The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1875-05-26

The Wheeler Compromise.

The excellent results which have
followed the adoption of Congress.
man Wheeler's plan for adjusting the
political difficulties in Louisiana show
that the Conservatives acted judici
ously in agreeing to the terms pro.
posed, notwithstanding that the pro
position to submit the contested
election cases to party Of private
gentlemen for their decision was {
procedure so entirely unwarranteG
by law that it could only be justified
by the plea of necessity. The citi
zens of Louisiana, however, who
have suffered so long from the law.
less rule of their oppressors, couli
hardly have been expected to be fas
tidious about the legality of a meas
ure which they thought would afforG
them relief, and SO they gave theil
assent to the proposed adjustment.
Mr.. Wheeler, the author of the
compromise, has published in a let
ter to the TIMES his views upon the
effect of the adjustment, and as they
come from an extreme Republican
his views are important. He thinks
the adoption Of the compromise will
result in great benefit to the State
and we believe with him. He pro.
pounds some praiseworthy senti.
ments as to the right of the people
of Louisiana to be regarded as equal
which, If unnecessarily patronizing
iii tone, are undoubtedly correct
/ We are glad to see, also that Mr..
! Wheeler admits that the people OF
the South, since they have been COM
i PEELED to remain in the Union, ought
to enjoy as free citizens all that we
at the North demand for ourselves.
Mr.. Wheeler's testimony upon the
action Of the Louisiana House in re-
seating the four Conservatives mem
bers who had been expelled by the
spurious Hahn House is also note.
worthy. 1t confirms in every par
ticular the opinions The Sun has
heretofore expressed. Mr.. Wheeler
says that not only was there no in.
fraction by the Conservatives of the
express terms of the agreement, but
that Col. Leonard, as their.represen-
tatiye, formally notified him of the
action which would take place. We
quote his words:
"On the day preceding the meet
ing Of the late extra session of the
Legislature / met at the rooms of
Gen. Sheridan at the St. Charles
prominent Republican officials and
Col. Leonard Of the Shreveport Times
who had been the leading man in
the. negotiations on the Democratic
side. He assented to the PROPOSE
ton for adjustment at the very out
set, never faltered in its support, but
amid all its varying fortunes, when
the tumultuous thousands threatened
to overthrow it, gathered new cour-
age and hope, and assured me, SO far
as his friends were concerned, of ul-
innate triumph. The matter of the
four members was fully discussed in
Gen. Sheridan's room, and Col. Leo
nard distinctly informed us that he
wished no concealment, and that it
was due to us that he should inform
us that if the award of the commit
tee should be adopted by the House,
the Democrats would promptly re-
seat the four members. This state
ment is but simple justice to. Col
Leonard and those whom we repre-
sent.''
This certainly settles the question
of good faith, and we commend the
testimony of Mr.. Wheeler to those
advocates Of Grantism who have
been agonized over the depravity of
the Louisiana Conservatives in seat
ing all members of their party whose
election was unquestioned. In re-
gard to this, the editor of the Troy
Times, who has been foreign min
ister-a fact he never forgets-and
who therefore should be an authority
in matters of taste and decorum.
mildly remarked that it proved that
the Democrats of Louisiana ssare not
only murderers and banditti, but the
most barefaced liars on the face of
the earth"
The most curious part of Mr..
Wheeler's letter is his full admission
of the election frauds committed in
Louisiana, and of the illegal use Of
bayonets to maintain a government
I based on utter villainy. All this be
seems to treat as a matter of course.
while he claims great credit for the
Republicans because they have at
last permitted a portion of the Con-