Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1875-01-22

= exceedingly unpalatable TO use troops In antici
| pationof danger. Let the State authorities b,
| right.and then proceed with their duties without
tbe 81 As PS then %se,Ss
| the United statcs r. able 20 maintain fFw aht
| order within its limits or mott
| have dcplored the necessity which seemed
| to make II my duty, under the Constitution ant
| laws, TO make such interference. have alwayt
refused, except where IL seemed to be my impera
| tive duty TO act in such a manner a. the Const
tuition and laws OF the United states required.
| have repeatedly and earnestly entreated the peo
| pie Of the South to live together In peace and
| obey the laws, and nothing would give me greater
pleasure than TO sec reconciliation aud tranquility
| everywhere prevail, and thereby remove al
necessity for the presence OF troops among
| them. | regret, however, to say that thir
state Of things does not exist nor does its exist.
ence seem to be desired in localities, and as to
those II may be proper for me to say that, TO the
extent that Congress has conferred the power on
me to prevent it, neither Ku-Klux Kans, White
Leagues, nor any other association using arms
and violence to execute their unlawful purposes
be permitted In that way to govern any part OF
this country; nor can see with Indifference Union
men or Republicans Ostracized perseCu ted and
murdered on account OF their opinions, as they
now are IN some localities
/ have heretofore urged the case of Louisiana
tnoh the attention OF Congress, and I cannot but
thirk its Traction has encouraged the great evil.
To suhimarze In Serternber last an armed, or
ganized body of mon IN the SUPPORT n candidates
who had been put in nomination for the 0fHces of
Governor and Lieutenant Governor at the Noyefn-
Sieeisd b. the Board of Canvassers that had been
recognized bS al The courts to which the question
had been submitted undertook to subvert and over.
throw the State Government that had been recog-
nized by me in accordance with preyfcus prece-
dents. The recognized Governor was driven ffofr
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, II is
scarcely TO be doubted that he would have been
killed. From the Sthte-House. before he had
been driven to the Custom House, call was
made in accordance with the fourth stttioh OF
the fourth 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 served to renstate
GOV Kellogg In his position nominalv but IL
cannot bs claimed that the insurgents have to
this dav surrendetea to the state authorities the
arms belonging to the State; bf hnt they haye in
any sense disarmed. On the contrary, y is
known that the same armed organization that ex
listed on the i4th OF September. 1874, In opposi-
tion to the recognized State Government still re-
tain their organization, equipments and com
mlnders, and can iie called out at any hour TO re-
sist the State Government Under those circtfm-
stances the same military force has been cofftifi
ued in Louisiana a. was sent under the first call,
and under the same general Instructions.
repeat that the task assumed ny tho troops Is
not pleasant one to them that the army is not
composed Of lawyers capable OF judging at mo-
ments notice OF just how far they can go in the
maintenance Of law and order, and that II was
impossible to give specific instructions providing
The troops were bound TO act upon thS taag.
ment Of their commanding officers upon
each sudden contingency that arose, or
await instructions which could only reach
them after the threatened wrongs had been COM
mitted which they were called on 10 prevent II
should he rec0llected, too, that upon my recogni
ton Of The Kellogg Government reported the
fact, With the grounds Cf the recognition, TO Con-
gress, and asked that bOdy TO take acton in the
matter; otherwise should regard thtif silence al
acquiescence in my cotrse. No act don has been
taken by that body. and ! have maintained TIE
position marked ont.
n any error has been committed by the army in
these matters. 1t has always been on the side OF
preservation Of good order the maintenance Of
law and the protection Of life. Their bearing
fleets credit upon the soldiers, and II wrong has
resulted the blame lies with the turbulent ele
ments surrounding them.
now earnestly ask that such action be
taken hJ Congress 10 leave my duties
perfectly clear in dealing with the affairs OF Lou
isiaLa, giving assurance at the same time thar
whatever may be done by that body in the prem
ises will be executed according 10 the spirit and
letter Of the law. without fear or favor.
herewith cnsmit copics of documents con-
tanning more specific information az TO the sub
ject matter Of the resolution. U. 2. GRANT
EXECUTIVE MANSION, Jan ID, 1875.