The New Orleans bulletin. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1874-1876, 1875-03-24
AN ABNORMAL CONDITION.

e In eztenuation and apology for the strang
q and peculiar proceedings which have takel
e place since the outrage Of the 4th of Janu
> uary, It IS pleaded by many that the condi
e ton OF our political affairs being abnorma
g and without precedent, therefore, as rem
! edy, we are justified in adopting remede.
that are likewise abnormal, and expedient.
which are without tie sanction Of example
: They claim that Louisian is in a straitened
condition never dreamed of by those who
fashioned her Constitution nor by those who
adjusted the relations Of the States to the
General Government. They urge that
the usurpation Of the government OF
the State by virtue Of the order OF
a drunken wretch issued at midnight, "be-
tween asleep and awake, was a contingency
against which no forethought did or could
provide. They plead that the diabolical in
vention called the Returning Board is some
thing SO strangely villainous in conception,
and 50 thoroughly depraved, foul, and culpa-
| bic IN execution, that the mischief it has
worked never occurred to the most Jealous of
| those who sought to guard the liberties of the
people under The prohibitions Of the organic
law They insist that the bayoret exploit Of
Grant s soldiers on the 18th Of January was
something qaite out of the range of all reason
able expectation a crime not contemplate
ed by those who fashioned the central
power out of the grants of the States
grieyous and most abominable |
act of authority, Of which any honest and
sober communicating hef was thought to be
wholly Incapable. And now they argue that,
because these things have been irregular,
oppressive, ruinous, and without precedent
IN fact or sanction in law, therefore unusual
or unprecedented remedies are necessary and
Justltiable 1t is an abnormal condition of
things which can only be met. they say, by
remedies and expedients. 1t is thus
that the compromise procedure is attempted
to be justified, as well as all the fruits which
are likely to grow on tia tree OF evil omen
Ingenious ard plauoib Z as this apology NAV
be for the comrromisers and adiusters it IS
not strictly applicable to the ease. We are
not ready to admit that abnormal proceed
lngs are the true remedy for an abnormal coz
iltion. There is no difference of opinion as
70 what the matter is with Louisiana. All
political doctors are agreed as to their !
iiagnosis Of the complicated disease under
which the much abused patient suffers But
the system is poisoned it does not follow
hat the patient must be fed on poisons.
hen unnatural eleme nts are introduced into
ne body and circulation the plln and
atural process of cure is to eliminate them a
nd introduce to the blood and nerves what Of
5 healthy and normal. If by abnormal con-
ltlons OF excitement or by physical causes in
le brain and mind are affected to degree of =
lsanity, the remedy is not more excitement
nd more disturbance, but return and strict !"
ihesion to natural regimen a wholesome
let, qu1etude, occupation and repose To
'moye disease the obvious method is TO re-
ore the conditions Of health. We don't try
reform GRIMM ils by teaching them new
rms OF crime. We don't attempt to reclifv
rors by instllling new errors We don't en- 81
aavor 20 reform inebriates by supplies of INT
elr abnormal beverage in new mixtures and tn
ncoctlons. We don't seek to reform the In
normal propensity of thieves by putting pr
w and attractive plumber in their way.
1t seems to us that the worst possible cure ,
r what IS wrong, IS to substitute sometime
sc that is wrong in its place. 1t is our deep II
nvictlon that from usurping local govern ca
ent the first appeal is TO be made to the FL
ople at home. That has been done in ~ ~
but the usurpation still continues FU
III renewed and still grosser aggravations. grv
e local tyrant deties votes and majorities n
, powerless against him. He Is sus-
ned by the executive authority Of the
'ubilc with influence, patronage, money
troops. There our power ends and with it
. responsibility. Republican government
Louisiana is suppressed and the suppress
power is beyond our reach. Our votes,
remonstrances our eXertions are fu-
and truitless here. The usurpation
sustained by the President, and him we
not move or touch. As long as Caesar is
power just SO long will he keep Kellogg
his proconsular throne in Louisiana The
eai to our people has failed, the normal at
eal is not to reddling and Kidding COM
tees of Congressman, but to the great mi
erlcan tribunal of voters. This usurpa-
Will last until the sustaining tyranny is
II Oht n IN end nv ba of of Cr,n+