The Caucasian. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1874-1875, 1874-12-12
The Presidents Message.

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We have before us the full text Of
the Presidents proclamation to Con
eress which met on Monday last, but
It is too lengthy for us to lay be-
fore our readers this week; we con-
tent ourselves with the following
brief synopsis and extract in regard
to Louisiana.
He first alludes to the general
prostration of business and attrib-
utes it to the debt abroad incurred
in the prosecution of the war. He
urges the return to specie basis at
once or as soon as possible, without
unnecessary delay, and he is down
on an inflated currency. He says
that our relations with mo t of the
foreign governments is satisfactory.
The treaty with Belgium ends 1876,
our relations with China continue to
be friendly. All claims awarded by
the Mixed Commission were paid
September 21st. He recommends
that Congress recognize Cuba as a
belligerent. He pays some attention
to the status of naturelized citizens.
It will be observed from the report
of the Secretary of the Treasury that
the amount of receipts over expendi-
lures has Been but $2.S44.8S2.30 for
the fiscal year ending June Both
1874 and that for The current fiscal
year the estimated receipts over ex-
penditures will not much exceed So
100000. It then becomes necessary
either to reduce expenditures or in
crease receipts to provide for the
sinking fund to pay the large nation
al debt The Navy has been re-
paired, new ships built, the iron clads
put upon war footing and every
thing isready for war.
And then comes Louisiana and the
Southern States, as follows:
Your attention will be drawn to the I'M
settled condition of affairs in some of the
Southern States. On the l4th Of Septem-
Der last, the Governor of Louisiana called
upon me, as provided by the Constitution
and laws Of the United States, to aid in
suppressing domestic violence in that
State. This call was made in view of q
proclamation issued on that day by D B.
Penn, claiming that he was elected Lieu
tenant Governor in 1879, and calling upon
The militia Of the State to arm. assemble
and drive from power the usurpers as he
designated the officers of the State Govern
lnent.
On the next day issued my proclama-
tion commanding the insurgents to dis
perse within five days from the date there
Of, and subsequently learned that on that
day they had taken forcible possession of
the State House. Steps were takel. by me
to sopport the exiting and recognized
State Government, but before the cxpira-
ton of the five days the insurrectionary
movement was practically abandoned and
the officers OF the State Government, with
some minor exceptions resumed their pow
ers and duties.
considering that the present State adj
ADMINISTRATION of Louisiana has been the on
~ government in that State for nearly two
years; that it has been tacitly acknowl-
edged and acqniesced in as such by Com
grcss and more than once expressly recog-
Mized by me, regarded it as my clear ,n-
ty, when legally called upon for that pur-
pose, to prevent its overthrow 10y an arm
cd mob, under preten6e Of fraud and ir1cy-
nlarity in the election Of 1872.
have heretofore called the attention of
Congress to this subject, stating that on
account Of the frauds and forgeries COM
mitted at that election, and because it APP
pears that the returns thereof were never
legally canvassed, it was impossible to tell
thereby who were chosen; bnt from the
l.. 4
have always believed the present State
officers received q ma iority Of the legal
votes actually cast at that election
repeat what l said in my special mes
sage of February Doth, 1873, that, in the
event Of no action by Congress. l must con-
time to recognize the government hereto
fore recognized by me.
regret to say that with preparations
for the late elections decided Indications
appeared in some localities in the Southern
States Of y determination, by acts of VIC
lence and intimidation, to deprive citizens
of the freedom Of the ballot because of
their political opinions.
Bands of men, masked and armed, made
their appearances; white leagues and other
societies were formed; large quantities of
arms and ammunition were imported and
distributed to these organizations; militia
~ drills with menacing demonstrations
were held; and with all those, murders
enough were committed to spread terror
among those whose political action was to ,
be suppressed, if possible, by these intol-
Grant and criminal proceedings
In some places colored laborers were
compelled to vote according to the wishes
of their employers, under threats of dis
charge if they acted otherwise, and there
are too many instances in which. when
these threats were disregarled, they were
rcmorselessly executed by those who made
them. l understand that the Fifteenth
Amendment to the Constitution was made
to prevent this and like state Of things,
and the act Of May 81, 1870, with amend
ments, was passed to enforce its provisions
The object Of both being to guarantee to
all citizens tho right to vote and to pro-
tect them in the free enjoyment Of that
right.
Enjoined by the Constitution "to take
care that the laws be faithfully executed"
and convinced by undonbted evidence that