National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1875-01-22
DOING RIGHT THE TRUE POLICY.

1t is to be hoped that the Republican
members of Congress, upon whom, to a
great extent, rests the responsibility for the
future success of the party, will bear in
mind that the only safe and sure policy to
be pursued with reference to the important
and absorbing question of Southern affairs
is to ascertain the truth, and then boldly
administer the law and the remedy. To
doubt and hesitate in the face of the enemy
overthrow. We have. full faith in the con-
tinued prosperity and success of the grand
principles of the Republican party if it sup
ports the right; if its leaders bravely and
fearlessly enforce the protection of the citi-
zen, and refuse to listen to or follow the
timid and doubtful counsels of expediency.
The plain and simple remedy to be ad-
ministered in Southern affairs, in our judg-
ment, is to do right, to handle the lawless-
ness and usurpation existing in those States
with rigor and decision, and then leave the
results to the intelligence and patriotism Of
the people of the country. Now that Con-
gress has indicated the action which will
probably be adopted with regard to Louis
lana, we trust they will turn their atten-
ton to the rank usurpation and revolution
involved in the Arkansas case. The testi-
mony taken before the special committee,
of which Judge Poland is chairman, as we
have heretofore shown. is clear and deci-
sIve. There seems to be no dispute, among
all parties, concerning the facts established;
and to hesitate, respecting the remedy,
appears to us a fatal error, and unsound
even as question of mere policy. That
Mr.. Brooks was elected by large majority
is conceded on all hands. In the light of
the lawless and revolutionary proceedings,
clearly proven, the fact of Brooks cleo
ton should be considered controlling one
in the disposition of the case upon its merits.
The clamor of the Democracy and the ''In-
dependent Press" over the Louisiana trou-
bles obtains the most of its force from the
confusion popularity thrown over the ques-
ton as to who was really elected Governor
in that State in 1872. With what degree
Of consistency, therefore, can these men
raise an cutlery against the recognition and
restoration of the lawful Governor of Ar
kansas? The Baxter Garland conspiracy in
Arkansas, by which the legal and regular
State government was overthrown and a
usurper installed by course of violence aud
outrage hitherto unprecedented in the annals
of American government, should receive
the stern and prompt condemnation of Con-
gress. We hope that the members will
not fail fully to acquaint themselves with
the facts of this extraordinary case. 1t
presents startling record. There can be
found history of wrong and outrage and
usurpation which surpassss anything known
in government protesting law and order.
With a militia force organized IN nearly
every county in the State, composed of the
rank and file of the late Confederate army,
the adherents of the usurper Garland ex-
claims that everything is peaceful Hav-
ing by such means despoiled the State of
its lawful government, the usurper, like
the president of the late ''Confedracy,"
wishes to be ''let alone -
If such case, so clear upon the rec
ord, is to be put out of sight, if the momen-
tous facts it contains are to be quietly fore
closed, when the attention and action Ct
Congress has been invoked, and the case
is TO become an example for others to pur-
sue, who can foretell the consequences of
such precedent