Buchanan County bulletin. [volume] (Independence, Iowa) 1869-1891, 1875-01-22
ic concerns of Louisiana or any other

intended to make another attack
: Upon the same day l made the fol-
lowing answer, since which no COM
munication has been sent him:
"Your dispatch of this date just re-
ceived. 1t is exceedingly unpalatable
to use troops in anticipation of dan
gers. Let the State authorities be
right, and then proceed with their
) duties without apprehension of dan
ger. If they are then molcsted the
question will be determined whether
the United States is able to main
tain law and order within its limits
or not"
| have deplored the necessity
which seemed to make it my duty,
under the Constitution and laws to
make such interference. > l have al
ways refused, except where it seemed
to be my imperative duty, to act in
such manner as the Constitution
and laws of the United States requir-
ed. / have repeatedly and earnestly
entreated the people Of the South to
live together in peace and obey the
laws, and nothing would give me
greater pleasure than to see
RECoNCLIATION AND TRANQUILITY.
everywhere prevail, and thereby re-
move all necessity for the presence of
troops among them. / regret, how
ever, to say that this state of things
does not exist, nor does its existence
seem to be desired in localities, and
as to those it may be proper for me
to say that, to the extent that Con-
gress has conferred the power on me
to prevent it, neither Ku-Klux-Klans,
White Leagues, nor any other asso-
citation using arms and violence to
execute their unlawful purposes, can
be permitted in that way to govern
any part of the country; nor can see
with Indifference Union men or Re
publicans ostracised, prosecuted and
murdered, on account Of their opin-
ions, as they now are in some locali-
ties.
| have heretofore urged the ease
Of Louisiana upon the attention of
Congress, and cannot but think its
inaction has encouraged the great
evil. To summarize: In September
last, an armed, organized body of
men, in support Of candidates who
had been put in nomination for the
offices Of Governor and Lieutenant
Governor at the November election
in 1872, and who had been declared
not elected by the Board of Canvass
ers that ha4 been recognized by I'LL
the courts to which the question had
been submitted, undertook to subvert
and overthrow the State Government
that had been recognized by me in
accordance with previous precedents.
The recognized Governor was driven
from the State House, and but for
his finding shelter in the United
States custom House in the capitol of
the State of which he was Governor,
it is scarcely to be doubted that
HE WOULD HAVE BEEN KILLED.
From the State House, before he
had been driven to the Custom House
call was made in accordance with
the 4th section Of the 4th article of
the Constitution of the United States
for the aid OF the General Govern
ment to suppress domestic violence.
Under those circumstances, and in
accordance with my sworn duties,
my proclamation of the 18th of Sep
tember, 1874, was issued. This serv
ed to reinstatc Governor Kellogg to
his position nominally, but it cannot
be claimed that the insurgents have
to this day surrendered to the State
authorities the arms belonging to the
State, or that they have in any sense
disarmcd. On the contrary, it is
known that the same armed organiZa-
ton that existed on the l4th of Sep
tcmbcr, 1874, in opposition to the
recognized State Government, still
retain their organization, equipments,
and commanders, and can be called
out at any hour to resist the State
Government. Under these circum-
stances the same military force has
been continued in Louisiana as was
sent under the first call and under
the same general instructions.
l repeat that the task assumed by
T the troops is not pleasant one to
them; that the army is not composed
, OF lawyers capable of Judging at Il
! moments notice of just how far they
can 90 in the maintenance of law and
order, and that it was impossible to
give specific instructions providing
for all possible contingencies that
might arise. The troops were bound
to act upon the judgment of their
commanding officers upon each sud
den contingency that arose, or wait
, instructions which could onl y reach
them after the threatened wrongs had
, been committed which they were
, called to prevent. 1t should be recol-
lcctcd, too, that upon my recognition
of the Kellogg Government, | report
cd the fact, with the grounds of the
recognition, to Congress, and asked
, lIldt DottN " (uNS istStioIi III tiiS HA"e-
ter; otherwise should regard their
, silence as acquiescence i'll my course.
NO ACTION HAS BEEN TAKEN BY THAT
BODY
and | have maintained the position
marked out.
If any error has been committed
by the army in these matters, it has
ALWAYS been on the side of preserva-
. ton of good order, the maintenance
, of law, and the protection of life.
Their bearing reflects credit upon the
soldiers, and if wrong has resulted,
, the blame lies with the turbulent clc-
t ments surrounding them.
| now earnestly ask that such ac-
ton be taken by Congress as to leave
my duties perfectly clear in dealing
with the affairs of Louisiana, giving
assurance ut the same time that what
ever may be done by that bodyin the
premises will be executed according
to the spirit and letter of the law,
: without fear or favor.
herewith transmit copies of doc
uments containing more specific IN
formation rs to the subject matter OF