the South 10 con-
which they have borne that which was ex-
cuse sufficient for revolution in the
belief that ''the time cannot be far distant
when every American who truly loves his
liberty will not fail to recognize his own
cause in the cause of constitutional govern
ment in louisiana" He refers to the fact
that the people believe no longer in the blood
and murder cry, nor accept it as on excuse
for usurpation. 'No man will be permitted
to obscure the grave constitutional question
before US with any side issues; for from what
ever point of view you may contemplate it
every consideration of law, of moral right, Of
justice, of the public policy and the common
welfare, puts the deed done in Louisiana only
in o stronger light as lawless transgression
of arbitrary power pregnant with wrong and
disaster" He asks that Louisiana shall be
restored to the right of self-government, and
closes with an eloquent appeal to Senators to
be true to the constitution and the people,
should be the guiding star of liberty, be-
come another warning example to mankind.
The moderation and dignity with which
Senator Schurz has treated this great ques-
ton make clearer the irresistible force of his
argument, and the utter absence of PARTISAN
ship will command for it the respect of the
country. We do not see how it can be
answered Mr. Morton did not see any
method when he evaded the issue in his
reply yesterday. The argument of Mr..
Schurz stands upon the facts and
the law, and no array OF murders
and wrongs committed in the South can
change the admitted truth OF military inter-
ference with a sovereign Legislature or shake
the constitution, which forbids it. In the
language of the brave and true Senator him
self, the people demand, "if there be an argu-
ment in defence, let it, at least, be on level
with the dignity of the OCCASION" 1t is sad
to know that even in the Senate of the United
States meaner argument is possible.