New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1875-01-12
THE RESOLUTIONS.

Whereas, 1t is a fundamental principle Of parla-
law. underlying all free Representative insu
body and enforce that sovereign Legislature is the
even udca interference is not tolerated with that nigh
ant all-impOrtant privilege; and
States nor in Constitution and laws Of the State OF
louisiana which i'll the least excerpts the legislative Dody
that State from the operation of THIS ancient natural
and undOubted principle OF government and
Whereas Caution aud foresight In the exercise OF
Federal interference with the concerns OF zoe states
lately in rebellion are made dOuby desirable at this
by the fact that nearly hall the voters of that
region persons only now receiving Their irst leg
sons 10 politics, and who yet possess no familiarity
with the dangers TO which constitutional government
is exposed, with the means by when is maintained
and defended, and knowledge Of the sacrifices by
which past generations have created It, ana whO as
matter of tact look on the Federal as
their best friend and most Trustworthy political III
structor; therefore,
ReSored That in the opinion Of this meeting any use
of the Federal authority which teaches these newly
made 10 believe that political problems can be
solved by arbitrary processes or displays Of physical
force better moro readily than by labor patience.
and Cancellation . Ofense against the national
safety aud welfare which calls for the seyerest con-
Whcreas All intimidation of q Legislature. and es-
peelaly That form OF intimidation ~nloa Consists 10
or in display OF military force IN or about the place
NJ neeng IL sure eventually TO convert representation
into farce by making the Legislature in greater
degree tue creature servant OF the Executve
Resolred That we cannot warmly express dis
appreciation Of the part which che military forces OF the
Unted States have allowed more than once TO play
in organization OF the Legislature OF the Stale OF
Louisiana.
Whereas On the first OF these occasions in 1872 the
Federal troops took possession OF tue State House In
New Orleans and permitted person to enter the leg
save chambers except those pointed out TO the senti
nels by the United States Marshal the occurrence
rightly considered by the whole country scandal and
disorder VI the grayest kind but nevertheless as II
TOOK place under cover order of United States
Court felt by many that tue officials engaged In it
might honestly plead ignorance OF tue enormty OF the
transaction spite OF the fact that the order In
ton it's face 10 use tho language OF the Com
mitee OF the United States Senate, when examined It,
"most repTeDensiOle, erroneous In point or law,
and wholly void for want OF iurisdIctiOn;" that,
OWING 10 this occurrence ana the discussion IL
called forth cannot have left the Administration or its
officers the dark to the serious nature OF the Oh
to the military interference OF the Federal au-
thortcs with the machinery OF state governments.
alarm that the Stale House of louisiana Was taken
possession Of and garrs0ned by Federal brigade prior
10 the meeting the Legislature on the Atm day OF
January last that the members mad to make their way,
under examination. TO their places through lines VI
armed sennels, and then proceed to the discharge OF
their duties iuslie under the eye OF military com
mander not subject 10 their authority and holding the
very building IN which they sat as fortified post;
that when disputes subsequently arose between the
two parties which tue Legislature Is divided over
the organization OF the House OF Represensa ives this
officer took upon himself TO answer the appeal OF
side and the duties or the SergeantdtArDs and
of police by REFRESHING disturbance within the
buildings and that when subsequently minority OF the
House. being dissatisfied With the vote or with the mode
or taking it, with the qualifications OF some OF those
who participated in it, refused to seek the settlement OF
the controversy by tho ordinary and long established
methods of parliamentary law but appealed TO the Gov
of the state to Interfere with the proceedings the
troops OF the United States at The Governors unlawful
heu aud there settled by force the purely param ontary
question Of the qualification Of several persons present
seats the House by expelnS them violently from
Ehersas No occurrence OF this kind has been recorded
in the history Of free government without being stg
mauzed, and rightly stgmatIzsd, an act OF revOlu-
tonary violence ami though, owing to the peculiar
dtion OF the Southern States and to the multiplicity of
State Legislatures 1t may seem an event VI less
ment IN Louisiana IN our day than IL has seemed IN
OF the utmost gravity when we remember that II II be
permissible in Louisiana, whether 1t shall take place
not IL New-YorK Massachusetts becomes question
OF legal right but Of Executive -dlscreuOn; there
fore,
caly protest against II. and declare solemn
yiction that IL better that legislative bodies
should be forbidden TO meet at all than to be forbidden
TO their rules aud surrounded their
officers. because nothing more dangerous or de-
moralizDg than arbitrary rule vailed by constitutional
forms ana that the citzens Of NewYork, without dis
tnctOn OF party here assembled appeal 10 their fellow
Of the whole country " unite with them In TINS
R6ereas The recent dispatch of the Lieutenant-Gen-
era O tine Army, addressed to the Secretary OF War;
suggesting that Congress should pass an sc or that the
President should Issue proclamation, In Imitation OF
naIe humber of his fellow oIzsns "bandtti" and au.
thorzing him 10 hunt them down with an armed orce
Language Of colder who, however gallant ned,
has al wed himself ~ remain inexcusaby ignorant OF
the and laws OF his country not that II has
RECEIVED tne prompt approval the War Department
accompanied by intlnalion mat the President anu
members VI the Cabinet approved VI 1t; there
Rssolrsd That cannot refrain from expressing
repfOOat0n OlspdJch ltselI,
im puatiOE casts large body OF our country
men, aud OF the Executive sanction which II las re-
ceIved.
whereas The outrages legislative independence.
against which have met 10 protest. have no legal re-
laiion TO the problem OF reconstruction, properly
called do arise out OF any recent legislation OF
Congress regarding the STATES lately in rebellion and
Hhereas Federal military assistance Is 10 be rendered
upon his responsibility by the President, under and by
virtue OF provision OF the original and unamended
Constitution and Ia 10 Il call which the Legisa
ture any State not In session, the Governor Of
any state, may make; therefore,
ResOIped That In which the Federal troops
have ueeu employed In Louisiana constitutes abuse
OF authority which Is dangerous public liberty in
c dual degree IN every part Of the Unlon
A PRECEDENT SUBVERSIVE OF LAW.
Speech Of the Hon. Wn. NJ RoarH
am quite sure, fellow citizens, that no Republi