New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1876-07-15
HAVE WE A GOVERNMENT


State of the American Union, Ia Meat
cana, is the issue raised by the Confed-
crates of Mississippi. tits an issue which
will make itself felt in every Northern
State in the pending election, because it
raises the one question which, OF all
others, is most important to all classes OF
citizens under government Of law. That
issue is involved in the query "Have we
government at alp Are the people OF
the United States to drift into anarchy
through the subversion of the authority
of the national government? Shall the
American flag protect the American citi-
zen? Does 1t protect htns in fifteen OF the
States of the Union9
Be the merits of the political quarrel in
Mississippi what they may; be the merits
of the dogmas of State rights on the one
hand or Capitalization on the other what
they may, on one question all civilized
and conservative influences of the North
agree, and that is upon the need of govern
ment. There are too many interests at
stake under the republic to permit any
further experiments" with the govern
ment If theorists wish to experiment
they had better go to Mexico or Yucatan-
As for the United States Of North Amer
lea, they represent a nation-an estab-
lished political fact-and every man inter-
ested in the stability Of government and
the security and good order Of society will
be found on the side Of authority against
revolution. The political suppression OF
the negro at the South in the interest of
the Confederate Democratic party is bad
enough, but when to this is added the
right of revolution, we have state OF
things which makes insecure everything
which lives within the bounds Of the gov
eminent. In 1860 this same fright Of
revolution, as remedy for social wrongs,
was proposed by the Confederates. The
North replied, 'Have we government
And from that day to this it has been a
contest between revolution and con-
servatism, the North standing for author
ity and law in this contest. The same in
curry as made in 1860 will be made now
Have We a governmenty Who is to
oyerawe and finally extirpate that fierce
spirit which has drenched peaceful Mis-
sissippi in blood, and which, if unchecked,
will finally Mexicanize the entire South,
blasting all its material interests forever?
There can be but one answer to this ques-
ton.
The Boston Herald is evidently becom-
ing nervous over this old Confederate
issue of the fright of revolution" as re-
produced in the Mississippi case. Here is
what the editor says:
THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI.
We presume that our own Senator Bout
we'll is the man to run the Southern outrage
mill for the benefit OF the Republican party
| this wear. His committee has been to Mis-
sissipp. and no doubt it has found outraSes
| enough to make the blood Of every stump
speaker run cold Ia community where a
| complete social and political revolution has
| been carried by outside force, where race
prejudices are strong and human life ls held
| cheap. it is not to be wondered at that angry
passions are fostered and that collisions oc-
! cur which result in loss OF life. These things
| are very much to be daplored; they are to be
prevented, If necessary, by the strong hand
| of law, backed by all needed force But we
| make q sad mistake when we hold all the
| people of the South responsible fer the
| crimes of lawless class. We shall never
| forget the reasonable protest CT MIR. Lamar
| when, speaking OF Congressional inquiries
| in the South, he said: These investigations
| strip the South naked and show all Its de-
| fOrmities while in the North crime is hid
| den-we see society clothed 1t IL true
| that an investigating committee with I'M
| limited power can maze fearful picture
| of anv community. Still, il is equally true
| that the lawlessness in some parts OF the
| South raises anew the question of the
| national governments right to step in
| and guard the person and property OF
| every citizen when the local government
| fails in it's duty. There is one gratifying
circumstance we are glad TO note The sol
dieIs who wore gray uniforms and bravely
| fought for the Coniederacy, do not take
| part in these Outra ges. AS d rule. they are
| the best reconstructed men in the South.
They know that they were beaten and have
no desire for further strife. The outTages
| are generally committed by yonng 'scaila
ways" fired by bad viii ky. and to some
| extent supported by the prejudices and bit
ter resentments of men who were rlined ny
the war, and who will never love the old
flag again. The soldiers should unite to
form pu bic sentiment against these out
RACES and to provide force ample to keep
the peace.
If the people of the North fail to right
this wrong they will strike fatal blow
at government. Will the wrong be
righted: