The anti-monopolist. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1874-1878, 1875-01-21
Senator Carl Schurz on louisiana.

jepislation is necessary to secure to the
neople of Louisiana their rights Of self
Government under the constitution, and
to report with the least possible delay
by bill or otherwise. The galleries
were crowded and Mr.. Stephenson NOV
ed that the privilege of the floor and
rear seats be granted to ladies who
could not obtain admission to the GAL
lcries. Mr.. Hamlin objected.
Mr.. Schurz then spoke in favor OF
his resolution. He said he approached !
the subject in no party spirit. About
to retire to private life. the success OF
no party would become benefit to
him, nor it's defeat injure him. The
subject now before the Senate was SO
great that passion or prejudice should
find no place in the breasts Of the Sena'
tors discussing it. He did not think
the debate of last week premature. or IN
, advance of the facts. All important
facts in the case we're in possession OF
Senators. He reviewed the scenes IN
Louisiana of Monday last. attending the
organization of the Legislature. the IN
reference of the militia, ETC., and sad:
What provision Of the constitution;
: what laws are on the statute books fur
nishing warrant for such proceedings!
4 It is said in extenuatlon OF lnterfer-
ence of the military power OF the
: United States. that the persons expelled
from the Legislature by the federal
soldiery we're not duly elected members
Of the Legislature. Suppose that had
been so: but that is not the question.
t The question is, where is the constltu-
f. tionaI principle, where the law author
S ling United States soldiers, with mus
kets in their hands, to determine who
+ are elected members Of State Legsla-
ture, and who are not
:. It is said that the mode OF organiza-
: ton of the Legislature was not IN ac'
cordance with the statutes OF the State.
J Suppose that had been so; but 1t IS not
y the question. The question is, Where
1t is the constitutional or legal warrant
Tor the federal soldiery to inspect the
v Legislatures Of States. and to decide io'
r. and in Legislature points OF parlia
- mentary law!
1t is said that the Governor request
ed the aid of United States soldiers t.
in purge the Legislature Of illegal mem
en- bers. That may be so; but that i
RS not the question. The question is
H. Where is the law authorizing Unite'
a States soldiers to do the bidding OF
State Governor, who attempts to dc
=. eide who are to be the members OF tn
~ Legislature, regularly convened at tn
- place and at the time fixed by law
:, 1t is said that trouble was threatene
~ between the contcnding parties in Lou
isiana. Suppose that had been so; tn
TN question is, Where is the law iror
Ter which the national government. IN cas-
IN of threatened trouble IN a State, derive
as it's power to invade the Legislativ
M BODY by armed force to drive out pei
sons seated as members Of the Stat
legislature that others may take the
ca place9 Where is the law | ask. 10
~ viii search the constitution in vain.
Of 1t is my deliberate Judgment. COZ
Der scientiously formed, that on the 4th
ID January, in Louisiana. gross and MAJ
fest violation of the constitution an
cd laws was perpetrated. We have an a.
before US indicating the spirit IN 0,
'e' government which either ignores II
en- constitution and laws, or so interpre
lis. them. that they cease to be saiegual
I'VE of independence, Of legislation, II
the rights and liberties Of the people, ar
ow- that peril shows itself more alarming
still in the instrument the executl'
yed has chosen to carry out his Will.
sla. No American citizen can have re;
or without profound regret. and equal
,ur profound apprehension, the recent d
,ep. patch of Gen. Sheridan to the Seer
ten. tary Of War. in which he suggests tn
he numerous class of citizens should,
an. wholesale. lie outlawed as banditti by
mere proclamation Of the President,
be delivered over to the military Co
- r.andcr for summary Judgment by
way military commission. Nsbody respe'
ole' Gen. Sheridan more than do for
ne brilliant deeds on the battle field.
'ae nation has delighted in honori
TO his name, and the matt
nall -, ...au,,,- 5o,,ore n 600 tho y,
my Of the Ride to Winchester. and
charge at Five Forks. stain his name
Lee any attempt to override the laws
umc constitutional rights of his countrym
ocu 1t is another illustration of how CT
d Of man NAV be soldier. and how C
the so cuously unable TO understand c
the law and the constitution. He n
the glory in fighting for you; but how
and tie fit to govern you.
is in On all sides we hear the question
the ed if this can be done in Louisiana
such things be sanctioned by Congr
S. how long viii it be before It will be d
, in Massachusetts and Ohio-how |
III before the constitutional rights and
o ms 8, self-sovernment of the people, will
WI =; tra,npled under FOOT How long be
the a G eneral of the Army may sit IN
eFeS. chair you occupy. to contest elect
ae' in order to make majority in the
yea ate. and before soldier will stalk
nFs' the house of the nation represe
'han .ives. pointing to the Speakers ga
'he and saw. Take away that bauble.
Mr.. Schurz said he contemplated
icasc present crisis with grave apprehen
been that our time-honored constitute
, this principles would gradually be obj
' did ated by repeated abuses of power
they ,ablishins themselves as precede
alb and tina, the machinery OF the adj
vaila- is.ration may become more and Z
,onds. an instrument Of ring-rule. too
rav i manufacture maioritles and orga