National Republican., 1877-07-07
THE LOrT SIANA RETrRNING BOARD.

THE IOTI SIINf RE1t RNINT bOfhD.
The prn ciples of law applicable to the
prosecution which has been instituted
against the Louisiana Returning Board are
very few and simple. The grand jury had
u perfect right to find bills against the
members OF that body, charging them with
having violated the laws Of that State.
That right could not he intcrfercd with by
any agreement made by the Executive of
that State Such dispensing power is not
recognized in any free country. 1t is espe-
cially odious TO AnglO-SaNons, because of
the manner in which the monarchs of Eng
land abused that power when they were at
tempting to take away the liberties of the
people.
The privileges, too of grand jury are of
very high and sacred character. No
earthly power ought to be permitted to con-
troll their action. They are in duty bound
by their oaths TO present all yiolatOrs of the
law without respect to rank, wealth or social
position, and this without any regard to the
fact that immunity may have been prom
ised expressly or implicitly to the offenders
by the Executive or any other authority.
The grand jury can only inquire, have the
laws been violated; and if so in what way
and by whom? Upon satisfactory proof
that the law has been violated, they can do
nothing else than indict the offenders.
Those journals, therefore, which attack
the grand jury because it indicted the mem
hers of the returning board commit grnve
error. That step was strictly legal. North
crn people have been complaining because
the laws have not been enforced in the
South. Let them, therefore, I've careful not
to find fault with proceeding which is in
strict conformity to law.
Let it be remembered, moreover, that in
dieting these gentlemen by no means
proves them guilty of the crimes with
which they are charged. They are entitled
to trial by jury. If they are allowed the
full benefit OF that great right and privi-
legc of American ireemcn, no one can
properly make complaint as to the admin
istration Of the law. If they are denied a
fair trial by jury, then the tiercest denun-
Citations will be in order, for to deny that
right is to outrage all law and justice.
Thus far this matter is in the courts
While there it cannot he reached by any
authority whatever. OF course President
| HAYES cannot interfere, and nobody pre-
tends that he can. Gov. NICHOLS can dc
nothing. Even If he should interfere b,
force with the regular proceedings of I
court of justice, he would only render him
self liable to be impeaehed.
There, however, is q point further alOni
in this case where public sentiment cal
properly manifest ITSELF If these partie
should be legally convicted it would b
very proper to urge in the strongest term
upon Gov. NICHOLS the propriety of exer
cising on their behalf whatever pardonin
power he may possess. In the exercise q
, that power reasons of political expedienc
growing OutOf the settlement of I,ouisian
affairs could have, and ought to have, til
fullest weight
: We confess that this Is matter abor
which it is difficult to preserve that cain
=, ness and moderation which abstract iustit
> demands. Let us, however, remember thu
a outside interference at an improper tim
will only aggravate an evil which it cannt
:, control. We trust that the people of Loui
!. . lana, when they come to soberly rete'
y upon the danger of these political trial
. will hesitate to pursue course which migl
!, ultimately precipitate the State into ne
= troubles and disasters. Let the North
patient. Let it trust the honor and sem
:, of justice of the people of Louisiana, wi
\ are interested in not having the expirir
= embers of civil discord famed into new Ii
i by injudicious political prosecutions.