New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1877-03-16
THE SCHEME OF A NEW ELBOTTON.

While the Republicans of Louisiana are
willing to accept all the responsibilities
which properly arise out of the peculiar
situation of affairs here, even to the ex-
tent of conducting another election, il
such thing be thought necessary, they
are far from demanding such an expert
ment. We are too sensible of the danger
and expense of a political contest in this
State to be anxious for repetition. Yet
we are gravely told that certain Repub-
licans in Washington, protesting to speak
for the party, favor such a project. AS
their names are omitted, we may presume
the reports are without authority, as the
parties referred to, no matter who they
may be, are certainly without credentials
to speak for the Republicans Of this State
in matter which we think has already
been decided. We simply await execu-
ton upon the undoubted verdict rendered
by the people last November.
When the project for the Electoral Com
mission was first stated, the Republicans
looked upon it with disfavor because it
placed in doubt thing which we be-
ieved, and, so far as this State was con-
cerned, knew to be certain. The fact that
the commission found and declared the
facts of the case as they existed has not
satisfied Louisiana Republicans of the
necessity of an intermediary tribunal
which is nowhere warranted by the con-
stitution. Its creation was clearly revo-
lutionary act, which was accepted by the
national Republicans and approved by the
President solely on the ground of expe-
diency. A new election in Louisiana, not
warranted by the constitution or laws of
the State, would be of like nature, and
could not legally divest of his Office any
officer chosen by the people last Novem-
Der. 1t is true there might be sort of
acquiesoence, such as is always accorded
in the presence of superior force, especial
ly if the verdict Sc to be obtained were
vigorously backed up by the military
power of the United States.
The Democrats naturally fear to go into
new election lest such precautions
should be thrown around the voters as to
make it fair, or nearly so. This would
certainly defeat them by twenty thousand
on the State ticket, and also in both
branches of the General Assembly. The
Republicans, on the other hand, have
every reason to doubt that President
Hayes would permit any very thorough
measures to be taken, as he is novice in
the tactics of Southern Democracy, and
would probably suffer himself to be de-
ceived by the sweet-spoken emissaries
who would be sent to Washington, while
the rougher and more practical workers
would be busy at the hastings.
We stand on the ground that the same
light which showed the electoral tribunal
that this State voted for Hayes is strong
enough to show which way it went on all
matters submitted for the popular deci-
sion, and that new election could not be
ordered without throwing doubts upon
the Presidents title.
There are numerous other reasons why
Louisiana Republicans should be opposed
to new election, but we think it sufi-
Gent for the present to base it on the
ground that the people have already
made known their choice, and it is the
duty of all persons charged with the exc
cution of the laws to give effect to the de-
cision. Any other course would offer a
premium for agitation.