The New Orleans daily Democrat. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1877-1880, 1877-03-18
DAILY DEMOCRAT.
A WORD OF WARNING.

A WORD OF WARNING.
Yesterday we discussed In . light and
humorous vein the rumored purpose OF
Packard and his lieutenants TO commit
some overt act OF violence toward the CON-
stituted authorities Of the city and State,
and this morning We urge upon the peo-
pie the strict observance OF the agree
ment said to have been entered Into by
the representatives OF the Nichols gov
eminent 10 protect from harm the con-
spirators who have been engaged In the
attempt to establish q fraudulent gov
eminent In this State. But we wish
now to warn Packard and his aiders
and abettors that IL they seriously
propose to provoke a conflict be-
tween their misguided followers and the
State authorities or the people OF this
city, the latter will deal with them 80
summarily, that not enough OF them
will be left TO form even nucleus for
Federal recognition. They have already
soreIy tried the patience OF this com
munity; indeed, II Is a matter OF won
der that short shrift and long rope
have not long since been metea out to
them, yet we are willing to bear with
them while longer and afford them an
opportunity for repentance. But 1t is
well that they should be made to UNDER
stand that we consider them In the
light OF disturbers oil the peace and pub
Lie nuisances. They will not be permit
ted to organiza q riot and
expose the lives OF their colored
adherents, while skulking, themselves,
behind the barbados Of the st. Louis
Hotel. At the first overt act committed
or melted by them they will be arrested
and delivered over to the police. The
fact that these adventurous set up
claim to the Governship and other pub
lic Offices OF the State will be found to
be OF little avail as defense against
o criminal charge. Their sole purpose ID
to profit by the ignorance and excita-
bility OF their colored supporters, and.
by melting the latter to q riot or con-
fiict with the police or militia, to bring
about such q condition OF affairs as will,
they imagine, necessitate the interyen-
tion OF the Federal troors and compel
q formal decision OF the gubernatorial
question by the Administration. or
course IL an armed conflict should
occur these leaders would drive
the colored people into the fore
front Of the fray and abandon
them to their fate, while they would be
In concealment, burdening the tele-
graphic wires with appeals to Washing
ton for recognition and military sup
port. But the day when such devices
could affect public opinion at the North
has passed. The practical mind of the
Northern people has thoroughly grasp
cd what is called the Southern question.
They know that Packard and Chamber
lain are mere pretenders. rejected by
the people OF Louisiana and South Gar
olina at the polls and incapable OF sus'
tanning themselves, and they would be
much better pleased to see them COM
mitted to jail for disturbing the peace
and impeding the revival OF business in
their respective States, than to have
them obtain any recognition or coun-
tenanoe from the national administra-
ton.
The race Of these adventures is run,
and the sooner they realize that fact
the better it will be for them. They are
just as amenable to the criminal laws
OF the State as any other individuals,
and rather more liable to condemnation
than others from the fact that their
past career does not entitle them to the
presumption OF innocence, but rather
exposes them to the just suspicion Of
guilt. They shall not continue much
longer with inpunity to vex US with
their lawless pranks. III they persist in
their contumacious course they will soon
discover that the Nichols government
is armed with all the powers requisite
for the complete administration Of JUS
tice and that the full rigor Of the laws
will be visited upon them as readily as
upon the commonest malefactor.
A little more discretion, and little
less spurious and vicarious valor, would
be much more becoming in the Claim
ant at this time than the reckless and
desperate plans which he seems to be
connecting with view to giving little
dignity to his pretensions at the expense
OF the lives OF hundreds OF his deluded
colored followers.
The Louisiana delegation at Wash
suUfasa talovraph that the COLLATION. of