New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1874-11-07
..The Military Uuress.,s


rndes this heading the Pieayw"e Of yes
terday morning made several misstate-
ments which shoul1 be corrected at shis
time. particularly regarding tho troops
quartered az the State House. Our neigh
Dor, who one dsy fawns upon and tiatters
the officers Of the army 70 excess and an
other cci.icises severely theis right to be
anywhere in the State, said:
We have the last crowninx act Of this
criminal and iniquitOus armed intervention
in our local affairs, in the occupation OF the
State House and the guarding Of the return.
ing board By Two full companies of United
States infantry. These troops form coz.
don around this board, preventing the ape
proach and presence of the citizens who de-
sire 70 eee their votes fairly counted, can
vassed and due anu lawful returns thereof
madeo
The State Horse. in the very centre Of the
city, is converted into a fortress, under the
command Of 4 Genera! Of the United States
army and in this fortress the board OF cane
vassers is to hold its sessions and proceed
declaring who are the choice Of the people
tos the various officers voted tor. No
Oriental monarch was ever more ostenta.
tiously and securely guarde by jannissaries
than this board Will be. Hristling bayOnets
will occupy the place that ought to be filled
bv peaceful. anxious and interested citizens.
No other witness Of the MomentOus trans.
action and decisions will be admitted but
the hired soldiery OF the United States.
The approaches to the State House are
guarded by sentinels OF the army. No one
can pass without leave from the Kellogg
government or Of the military commander.
IN behalf Of our people We protest
against such acts Of wrong, Of invasion, Of
war and outrage against the people OF
Louisiana. We demand, in their name,
tha: General Emory enforce or extend the
order issued on the day of election to his
troops. TO repair TO their quarters and allow
right OF witnessing the canvass OF their
votes without the presence Of United
solaiers or Of any armed force.
A yisit to the State House will discover
nothing to warrant such assertions. In
that building are 4uartered two companies
of soldiers. They are where they were put
when they arrived in this city in Septenl'
Der. They occupy space no: required fol
any other purpose, and are in q place no
one need go to having business with State
officials. The single sentry seeE on duty in
the rOtunda at the St. Louis street entrance
is there for tha sane purpose that guards
are always on duty where soldiers are
9uartered-to keep the men in their places.
and not to interfere in any manner with
citizens. Free access is allowed to all parts
OF the building at al! times.
As q matter 81 news. the military com
ments Of the Pcoyune are incorrect; as a
sensation. calculating to show that the
soldiers are trespassers on civil rights, they
are failure. and the most fertile imagina
tion could scarcely arrive at any othei
conclusion. II there is a Gordon around
the board OF canvassers. it is not formed by
United States soldiers. and the question Of
tho right Of "the people, to witness the
canvassing Of the election returns will MOI
be decided by the army. It can make bu,
little difference to General Emory. when
where or how the votes are counted Hi:
;nterposition will come against armed
forces disturbing the peace. and not against
honest citizens. proceeding in a lawful
manner.
If the members Of the returning board
prefer to do thes work in the presence Of
an eager crowd composed of both or eithe,
political parties. the law does not forbid it
and certainly General Emory will not. GU,
soldiers behaved well after the riot. or
election day they were not seen. why should
they OF their officers now be maligned!