The Portland daily press., 1875-01-13
Current Notes.


Wendell Phillips has written letter to the
Secretary of War approving Of Sheridan's
course in Louisiana. -a ..u -
The Republican party must not be be-
trayed into any false position. It cannot JUS
tify, and must not attempt to Justify, military
domination of legislative bodies. But, while
reprobatlng this indefensible act, we must
not permit the Democratic revoIutionists 10
escape without a just portrayal and the Sc
we're condemnation of their lawless and scan
dalous performance. No act Of the military
was so disgraceful, none was more outrageous
than the fagrant proceeding of the Demo-
cratic usurpers. Their whole course from
beginning 10 end was in fagitious violation
of law. They displayed purpose and =
spirit as hostile to law as the most violent
military demonstration could be. While we
condemn the military interference. let US see
to it that the iniqGities of these Democratic
assassins Of law are in no wise spared.-AL
bany Journal.
General Sheridan may have ogerstepped
the nice division line which separates the
civic from the military sphere. He is en-
titled to be judged as soldier and not as
politician or an expert in official teehnicall-
ties. He 10 not a Republican nor Kellogg
man, but an officer doing his duty rs he best
may, and determined to preserve the peace at
all hazards. If he has erred, either In word
or deed, il Is not because he desired to sus-
tain Southern carpet-bag influence or . cor.
rupt State Government, but IRON soldierly
misiudgment as to the true limitations Of the
authority he was ordered 10 use in the in
terests Of public order.--B0stoR Transcript.
That something needs TO be done to secure
peace and order in Louisiana is plain enough.
That the people OF that state are not likely
to do what is required, seems equally plain; !;
their present mood is bad; and, at their best.
they re none too well accustomed to the
management of free institutions; intelligent
reverence for Law Is lot their strongest point.
If Congress has constitutional authoritJ to
do any thing that can make the state peace
full and orderly, let it be DONE We are not
sure that Congress has constitutional author
ity either to order new election, or, to as
sumo that the state is so destitute Of q repub-
lican form OF government as TO need recon-
struction. What Louisiana most needs is .
controlling reverence for law and order in the
people.-Worcester Spy. .u.g
Irwin is said to be breathing out threaten
ings and slaughter and makes dire threats OF
what he will do If he gets out Of his prison
house. Congressmen are his especial aver
sion just now, and he intimates he shall say
some very unpretty things about some Of
them shortly. - .s,...s.. $50, gre
Gen. Sheridan's mistake seems to have
been in not awaiting an actualoutbreak. True,
he saved lives by anticipating it, but lives are
cheap in Louisiana, and there Is no place in
the country where a few funerals mieht ae-
complish more good. 1t is evident that the
country at large would have preferred hun
dred dead men TO single federal bayonet
inside hall of legislation. on.-Hdruord Coar-
ant. Trrt y lel 'frtor 9t-
1t Is useless to lay all the blame Of this mel
ancholy incident in our history upon the
President. That blame properly rests upon
Congress, which has practically neglected it
duties, aud left the President to do whatever
he might think proper at the moment And
1t is only lust to remember that the President.
80 far from courting this responsibility, has
done his best to remit it to the proper quarter.
He appears to be once more on the eve OF
making another appeal to Congress 10 deal
withthe difficulty, and we hope that this time
ID win not refuse. For il Is quite clear that the
Presidents policy is ruinous, not only to bis
party, but to the fundamental provisions Of
the government. As for the party 1t win ere
long be driven to take care OF itself; as for
the laws, it is the bounden duty OF Congress
to look after them, and we trust that this
week we shall see willingness on its part to
fulfill its solemn obligation.-N. Y. Times.