New-York tribune., 1877-07-09
TIE LOUISIANA BUSINESS.

The Bourbons in New-Orleans are in bitter
earnest, and there are indications that they
will go on from one extravaganza to another
in their political crusade until they have ruined
their party and shocked the common sense OF
the nation. If it is true that they purpose
instituting proceedings against Washington
politicians for their supposed share IN a sup
posed fraudulent manipulation of the vote
they will deprive themselves OF the
countenance of all moderate and reason
able men, and Immediately elevate
Wells, Anderson, Kenner and Casanave to the
proud rank of sufferers for opinions sake. Con-
sidered merely as a party move, their action Is
stupendous mistake. 1t remains to be seen
whether the Democratic party, with Its usual
fatuity, will hasten to embrace the blunder
Perhaps none of us would have felt much
like complaining if the Legislature of LOUIS
lana had merely turned Wells and his
associates out of Office and constituted
new Board upon equitable principles; but when
the Attorney General nd those who are
behind him undertake to enforce against
these men the penalties OF the criminal
law, the case is greatly altered. We have
never shared the opinion that the Conservatives
of Louisiana owe the President debt OF
"gratitude" for his Southern policy.
Mr. Hoyes has done no more than his duty
to the country and the Constitution, and he
cannot have imagined that he was granting
ANYBODY a favor or establishing a claim to
anybody'S thanks. The Democrats OF LOUISIANA
however. attempted to smooth away the dlitl-
culties which he encountered i'll the settlement
of this case not merely 10y promises from per-
sons who had 10 authority to make to persons
who had no authority to receive, but by 1or-
NAL act of the Legislature declaring that there
ought 20 be no prosecutions for political OF
fenscs. This of course, had no binding
effect in law; but when the people
of the North see such a declaration OF
the Legislature disregardcd, they viii not
stop to inquire what right the Legislature had
to make it, but they will accuse the whole
Southern Conservative Party Of pcriidy and
malice. The first consequence then VIII be
TO strengthen the Force Bill faction of the
Republican Party, and endanger the new policy
upon which the South must rest Its best hopes
of prosperity and peace. If this is sample
of Southern Justice, will the average Repubh-
can be tempted to exclaini, Grant aud Kellogg
were right, and we may as well recall the
troops. The South may depend upon it that
if Mr. HAYES is broken down the soldier and
the capet-baggcr will march back into the
Southern State-houseS, perhaps before the end
of the present Presidential term.
The second consequence of the indictment
will be to make all parties content with the
Electoral Commission. That body settled
great point in Constitutional law, namely, that
the action of a sovereign State, as attested 10y
It's proper officers. is conclusive i'll the appoint
ment of electors, and that no power outside
the State can inquire into the fairness OF the
appointment. This rc-opening of the contro-
versy as to the Louisiana vote four months
after the President has been inangurated, Is
striking illustration of the necessity for
some such rule as that, placing the title to the
Presidency beyond dispute, and compelling
the States to settle their contests at home be-
fore the time comes for the final balotlng. 1t
would be intolerabe if local grand jures
could at any time attack the title of the Ma
tional Administration. Now, fortunately, the
controversy is settled forever.