The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1877-04-20

whether advisedly or not the American people
will leave for the course of the President in the
cases OF south Carolina and Louisiana to de-
sse e Mr.. ELLIS, Democratic representative
rom ttom louisiana, more honest than Mr.. Mat
news, says, In regard to the sale of the Louis-
ana qua ssate government to the Democrats, If they
WOULD allow the count to proceed, that he did
n9t see how it could consistently be done, for if
Mr. Hayes title was good Mr.. Packard's title
as governor was valid. The patriot Matthews
answers to the following effect: 81 would OBJ
tain assurances from the Nichols govern
on account of political offences; that
the protection. of life and property should be
guaranteed-the troops would then be with
drawn, and Packard 8 government would starve
Tor want of funds. After this when any GOV
eminent must be recognized it would be the
Nichols government" We know that in law
and equity Gov. Packard is the legally elected
governor of the state; we.know that he is the
executive by title equally good with that of
President Hayes; we know that he received
over 600 more votes than five Of the eight elect
ors That he is honest and capable is not de-
MED sy MS political enemies. That. he was de-
ciared governor by legal quorum of the Joint
Assembly of both branches of tho legislature
In accordance with the Constitution of the
state is true. Gov. Packard has been a resi-
deut of Louisiana for fourteen years; he mar
ried a Louisiana lady; his children are born
here, and all his material interests are in
Louisiana; he has assisted very materially in
organizing and maintaining a Republican
party here, and has as good right to be gov
ernor az he would to be governor of Colorado
had he gone there fourteen years ago and were
today elected to that position. A thorough
canvass was'made at the last election by the
republican party; outside Of the five ''bull-
dozed parishes free vote was cast. For two
months Gov. Packard with different canvass
ing parties travelled through the state; many
nights for safety they were compelled to place
one OF their number on guard while the others
slept; meetings in certain parishes were attend
ed by bodies of armed men who insulted the
speakers; violence to these speakers was on
several occasions prevented by the interference
or Y nlted States army officers; the canvassing
parties alone deferred the3organized mob from
violence-and this under the United States flag
and Republican government.
The Republicans of Louisiana are apprehen
sive that the President is about to turn over the
Republicans Of the South to the charge of the
Southern Democracy; not Intentionally, per-
maps, but not knowing the character of those
With whom he has to deal, his power to retrieve
unfortunate action will be lost. South Caro-
Ina has lately been placed in the hands of the
Democracy, and will there remain with a real
Republican majority Of $4,000 votes. A Com
miesion iS here for the purpose of adjudicating
political difficulties; the Republicans are will
ing to rest their case upon. the legitimacy OF
their Supreme Court, or fusion of the two
legislatures o. the members conceded to be
elected by both parties, which body shall re-
count the vote and declare who is elected Gov
ernor. but it is doubtful if the Nichols party
will acquiesce. As it is said that the commits
sion was sene here as jury to convict in order
to ratify tba Infamous compact of Mr.. Mat
thews, it may make but little difference what
Is done by the commission. G. w. B.