The New Orleans bulletin. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1874-1876, 1875-02-14
THE IRON HAND OF CESAR.

representing tne IVadicai caucus Of frlQay
night Tor Saturday morning) as failure.
What the matters under discussion were we
cannot definitely say, but they are believed to
have been the bills by which the President
force in case Of what he might deem an actual
or threatened disturbance in any part of any
one of the Southern States. A few days ago
there was sent from Washington a very signif-
cant dispatch, relating to his Excellency's
anxiety to have Congress confer upon
him the power to act at his discre-
ton towards the Southern States. At
the time the dispatch seemed to US to
be of very remarkable character. 1t was
very evidently not in the vein, style or Ian
guage of any correspondent of the press. It
was couched in phraseology far more diplo-
matte than journalistic. Each sentence was
manifestly studied with extreme care. 1t
was sent specially TO leading Radical organ
of the West, and simultaneously similar
dispatches appeared in all the prominent
Radical organs We will let our readers
Judge for themselves whether this dispatch
or manifesto was or was not written by the
advice, at the suggestion, and with the sane.
ton of the President. The precise and
measured style is not unlike that Of Attorn ey
General Williams The doctrine is that
which might be taken as certainly enter
tanned by caucus Of twenty Of the most
prominent most powerful, and most devoted
personal adherents of Grant. 1t reads as
follows:
The President has spent portion of two days
at the Capitol in close consultation with leading
Senators upon Southern affairs, and has strongly
urged prompt and speedy action on the part of
Congress. He has expressed extreme solici
at the delay attending the action of Congress on
Southern affairs. He thinks that the recent in
formation renders the Legislatures action more
imperative than ever. The reports received
from military commanders in various parts Of
the South indicate considerable uneasness
among the people, and the President feels JUS
titled in making such preparations that he may
not be powerless in event Of disturbances or un-
lawful proceedings OF any kind after the adj
iournment Of Congress. While fearing troubles,
ne announces himself ready to maintain order.
The Administration expects to have evidence
of disturbances of political chars cter in other
States than Louisiana and Arkansas, and the
President, while experiencing considerable en-
barlassment in his present attitude, teels that
during the session Of Congress any disturbances
could be promptly provided for by the needed
legislation. Should Congress adjourn without
specific action, and on the other hand, OF if its
action should be only of general character, his
position would be, he thinks, one of increased
embarrassment. The recognition OF the Kellogg
government in Louisiana, OF any particular party
IN Arkansas, is no longer the most important
matter in his estimation.
He desires some action by Congress, SO general
in its scope to cover all possible contingencies
With this view the President had repeated inter-
views with leading Senators, from whom he has
received strong assurances OF such action as may
seem wise and expedient. The views OF the ma
iority however, are at present SO diverse that it
Is not only impossible to d. termlne how the
question will be met, but 1t is thought that con-
siderable caucusing will be required before a
measure which will answer every purpose can be
agreed upon. Steps will be taken forthwith to
perfect the proposed measures.
We republish this remarkable dispatch a
week after it was sent, because subsequent
proceedings indicate, as we anticipated, the
covert meaning in some OF its obscure pas
sages, and the latent and only half uttered
intentions of the Executive. Taken now in
connection with what has since been said
and done at Washington, with the Presidents
extreme solicitude as to the power which the
expiring Congress was to bequeath, with the
forcing through of the Civil Rights bill, with
the demand for double army appropriations,
with the strangely audacious and outrageous
message relating to Arkansas, with the aggres-
sive. tyrannizing and most insulting tone OF
Radical Senators, Representatives and jour-
mails, and last with the proposed restoration
of the abominable and diabolical Iron Clad
oath, the occult meaning of the telegraphic
~to hoo onnarent
The President depends upon his military
commanders" for information, such com,
nanders as Sheridan, Merrill and De Rudlo-
and for such information as was given in their
letters, reports dispatches and testimony be-
fore the Hoar Committee-to justify him IN
taking or using the power to suppress pro-
ceedings "of any kind which he may deem
improper" When Congress is gone he de-
2nands plenary power. He is ready to ''maln-
tain order" He expects to have evidence
of disturbances" in all the Southern States.
He knows that his Sheridans and Merrills
will furnish him with just such ''evidence
as he wants at the right time and Of ample
quantity.
He IS embarrassed now, but unless Con-
gress is more specific he will be still more
embarrassed after the. adjournment. He
wants the mantle of imperial power spread
wide enough by Congress " to cover all pos
sible contingencies. He wants his friends
to legalize in advance all that he may deem
e.wise and expedient." Yet there must be
considerable caucusing before his wishes are
complied with.
Is mot the meaning of all this very clear?
Is it not evident that the above dispatch Is
carefully prepared forerunner Of the extreme
legislation now in progress? Can there be any
doubt that Grant desires absolute power over
the Southern States? Can any one believe
that when he has such power be will fail SO to
use it as TO goad our now pacific lnhaoltants