Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1878-02-15
..rhe Louisiana Outrage"

The message of hlessrs. Sherman, Hale,
Matthews and White to General Anderson is
important as showing that tho Administration
has at last come 10 the knowledge thatits mag
naninily has failed to soften tho asperities Of
Southern civilization We had no faith what
ever 10 tho success of the experiment, and yet
VIC held that the President was justified in try
ing it, on the principle that "a sofG answer
turneth away wrath, " and that generous deal
ing invites and induces reciprocity IN average
human nature. Everything That was out OF
Joint in the South was attributed 10 the rlgldity
of Federal rule, and General Grant was roundy
abused, not only by democrats and unrepentent
rebels but even by the 30 called independent
republican press. Men who were we'll acquaint
ed with Southern civilization. and who had 20
grudges to wreak, were never deceived. They
were we'll enough aware that the complaint OF
Federal surveillance was mere pretext; that it
was the natural outworking of Southern law-
essDess, and that 20 act of generosity would
concliate that clement of Southern society, the
breath of whose life is violence; but the camor
was too groat to permit we'll known fact TO
make any impression upon the popular mind.
There was false impression abroad aud some-
tbiog had to be conceded to it before the facts
could have any chance. This concession Mas
made by the President, with what prospect If
success from his point of view We are not ad
vised; but the concession has had the effect to
clear away all doubt as regards the actual con-
dtion of Southern society.
We know now that General Anderson was
sunmarily arrested, and that excessive bail was
demanded. We know that he vas forced to
trial without the formality Of 40 indictment,
without recourse and without preparation, tried
by periured jury before thief and robber,
and convicted. What the determination Of the
matter may finally be, it would be rash to pre-:
Dict Given people without gllmmerlng OF
the sense of justice, and whose only idea OF fair
play is calling men up 10 the dead OF night and
shooting them down without warning, Jurors
who perjure themselves before they enter the
Jury box, and court which uoder the laws
prevailing 10 Pennsylvania would be impounded
10 the Peniteniary-given these conditions,
and who will be rash and reckless enough to
forecast the rcsult2 We shall not undertake
it. There is no good reason to suppose that,
left to the tender merces Of such rascals, Gene.
raj Anderson may not be taken from the Jail
and strung up to the most convenient lamp
post.
But we shall hear the usual amount OF whin.
ing apology for the british mob which domi-
nates Louisiana society, 20 doubt. We shall be
told that these highstrung people have been
dreadfuly provoked by carpet baggers, scala
wags and Federal interference, and that some
allowance must DO made for them. 1t may be-
that carpet baggera and scalawaga have fatte'S
ed upon the people of Louisiana, but at WoI &
it was case of dog eat dog" We
have heard too much about the suffering
South How came tie South to suffer? Who
caused the south to suffer? Who paved the
way for the pilIaging of the Sorth by the off
scourings of society? Why the very men who
most loudly and bitterly complain Of the sack.
We are beginning to lose sight of the fact
and it is fact, gloss 1t over 20 casolsls as ye
the South into rebellion is guiltier in the sight
of the Almighty than al the Probsts that ever
drew breath and " AVE the breath s.5 of H i9no
they suffs-1aMsoNS ara Fey deserve it all; and