The New Orleans daily Democrat. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1877-1880, 1879-05-03
THE REAL REvoLUTIoNIsTs.

THE REAL REVOLUTIONIsTs.
Nearly fourteen years ago, when Presi-
| dent, whose policy was opposed In some re-
spects to that OF the majority in Congress,
attempted to nullify their extraordinary
legislation by a judIcious exercise OF the veto
power, he was impeached for IT, it Is I'M
necessary to say the majority In Congress
then was Republican. Among this revolu-
tionary body were many of the bitter par
tisans who represent the present minority In
the Senate, few of the most ultra lights
who lead the minority in the lower house of
Congress, and the de facto President Of the
Unit I'd States. a#=
These were some Of the revolutionists who,
with reckless disregard Of every principle Of
republican government, enacted their extra
ordinary legislation In o more extraordinary
manner than It's repeal is now sought to be
effected By their vindictive legislative acts
and irregular amendments they DISTINGUISHED
for time half the voters in the South They
utterly destroyed the right OF majority rule
In the Southern States, and they directed that
the army be used In controlling elections.
Even after they had enacted all this legisla-
ton, whose end was to insure the complete
domination Of their party, they shamelessly
sanctioned the overthrow of State govern
ments which had been erected by their oppo-
nents In spite Of all the impediments they had
placed upon free ballot.
It is truly difficult to see now by what pro-
cess of reasoning or logic the Republican
remnant of that former majority determine
that the repeal Of their revolutionary legis-
lation, q repeal In more methodieal manner
than they enacted 1t, Is itself revolutionary.
The charge that they make against the con-
duct OF the present majority In Congress is
like the desperate resort Of the pursued
thief, who, crying too, "stop thief" directed
his pursuers to go past himself and diverted
the eager search from the true fugitive.
| How dignified and law-abding, since the
Presidents veto Of the army bill, is the con-
duct of the Democratic majority In Congress
when contrasted with that Of the turbulent
Republican majority some years ago when
| their lawless measures were vetoed by An
drew Johnson! With hot and revolutionary
haste they impeached the President for pre-
Stunning to thwart their vindictive ends. The
Democrats, on the other hand, after an I'M
heard-of use Of the veto prerogative against
! their just legislation, q veto whose exercise
| Ia even classed as fragrant abuse Of this
high privilege, have proposed no counter
measures OF resentment or Of just revenge.
Nor do they, as the Republicans did In John
sons case, threaten coercion against the Pres
ident who endeavors to prevent the repeal Of
those laws which render fraud and force all
powerful In establishing the perpetual rule Of
hisparty In this country. @m..
The Indications are that the Democratic
majority In Congress, far from meeting this
issue which has been raised between the ex-
ecutive and legislative branch OF the govern
ment with any revolutionary purposes, will
quietly proceed to enact the legislation they
proposed at the outset; that they will pre-
sent their measures In modified form, but
one which will involve no sacrifice Of party
dignity, and this WILL more plainly than ever,
demonstrate the fact that their sole purpose
Is to remedy the evils which deface our politi-
| cal system, and to remove the pos sibility OF
armed interference in elections. II they are
still defeated by the continued insulting abuse
OF the veto prerogative, they may adopt rig
orous measures to compel q due Difference to
the will Of q vast popular majority on the
part OF President who represents the mi
nority Of our people. They would then. at
all events. have precedent set them by q
Republican majority thirteen years ago.
| But, without the necessity Of resorting to
harsh measures, we think the Democrats will
have won complete victory in their strug-
gle for a free ballot, impartial juries and fair
elections. They will have shown the people
of this country that the President and the
leaders Of the Republican party, certain OF
defeat In fair elections, seek to perpetuate
their party's power by the threat of political
trials with packed iuries, by the use Of cor
rupt supervisors at the polls, and by judi
ciously quartering regiments Of troops IN
uncertain States for these revolutionists have
used these means before to prevent the utter
humiliation Of their reckless party, and they
hope to use them again, and apparently, till
elections are farce and representative gov
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