Year: 1874

THE LOUISIANA QUESTION.


The recent debate In the Senate over the
Louisiana State government question Is
characterized by less spirit than that which
occurred near the opening of the session.
Especially is the decrease Of zeal very
perceptiblc on the part of those who favor
Mr.. Carpenters bill, which would have
the government interfere with the exist
ing state of things and order a new elec.
ton. The most that he and they seem to
desire now is action upon the bill, so
that they may be discharged from the OBJ
legations which they have assumed towards
it and the interest which it represents.


Whatever may be thought about the
present State government in Louisiana, OF
the mode Of its election, coming into and
retaining the power which it wields, the
best course to pursue under present cir
cuudstances is TO leave it alone and let the
people at the election which is to take
place next fall decide who shall be theii
State officers. 1t may be true that there
were Irregularities, and measures ofdoubt
full propriety and legality adopted to bring
in and sustain the Kellogg government,
but the chaotic condition of politics in the
State offered nothing better, and to set i,
aside even now would probably make
things worse than ever. The State ap-
pears to have accepted the present gov
ernment, affairs are running along quietly
Under it, the people at large make no COM
plants, nobody is very much dissatisfied
but Mr.. McEnery aud mis- faction. and the
interference of the general government to
order new election is not required in the
interest of peace and order.


Without contending about the constitu-
tional right of Congress to interfere with
a State as proposed by Mr.. Carpenters
bill, the true policy is to leave each State
to manage its own local affairs as much as
possible in its own way. We are sur
prised that State Rights democrats, who
have all along arraigned the government
for exercising too much control over the
governmental affairs of the South. should
be found on this Louisiana question aban-
doning their old principles and clamoring
for Congress to order new election. No
matter what grievances and abuses they
may present on the part of the Kellogg
government upon which to base their de-
mand for the interference Of Congress,
they all fall to the ground before the State
Rights doctrine-no right in the general
government to interfere. But without
discussing the question of right, we have
no doubt of the expediency OF leaving
Louisiana and all other southern States to
their own management as early as posi-
BILE. In few months the regular State
election will be held in Louisiana, and
then let the people of the State select their
own governor aud legislature as we do in
Maine. Sooner or later every southern
State must be left TO itself in the manage
ment of its domestic concerns, and the
sooner the better if fair play, equal rights
at the polls and the jury box are permit
ted to prevail We trust Senator Carpen-
ter's bill will not become law, and that
the democrats will be unsuccessful in theil
efforts in this case to overturn or nullify
one of their boasted principles. In 4 shor
time the Kellogg government can b'
passed upon by the people directly con
cerned in it and cognizant OF its doing
and character until then let them wait il
patience. as they undoubtedly viii.