New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1876-03-01
BATTLE ORDERS CAPTURED.

| BATTLE ORDERS CAPTURED.
We have heard the assertion that White
Leaguery was only moved for regard for
the public morals in accusing Governor
| Kellogg Of high crimes and misdemeanors
too numerous to be specified. We could
not see how the Democracy could have
condoned the alleged misdeeds of Gov
ernor Warmoth by accepting his aid with
out any inquiry into his official conduct.
We can not. understand how such rigid
moralists should have instituted q resolu-
ton to overthrow wicked usurpation,
and then admit that the object of their
violence had comitted no wrong. To as
sert that this usurper had committed
wrong would be to consent that this
wrong could be condoned in consideration
of political power. 1t would be to assert
that any citizen was estopped by the COM
promise from the right and duty to
memorabilia the Legislature for ON act Of
impeachment.
The charge that the Governor deserved
impeachment, because when the police
who guard our life and property would not
serve without pay, WAS to our mind pre-
posterous. Had he failed to exercise any
influence in his power to protect these
interests, we should have considered him
more deserving of impeachment. When,
however, he had compromised and con-
doned the revolutionary overthrow of his
government, it will seem to strangers q
little curious that those who overthrow
the government should attempt to expel
him from office for having taken measures
to repair the disorganiza ton of public
safety occasioned by the revolutionists
themselves.
If, however, We needed any proof that
the object of the Democracy was the
possession of the executive Office, and
not the promotion of public morality, it
| will be found in an inprovident display
of their purpose published in the Demo-
Graf Of yesterday.
The article was obviously written before
the publication of the act changing the
| executive succession, and before the de-
cision of the high count of impeachment.
1t points out the successive steps to secure
a Democratic executive. 1t is assured:
l. That the executive is suspended from
his official position from the moment Of
his accusation. Governor Kellogg was
then to have been suspended from Office
during such interval as his accusers might
deem necessary to prepare and present
their specific charges. 1t is then said:
If Kellogg should be impeached, it is
Antoine's duty to assume the executive
Office and functions. If he fails. it will be
evidence, on his part, of an intent to aid
and abet Kellogg in his lawlessness. 1t
will be evidence of an intent to obstruct
and defeat the due process of the law. 1t
will be a fragrant act of resistance to the
effort of the peoples representatives to
bring guilty official to justice. II he fails,
the House should assert its powers by i'm
peaching him also, and all others who
stand in the way OF tull and fair investiga-
ton of the matters charged against. kel-
logg.
If Lieutenant Governor Antoine should
not then believe that vacancy exists this
fact would justify his accusation and sus-
pension. The Republican Governor and
Lieutenant Governor thus removed, the
Republican President of the Senate may
be accused-of what? the reader will
ask. Why, of piracy OR of frauds; for
any accusation according to this theory
will occasion vacancy.
Here is specimen of the charges pro-
posed:
Kellogg's call of the Senate in extra SEES
sion is ground for his arrangement. Why
Kellogg should ba impeached, Antoine
should be required to call the. House rs we'll
as the Senate in extra session. Ii he re-
fuses, let him be impeached.
What better evidence Of ignorance or
of disregard Of law could be given.
First, call Of the Senate is ground of
arraignment. Then failure to call the
Assembly together is cause of arraign-
ment. The State constitution says: "The
Governor may On extraordinary occasions
convene the General Assembly," Here a
discretion is conferred upon the execu-
tive, but the plan Of campaign, can
toine"-then Governor Antoine should be
required to call the General Assembly in
session. Will any one tell Us who should
require the executive to submit his dis
cretion to their direction? ''If he (An-
toine) refuses let him be impeached."
It was then determined to impeach all
others who stand in the way of an inves-
tigation Of the matters charged against
Kellogg.
How could any President of the Senate
stand in the way of the process? What
could such an officer have to do with the
merits of charge against the executive?
No one can imagine completely or reason
for impeachment except one-the inter-
vening incumbcnts would be Republicans,
and if they be in the way of the DEM
ocratic succession through the Speaker Of
the House, they are to be suspended in
office.
If any one can doubt, after this ex-
posure, that it was the intention of the
White Leaguers to impeach themselves
into power; if any one shall doubt but
that the Democratic Speaker secured by
the compromise was to inherit the execu-
tive succession through the political bow