The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1875-01-14


THE WHITE LEAGUES
Prior to and with q view to the late election in
Louisiana white men associated themselves to.
gether IN armed bodies, called "White Leagues"
and at the same time statements were made in
the democratic journals OF the State that the cleo
tion should be against the republicans at all
hazards, which very naturally greatly alarmed the
colOred voters.
by section OF the act OF February o. 1871, 1t is
made the duty OF United States marshals and their
deputies at the polls where votes cast for rep
resentatives In Congress, to keep the peace,
and prevent any violations of the 80.
called Enforcement acts and other offences
against the laws OF the United States; and upon
requisition Of the Marshal of louisiana and in
view OF said armed organizations and other por-
tentous circumstances, ] caused detachments Of
troops to be stationed in various localities In the
State to aid him in the performance OF his Official
duties. That there was intimidation OF republican
voters at the election, notwithstanding these pre-
cautions, admits OF no doubt. The following are
specimens OF the means used:-
INTIMIDATION EVIDENCE.
On the 14th OF October eighty persons signed and
published the following at Shreveport
1--WE, the undersigned, merchants Of the city OF
Shreveport IN obedience to request OF the
Shreveport Campaign Club, agree to use every
ticket at the ensuing election, and in the event OF
their refusal so 10 do, or in case they vote
the radical ticket, to refuse to employ them
at the expiration Of their present contracts"
On the same day another large body OF persons
published in the same place paper in which they
used the following language:-
1--WE, the undersigned, merchan OF the city Of
Shreveport, alive to the great Importance OF Sc
curing good and honest government TO the State,
do agree and pledge ourselves no: 70 advance any
supplies or money to any planter the coming year
who will give employment rent lands to la
borers who vote the radical ticket in the coming
election.n
THE RETURNING BOARD JUSTIFIED.
nave no Information OF the proceedings Of the
Returning Board for said election which may not
be found in its report which has been published,
but 1t Is a matter of public Information that a
great part of the time taken to canvass the votes
was consumed by the argument of lawyers, sew
eral OF whom represented each party before the
Board have no evidence that the proceedings
OF this Board were not in accordance with the
law under which they acted. Whether in eXclud-
ing from the count certain returns they were
right or wrong is a question that depends upon
the evidence they had before them But it Is
very clear that the law gives them the power, If
they choose to exercise it, Of deciding that way,
and prind J1cie the persons whom they return as
elected are entitled to the Offices for which they
were candidates.
THE STORY OF THE OUTRAGE.
Respecting the alleged interference by the mill
tary with tue organization of the Legislature OF
Louisiana on the 4th inst, have no knowledge or
information which has not been received by
me since that time and published; my
nrst information was from the papers OF
the morning Of the 5th OF January. l did not
know that any such thing was anticipated, and no
orders or suggestions were ever given to any
military etieer In That State prior to the occur.
renee. am well aware that any military inter>
ference by the officers or troops Of the United
States with the organization Of state Legisla-
ture or any OF its proceedings or with any civil
department Of the government, is repugnapt to
our ideas Of government. l can conceive OF no
case not involving rebellion or insurrection where
such interference by authority Of the general gov
eminent ought to be permitted or can be justified
But there are circumstances connected with the
legislative imbrogli0 in Louisiana which seem to
exempt the military from any Intentional wrong
in that matter, knowing that they had been placed
in Louisiana to prevent domestic violence ana aid in
the enforcement OF the State laws. 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 the Legislative Assembly Is the judge Of
the election and qualifications of its own men,
bers; but If another body Of unauthorized per:
sons seize , and hold the legislative Hall
and so prevent any organization by those
legally returned as elected, II might be tue duty OF
majority OF the members elect to suppress the dts
turbances and enable the persons elected to or
Hs
nary circumstances, and 1t would then be the
duty OF the Governor TO call upon the constabu
State. But vita reference to Louisiana
1t Is to be borne in mind that any attempt by the
this time would have undoubtedly hastened CON
1ict with the White League, as It did on the 14th
Of There y no aaS but That the
casion prevented bloodshed and the loss or life.
Both parties appear to nave relied upon them as
was made by the democrats 70 remove persons
obnoxious 10 them from the Legislative Hall. and
persons who had usurped seats in the Legislature
without legal certificates authorizing them to
seats, and In sufficient number to change
time TO occupy seat in the Legislature. That the
democratic minority Of the House undertook to
seize its organization by fraud and violence; that
in this attempt they trampled under foot law; that
they undertook to make persons not returned as
they acted under preconcerted plan and under
false pretences introduced into the hall body OF
necessary and that conflict, disorder and
riotous proceedings followed, are facts
that seem TO be well established, and
/ am credibly informed that these vio-
lent proceedings were part OF premedi-
tated plan to have the House organized in this
way, recognize what has been called the McEnery
Senate, then to depose Governor Kellogg, and so
revoutionze the State government Whether it
was wrong for the Governor, at the request OF
majority OF the members returned as elected TO
the House, to use such means as were in his power
TO defeat those lawless and revolutionary
proceedings IS, perhaps, debatable question;
but IL is quite certain that there would have been
no trouble II they who now complain Of illegal
interference had allowed the House 20 be organ.
lied in lawful and regular manner. When
those who inauRurated disorder and anarchy
disavow harsh proceedings 1t will be time
enough 10 condemn those who by such means as
they have prevent the success OF their lawless
and desperate schemes, Lieutenant General
Sheridan was requested by me to 20 to louisiana
to observe and report the situation there,
and II, In his opinion necessary to assume
the command, which he did on the Attn
inst after the legislative disturbances had oc.
CURED, at nine O'Clock at night, number of
hours after the disturbance.