The Somerset press. [volume] (Somerset, Ohio) 1873-1977, 1874-12-11

American navyj comparatively small as
it is, will be found powerful for the pur-
poses of peaceful Nation.
LOUISIANA
Your attention Will be drawn to the
unsettled condition of affairs in some of
the Southern States. On the 18th of
September last, the Governor of Louis
lana called upon me, provided by the
Constitution and laws of the United
States, for aid in the suppression of do
mestic violence in that State The call
was made in view of proclamation is
sued on that day by D. B. Penn, stating
that he was elected Lieutenant Cover
nor in 1872, and calling upon the mill
tia of the State to arm, assemble and
drive from power the usurpers, as he de-
signated the officers of the States Gov
ernment. On the next day issued my
proclamation, and commanded the in
surgents to disperse within five days
from the date thereof, and subsequently
learned that on that day they had taken
forcible possession of the State House.
Steps were taken by me to support the
existing recognized State Government;
but before the expiration of the five
days, the iEsurrectionary movement was
practically abandoned, and the officers
of the State Government, with some
minor exceptions, resumed their powers
and duties.
Considering that the present State
Administration of Louisiana had been
the only government in that State for
nearly two years; that it has been tacitly
acknowledged and acquiesced in as such
by Congress, and more than once express
ly recognized by me, regarded it as my
clear duty, when legally called upon for
that purpose, to prevent its overthrow
by an armed mob under pretense of
fraud and irregularity in the election of
1872.
/ have heretofore, called the attention
of Congress to tlIss-subject, stating that
vi dCCOullb III LiiN anu lOISSTlCS
committed at said election, and because
it appears that the returns thereof were
never legally canvassed, it was impossi-
BILE to tell thereby who were chosen; but
from the best sources of information at
my command, l have always believed
the present State officers received a ma
jority of the legal votes actually cast at
that election. ] repeat what 1 said
in my special message of February
13, 1873, that in the event of no action
by Congress l must continue to recog-
nize the government heretofore recog-
nized by me.
SOUTHERN OUTRAGEs.
l regret to say that with preparations
for the late elections a decided indica-
tion appeared in some localities in the
Southern States, of determination, by
acts of violence and intimidation, to de-
prive citizens of the freedom Of the bal
lot because of their political opinions.
Bands of men masked and armed made
their appearances. White Leagues and
other societies were formed, large guam
titles of arms and ammunition were inn
ported and distributed to these organiza-
tions; military drills with menacing de-
monstrations were held, and with all
these, murders enough were committed
to spread terror among those whose po-
litical action was to be suppressed, if pos
sible, by these intolerant and criminal
proceedings. In some places colored Ia
borers were compelled to vote according
to the wishes eff their employers, under
threats of dischage if they acted other
wise, and there are too many instances in