New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1877-01-05
MR., LAMAR,s VIEWS,

these views were drawn from the Mlssls
sippi oracle 1t is evident he has made
no speech in the House, of which he is
still member, and as no newspaper sets
up a claim to the credit of having inter-
viewed the shotgun candidate for United
States Senator, we must presume the hon
orable gentleman wrote out his inspira-
tons without prompter and slipped the
paper under the door of the Associated
Press reporter.
We are informed in the beginning of
this remarkable essay of political wisdom:
The safety of this country, and especially
the happiness and prosperity of the South,
depend on the strietest and most loyal de-
votiOn TO the constitution, and all the dis
orders that afflict the country at this time
are the result of departures from the fun
damental law. All the dangers now appre.
hended are the dangers which will spring
alone from the violation Of constitutional
methods.
This reminds rs of Hamlets startling
revelation to his cronies, when they were
seeking to pry into the heart of his mys-
terry:
There's not rogue in all Denmark, but
he's an arrant knsve."
There needs no ghost to tell Us that.
1t does not require the authority of
Congressman both present and in expect
ancy to inform US that this country has
suffered considerably in consequence of
total disregard of some of the constitu-
tional provisions on the part of those
who at all times manifested noisy fond
ness for others.
We quite agree with Mr.. Lamar in his
declaration, though it be ambiguous in
its application. The cause of the trouble
is properly stated, but we doubt whether
the honorable gentleman would admit, as
we should certainly insist, that he has
been on the side of the law breakers in
action or intent ever since 1861. A fla
grant violation of the fundamental law
occurred when the eleven Southern States
attempted to secede, and appealed to
arms to sustain their reasonable posi-
ton. It was violation of the law to OBJ
iect to MIR. Lincoln as President. 1t was
not because he was not fairly elected
that the South rebelled against his au-
thority, but on account of certain politi-
cal opinions which he entertained,
About twenty thousand Shareholders
believed his views, if carried into
effect, would impair the value Of
their property in human flesh.
All the Southern politicians feared il
would weaken the political power of the
South. These two classes, with the aid
of their orators and the press, easily per.
suaded the simple minded masses to be-
lieve that an aggressive policy was threat
ened against the South, and provoked the
populace to fly to arms to defend the ''sa
cred soil" against invasion. From thii
violation of the fundamental law, stimu
lated by the teachings and example Of
those who brought resistance to head
has sprung all the evils to the Soutl
which the party to which Mr.. Lamar be
longs has falsely attributed to the Repub
licans and Unionists. The chief conspira
tors escaped with IMMUNITY, and man!
of them gained the personal advantage
of pensions for life, wrung from their de
, luded followers in the shape Of contribu
tons, and some have received almost di
vine honors after death.
A violation of the fundamental laws o
I the United States and of Mississippi
wrested the State government from tn
] control Of the representatives Of the ma
jority Of the people of that State, AM
transported Mr.. Lamar to the door of tn
/ Senate as an applicant for admission, t
the prejudice Of Republican who woul
i have been legally chosen if none bu
} constitutional methods" had been II
: sorted to. Let us suppose case. suI
: pose Mr.. Lamar to be admitted TO th
Senate, to which he has never been legal
elected, and that in the meantime b
party SO conducts itself as to win the cor
/ fidence of the majority of the people {
/ Mississippi-a strict regard for the right
7 interests, feelings and opinions Of all PEI
f SONS, without regard TO color, nativity c
/, politics would soon produce such a result
o But let us inquire what Lamar would 50
s or think if he found that the Republican,
e then in the minority, had canvassed th
f State with shotguns, cannon and bar
8 ners, and by this means so overawed Il
e majority that they were able to carry Il
D State and elect some other man to succes
Q the gentleman. He would then be col
. fronted by an opponent with a elail
n founded upon an exact parallel to his ov
% case. We should, no doubt, hear a GOO
d deal said about the evils growing out Of
d habitual disregard of the fundament
l. laws.
> But it is evident Mr.. Lamar does n
.e arraign himself or his party for a breas
d Of law. He belongs to denomination
i politicians who put their wishes and Al
, bilious aspirations before all law. Wit
Il running for Office each man is his own 8
d preme arbiteF in his own case. He is Il
n returning board, with the last in 80
II When Democrat has run for Office
it generally thinks himself successful, a
q is sometimes willing to shoulder his g
+ and fight for his rights, as he constru
d them, and alWays willing that oths
e should We have seen examples Of q
l.. -. -. rE~tn Ela.....f nrtaI.~11s :.