National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1875-05-12
Mr. WHEFLFR AGAIN.

In The NATIONAL REPUBLICAN oil the
18th of February last was printed an edito-
rial description Of the condition of affairs
in New Orleans pending consideration by
the Louisiana Legislature of Mr.. Wheeler's
Compromise. The committee, of which
Judge Hear was chairman, had just re-
turned from the scene of trouble and dis
cord. We do not violate any confidence,
we believe, when we explain that the edi-
torial referred to was written and published
with the consent and by the advice Of lead
ing Republican members ofthe committee.
Briefly told, the situation was then consId-
cred to be promising, although but for the
mob spirit which rules the city of New
Orleans. inaamed by Northern sympa-
thizers, and: allies, a peaceable and
complete adjustment of the difficulties of
that unfortunate State would have been
4 accomplished. In other words, the
committee were compelled to admit that
their adjustment ofthe difficulties was pre-
vented by the bad faith and criminal pro-
ceedings of an element so strong in Louisi-
ana politics that it succeeded in intimidat-
ing the leading citizens, business men and
others who had agreed to the adjustment,
and making them retreat from their side of
the bargain. Bargain it was, and nothing
less than a bargain-a compromise in
the acceptance of which both parties had
agreed to yield some real or fancied
right for the general benefit. Notwith-
standing this interruption by the mob ele-
ment, it was agreed that the negotiations
should proceed, or, rather, that they should
be renewed. In the progress of this re-
Dewal every possible bearing of the case
and contingency ofthe future was discussed.
In this way from a concession by the Re-
publicans to the Conservatives of the lower
branch of the Legislature, matters finally
reached a standpoint from which the rebels
could boast that they controlled both
branches. In palmer words, they got every
thing and more than the Returning Board
granted them and became masters of the
Legislature. This was all they claimed at
the beginning. 1t was acknowledged that
frauds had been committed on both sides
that there were two rascals, so to speak,
contending for recognition. Instead of fol-
lowing the advice of Thad. Stevens, how
ever, and recognizing " our id rascal"
the Republicans allowed the other one to
carry off the victory, and satisfied them
selves with the meagre reward of not hav-
ing the election of 1872 disturbed. This
was the solid and compact agreement as it
stood when the extra Session of the Legis-
lature was called. 1t had the sanction of
the Republican party leaders North and
South, and the assent of the President. The
latter was. DESTROYS of being relieved from the
distasteful necessity ofinterference with the
affairs of the State for any reason what
ever. When, therefore, the Legislature
met, and Mr.. Speaker Estilette made his
conciliatory speech, there was occasion for
great rejoicing. But ex-usurping Speaker
Wilt could not rest content. As the rep
resentatiVe of the mob element he began a
series of maneuVres which resulted in the
utter destruction of the terms of the COM
promise as they were construed BY the
Republicans before the session began, and
the threatened impeachment of Auditor
Clinton-this last act being only prevented
by the adjournment No one will deny
the right OF each house under the constitu-
ton to Judge of the qualifications, election
and return of its own MEMBERS" but
that was among the things they agreed to
abstain from doing as their part of the COM
promise. 1t will not do to say that the
members who did not sign the agreement
were not bound by its provisions. The
very fact of their qualifying as members
under this pledge was moral obligation
that they should observe them, and al
though it may seem strange that the con-
stitutional privilege referred to should be
ignored, it must be remembered that both
sides conceded it. We maintain, then, that
the compromise was failure, and that the
reason of the failure was Democratic bad
faith