New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1876-08-24
THE ENFORCEMENT ORDER.

The ENFORCEMENT ORDER.
There is manifest difference of opinion
between Northern and Southern Demo
Gratis as to the ultimate effect of the order.
to General Sherman, based upon the Lore
preamble and resolution. Speaker pro
tenn Sayler, of Cincinnati, and Mr.. Nor
rison, of Illinois, chairman of the House
Committee on Ways and Means, are con
fident sit will do good to the Democratic
party at the South" and, :'as much good
to the Democrats as the Republicans.
Senator Gordon, of Georgia, however,
who knows thing or two about Southern
Democracy, thinks the order "was moi
intended to strengthen the Democratic
party" and Mr.. Lamar, of Mississippi,
who knows by what means he secured his
pretended election to the Senate, declines
to express an opinion, but CLOCKS annoyed
| at the attitude of the administration to-
ward the South.
We have he re given the opinions of two
prominent Democrats on each side OF
Mason and Dixon's line, and, as might
be expected, they do not agree sectionally.
The Northern men being unconscious or
blindly oblivious to the manner of con-
Quoting elections in Georgia and Missis-
sippi, are unable to see what harm few
companies of troops will do scattered
here and there throughout the South.
But Southern Democrats know great
deal more about it than Messrs. Lord,
Sayler, Morris on and other Northern
members, who live in strong Democratic
districts and are not put to such straits as
some Of their Southern brethren often are
to secure an election. The presence of
whole army corps in Mr.. Morrison's
congressional district, in Cincinnati or
in New York would not have the least
effect upon the election, one way or an
other, and the gentlemen representing
those districts know this perfectly we'll.
But in the South there is quite different
state of affairs Here we have a large
class of timid, unarmed voters, wholly
unable to contend in the shock of arms
with one-fourth their number of white
men-marksmen Of precision, and organ
lied for mutual support. Doubtless there
is much greater degree of fear in the
minds of the Southern negroes than there
is any real ground for; but it exists never
tn eless, and there is nothing that can dis
sipate it so effsctually as the sight Of
q company of blue coats, whom
every Republican and Union man in
the South, white or black, regards
as his fast friend. The mere pres.
ence of soldiers in Georgia, Mississippi
South Carolina, Louisiana or aoy other
Southern State gives the colored people
sufficient confidence to bring them to the
polls. 1t is not necessary that troops
should be menace to any party. No
honest voter or honest man of any kind
sver had or is ever likely to have any rea-
ION to be scared at the sight of COM
pany of United States soldiers. And |
when Senator Gordon protests against
he prospective placing Of troops in any
State, and Mr.. Lamar CLOCKS annoyed" at
he mere mention of such calamity, it is
evident they are not contemplating the
ituation from the standpoint occupied
~ Messrs. Morrison, Sayler, Lord and
'ther Northern Democrats who are not so
veil posted in the peculiarities of South
I'm political affairs.
One Of the best reasons a Republican
an urge in favor of the action of the
Var Department, following as it does the
aw and the resolution of the House, is
he very decided opposition to it which is
manifested by the Southern Democracy.
f they mean fair they will not find any.
hing to complain of by the placing of
roops in every county in the South. But
it be their intention to prevent the
oming out of the Republican vote by
aeans Of move ments in imitation of war,
nd fear the presence of troops will de-
Eat their tacti cs by inspiring the negroes
18th confidence, then there is an urgent
ecessity for the administration to stand
rlnly by the Lord resolution and the Or
or of the Secretary of War. An ounce
f prevention is worth pound of cure in
olitics as well as other matters, and it is
OF always safe to presume men innocent
III they have been convicted by South
m jury. The party that objects to any
'feguard which it is possible to throw