New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1875-01-13
The Non.Interfereuce Doctrine.

The Non-Interfereuce Doctrine.
A great deal has been said. these few
days past. on the so-called illegal interfer
ence by the United States troops with the
Louisiana Legislature. Having shown
already in the Tribune that the troops,
althengh United States troops. were called
IN at the Instance Of Witt. who was az the
time State official de facto, and that they
only carried out the wishes OF the House OF
Representatives, acting under the color OF
oftlce In all they did. we need not endeavor
TO defend their course or that of their com.
manders. The troops were United States
troops. but their acts were not federal acts.
lhey were State acts. OF the wisdom of
tne interference we care 20 say very little.
We are willing to admit. for the sake o:
argument, that il were better that neither
the Democratic nor Republican faction had
called In the aid of the military-notwith.
standing both invoked that aid to further
!helr ends IN this particular instance. But,
IN yieldlng this point, we are by no
means willing to admit the principle that
federal interference in the affairs Of the
Southern States is under all circumstances
unjustihable and reprehensibie. On the
contrary. we maintain that until such time
as the spirit OF rebellion ceases its workings
IN the South. federal surveillance of the
Southern States is not only iustifable but
necessary. We will 60 SO far as to say
that so long as there are in the South unlaw.
ful military organizations like the White
League. independent both of the federal
and State authorities. and recognized by
neither the general government should
hold Itself In readiness to interfere at any
time to prevent a rebellious outbreak. The
object OF such organizations is vel! known.
The Southern States. it must be remem.
bered. were very lately in rebellion
against the Union. They yielded only
when they were conquered. and after they
had exhausted every means TO accomplish
the ruin of the country. 1t may we'll be
doubted whether, if they had any reason.
able hope of success, they would not fight
the war OF the rebellion over again. Such
being the case, can the country afford to act
upon the principle of absolute non.inter.
ference in the affairs Of the States lately in
rebellion. and rebellious still at heart, Can
the country afford to adopt course toward
the Southern States such as it would adopt
were they not States inhabited by defeated
rebels: Can it afford to ignore that the
whole territory beyond Mason and DixOn's
line is covered by slumbering political vol
canoes! Can the people of the North afford
at this Juncture to say to the people of the
South: 1--WE shall insist that the federal
government shall not, under any circum-
Nd
they afford to treat the Southern States
precisely as if they had been always staurch
adherents of the Union! We do not think 40.
We do not believe that the constitution of the
United States warrants any such conciu-
sions. ii it does, it is an instrument Great
ed not to insure a ''more perfect Union,"
but an instrument manufactured for our
destruction. Federal interference in State
affairs is iustiiable to preserve the Union,
to crush out rebellion, and to keep it from
raising its head again where it has been
once crushed out. The ultra doctrine of
non-interference is the old Democratic
doctrine OF State sovereignty. But such
doctrine is absurd. What was our whole
course during the war, but one long series
OF acts of Interference in the affairs Of the
Southern States! Since the close of the
rebellion the people of the Southern States
have known that the federal government
would not hesitate TO interfere should they
at any time manifest reasonable mind.
This knowledge has had powerful effect in
making them resigned to the decision of
arms. But let US suppose the principle of
absolute nOn-lnterference in Southern
affairs to be proclaimed as the true policy
OF the country. What would result! There
would be instantly civil war IN Louisiana.
The Republican and Democratic parties
would then fight out their differences to
sxtermfnationo They do not do SO to-day.
but only because the federal government |
stands between them to keep the peace,
and it Is perfectly justified in so doing. tor |
The Democratic party in Louisiana is organ.
zed rebellion. Had the federal govern.
ment not interfered some months ago in |
Arkansas there would have been civil war
here. And who will predict where it may
oe called On next to keep tho peace! |
This ultra doctrine Of non-interference |
With the States lately in rebellion can
'btaln the ascendency in practice
,nly by its adoption by the majority of
he people Of this country. But is ma.
ay that the South may be plunged into
Are those who have go faithfully
worked hitherto with the Republican party
,oinS TO countenance the control of the
ountry by a fusion Of the Southern rebels
With Northern Democrats: And yet anarchy
n the South and the control Of the govern.
lens BY the late rebels are the necessary
consequence OF any widespread detection
rom the Republican ranks because Of the
imposed interferencs of tha federal gov.
rnment with the Louisiana Legislature.
ederal interference so far has had only
eneticisl influence. 1t has saved two
tates already from the scourge Of civil
'ar. II has prevented war Of races and
)cial dissolution.
We have said tha. unless the Republican
arty controls this country. the late rebels
ii! control it. The opposition 70 the
epublican party is made up Of tbs old
ne Democrats, Of the Southern rebels and
Aeserters from the Republican ranks.
he balance Of power in the opposition is
ith the former rebels. and the opposition
ust. therefore, either submit TO defeat or ,
eld to the demands OF tho Southern |
That 10 rho
ats will control ths opposition and the
'untry. ii the opposition carries the next
election. And thus the rebel. !
IN will triumph. Let the opposition pro- ;
aim the doctrine of absolute nOn-interfer. =.
ce with the Southern States-and it must ! /
rforca proclaim it-and we may witness | 9
hat was witnessed during the administra. q
N Of Buchanan. without exciting any
arm, vast preparations making to destroy
the South to day1han it was fourteen years
o. The spirit of ebellion is as yampan: as &
er. Proclaim The principle that the
uthern people may do what they like: y
{ them where, holding the balance of u
wer, they shall control the destinies Of {
is nation: let them have ten years. !
lse Of power, and he would be bold s.
IN who would venture to predict that. at 6
> end OF that time. We should not be g
lied upon TO witness another rebellion. | u
'odier. more protracted. and perhaps h
're successful than the first. lnterfey. "
&c in State affairs. for it's swn sake. can n
be too strongly reprobated. Bu: when il
, question IL between interference and c
/! war. or disunion or symptoms OF dis 8
ion. ws can no. afford to proclaim any "
opian maxim Of non.interterence. The ! II
lntry's safety i. the highes. law; and .
l.lnterferencs in Southern affairs can | &
be carried TO the cxten: OF endangeriny G.
t safety. The peopls of the North will p
ge: the war as soon as the people Of the a
18th: but it would ba very unwise to el
get i: before :hem.-Chicoyo TItL.Ns. !t
/ .: