The New Orleans Democrat. (New Orleans, La.) 1875-1876, 1876-04-07
AssAILING THE SUPREME COURT.
Fury 0f the P1Otters who Made the En-
fOrcement Act, and are FOlIed.

WASHINGTON, April 2.--The recent de-
cision OF the Supreme Court, virtually
annulling the enforcement act and re-
buking in the sternest manner the par
tisan legislation which has paralyzed
| the Southern States, Is the hardest blow
the Republican party has yet received
| from that tribunal
! When these outrageous laws were
rushed through Congress, without any
other reason to justify them except the
desire to consolidate the negro vote OF
the South and to hold that section as q
political satrapy, they were known to
be unconstitutional. But the Constitu-
ton was stamped under foot by the rev.
olutionary leaders, whose only desire
was to secure the possession Of power.
The scandals which to-day provoke so
much Indignation and bring the name
and institutions OF this country into
disrepute are the natural results Of
these excesses. Corruption became a
necessity Of party, and it penetrated
every department Of the public service.
If these desperate men had now the
control over legislation, which they
held few years ago, there would be no
hesitation in crippling the Supreme
Court, as they then repeatedly threat
ened to do, until menace and assault
effected the object which they desired
at the time. It's judgments are only re-
spected by them when they conform to
the demands Of faction, and disregard
the obligations Of the written charter.
What effect the decision has produced
on the minds OF Administration leaders
may be inferred from expressions in the
Senate. which, though subdued in terms
for effect, leave no doubt Of the malig-
.nant spirit which animated the speak
ers. Mr.. Morton said:
s'The Senator has referred to the de-
cisions OF the Supreme Court on Mon
day. / shall be frank enough to say
that 1 regard those decisions as ,tnfOr-
tunate, but it is not my business or duty
here to criticise them or endeavor to ex-
plain them.
II do not know whether the Supreme
Court said that referring to the con
struction given to the Fourteenth
Amendment, but If they did, so far as
/ am concerned. repudiate Il utterly"
Mr.. Boutwell, was still more offensive
in his utterances, and could not even
check himself within the limits OF de-
cency in debate, as will be seen by the
following words:
1.-THE Senator from Delaware, nader
prene Court rendered on MOnd0y last,
looks to the time when the Ku Klux,
some OF whom were fined and others OF
whom are imprisoned, are to have their
fines returned from the Treasury OF the
United States, and the doors Of the
prison opened, that he and his friends
may welcome them"
Other leaders were more discreet, and
kept their lips closed from policy. But
they all regard the court with resent
ment. for having placed judgment on
record that brands their legislation as
and void. This decision is
a great step toward return to constitu-
tional methods, and in view OF the po-
litical construction Of the court, is an
eventful achievement. There are seven
Republicans In the Court, besides JUS
tices Davis and Clifford
To Mr.. Justice Davis, more than to any
other member OF this tribunal, is due
the credit Of a judgment which prac-
tically revives the proper relation OF the
States and the General Government.
He struck the first blow after the war in
the memorable Milligan case, for the
subordination OF the military TO the civil
authority and this last declaration is in
the line OF completing a series Of judg-
ments which will restore the Supreme
Court to its ancient standing, and bring
back the Government to the honored
paths prescribed by the Constitution.