The New Orleans daily Democrat. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1877-1880, 1879-03-22

| A BALANUE bnhnf.
We can very readily understand why Re-
publicans should regard the extra session Of
Congress with CONSERVATION and dwell with
loving importunacy upon the financial aspects
of the question; but that the Democrats
should be reluctant to accept any RESPONSE
bilities on this score would indeed, be mat
ter OF SURPRISE To the manifest disappoint
| Of the opposition, the latter have not, so far,
displayed the slightest timidity. In fact,
they appear to have courted rather than
avoided the credit Of the whole affair.
| There are some momentous questions to be
| agitated in this extra neutrality-suspicious.
which American citizens can never be indif-
ferent about when they are forced to consider
them. The Issues upon which this extra ses-
sion was forced, and which 1t Is bound to dis
pose Of, touch upon vital principles which lie
ut the very foundation Of our institutions.
They involve the right Of trial by jury, the
use OF the army at the polls, and, therefore,
the interference Of the military In the civil Of
fairs of government and the liberty Of voters
In the selection Of members Of Congress-.
II can do no harm to agitate questions OF
this kind and bring them directly before the
people, no matter at what cost Fearful wars,
involving the expenditure of countless treas
ures Of blood and money, have been waged
upon issues Of far less moment to liberty
loving people. The Democratic party should
thank heaven for the opportunity which has
been afforded 1t Of arrayiDg itself In defense
OF such measures. AS the New York Sun
eIoquently says: Trial by an uDpacked and
impartial jury, elections free from interven-
ton by the army and the person OF the cit-
zens secure against arrest at the polls by the
minions Of Federal power! These are among
the most sacred privileges Of freemen, and we
may be sure that the party which sustains
and protects them will itself be sustained and
protected by the people"
The discussion OF such questions is always
Of advantage to the people, but under the
present condition OF affairs 1t has peculiar
value. 1t cannot proceed very far without
acquainting the people OF the North with
many things connected with the administra-
ton OF justice, through the Federal courts,
In the South, Of which they, evidently, have
never heard or have the faintest conception
Of Laws that were enacted during the war
for war purposes, and which could have had
no justification outside of the necessity OF the
case and the extreme peril OF tbs nation that
novel doctrine urged by the Supreme Court
In support OF the war finance), and which
should long ago have been repealed, have
been permitted to linger on the statutabooks
to vex our people. Thousands OF them
have been dragged to this city during
the past few months by the eff
forts of the fraudulent Executive to en-
force these very laws. Who has counted
the cost to them, resulting from the continu-
ance of these laws? The administration shows
up q deficit of S250,000, incurred In prescott
ing them, for which 1t asks a special appro-
priatlon, after consuming the entire appropri-
alton OF the Department Of Justice, amount
Ing to a half million more. The extra session
will not cost much more than these prosecu-
tions, which have cost the victims OF them
even more than they have the government.
The question of cost. then, Is worthy Of no
consideration. The people can afford all 1t will
cost, and more to have these grave questions
agitated, and be allowed the opportunity to
inform themselves In regard to them.
It will doubtless be matter OF surprise and
Indignation, even to "stalwart" Republicans,
to know that the iuries which try political
offenders at the South are selected at will by
a clerk OF the Federal courts, appointed by a
Federal Judge, and marshal appointed by a
partisan administration, having an avowed
intention and interest to convict; that by a
test OATH such as might be exacted OF
person found In a hostile camp, all per-
sons OF equal estate with the accused and
sharing his political opinions are disqualified
from jury duty, and, finally, that that there
Is supplied by law no right OF appeal for
man on trial for his life and liberty from the
decisions OF the inferior courts.
These are all matters of fact which this ex-
ira session will bring out to submit to the en-
frightened sentiment Of the people. The party
that discloses them and compels a righte-
pus Judgment on them need have no fear Of
reGnonsihjlitv for the cost of an extra session.