New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1876-01-21
NEW ORLEANS REPUBLICAN, FRIDAY JANUARY a. 1915

NEW WILLIAMS
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superinAend the explosion of the gun
powder in question, as he was in the in
glorious position Of qusrtsrmaster during
the continuance Of hosilities, and ran nj
more personal risk than did the plaintiff
who seems to have been in Europe at the
same time. It is averred that defendant did
not, in fact. defend the liberties and fai,
daughters Of Louisiana, nor were eithel
these liberties, her brave sons and fai,
daughters, surrendered on or after the
date Of September IA, or any other day o,
date whatever, as is to be inferred from
fair grammatical construction of defend
ants words. Nor were any cartridges man.
ufactured from plaintiffs powder by the
fair daughters of Louisiana, nor sur
rendered with the liberties and other ma
terials Of war as intimated by defendant.
In the intimation that the defendant was
not personally present in combat, and
that therefore he risked no casual hem
orrhage in defense Of the cause in which
he was acting, we are compelled to say we
fear this incorporating plaintiff goes
too far. All soldiers know that the COM
missary and quartermaster are as indis-
pensable as the artillery to the success of
a campaign. Xenophon, we believe, said
long time ago in justice to the Grecian
quartermasters, that 'armies, like SER
penis, moved on their bellies" This Was
rude, but truthful metaphor, verified by
every soldier who ever missed his rations
for two or three days in the civil war be.
fore that Of the fourteenth of September,
1874.
If men were not fed and provided with
transportation for their material of war,
they must stand in one place and starve
or disband. Napoleon and General Scott
always insisted on the perfect organiza-
ton of the supply and motive depart
ments. General Washington transferred
General Nat Greene from active military
service in the campaign and assigned him
to duty in the quartermaster's or commits
sary's department. We therefore insist
that to have conducted the provisions for
feeding and moving the troops of ''the
government" on the fourteenth of Septem-
Der was no indication of want Of DISPOSE
ton to contribute bis quota Of bloodshed
to the cause, but Of the superior conf
dence in his forethought and accurate
knowledge Of probable places Of supply.
We are, however, compelled to express a
doubt whether the supply Of gunpowder
was not properly within the province of
the ordnance department. Still, much is
to be pardoned to zeal and want of pow
der.
But the plaintiff returns to stubborn
demand to know why this property should
be taken for public use without due CON-
pensation for the same, either under
Governor PENIS" administration or any
other? He sold the powder to the plaintiff
and looks to him for payment Our Bis
marck, however, shows that while osten-
sibly insisting on compensation for his
he is not actuated by selfish
but will give it to the impover-
ished people in his own way. With this
view he has selected the honorable society
Of landlords, who will pay it over in miti-
cation Of taxes, and in part liquidation of
the Administrators salary. In this way
the Administrator, though worsted in the
ight, may get back part OF his own
money. Practically, the suit will stand
n the name of Bismarck, who sues for
he benefit of the landlords of this city.
In this manner Bismarck may, if land
ord himself be sensibly benefited. We
ire satisfied, however, that the purpose of
his suit is to establish right, and not |
% make a profit. We would, therefore,
suggest that the proceeds of any possible |
Judgment be appropriated to the relief of |
he tenants Of this city, instead of the |
andlords. This beautiful compromise of |
ustice and mercy would resound along
he valleys of the Rhine and die away
.mong the ravines of the Hartz noun
aims.
It remains only to be said that the ad- |
rance and assault of our Eisaa., K are :
worthy the ''blood and iron" warrior of |
Sedan, while the Napoleon of this occa-
ion seems to have no alternative but |
,apitulation N such terms as his assail. |
mt shall demand. Such seems the situa-
ion. We would respectfully suggest a |!
or adjustment, and not adj |
hitting the right Of European interven-
ion in American affairs, would advise |
hat Mr.. Wheeler shall be sent for.
ANOTHER APPEAL FOB JUSTICE.
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