New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1877-01-17
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THE ALTERNATIVE PRESENTED.
One Of the ssassistantH Democratic or
gsns which has stimulated the public pur-
pose Of the most nickeliferous sensa-
tons, seems authorized to announce that
Either Governor NichollB, the Governor
elected by the people, will be at the head of
the State administration, or there will be no
civil government to administer In Louisiana.
As we may very safely assume from the
text of the executive order that Mr.. Mich
oils viii not be recognized, the Democracy
may very we'll be considered in anarchy
and in arms against any civil govern
ment in this State. Under this re-
nunciation of hope and election be-
tween anarchy, or q provost mar
shall, we do not see what the employees
of the Nichols revolt have to expect, or
why the armed men of the clubs should
longer neglect their daily industries for
any expectation of reward from the casual
capture of Office, or the regular pay Of
lawful service. The assistant" organ
puts it, either Nichols or nobody; the
government says it can't be Nichols, so
that the question would be on that state
ment between Packard and General Augur.
Unless therefore theWhite Leaguers expect
to be called into the service of the Fed
eral government under military regime,
We can not see how they can possibly
hope to enter into Office or compensated
service.
We may even anticipate the predictions
so far as to suppose a military govern
ment established in Louisiana. What
then? We have within the memory of all
the military administrations of Butler,
Banks, Candy, Mower and Sheridan.
These authorities removed and appointed
Governors, mayors, sherihs, judges and
clerks. These powers all come within
the authority of q military government
and Of martial law. Is it probable that
the revolutionary or Democratic element
could derive any profit or comfort from
the exercise Of these powers by Repub-
lican military authority Would not these
appointments be confined to such men as
Flanders, and Heath and Avery, and
Hahn9 Would the Federal government
strengthen the hands Of the White League
by putting the government Of the State OF
city again into their hands2 We
apprehend not The city administra-
ton, with all its patronage, is now Demo
cratic. Is there no danger that this ad-
ministration may be conferred upon Re
publican Mayor and Administrators If
so, there must follow displacement of
Democratic employees and the appoint
ment of Republicans. If this policy
should be adopted, it is not probable the
Democracy could derive any advantage.
With threat Of war upon the inaugura-
ton Of Mr.. Hayes, is it probable the Re
publican administration would strengthen
the Democracy by leaving the Offices in
their hands2 Or would it disarm the Re
puhlieans by depriying them of Office ?
It is not impossible the Federal govern
ment might replace and maintain under
military title the very Republican ticket
elected in 1876.
We do not wish to see this military re-
gime. We deplore this reactionary result
which would place Louisiana in 1877 just
where she was in 1866, with the prospect of
tumult and bloodshed before us for years
to come, The Democracy must see thatlthe
Republicans can. not give way if they
we're SO far recreant as to do SO. The
rights Of life, property and freedom de-
pend upon the maintenance Of Repub-
hcan administration.
IT. therefore, the Democracy are deter
mined to force military government
upon the people Of New Orleans, they
can not expect the government to be in
trusted to those who have enforced mar
tial law as a refuge from anarchy, and
they may find the same Republican gov
eminent supported by the military power
Of the Union.
Such is the alternative offered by the
Democracy. It is for the capital and in
dustry, the men Of property and business,
to determine whether the alternative shall
be forced upon the Federal government.