New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1876-09-24

ems to overshadow the whole South like
cloud or shield. accordingly as it may
be regarded by the different political IN
terests: but it is easy to believe that GER
tain sections may receive some sucn
| benefit.
If there be in any State such conai-
ton of public opinion as to render the
local government powerless to prevent or
| punish crime; if the plea of Democracy
may be interposed as bar to prosecution
while at the same time charge OF Re-
| publicanism is equivalent to conviction,
there is where some reforming hand, with
power to enforce the laws, is imperatively
| needed. If the equal protection of the
State laws are in any district denied to
apy person on account of color, politics,
| religion, nationality, or for any other
reason, there some remedy is needed. 1t
no such condition of society exists any
| where, then martial law, if declared,
would be innocIous and unfelt. Mar
tial law, like any other law, never
interferes with people who behave them
selves. Like the police and const abulary
of well behaved city, the off GERS OF
military rule only look after the bad and
protect the honest. We hope, therefore,
the Republicans will nowhere have any
objections to urge against any legal meas
ures which the government may in It's
wisdom adopt to preserve the liberties OF
tn people. 1t is one of the duties Of all
governments to do this, and it makes no
sort of difference who the aggressors are.
There is no force, therefore, in the plea
urged by the Picoytne that in many cases
where lawlessness prevails, the Repub-
licans are responsible for it. No matter
who is responsible for it, nor who are
guilty, the duty Of the government is
the same.
1t is notorious that in many parts of
Louisiana and in nearly the whole length
and breadth of Texas there is most
painful uncertainty attending the punish
ment Of outrages against the persons and
property Of Republicans. There is yet
some doubt whether the people of Natchi-
toches, Rapides, Ouachita, Morehouse,
East Fell ciana and some other localities
will dare to venture out on the dag of
election, unless they first enroll them
selves under the supervision Of the Dem
ocratic overseers of tens, and vote the
tickets prepared for them. There can be
no greater outrage perpetra ted upon
freeman than to forcibly control his
vote, or even to set an espionage
upon it. If he be required to vote
in the gangs of tens, and is linn
tied to the ballot given him by his
oyerseer, he is as effectually disfranchised
as though be were prohibited altogether.
He is even worse used, because the very
ballot with which he is armed by the law
for his own defense is taken from him and
turned against him. Suppose he protests
or rebels against this espionage. What
then? Why, he is classified as an enemy
OF this people, and the mark of Cain
put upon him, which makes him the law
full prey for those mysterious assassins
whose murders are taken out of the cate
CORY OF political crimes for no better rea-
son than that the perpetrators are directly |
instigateG by other considerations.
Whatever may be urged by way of COM
plant against the imposition of martial
law by partisans who are interested in
ruling the various SECTIONS Of the South
by the influence Of popular comm otiors,
the administration may feel assured that
any measure which protects the lives,
liberty and property of the weak and
holds the bad in check, will be approved
oy the people everywhere