The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1875-01-27

TO the extent that Congress has con
ierred power upon me TO preven
neither Kuklux Klans and Whit
Leagues, nor any other ass ociatio
using arms and violence to execut
thtir unlawful purposes, can be per
mitted in that way to govern an,
part Of this country. Nor can SCI
with indifference Union men or Re
publicans ostraeized. prosecuted anC
murdered on account of their opin
ions. as they now are in some Iocali
ties.
have heretofore urged the ease
OF Louisiana upon the attention OF
Congress, aud cannot but think that
lts inaction has produced great evil
To summarize-in September last an
armed organized body Of men in the
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 elect.
ed by the Board of Canvassers rec
ognized bv al the courts 10 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 recogniz-
ed Governor was driven from the
State House, and but for his finding
shelter in the United States Custom
house, in the capital Of the State of
which he was Governor. IL was
scarcely TO be doubted that be would
have been killed From the State
House, before he bad been driven 70
the Custom-hOuse, a call was made in
accordance with the fourth section
fourth article, oft Constitution of
tie United States, for the aid of the
General Government to suppress
domestic violence. Under these cir
cumstances, and in accordance with
my sworn duties, my proclamation
OF the 18th Of September. 1874. was
issued This served to reinstate
Governor Kellogg to his position
nOminally, but it cannot I've clnimed
that the insurgents have to this day
surrendered to the State authorities
the arms belonging 70 the State. or
that they have in anv sense disarm-
ed. On the contrary, it is known
that the same armed organizations
that existed on the l4th of Septem-
Der, 1874, IN opposition to the recog-
nized State government still retain
their organization, equipments and
commander, and can be called out at
any hour to resist the State govern.
ment.
Under these circumstances. the
same military force has been contiu-
ued in Louisiana as was sent there
under the first call, and under the
same general instructions. I repeat.
that the task assumed by the troops
Is not a pleasant one to them; that
the army is not composed Of lawyers
capable Of Judging at a moments
notice Of just how far they can 60 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 the command
ing officer upon each sudden cOntin-
Sency that arose, OF wait Instructions
which could only them after the
threatened wrongs had been commit
led which they were called on to
prevent
II should be recollecled, too. that
upon my recognition Of the Kellogg
government reported the fact with
Tue grounds Of recognition to Con
gress, and asked that body TO take
action In the matter, otherwise 1 /
should regard their silence as an ac-
luiescence in my course. No action
las been taken by that body, and |
have maintained the position then
marked out. If error has been com
hIJted by the army IN these matters,
t has always been on the side Of the
preservation Of good order, the main
-enance of law and the protection Of
life. Their bearing reflects credit /
upon the soldiers aud, If wrong has
resulted, the blame is with the tur-
5ulent elemepts surrounding them
| now earnestly ask that such action /
be taken by Congress as to leave my /
duties perfectly clear in dealing with /
affairs OF Louisiana, giving assur-
lnce at the same time that whatever
may be done by that body in the
premises viii be executed according
to the spirit and letter Of the law !
without fear or favor.
| herewith transmit copies Of docu- /
nents containing more specific inlOr- /
nation as to the subject matter ofthe I
[. 5. GRANT,
EyecutiUe Mansion, jan -, 1878 T.