The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1875-02-03
MO-. g..
POLITICS WITHOUT POLICY.


reminds the New York Tribune Of
one of Herbert Spencer's essays;
which tells us in such striking
manner q fact that VIC always knew
that is, that nobody understands his
own business; no cobbler knows any.
thing about the foot, no barber any
thing about the head, and no chair :
maker anything about the human
| frame. raau raj
In like manner every days expert
cnce furnishes additional evidence,
that politicians know nothing about
politics. ...,
Judged by his antecedents, it is
not surprising that the President
should attempt to organize q State
Legislature by force of bayonets.--
He docs not pretend to be politi-
clan, and he has no idea Of law. In
deed, his ignorance of both has been
| his chief pride; but in some way he
seems to have infected all the politi-
ticians Of his party with the same
lack of sagacity, and especially his
cabinet. This, to say the least, is
surprising, inasmuch as some Of them
were bred to politics, and are pretty
well acquainted with the world. If
a sense of what is due to constitu-
tional law and to common equity
does not cause Mr.. Fish, Mr.. Bris-
tow and Mr.. Jewell to protest against
the recent performances in Louisi-
ana, there is little reason to believe
that they will be impelled. to it by
considerations of expediency or in
the hope of saving the party from
ruin. The blindness and bigotry
that would prove impervious to the
more elevated sentiment is not likely
to succomb to the sordid considers
lions of self interest and expediency.
But it does seem surprising that
they should appear unconscious
either Of the criminality of the Pres
ident's act or Of the universal con-
domination which it is receiving
from the country. 1t can only be
accounted for on the ground that
they have accepted partnership in
his folly and its consequences with a
devotion that has,no parallel except
in oriental legends. Congress, too,
appears equally impracticable. That
such scheme of ruin and desolation
as is proposed for Louisiana would
prove unpopular and provoke the re-
sentiment and indignation Of tbs
country should have been evident
to every man of common sense in the
national Legislature. But the Re-
publicans have refused to see it, and
stand by the President in the great
est outrage ever attempted upon civ-,
ilization with a perrsistency without
an example in all the history of
mans devotion to evil ard inieuity.
OF the whole administration party in
the two Houses of Congress, there
has not yet appeared single mem
Der who recognizes that the defense
of this iniquity is fatal and impossi-
BILE. Easy glory awaits him who at
tacks it; but none so far has had the
courage to break away from party
trammels, and strike a blow in be-
half of constitutional liberty and the
, inalienable rights of men. ea Sir.
On the contrary, while this devo-
ton to party and indifference to the
public veal is going on among the
adherents of the administration, the
country is aroused as never before in
defence gifts endangered and men,
: aced liberty. From every section Of
the land protests are coming in thick
: and fast. 1t is precisely such a spi-
rit as went abroad in the country in
1861, when the valor and patriotism
Of the people rallied in defence of
their Inheritance of constitutional
government. The same evils now
menace the rights Of the citizen that
s then beset the integrity of the union
a Armed sections, and the universal
It sentiment of hostile states then sue.
IS cumbed to the oyerpowering patriot.
J. ism Of the country. The same forces
t then employed to subdue insured
{. ton will not hesitate to crush an un
$, faithful administration, and rebuke :
2 party that seeks to perpetuate it
)" power at the expense of the rights
1t and liberties Of the people. = ST
c, Louis Republican.
- The report comes from Washing
70 ton that Grant is again drinking
j, very hard. He certainly must hav
ut been drunk when he authorized Shel
L 2 =