The New Orleans bulletin. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1874-1876, 1876-02-27
CAN IMPEACHMENT sUOOEED9

CAN IMPEACHMENT SUCCEED?
II the removal Of Kellogg from the ofic
which he has so long usurped were as easy a
the first step, there can be no doubt that pub
Lie opinion would justify and approve th'
effort. If the finding Of articles Of impeach
ment, based upon serious charges, apart from
the offenses involved in the act of usurpatior
Itself, were sure to be attended by the sus
pension of the Governor, and the restoration
of the government to Democratic hands
policy would be consulted, and discretion
would not be outraged by prompt action or
the part Of the House.
Are these consequences sure to follow l.
It not certain, on the contrary, that they will
not follow? In the first place, the Radicals
claim that there is law in existence which
defines the moment when suspension shall
take place, under the Constitution, and under
that law the Governor continues to exercise
his functions until the articles of impeach-
ment are presented at the bar Of the Senate.
II cannot be doubted that the Senate will
Immediately proceed to the trial, and there is
Just as little doubt that the trial will end in an
Acquittal. 1t may be urged that the House may
delay the trial by declining to comply with
tho customary antecedent form alities, but
public opinion would not Justify delay SO
obviously contrived only for political and par
finn purposes The Senate would insist on
IN immediate trial; Kellogg would insist on
m immediate trial, and, in the eye of reason
and Of lew, Kellogg and the Senate would be
in the right.
In the meantime, even supposing suspen-
sion to have taken effect, would the govsrn-
ment be RENTED to Democratic hands? Not
ut all Antoine would &C. as Governor. 1t
would be one Republican in place Of another;
one usurper In place Of another. Is anything to
be gained by substituting Antoine for Kellogg?
Will the spectacle Of State ruled over by the
person who holds his Office by virtue of that
infamous order. more infamous if possible than
the " midnight order" itself, be more pleas
ing to the public, than that of 8 State ruled
over by Governor whose political offenses
st least had been condoned by compromise
and adjustment, accepted by large majority
Of the Democratic members of the House? In
purely political and partisan sense the DEM
ooratic party would gain nothing by placing
Antoine in the chair, which Kellogg might,
for few day, be forced to vacate.
On the other hand, suppose that Kellogg
were 10 refuse to submit to the impeachment
Suppose he were to defy the House and refuse
10 consider himself suspended from Office;
how is he to be removed? He has all the
power Of the State in his hands. Is the House
prepared to excite an armed conflict in order
TO consummate q political revolution? Is it
prepared to excite q civil war, only to invite
the armed Intervention of the Federal Gov
esnment, which our own friends in Congress,
Including the Speaker Of the House. assure
NJ will be used for the. suppression of any
attempt to Dust Kellogg from his office? Are
veto have another era offruitless struggle for
pusposes impossible of accomplishment? Is
- Dusiosss Of the community to be inter-
Enptsd, is trade to be psralyzed, is industry
b b checked, only that Antoine may for
day or week OCCUPY the Office Of Governor
III any one can point ont the method where
BY Kellogg may be successfully impeached,
md the means whereby, if impeached, the |
legally elected officers of the State may be in |
Quoted into Office the voice of the BULLETIN |
will be, as it was formerly, for active and |
aggressive war; but, in view of the great |
disaster that would result from failure to |
achieve the purposes of impeachment, and in
new, also, of the certainty Of failure-at !
least, in our judgment-we are not prepared
" counsel or indorse the movement apparent
v contemplated by the House.