The Richmond palladium., 1875-01-20

Governor in 1872, isssed an inf3ana-
tory proclamation calling upon the
State 10 arms, assemble and drive ont
the usurpers, as he designated the
officers of the State The White
I4eaguers. armed and ready for the
conflict, promptly responded. On the
same day the Governor made formal
requisifion to ne, in pursuance of the
act of 1875. and section 4, article 4 OF
the constitution, to aid in suppressing
domestic violence. On the next day
issued my proclamation, commanding
the insurgents to disperse within i've
days from the date thereof, but before
the proclamation vas published in
| New Orleans the organization had
had taken forcible possession Of the
State House aud temporarily subverted
the government. Twenty or more
people were killed, including num-
ber of the police Of the city. The
streets of the city were stained with
blood. All that Was desired in the
way of excitement had been accom-
plished, and in view OF the steps taken
to repress it, the revolution Vas ap-
parently, though it is believed not
| reilly abandoned. and the cry of
usurpation and tyranny in Louisiana
was resumed with redoubled energl
The troops had been sent to the State
under the reqisition Of the Governor,
and rs disturbances seemed imminent
they were allowed to remain there to
render the executive such aid AZ
might become necessary to enforce he
laws OF the State and repress the con
tinnal trouble which seemed inevitable
the moment Federal support should
be withdrawn. Prior to and with
view to the late election in Louisiana.
white men associated themselves to-
gether in armed bodies called White
Leagues. and at the same time threats
that the election should be carried
against the Republicans at all hazards,
which very naturally greatly alarmed
the colored voters. BY section 8 of
the act of February % 1871, it is made
the duty Of United States Marshals
and their deputies. at polls where
votes are east for Representatives in
Congress. to keep order and prevent
any violations of the so-called enforce
ment acts and other offenses against
the laws of the United States, and up
on requisition of the Marshal of
Louisiana, and in view of the armed
organizations and portentous circum-
stances, | caused detachments of
troops to be stationed in various To-
calities in the State to aid him in the
performance of his official duties in
| the enforcement of the State laws.
That there was intimidation of Kepub
lican voters at the election notwith-
standing this precaution, admits Of
no doubt. The following are specf-
mems Of the means used on the 14th of
/ October. Eighty persons signed and
| published the following:
I'VE, the undersigned, merchants of
the city of Shreveport, in obedience
to . request OF the merchants of
Shreveport, agree to use every en-
deavor to get our employees to vote the
peoples ticket at the ensuing election
and in the event of their refueaf SO to
do, or in any case they vote the Radi-
cal ticket, to refuse to employ them
at the expiration Of their term Of
service"
On the same day another large body
Of persons published the following:
I'VE, the undersigned merchants of
the city of Shreveport, recognizing the
great importance Of securing good and
honest government to the State, do
agree and pledge ourselves not to ad-
vance any supplies or money to any
planter the coming year, who will give
employment or rent lands to laborers
who vote the Radical ticket in the
coming election"
l have no information Of the pro-
ceedings of the Returning Board for
said election which may not be found
in its report, which has been publish
ed, but it is a m liter Of public infor-
nation that great part Of the time
taken to canvass the vote was consul
med by the arguments of lawyers, sew
eral Of whom represented each party
before the board. have no evidence
that the proceedings of this board
we're not in accordance with the law
under which they acted. Whether in
excluding from their count certain re-
turns they were right or wrong is .
question that depends upon the evil
dence they had before them. But it il
power. if they choose to exercise if. Ct
the persons when they return as elect.
ed are entitled to the Offices for which
they we're candidates.
Respecting the alleged interference
of the military with the organization
of the LEGISLATURE of Louisiana on the
4th inst, have no knowledge or in
formation which has not been received
by me since that time, and published.
My first information was from the pa
pers Of the morning of the 9Th of jan
uary. | did not know that any such
thing was anticipated, and no orders
and no suggestions we're ever given to
any military officer In that State upon
that subject prior to the occurrence.
am we'll aware that any military inter-
ference by the officers or troops OF the
United States with the organization Of
. State Legislature, or any Of its pro-
ceedings, or with any civil department
Of the government is repugnant to our
ideas Of government. l can conceive
of no case not involving rebellion or
insurrection where such interference
by the authority Of the General Gov
ernment ought to be permitted or can
be justified. But there are circum-
stances connected with the legislative
imbroglio in Louisiana which seem to
exempt the military from any inten-
tionaf wrong in that matter, knowing
that they had been placed in Louisi-
ana to prevent domestic violence and
to aid in suppressing disorder. The
officers and troops Of the United States
may we'll have supposed that 1t was
their duty to act when called upon By
the Governor for that purpose. Each
branch Of legislative assembly IS the
Judge Of the election and qualification
of Its own members; but If a mob, or