The Opelousas journal. [volume] (Opelousas, La.) 1868-1878, 1874-09-25
General LOngstreet Inter-
viewed.

L-@'A WAN ~" - 1AkGoS SCHLt AlSI.l
With view to place on record all facts
OF interest relating to the recent thrill
ing episodes of L~ouisiana's history, a
representative OF this paper called on
GENERAL L~ONGsTREET
yesterday, to learn from him such details
as he might think proper to communi-
cate respecting the action taken by the
Kellogg authorities to ascertain and
counterfeit the movements of the
Leagues. Stating this desire and pur-
pose, Gen. l.. replied substantially as
follows:
up to Il very short time of the emeute
L was absent from the city inspecting
therefore impossible for me to post YOU
respecting the nature and sources of in
formation received at the State House
on the subject. Soon after my return
there was alarm-an apprehended at
tack-and | vas sent for. I knew moth
ing more than the general political
movements in the State. A single stroll
along the street was sufficient to satisfy
me that there was no danger of a cul-
mlnatiOn of the purpose of the Leagues
at that time, and | so informed the Gov
ernor. My Judgment was formed on
what ! saw in the
FACES OF THE PEOPLE.
In matters of this kind, involving
necessarily a movement more or less
popular, there is no use of informers
or spies, and 1have eve employed any.
Manltestly the Leagues were not ready,
ana l not think they would be ready
under two weeks.
MATTERS progressed quietly, and the
Governor ever began to think matters
were blowing over. On Friday and
Saturday before the fight, | saw that
the crisis had arrived. The evidences
We're visible, not SO much in the words
as in the faces Of the members and
leaders OF the Leagues. | Immediately
informed Governor Kellogg of the
situation, and that the fight would be
preclpitated upon him within one or two
days at most, and that whatever pre-
paratiOn he had to make must be made
without delay.
"YOu are as familiar with the fur
ther events as / am. A force was con-
centrated
AT THE STATE HOUSE,
and thought the true policy was to
maintain that centre, and have no doubt
1t could have been maintained until the
garrison was succeeded by United States
troops, IT they had been sufficiently pro-
vlded with ammunition, but in fact they
only had eight rounds. 1t was useless
to hold the place under those circum-
stances, and the garrison was according
ly retired"
Reporter-But, General, were no plans
adopted to discover the purposes and
movements of the Leaguers?
Gen. L.-NOt by me-they were not
needed. Reports were constantly carried
to the Governor, but they were often
wild and unreasonable. The Interior
objects of the Leagues were thoroughly
understood from their inception. and it
was only important to know when the
blow would be struck. That was a fact
which was bound to, discoveritselfi in the
conduct and bearing of the members.
PRIVATE ASSASSINATION.
Reporter-What do you think of this
talk about private assassinations?
Gen. Lett is talk. There MAJ be
those who think themselves capable OF
such things, but I should be sorry to be-
lieve there was any considerable num-
Der of a civilized community who would
such purposes. If it should be
and even succeed, it would
not have the least effect Oh, or in u
way change, the results of the pending
in this State.
RepOrter-What do you understand to
be the purposes of Gen. Grant for the
Gen. L.-Louisiana is the first State
Tor many years where an attempt has
made to set up q government on a
purely revolutionary basis. 1t is
4 TEST CASE,
20 regarded all e the Union, and the
Administration Is fully advised of the
grave Importance, particularly at this
line, of not allowing a recognized State
government to be overthrow by insur-
dictionary force. That the Executive
will supply oil the troops necessary to
such a precedent, is not with US
matter of mere belief or conjecture it
s q fact ascertained in the Constitution,
nd Accommodation only by public opinion,
tut ais by those necessities of peace
which the President is not in the least
Inclined to disregard.
Fl PROSPECT OF nor TROOPS.
Rep0rter-But, General. will more
roops be sent here i'm addition to those
ordered?
Gen. ENTHUSIASTICALLY there will be.
Reporter-Dont you think there are
nOugh here now
Gen. L.-There are many on the way /;
ere at this time. Adding them to those {
ill the State the force will pro- ]
ably be sufficient, unless there should {
further outbreaks. In that case, and
If the disturbances should {
e kept up in the parishes, it is under ]
TODD the President is not unlikely to {
all for volunteers in the Northern
tates as suggested in the New York {
i