The Donaldsonville chief. [volume] (Donaldsonville, La.) 1871-current, 1877-03-31
Our Washington Letter.
Political NEurders-Cabine DO.
ings-PrObabIe Extra Session
OfCOngress-Esac Prom
inence-NHisceIIa

The cold blooded and seemingly
premeditated murder of two promi-
nent Republicans in Louisiana since
the 5th of March, has directed atten-
ton anew to the promises of certain
politicians who have pledged the pre-
servation of the peace and the impair
tial protection of all citizens in their
political rights as an inducement for
the withdrawal of the troops from
South Carolina and Louisiana. 1t is
difficult to avoid the conviction that
in some portions of the South the
sentiment of political intolerance has
become too deeply rooted with the
dominant classes to be controlled by
even the leaders of Southern Democ-
racy themselves. The multitude of
political murders committed in these
sections since the close of the war,
induce the belief that this means of
disposing of political opponents has
been regarded justifable, and how
ever clearly the leaders of public
opinion may now see the error of their
former teachings, the evil has grown
beyond their control, and demands
| the employment of measures as sum
mary as may be necessary to restore
u condition of society compatible with
our boasted civilization and inst;tu
tions.
There is no doubt that the Presi
dent aas been very much annoyed by
the frequent disav0wals he has felt
obliged to make of sentiments and
purposes imputed to him by indis-
Greet friends, or by designing poll
ticians who are constantly lowering
about the White House like birds of
Ill oleeH. 1t has just been stated by
President Hayes that he has never
S0C ESaCtltU bNO COtiCI0Slou ~ Will
draw the troops from South Carolina
and Louisiana, nor authorized any one
to speak for him relative to this or any
other matter connected with his pro-
posed policy of administration. The
Southern question WAS discussed long
aua earnestly at Yesterdays Cabinet
meeting, wiShaRt ather conclusion
than the determination to send
mixed commission, headed by the
Vice President to visit Louisiana and
report the best Retliod of adjusting
the political complications of that
State.
The matter Of ar extra session of
Congress was-a also incidentally consid-
cred, the PresideRt declaring his de-
sire to avoid it if legal way to pro-
vide for the army could be found and
he has still to hear plans to that end,
regarding all heretofore presented as
fatally detective, inasmuch as they
appear either direct violations or
evasions of the law. 1t is the general
impression, however, that session |
will be called to convene about the !
middle of May or FIRST of June; and |
the gessips are already discu ssing the |
possibilities of the situation, to be de-
velaped in the organization of the |
new House. Even the casual observer |
can not have failed to note the dispo |
sition of Southern Democrats to force |
their Northern associates into the |
back seats and take the front position
and the quid nUnes at
tempt to show that Bourbon Demo |
erats and radical Republicans are to
be slouglied off the extreme ends of
both the old parties, and that the
residuum of each will coalesce, form
ing sort of Republican party with
Democratic tendencies, or uice UersG.
While disintegrating forces are ac-
lively at work, there are very few
surface indications that the Demo
cratic hope of a Republican schism
will be gratifed, at least for the pres
ent.
Mr.. Packard, the Republican claim
ant Of the Governorship of your State,
who is believed to be a man of great
personal courage and determination,
is rapidly coming to the front in the
public attention, and the ear of every I
public man here is trained to catch
the first sound of the conflict that
appears inevitable in Louisiana, if
no decisive steps be taken by the ma
tional authorities to avert it.
~ Il IL II |