The New Orleans daily Democrat. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1877-1880, 1879-05-26
MILITARY INTERFERENCE.

We republlshed an article from the Chicago
Times on the subject of military interference
with elections and with elected governments
by Federal troops
Our Chicago contemporary says the out
rageous interference of the military with the
Legislature OF Louisiana in January, 1874, -
wildly remembered and was potent GAUSS
Of the political reaction the tidal wave " tlie
Congressional elections OF that year. For an
enterprising paper, such as the Chicago iHHes
claims to be, and generally is, this ls re-
markable misrepresentation 81 some 81 -
most importarlt political facts that belong 10
our history.
The eiectment Of the Democratic members
from the Louisiana Legislature ana the con-
seauent delivery OF that body into the hands
OF the Republicans occurred on or about
January i. 1875. and not 1874 as the Times
states. This glaring outrage on the part OF
thc administration was not "a cause Of the
Congressional tidal wave which in 1874 re-
turned an overwhelming Democratic majority
In the lower House OF the National Legisla-
t,lre In fact our Legislature was dispersed
two months after the noted Congressional
elections in November, 1874.
t was claimed by dSDemocratic press Of
the North, and acknowledged even by the most
prominent Republican papers Of that section,
that Grants relentless persecution Of the
people Of louisa ma and his overthrow OF the
State government elected In 1879 was par
tial cause for the dissatisfaction with
the administration manifested SO plainly
In the election of 1874, but that
the brilliant revolution inaugurated In
this State ii September, 1874. had more effect
upon the Congressional elections OF that year
than any other cause. Within forty -eight
hours after the morning of September H. 1874,
every department Of the legally elected gov
ernment was In possession and WORKING al
over the state, while the debris OF the gov
eminent DureIl and Grant had established
was Nil collected In the New Orleans
Custom House. This SO effectualty proved to
the peopIe that Louisiana had been bitterly
wronped by the administration SO plainly
manifested the extent of the wrong and OPP
pression. that II aroused feeling OF resent
ment against the Republican party oil over
the country, which feeling was increased by
Grants restoration to power over the State
OF the shattered concern sheltered In the
JUSLO1Il- 1JOuS6s H5 mAitpHIy npoia1A1ANoN
and overthrow Of the Louisiana Legislature
In 1876 really referred to by the Times, was
an act OF oppression that passed almost I'M
challenged by the American people. Il is
true the present Secretary Of State, Mr.
Evarts, denounced 1t publicly, and that 1t
was informally condemned by few OF the
more moderate Republicans, but the great
| majority OF the Republican party openly APP
proved the outrage and sought to go further.
and. through measure known as :" the force
| BILL" to permanently prevent the citizens OF
| Louisiana, with other Southern States, from
further endeayors to establish their State
governments.
The people Of Louisiana forced partial
PREPARATION Of this wrong from the Republic
can Congress through Representatives Hoar,
Wheeler and Frye.
These three men have all acquired more or
less prominence from their connection with
Louisiana politics. AS Senator Jonas said In
his late speech to Hoar, Senator from Massa-
chusetts, who is now inconsistent enough to
support what be then denounced. and to con-
denim what he then applauded. "the gentle
man could find his own side of the question
| in his own report as chairman Of the tnves-
tigation committee sent down to examine
into that matter the dispersal Of the Louisi-
ana Legisature).
It Il notorious fact that Mr.. Wheeler
secured the Vice Presidency by the precise
methods he denounced as SO extraordinary
and dishonest in 1875.
Mr.. Frye ID the only consistent member o.
the trio: he was venomous then and he Is
venomous now.
Now, in 1879, when this question Of military
Interference in elections Is the most momen
tous issue of the day, 1t would be well fol
some OF the Republican leaders who sc
urgently advocate its continuance, to go back
over the records and find out how they stood
before on this issue.
The Democrats have at least been consis
tent In their efforts to keep bayonets ava,
from the ballot boxes; and some OF the Re
publcans would have been also, but feeling
their hands slipping from the grasp ofpower
they would clutch at any desperate means Of
measures to save themselves from defeat ant
political destruction.
THE JETTY IMPROVEMENTS.