West Feliciana sentinel. (St. Francisville, La.) 1876-1877, 1877-03-17

THE CONSERVATIVE SOUTH.
[Memphis appeal. |

, great troubles that have threatened
the destruction of the nation ha
commanded the praise of patriot
of all parties. But for the con
servative spirit Of the southern
Democracy the compromise bill
would never have passed congress
the country would have been Mexi
caniz"d and on the fourth of Marcel
two Presidents would have beer
inaugurated, and anarchy and rev.
olution would have been iney ita BILE
1t was the conservative patriotism
OF the southern Democrats on Sat.
nrdav last that saved the coun try
from the danger that threatened its
destruction. So soon as it was
known that the infamy of counting
Louisiana for Hayes was determin-
ed on, northern Democrats were
wild with Indignation. and exprerss-
ed readiness TO rcpudiate the VIII
!ainy, and to Illustrate its consum-
nation by dilatory or filibustering
expedients. A caucus was held,
and it was in this meeting that the
craftsmanship and con servative spir
it OF the south loomed up in all it's
grandeur. Northern Democrats
proposed extreme measures. Mr..
Cbocrane, northern Democrat,
introduced resolution which de
clares tina: tits the duty of congress,
Wh'ch 1T owes 10 the Democratic
party aud the American people, to
defeat the fraudulent acts Of the
said commission by all the means
known 10 the constitution and the
laws; to that end all possible delays
may be interposed. dilatory motions
made and objections inlerposed
to The vote of every State yet to be
counted. with view to the multi
plying of issues, and thereby defeat
Ing the Inauguration Of usurper.'
Mr.. Wall:ng, a western Democrat,
introduced another resolution,
which proposed that 'in view OF the
TACT that the so-calIed electoral
commission haye refused to receive
the evidence of frauds charged iu
the recent election, or the ineligi,
bility Of electors, it is our duty as
representatives of the people to do
no further legislation, not recognize
ing said commission, or meet in
JOINT session to further count the
electoral vote under its decision
The passage Of such resolutions,
and action in accordance with their
pledges, would have imperiled the
peace OF the country, Increased the
paral, Sis in business, and probably
resulted In civil war. But, fortu-
natcly. there were conservative
Democrats in the caucus whose pat
riotism and statesmanship saved
the country. Mr.. Reagan, Of Tex
as, an original sccessionist, and
member of Jefferson Davis's cabi.
net. gave voice to the conservative
spirit of the south by Introducing a
"esolution which declared shat the
count Of the electoral vote shall
proceed without dilatory opposition
% the orderly execution Of the act
u congress creating tue electoral
whose decisions shall
)e received and acted upon in ac- :
'rdance with the provisions of said (
aw.' Mr.. Bright Of Tennessee, ,
mother southren rebel, introduced
IN amendment, as follows: But
his resolution is accompanied with S
he solemn and earnest protest of
he Democratic party against the (
ross and shameless violations of
aw, justice and truth contained in ;
he decisions OF the ma :jority who
ig1ed the same in the case of Flor
1a and louisiana The resolution, {
5 amended, was adopted in the |
aucuS by a vote of nearly two 10
ne. This fact shows the statesman t
.ip, the patriotism and the con- t
arvative feeling Of the south. IF {
ur people were anxious for another l.
'ar, and or - waiting for an op- .
ortunity to destroy the govern i
lcnt which they despise-as is "
,Isely alleged by the Radicals c
ere was i favorable opportunity c
,r exhibiting their dlsIoyalty. f
ut it seems southern men, promi-
ent in the rebellion, saved the Y
,untry from the perilS of anarchy t
I'd revelation. Such patriotism C
the hour of danger will cause the [
bloody shirt" 10 be forever furled. c
The highest musical authorities, as q
ell as all who have nurchaSeu the Reat- | >,