The Rutland daily globe. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1873-1877, 1877-03-16
MATTHEW'S AND PACKARD.

The latest contribution to the history Of
the Louisiana omplcations-or rather, to
the steps being taken toward its settlement
is the publication Of the correspondence
between Stanley Matthews AID Packard.
Matthews, di1claimlng all authority to
speak for any one but himself, urges Pack
ard quietly to withdraw, telling him, what
is vel known, that It will be impossible to
maintain himself without the aid of the
army, and that such is the condition of the
public sentiment as we'll as the genius OF re-
publican institutions that 1t would be un-
wise, impoltic, II not illegal, for the general
government to continue to bolster up a
state government in that way. But Pack
ard having lived in Louisiana since the
days of reconstruction and having become
used to being propped up by federal bayon-
ets-and rather liking that kind of protec-
tion-declincs to yield, and plants himself
upon the declaration ~ am governor" a
good deal in the same way that Tilden de-
clares, 81 am presidenw-and the claim
gives about as much.power to the one as to
the other.
Packard's object is apparent enough. He
has been reading Blaine's speech, and he
believes in it-and that's the difference be-
tween him and Blaine. If, however,
Packard Is the man of intelligence he is
said to be, 1t must be apparent TO him that
he cannot very long continue to retain
even his present position; that, willingly or
unwillingly, he will be forced to retire
fromlhis pretended position of governor Of
Louisiana; that the people Of the country
would not brook another two or four years
of military rule in Louisiana; and that, the
president, when the emergency comes,
cannot long hesitate. 1t may be days or
weeks before the crisis comes; the question
of new election may be considered; other
make-Sbifts may be, in Turn, proposed,
considered and rejected; but, in the end,
the whole responsibility will be left with
the people Of louisiana the army will be
withdrawn; and then the Packard govern
ment will collapse as quickly as does a
punctured soap bubble.
Packard desires either to force the presi-
dent to recognition of his claims and
thereby run the risk of losing the confld-
ence of the country; or to force him to
| recognize Nichols and thus array the
Blaines, the Hamlins, Mortons, the Buffers
and the other ultra radicals of the party in
a still more hostile attitude to the admins
| tration. Neither course would result in
even temporary benefit to Louisiana or
to the country. AS we said before, there
is NJ more occasion, OF present, to formal
| ly recognize either Packard or Nichols,
thar there 10 to recognize Fairbanks as
governor of Vermont or Rice as governor
OF Massachusetts. II Nichols is wise this
whole matter will settle itself, without a
formal recognition either way. The senate,
by refusing to decide the right Of Kellogg
to seat, las left the door open for peace
full settlement of TIE whole matter. If
Packard is wise, if he v )uld serve e best
interests of Louisiana, white and co,ored
alike, and promote the welfare of the whole
country he would follow Stanley Matthew
advice and take himself out of the way
and, in selfish point of view even, this is
the only course which will benefit him
either now or in the future.