Bradford opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1874-1881, 1875-01-16
p. FL. SHERIDAN,
Northumberland.

VII MOuuuS oSlotoh A'Suui III "
lengthy speech arraigned theAdmin
istration for it's action in Louisiana.
He said he approached this subject
in no partisan spirit. About to re.
tire to private life, he had no inter
est in the success Of any party, ex
cept that which all had. When his
children's fortunes were bound up
with that of the republic the news
from Louisiana had profoundly
alarmed him. 1t had been said that
it was premature to discuss the mat.
ter in advance of authentic infOrma
ton, but the information which we
had was so full that not mnoh more
of Importance was lett. He then
reviewed succinctly the proceedings
attendant Oh the meeting of the
Louisiana Legislature on Monday
last. He said whenever such an in
reference as this was successfully
carried out, it was an unerring sign
of the decline of free institutions
If it is permitted by Congress, we
may truly say that republican lnsti-
tutions are in danger. He quoted
from the Constitution the clause rel
alive to the guarantee Of repnbli
can form Of government to the
States. There was an instruction
in Louisiana on the 18th of Septem-
Der, when was promptly put down.
by the Federal Government, and
which has never been revived. No
one pretends that there was any in
surrection against the Kellogg Gov
ernment on the 4th of this month.
There was no new call on the Presi-
dent by the Governor, nor by the
Legislature. 1t was said that the
men elected were not legally elected.
Suppose this to have been the case
where was the law for it? There
can be no other conclusion than that
it was gross and manifest violation
of the laws of the republic. He
had the utmost esteem for General
Sheridan and his brilliant career,
and it was with sorrow that he saw
such communications as were emil
mating from that officer, which met
the abhOrIwnce of all lovers of law
and liberty. If this is not consider
ell, how long may it be before a
General of the army sits in your
chair, or in the chair of the presid-
ing officer of the other HOuseg The
would soon be utterl,
He commented at some
length on the condition of the South,
and said that Il POLICY which gave To-
cal self government to the South APP
pointed as Federal officers men of
high character and qualifications
aud removed all the disfranchise-
ments of the people, would have had
more effect than all the laws which
have been passed. He dwelt upon
the consequences of the policy which,
had been adopted. The recommen-
dation by Sheridan that u whole
class of people be declared outlaws,
so that they might be proceeded
against by a drum-head court mar
tial, and the telegram of the Secre-
tary of war, that 1--WE all of us have
in you and approve your
He argued earnestly that
the true solution of these Difficult.
Ties in the South was the establish
nent of local selfgovernment in all
the States. He referred to the con
1ition of GeOgia, Virginia and No.
Carolina. He believed there was
but not all on one side.
He warned the Senators that the
public mind could not be diverted
~ revamping any of the old stories
If outrage originated for political eff
ect. The people were beginning to
that the Southern peO.
de could give a better Government
o themselves than any Federal in.
difference could give them. He be.
ieved the report Of the Congress.