The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1875-01-19

wharves of its chief city--then, in heavens
name, le. the responsibility fol
this woe and misery rest upon
the men who hive had absolute
control OF the affairs of the state since the
work of desolation began. The more the
administration blazons the record of murder
in Louisiana, the moro il deepens its own
dishonor and discredits its policy. The state
should now be enjoying peace and prosper
ty, and let Grant and his subordinates an
swer for the riot and ruin that prevail
there.
In addition 20 the tale Of blood which be
rehesrses, the president takes up TIE story
of Kellogg's adventures, and enters into an
elaborate argument to prove that scoundrel
so be the legitimate governor of the state.
! He asserts that the election of 1872 was made,
through the influence of Warmoth, mere
piece of fraud, inasmuch as the
! natural republican majority was cut down
by the imposition OF registry restrictions,
and by the use of every means of intimida.
ton. Hespproves of the outrage by which
the usurper, through the agency Of the fed
eral courts and federal troops, was installed
in Office. He accepts the infamous pretense
about intimidation in the last election,
endorses the viIlainy of the state returning
board, and INDUCES in a lot of contemplate
palaver about the interference of the soldiers
to turn the conservatives out of the legisla-
ture. In fact he adopts in bis whole mes
sage tone of malice and political bigotry
which even his enemies considered foreign TO
his character.
The thesis of this document is that a de-
eided minority of the people of Louisiana,
without arms, organization or government
counteDance, are intimidsting the majority,
threatening TO overturn the legally elected
government, and setting at defiance the
power of the United States. The absurdity
OF such a position constitutes its refuta-
ton. How can a minority overawe
majority backed by the state authority
and under the protection OF federal troops?
The whole thing is a miserable piece of
Hypocrisy, as impudent as the accusation
brought by the wolf against the lamb
In conclusion it may be we'll to allude in
particular to an important point OF the mes
sage, namely, the presidents defense of the
conduct of the troops. He says: "The
army is not composed of lawyers, capable
of judging at a moments notice If lust
how far they can go in matters of
law and order, and that it was inn
possible TO give specific instruc-
'tions providing for all possible contingent
'cies that might arise. The troops were
bound to act upon their Judgment. =
If error has been committed by |
the army in these matters it has al |
ways been on the side of tine preservation /
Of good order. the maintenance OF law,
and the protection OF life. The bearing of
the commanding officers upon sr1ch sudden
that arose when instruction
could only reach them after the threat
sned wrongs had been committed which
they were called on to prevent,
reflects credit upon the soldiers. and if
wrong has resulted, the blame lies with
,he turbulent mentssurroundiDg them"
What an amazing political philosophy this
;, to be preached from the chair W hich George
Washington oncs occupied The ignorance
f the president in regard 80 the nature
f our institutions seems sethally equal to
las of his lieutenant general. The theoryofI
.mericsn liberty is here reduced to the sim
lie question of a sabaltern officers ign0-
snce oflsw and natural good sense. TIE ,
,rbsar8nce of she United States !
,ldiers is the only guaranty of our =
The officers are good fellows,
no know more about tho swOrd1 ,
kercise than they do about the constitu-1
on, and the srcops ore we'll drilled, and 9
icy all mean about right, but when they /
i'm and overturn states, why, the poor :
evils of citizens must bear it as best they ,
In, and be told by the commsnder-in-chiefl !
lat the whole trouble Is due, as a >
latter of course to their own turbulence. ]
a view of the PRONUNCIATION of such /,
octrines by the president, it IS time for n
le people to asks "What are you soldiers 4
DING in louisiana BY what warrant do 2
hey interfere in civil affairs? Peace reigns \,
the nation, why do arms clash
nd why are the laws silent?"
l.
H0osier History IL