New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1877-01-13

THE 0FFTOE-HUETERs' RESURRECTION.
II is by this name that the disturbance
of the, past two weeks will be known in
the annals of Louisiana. The possibility
of capturing the offices by force of arms
having been arrested by Federal orders,
the insurrectionists contented themselves
with organizing an amateur association
dual in form with the regular government.
The bloodthirsty warriors then detailed
part Of their troops as policemen, and the
chiefs went in red-eyed for the lucrative
Offices. The soldiers broke ranks upon
the same motive, and while the late chiefs
of the instruction are installing them
selves upon the comfortable cushions Of q
tax collector or assessor, their disorgan-
lied soldiery throng the steps and portals
of the City Hall and assembly Of the as
sociation for the relief of disappointed
applicants for Office.
This revolution has assumed very much
the character of the revolutions Of South
America. A few ambitious and disap-
pointed leaders publish a proclamation
against the government in power. 1t is
charged that the government lis corrupt
and incompetent. 1t is alleged that the
revolutionists come to rescue the country
from ruin. There are then two armies
which raid the country and skirmish with
0k Nka Sc
determined by pitched battles Mutual
fear does for those armies what respect for
Federal authority does here. It becomes
among the nercenaries of both
armies a question of pay. The
government forces are usually in arrears.
The revolntionists have some thousands
of dollars, with which they purchase re-
crafts. The two armies are in camp.
The war is an affair of outposts, and
marauding upon the helpless inhabitants.
The emissaries of each party are at work
seducing the sOldiery by promises of pay
to the men, of promotion to the subordi-
mates. The effect of this decentralization
begins to be seen. The one army in
creases in numbers and boldness, the
other weakens into dispersion and STAN
pede The timid and needy soldiery
have ascertained which party pays best,
and the contest is decided. Has the re-
suit proved the charges against the one
party or redeemed the pledges of the
other? Not at all The successful revo-
lutiOnists capture the government, excuse
themselves under the necessities of the
moment for adopting all the practices of
their predecessors adding to these ex-
actions something more to cover the cost
and risk of having come to reform them.
We do not consider the attempt to cap
ture the offices of this State implies any
thing more than an exposure of the need
Of salary support by unemployed and
needy thousands, who have enlisted, un-
der the Democratic banner to march on
the Offices of the State. It has never
been known in military history that the
casual capture Of capital has impaired
the title of the government deposed or es-
tablished that of the military victors.
There are numerous examples of this
truth in history, the most prominent to
us being the occupation of Philadelphia,
the seat Of our ancestral republican gov
erpment, by the British. and the conse-
quent removal Of the government itself.
The question of legality can not be
settled by invasion Of the offices, nor even
by the maintenance of a military force
superior to that at the command Of the
lawful government. Night may make
right temporarily, but there is always an
umpire. In this case it will be in the
Congress Of the United States, which will
be compelled to determine whether gov
eminent having the forms Of law, with
claim of fair decision, shall be recognized.
If it be the published doctrine that the
claimants best armed and most audAcious
are entitled TO recognition, the theory Of
republican government win be over
thrown. and that Of military force win
succeed in its place.
Thus far the strife in Louisiana is an
insurrection of Office hunters. The de-
cision upon the legality Of the government
is but in allegiance, and the Federal gov
eminent can not and we suppose viii not
defer decision upon the question. As
Union men, believing the Federal govern
ment to be supreme, all Republicans rely
upon that supremacy. They do not af-
firm the right Of the State authorities 10
pronounce on the last resort upon q
question reverted 10 the appellate author
iiy Of the government They, therefore,
stand-sseady and rest in calm confidence
that the Federal government which has
forbidden either party to enforce Its
claims BY force Of arms. viii il ia own