The People's vindicator. [volume] (Natchitoches, La.) 1874-1883, 1877-08-11
Louisiana Politics.
FkDEEAL INTERFERENCE AND ITS RE-
SUITS.
Albany Argus.

Louisiana has been leading issue
in Federal politics, from the first at
tempt to set up State government
without clccting it, until the present
moment. This history has been re-
pcatchly written, and need not be
again reiterated. From the first gov.
eminent to the last the Republican
party has never admitted the right of
the people to officers of their choice
1t does not now admit it. The pres
cnt administration make no such con-
concession.
The friends of Hayes undertake to
say that in oveIthroNinS the Pack
ard government he stepped upon
Democratic ground. The Ercn'ng
Jouruul takes this absurd position.
1t indeed asserts that in denouncins
Hayes, the -lrg"s is opposing Demo-
cratic doctrine and Democratic pre-
ccdcnt, and reversing its own recent
teachings with regard to this State
of Louisiana. 1t is unnecessary for
Us to say that in taking this position
the journal IS rcncwcdly illustrating
its irresistible propensity so fragrant
" followed now that some of the
most conscientious gifts political as
sociatcs condemn its lack of candor.
No more wanton interference in
the affairs of State over took place
than that by which Hayes overthrow
the Packard government. 1t was cv-
identity his purpose not to admit that
he had no right to interfere. lie de-
tcrminel to adjust matters through
machinery set up by himself, i'll to-
tai disregard of law, and wholly out.
side of tho constitution. TO call this
a democratic way of doing things is
to confess ones rccklesSncss or lack
of perception.
Further, to charge that the Demo-
cracy deny that it is the duty OF u
President to pass upon all applications
for Federal action in State affairs, is
to degrade intelligence, alike in read
er and writer. And yet this is what
the Journal does. 1t might as we'll
say, if a forged or genuine check is
presented at a bank, that the teller
must not pass upon it, as to say that
when an application for Federal H.
reference is made, the President
must not pass upon it, extending 1t
if the case comes within the constltu"
ton and denying it if it does not.
Federal interference in Louisiana
has been denounced in the past, be
cause the facts did not warrant it
aud because the law did not author
ize interference in the manner exert
ed. The Legislatures of lo7: ant
1874 were alike the result of fraud, o.
force, or both. In I14, another Leg
islature was set up by forged papers
In 1876, it was again attempted tt
establish Legislature by forgery
and to secure presidential electors b.
the same means.
In 1876 Mr.. Hayes superintcnde
the preparation of his own forge
title, through Jno. Sherman and othc
agents selected by him. These agent
he has paid by valuable consldera
ton. He then, by moral brjbar
, shut the mouth of VIM. NJ. Evart'
, who had most bitterly assailcd pre-
vions wrongs against the State. Hay
ing secured the forged papers upo
which his own title existed, llayt
l. then obtained a Judgment that til
forgery could not I've set aside. +
now seeks immunity from punisl
ment for the forgors.
y Not only did Hayes do this. I
went further. Having secured b
own forged title, he actively into
fercd to subvert State governme
whose title rested upon the sau
Us forgery. And now VIC are told tn
on this interference must be defcnd'
&C. because it was in pursuance of ID
mocratic doctrine. The pretext il
1ef stupcndons falsehood.
'sh If Mr.. Tilden had not been cheat
out of the presidency by the forg
. papers presented by Hayes, the Mic
z oils government would have be
continued without any illegal int
Z ference or unconstitutional circu
locution. But Hayes wished to p
,o+ serve the right of Federal iuterf
NV NV ence in State affairs, and hence
her thus interfered indirectly. If he i
Of respected the rights of the State
cts of tho people, he never would Ia
md laid claim to the presidency upon
lest forged title, and if he respected
by he never would have taken lille
inc {i methods to subvcrt Packards COVE
no. ment.
1t is the duty of every honest Il
- to denounce this forgery and all v
are responsible for it as utterly
worthy of moral respect. lila
. could not have taken the course
did with honest purpose. We
ce,) understand how Republicans
honestly stand BY the Return
Board villainy, under the haiIuc'
ton that it was authorised by
and justified by "out1aSes" WI
- never occurred, but which they Il
!, been made to believe did transT
But we do not see how man
deny the binding force OF the ac1
the Returning Board, as Hayes
sted when lie set the Packard governn
like aside, and yet honestly deem nm
and entitled to the presidency III
knows lie is a lawless usurper, !
Mp ing his title upon forged papers,
w. preparing which the forgers cng'
be in prison. Having set aside
~ result of this forgery in )'ools'
;. he ought now to be legally IRA!
49,, as standing upon paper founda'
'o" the product of as graceless a Sc
scoundrels as ever understood to
=, property by forged and fraudu
D title and the national results OF
forgery attained in his ina9sura
~ ought likewise to be set aside.