The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1874-09-17
The Troubles in Louisiana.

The Troubles in Louisiana.
A special telegram from Columbia, in anoth-
er column, gives startling news from Louisiana
The conflict is serious and widespread, embra-
cling the control of the entire State and mu'
nicipal governments. In order to give oul
readers a clear insight to the situation, it will
be necessary to explain the condition of affairs
prior to the elimination of these troubles IN
open war and bloodshed.
At the election in 1872, the Democrats elec-
ted John McEnery as Governor and D. B. Penn
as Lieutenant Governor, but the Radical >oth'
cials counted them out, and declared VIM. Pitt
Kellogg elected Governor and G. c. Antoine
elected Lieutenant Governor. The matter was
contested in the courts, and was finally carried
to Congress, where protracted discussion en-
sued, without result. When the matter was
pending in the courts, serious trouble arose be-
tween the claimants for Office, which was tenn
porarily quelled by President Grant recognl'
zing the Kellogg government. Since that time
there has been one after another outbreak,
showing an intense dissatisfaction with kellogg
and his party whose conduct has been such as
to exasperate their opponents, rather than al
lay the popular tumult.
Under these circumstances, some months
ago. the Democrats commenced organizing
White Leagues throughout the State, embra-
cling white men exclusively, and openly de,
claring their purpose and intention to carry
the State election this fall for the white mans
party. One difficulty after another in the
parishes induced the white people to purchase
arms for their organization, and we have NO
doubt they are splendid!y equipped in this re-
spect. Gov. Kellogg has undertaken to pre-
vent the introduction of arms and ammunition
which has led to the conflict, and brought mat,
ters to a hurried and bloody termination.
The metropolitan police of New Orleans, un-
der direction of the Governor, began the seizure
of arms arriving by vessel from New York, and
consigned to private individuals, on the plea
that they were intended for the White Leagues
Attempts were made to regain possession OF the
guns by legal process, but these were unavail-
ing. On Monday, the citizens assembled in
mass meeting to protest against the seizure ol
private property, when business was generally
suspended, and strong demonstration made
by the meeting. Resolutions were adopted by
the meeting, asking the immediate abdication
of Gov. Kellogg, and appointing committee to
wait upon him and give notice of their action
kellogg refused to see the committee, upon the
ground that there were armed men in various
parts of the city.
Such was the situation of affairs when the
conflict began on Monday, the particulars Of
which are given in our special telegram. We
learn from another source that matters are en-
tirely unchanged, and that the McEnery party
are in full possession of the State. The fight
ing seems to have been confined to the whites
altogether-the police and the citizens. The
latest information says Kellogg and Longstreet
are not in the city.
We cannot foretell the result of this extraor-
dinary condition in Louisiana. President Grant
cannot disperse the White Leagues by mere
proclamation, for there are upwards of ten
thousand men under arms and in possession OF
the States resources to maintain their position.
The entire force of the United States army does
not exceed twenty-five thousand, including in
fantry, cavalry and artillery, and the greater
portion is on the frontier, engaged in warfare
with the Indians The aggregate number OF
troops in the Southern States is about five
thousand men, scattered from South Carolina
to Texas. He will probably call for volunteers
from the Northern States, in addition to the
demand for militia from the adjacent States
In such an event, we may expect warm work
before the White Leagues are disodged en-
tirely.