New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1876-03-18

AAO0SSe~t Sensse0~O~e
It however becomes sometimes duty to
speak the truth, without regard to the
manner of its reception. We will there
fore tell the Central Committee and the
nominating conventions truths wh'on
none know 60 we'll, or can affirm so prop
erly as those who stood sentinel, EXPOSED
to all the shafts of an envenomed and IN
scrupulous foe. We shall not give the
epithets applied to Louisiana hepuDncsns
nv our enemies, nor the retorts applied to
Louisiana Democrats by our friends. SUI
fee it to say that such record, and such
. reputation is made Of each, that neither
has the approval or sympathy Of the
American people.
We will as . summary quote the report
Of Southern Republican who, having
denounced the irregularities Of the Louis
lana election, claimed that the Senate
overruled the objections and recognized
the legality Of the State government,
voted for Mr.. Pinchback. Senator Alcorn,
of Mississippi. thus sketches the history
of politics among us:
In 1872 there WAS IN election in tho State
of Louisisns. The complications involved
in that election have become we'll known
to tho American people. Perhaps no ques-
ton has been discussed moro thoroughly in
this body than the Louisiana case. In no
case of any election In any country, perhaps.
have there been evidences Of fraud over
resehing that which was shown to have OK
listed in the election Of the State Of Louisi-
of that State ct that time; Kellogg, who
was then . member of this body. returned
to his State aud became . candidate
for Governor. Warmoth, whose support Was
supposed to be equal to twenty thousand
votes in tho State on account OF tho fact
that he va Governor, formed coalition
with tho Greeley party in Louisiana, where
by it vas agreed that McEoery should 30
elected Governor with WafmOths assist
auce. and after his election - Governor
Warmoth was TO be elected to tho Senate
Of the United States. 1t was struggle for
supremacy between Kellogg and WaFmoth,
they being the chief actors in the CONTEST
While the results involved tho peace and
prosperity of Louisiana, it 10 charged BY
the enemies of the respective parties that
tho struggle was maintained upon purely
S6lu00 REOuuUes
Tho Senate committee reported by ma
iority that NO one was elected Governor of
the State of Louisians; that the election
was IN organized fraud on both sides. They
reported the fact that Kellogg party had
no returns, and that the returns which
were in tho possession Of Warmoth, and
which had been made to declare tho elec-
ton of McEnery. had been manipulated,
many Of them having been forged.
When the matter came here, upon tho
credentials Of tho parties applying for .
of person claiming to be Governor of the
State of Louisiana; each had the great seal
of the Ssate; each had tho certificate of .
Secretary of State Of the State certified to
40 provided by Law. 1t was not ~ to who
was elected Sonstor, but it Was ~ to who
was Governor of Louisiana, that the Senate
committee went forward to investigate.
This left the condition of things in Louis
lana precisely, 60 far - the Senate was
concerned, as the Senate found it. But the
executive department Of the government
of the United States had recognized KEEL
logg "a Governor of the State of Louisiana,
aud the army was used to support that
recognition; and the courts Of the State of
Louisiana had recognized Kellogg as Gov
ernor Of that State and held that the law
under which he waa insuguarated was con.
stitutional. All the departments of the
government, aside from Congress itself,
had recognized Kellogg a. Governor. He
held the position of Governor. McEneryis
Legislature was finally disperaed, and he
was driven from the field, ana Kellogg was
left in possession. Congress refused to do
anything. Kellogg, in spite of all local 0ppo-
sition, maintained bis government. His
official position was recognized in, the State
of Louisians. It became an accepted an
thority throughout the United States: SO
far as it could be, emsnsting from the Gov
ernor of State. Finally the House of
Representatives. at the last session of Con-
Rrees, passed . formal resolution recogniz-
ing the Kellogg government. The Senate
of the United States, subsequent to that
time, passed q resolution to the same effect.
The members of the McEoery Legisla-
ture, headed by McEuery himself. kept up
a show Of opposition to the Kellogg gov.
eminent.
Then follows version of the com.
promise.
Here, then, is what people abroad think
of MS. We may add that the five Repub-
licans who voted against seating Mr..
Pinchback concurred in the views ex-
pressed by Mr.. Alcorn. We have no
hesitation in saying that MIR. Pinchback
was the choice of the representatives of
Louisiana, but that he lost his seat by
the intrigues which, in the opinion of Re-
publican Senator'S, vitiated and annulled
the election of 1872.
1t is of no use for us to contradict or
controvert this adverse opinion. We have
our side an0 our version; our opponents
have their side and their version. The
public has discounted the am
bition, the cupidity, the party heat on
either side. and the rejection of an inno-
cent victim of this strife is the result; for,
while the senatorial seat is still vacant,
he Picayuae agent telegraphs on Wednes-
lay: 1.-THE friends of Eustis are growing
thus showing that no ex-
sting authority in Louisiana is deemed
~ the Senate adequate to send credentials |
o that body.
Will not the Republican party profit |
rom this open reputation by their
iriends9 Will it follow the example of |
he Democracy and renew the same de-
vices of force and fraud which have
alarmed and disguised the whole country?
The Republicans have the strength.
They can carry the State election with
Ease if they can get in their vote. And
1ow can they get this vote in? Not by
such intrigue and bargains as divided the
party in 1872. It disgusts the American
public. 1t enlists the resistance of con-
men. It occasions fear of a