The New Orleans daily Democrat. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1877-1880, 1879-02-21
THB NEW ORLEANS DEMOCRAT FRIDAY, 1879.


repeal of these laws, by threatening TO with
hold the appropriations necessary TO the de-
/ fraying OF the current expenses OF the gov
eminent, was unconstitutional and revolu-
| tionary. This doctrine was Instantly
challenged. notably by the Star, and the
Times was forced to take water, and nothing
more was heard from It on this subject. The
| Times wanted no discussion Of this question
| before the people
| But, after advancing all these great doc
trinal points, the Democratic press OF the
| North finally reduce the issue to mere ques-
| tions Of expediency. These things are all
| true, they confess. but-and this but Is q
| big one-they say that this Is measure
which should be considered on Its own merits
The party Ia losing capital by lacking great
question like this. In the agitation OF which
the Democrats have every advantage on to
the appropriation bills these mourning at
least, disputed responsibility for an extra
session of Congress- This is throwing away
opportunities the party cannot afford to
forego This measure should be debated and
voted upon without reference to anything
else.
EAgein urge these papers we quote from
the Star:
Before, this law can be again put In force
there will be another regular session OF Con
gress In which the Democrats will have ma
iority In both houses: and, although Mr.. Hayes
will still be In Office and will have 1t In his
power TO veto the repeating bill. when such
bill comes regularly before the two houses for
q direct action. the reasons for The repeal will
be 90 fully dev.loped by sedssion that n Re-
publican President, on such question, can
hardly venture to interpose his veto.
Here Is where the great mistake is made.
These papers do not appear to be aware OF
the distressing fact that this law is being en-
forced In Louisiana to-day, with an unpara-
eled atrocity, and that In the executing of 1t
the liberties Of hundreds of our best citizens
are placed at the disposal of the most In
famous tribunal that partisan malignity
has ever erected In this or any other
country. III this were ALL IL nothing
else than the persecution of our people
were embodied, they might endure 1t with
out complaining, "for sufferance is the
badge of all our tribe" But, behind oil, there
Is most audaclous conspiracy to deprive the
Democratic party OF Its elected majority In
the next Congress. Under these circum-
stances temporizing expedieney and policy
cannot be tolerated Wrongs Of such magni-
tude must be anticipated and prevented at
any cost, and by any means. Already the
trials OF numbers OF our people, arrested
under these laws, are In progress, and,
IL they are not repealed before
the present Congress adjourns. these perse-
cutions will be consummated by the convic-
ton and sentence OF these persons to tho
penitentiary as common felons. Certainly, II
there was ever case for summary action,
this Is one, and. happily, it Is a case In which
the whole country Is interested not less than
Louisiana. We have only to say that IL the
Democratic party allows ITSELF on q mere
bubble, to be robbed of the control of the
next House of Representatives by the same
INSCRIPTIONS and villainous bravado that de-
prived 1t OF the Presidency. 1t Is utterly I'M
worthy OF the great trust the people have
confded to 1t. We have no fears upon this
score
The House stands firm, and we have no
misgivings as to the results. AS the repre-
sentative Of the people 1t holds the purse, and
it does not propose to be driven or cajoled
from the exercise of the Just power thus con-
ferred. II, as the New York Times urged, the
exercise Of this power be unconstitutional,
why WIS ~ pIpVlucu III Tile CODSbltUUlOD bUAb
all bills for revenue should originate In the
House2 The sole purpose OF this proviso was
to insure the people against the arbitrary
abuse of power by keeping in their hands the
of the public money, which fur
nishes the means of oppression. This Is
a principle borrowed from the English
constitution, according to which 1t is pre-
rogative Of the crown to declare war, reserv-
ing the right to the Commons OF furnishing
the sinews of war from the public exchequer
TIL crown may arbitrarily declare war, but |
war cannot be waged except with the consent |
Of the people. So 1t is In this instance-a
partisan administration may decree the per-
secution of our people under unconstitutional
laws at the hands Of corrupt judges, bought |
iuries and periured witnesses, but it Is with |
Congress to say that the people shall not pay |
the expenses OF this Infamous persecution.