The Andrew County Republican. [volume] (Savannah, Mo.) 1871-1876, 1875-01-22
ing answer, since which no communication

IllS u. lliCo uA( III @hASh
has been sent to him:
Your dispatch Of this date just received.
1t is exceedingly unpalatable to use troops in
anticipation of danger. Let the State an
thoyities be right, AMI then proceed with Their
duties without apprehension of danger. II
they are then mOlestad, the question viii he
determined whether the United States is able
to maintain law and order within its limitr
or not
l have deplOred the necessity which seemed
to make it my duty, under the Constitution
and laws, to make such Inference. | have
always refused, except where it seemed to
be- my imperative duty 20 act in such
q manner "a the Constitution and laws
OF the United States required. L have
repeatedly and earnestly entreated the people
OF tho South to live together in peace and
obey the laws, and nothing would give me-
greater pleasure than to see reconciliation and
tranquility everywhere prevail. and thereby
remove al! Necessity for tho presence Of troops
among them. | regret, however. to say that
this state OK things does net exist, nor does
It's existence seem to DO desired i'll some local
tiles; and as to those. it NAV be proper for nle
to say that. to the extent that Congress has
conferred tie power on me TO prevent II,
neither Ku-KluX Hams, White Leagues. nor
any other association using arms and violence
to execute their unlawful purposes, can be
permitted in that way to govern any pirt OF
this country; nor can | see with ind ference
Union men or Republicans ~,Ostrac I'D. parse-
cuted and murdered on account OF theiI opln-
ions, rs they now are in some locsliIes.
Ihave heretofore urged the casa OF Louie
lana upon the attention of Congress, and |
cannot but think its iuactlon has encouraged
the great evil. To summarize: In Septen-
ber last an armed, organized body Of men, i'll
the support OF candidates who had been put
in nomination for the offices of Governor and
Lieutenant Governor az the November eltc-
ton III 1872. and who had bee declared net
elected by the Board NJ Cauvas-ocs that had
been recognized by all tie courts to which the
Question md been sub:aiIt3'i. undertook TO
eulvert and overthrow the State government
that had b5en been rrCpSuiZ Il by INC III &C
cordance with previous irecedcE:-. The
recognized G0vefGOr nas driven frnGi IIe
State House, and, bu: for his finding
shelter i'll the United States Cn3t2m House
i'll the capital of the State Of which
he was Governor, It is scarcel- to be
doubted that ha womb nave been killed.
From the State House. ,cfore he bat been
driven 10 the Custom House, n call was made
il accordance with the 4th section ~ the In
arti.'e Of tho COnsritulion of the United
States for The aid OF the general government
70 suppress Gomertic violence. Under tEo-e
circumstances, and in accordl'ca with my
sworn du.iel. my proclamation of the 18th of
4bF = vac bITNt'N AAA-' IVA 'Na ~
reinstate Gov. Kellogg to his position non!I:-
ally, but it cannot be claimed that the 10
surgents have to this oaT surrendered 10 the
State authorities the arms belonging to tle
State, or that they have in any sense dis
armed. On the contrary, Il IL knoWnthat the
anne armed organizations that existed on tie
14th of September, 1874. i'll opposition 10 the
r, cOgniZed State government, stliiretaln IN II
organization, equipments ard commanders,
and can be called out at any hour TO resist the
State government. Under there cIrcum-
stances, the rame military force has been
continued III Louisiana 81 was sent under the
first call, and under the same general iistruc-
tions.
| repeat tia. the task assumed by the
troops il 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 go in the maintenance of law AID
order. sud that it was Impossible to give spe-
citic instructions providing for all possible
contingencies that might ariee. The troops
were bound to act rpon the Judgment OF their
commanding officers upon each sudden colr-
+ ~tingency that arose. or await instructions
wkich could only reach than after the threat.
eued wrongs had be, ii committed wEish they
were called upon to prevent. 1t should be
recollected. too. that upon my recognition OF
tine Kellogg government | reported the fact,
with the grounds OF the recognition. to Con-
gross, ana asked tnaL DOug 10 TAKE dCIlou III
the matter: otherwise | should regard their
silence IA acquiescence i'll my course. No
action has been taken by that body. and l
have maintained the position marked out.
II anv error has been committed by the
army in these matters. it has always been on
the side OF the preservation of good order. the
maintenance of law. and the protection OF life.
Their bearing reflects credit upon the soldiers,
and if wrong has resulted the blame hes with
the turbulent elements surrounding them.
| now earnestly ask that such action be
taken by Congress as to leave my duties per-
fectIy clear i'll dealing with the affairs of Lou
isiana, giving assurance at The same time that
whatever may be done by that body IN the
premises will be executed according to the
spirit and letter Of tho law, without fear or
favor.
| herewith transmit copies of documents
containing more specific information as to
the subject matter of the resolution
U. s.. GRANT.
EXECUTIVE MANSION, January Is, 1919.