Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1875-04-17
LOUISIANA AT PEACE.

LVC1S1h<'-h L. "A 49,
The fruits of the action of the last Con-
gress in regard to the paciication OF Lou
isiana by the measure known as the
Wheeler Compromise are beginning to
appear. The legislature of that State as
sembled on the 14th. The assemblage
was the most orderly that has been seen
for years. After the members about which
there was no dispute were sworn in res
eluiion was adopted in the House, refer
ring the claims of those included in the
award to the Committee on Elections. On
the second day of the session that commit
tee made report embodying the terms of
the award, and the report was adopted by
vote of 80 for to 10 against. A resolve
was also introduced recognizing the Kel-
logg government, and pledging the sup
port of the legislature to the Governor in
maintaining the laws and advancing the
peace and prosperity of the State, which
was adopted by the House, SO voting in
favor and only 10 against, those for it be-
ing 45 democrats and A republicans, and
those opposed IS democrats and 5 repub-
licans. The Governors address contained
the following:
The occasion Of this extraordinary session marks
. new and trust better era in the history Of our
State. The history of Louisiana since its incor-
p0ration into the Union, as summarized in the
messages of successive Governors from Gov.
Claiborne to recent times, has been nnhappily
ousies and disorder. Though second to State
in natural advantages Of climate, soil, and pro-
ducts it has fallen far behind other less favored
States in the development of its resources and in
the cultivation Of that homogeneity of feeling and
interest without which no community can be per-
manenty prosperous. Two causes Of this lack of
progress and unity in the past have been as va
ried IS the ills that have resulted Some are be-
yend the pale of legislation. They can only be
remedied by the action Of time in removing pres
ent prejudces and erasing the memory of past ira
ditiens. Others are the result of the peculiar char
scter of the population of the State, and the pre-
yailng dversities of race, religion, and language
Others again, and those by no means the least
considerable, have sprung from the improvdent
and oppressive Legislatures Of late years. includ-
ing that of 1867, which have managed to subor-
dinate the material interests of the State to the
enforcement of partisan purposes and the pecuni-
airy aggrandizement Of individuals. 1t would
serve no good purpose to review in detail the
past, with whatever mistakes and wrongs may
have been committed on either side, is before you.
The consequences of these mistakes and wrongs,
more eloquent than any language could use, are
also before you. 1t is your privilege to correct,
remedy, or at least alleviate them, and more i'm
portant still, to offer guarantees that such events
shall not again occur. After q political contest,
the length and bitterness of which have been I'M
psralleled, policy has at last been adopted which,
think, should have been tried at first, and which,
trust, will afford an immediate and satisfactory
solution of the difficulties that have beset US for
years and entailed misfortune and distress upon
the people. 1t is most hopeful sign in my
opinion when, IS now, citizens Of all political par
ties seem inclined to take the management of this
affair into their own hands and, sinking party
aims. unite to advance the general good.
Thus it appears that Louisiana is at
peace at last, situation for which thanks
are due to the republicans in the last Con-
gress. assisted from the democratic side
by the single vote of Alexander H.
Stephens, which turned the scale in favor
of the compromise. We hope the AMIGA
bic result now attained may secure per-
feet harmony in the State, and that the
country has seen and heard the last of the
White League and election outrages in
Louisiana. Honor to the republicans of
the last Congress for the peace which
reigns In Louisiana.