River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1875-01-22
An interview with sheridan.

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An Interview With Sheridan.
The New Orleans Times contains the
report Of an interview with Gen. Sheri-
dan, from which are taken the follow.
ing extracts. In relation to his ban.
ditti dispatch, Gen. Sheridan said /: 81
do not believe that there is sensible
man in the State who really imagines
that meant that all the people we're
banditti. That particular phrase was
used for a technical reason. In an
opinion of the bureau of justice on the
provisions of the enforcement act for
the suppression of unlawful organiza.
tons or combinations, the terms Jay
hawker' and 'banditti' were employed.
The White League is secret military
organization, iii contrayention of both
state and Federal laws. Its members,
when they resort to overt acts, are all
liable to the penalties Of the enforce
ment act. The term .jayhawker' could
not be used, for the Leaguers are not
plunderers ard robbers. therefore
had no choice but to use the word con-
tanned in the opinion referred to-"
Reporter. But, General, whatever
slSe may be said, we are not bandits.
! Gen. 5. Oh, of course; the people
generally are as good as any people, but
no one will deny that the white league
is secret political military combina-
ton, having purposes which, if they are
not intended to be accomplished by
revolution and violence, there is no
reason or sense in the military eharac.
ter the combination has assumed.
II. | would like to know what are
your intentions with regard TO the
league!
Gen. S. IL has been charged that
there was or is black league. As yet
| have seen no evidence Of that fact, but
if there is such a. organization, shall
find it out, and whether these combina-
tions be white or black, they cannot DC
tolerated. They are at the bottom OF
much of the trouble in this State.
They cngender spirit Of lawlessness,
and it is my opinion no peaceful condi.
ton can be reached as long as they
continue, nor until every species Of
bushes, and social ostracs SIN on &C.
count of Political sentiments is broken
down.
X. think you attach teo much i'm.
poroance to this matter.
Gen. 5. 1t is not denied that the
League is an armed organization, exist
ing outside of the law, for political
purposes.
X. Not so much for political purposes
as TO defend political rights.
Gen. s, There i 40 use dividing the
question. II one party is permitted to
enter a contest which should be peace
full, WITH arms, their opponents must
be allowed the same privilege, and it
does not require the wisdom Of Solo
mon TO know that such ah array Of
parties would soon end in drenching
your State with blood, ard endanger the
peace Of the whole country, The sim
pie arming Of one portion Of the people
IS practically declaration Of war
against the rest. It is an abandon
ment Of the logic Of reason for the logic
Of force. These are not peaceful meth
DDS. Peace may, indeed, follow these
Orces, but only after they are through
with their work OF desolation.
X. You have said in some Of your
dispatches that human life is too lightly
estimated in this State, but have you
any reason TO believe that one party is
more culpable than the other in this
respect p!
Gen. ST. haze not specially assign
ed this evil to any class exclusively. IL
mas occurred TO me that many people
here have not been conscious to what
an extent this is true. Many have
known il and declared il. MANY were
persuaded Of the dangerous policy Of
secret and armed political bodies, but
such people did not openly proclaim
their conviction, and indeed could not
afford 10 meet the osiraclsn which
would have been their reward if they
had done so. In other sections Of the
country mans views on political
questions do not affect him fdyorably or
unfayorably in business or otherwise.
II is not so here. Many OF your
best citizens have said so in a private
way, and would say SO now if forced to
answer, or if they felt that they could
afford to do so. Do not nearly all cit
liens carry arms, and is il not the ex'
pectation that misunderstanding, nl.
tercations, and quarrels, especially
those Of political character, will end in
the use Of pistols or knives Ihays a
lis. Of murdered men in this State
which may we'll startle the nation. l
considered il necessary that some ono
should speak the word which would
arouse all good people in the State to
the true condition of things. It was
what / called water.line spot, and
good men have rallied to do exes'iJ
what | hoped to see them do to save
the State.
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