The Jackson standard. [volume] (Jackson C.H., Ohio) 1847-1888, 1875-01-28

and their deputies, at the polls, where votes are
cast for Representatives in Congress, 10 keep
order and prevent any violation of the So-call-
ed enforcement acts and other offenses against
the laws of the United States, and, upon
requisition of the Marshal of louisiana and in
view of the armed organizations and the 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.
For the enforcement of the State laws. the
officers and troops of the United States may well
have supposed that it was their duty to act,
when called upon by the Governor for that pur-
pose. Each branch of a Legislative Assembly
is the judge of the election and qualification of
its own members, but if mob or body of un-
authorized persons seize and hold the Leglsla-
tive Hall in tumultous and Iiotous manner
and so prevent any organization by those legal
ly returned as elected, it might become the du-
ty of the State Executive to inteTpose, if reques-
ted by a majority of the members elect, 10
suppress the disturbance and enable the per-
sons elected to organize the House. Any eXer-
else of this power would be justif1able under the
most ordinary circumstances, and it would
then be the duty of the Governor to call upon
the constabulary, or, ii necessary, the military
force of the State.
But with reference to Louisiana, it is to be
nor to the police force of that State, at this
time, would undoubtedly precipitate bloody
conflict with the White League, as it did on the
18th of September.
There is no doubt that the presence of the
United States troops on that occasion prevent
ed bloodshed and the loss of life. Both parties
appeared to have relied upon them as conserva-
tors ofthe public peace.
The first call was made by the Democrats to
fpNr1a
the Legislative Hall; and the second was from
the Republicans, to remove persons who had
usurped seats in the Legislature without legal
certificates authorizing them to seats, and
sufficient in number to change
the majority. Nobody was disturbed
by the military who had a legal right, at that
time, to occupy seat in the Legislature. That
the Democratic minority of the House under
took to seize its organization by fraud and vio-
lence that in this attempt they trampIed under
foot law; that they undertook to make persons
not returned as elected members, SO as to create
a majority; that they acted under preeoncert-
ed plan, and under false pTetenses introduced
into the hall men to support their pretensions
by force, if necessary, and that the conflict, dis
order, and riotous proceedings following, are
facts which seem to be well established, and
am credibly informed that those violent pro-
ceedings were part of premeditated plan to
have the House organized in this way, to recog-
nize what is called the MeEnery Senate then
! to depose Governor Kellogg, and so revolution
ize the Government.
Whether it was wrong for the Governor, at
the request of the majority of the members re-
turned as elected to the House, to use such
means were in his power to defeat these rev.
olutionary and lawless proceedings, is perhaps
a debatable question, but it is quite certain
that there would have been no trouble if those
who now conn plain of illegal interference had
allowed the House to be organized in a formal
and regular manner. When those who inaugu-
rated disorder, war, and anarchy disavow such
proceedings it will be time enough to condemn
those who, by such means as they have, pre-
vent the success of their lawless and desperate
schemes.
Lieut.. Gen. Sheridan was requested by me to
go to Louisiana to observe and report the situa-
tiun there, and if in his opinion necessary, to
assume the command which he did on the 4th
inst, after the Legislative disturbances had oc-
CURED, at 4 O'Clock p. m, number of hours
after the disturbances. No party motives nor
prejudices can reasonably be imputed to him,
but honest conviction by what he has seen and
heard there. He has characterized the leaders
of the White Leagues in severe terms, and sug-
gested summary modes of procedure against
them, which, though they cannot be adopted,
would, if legal, soon put an end to the troubles
and disorder in that State. Gen. Sheridan,
looking at facts, and possibly not thinking of
the proceedings which would be the only prop
er ones to ursuein times of peace, thought more
of the utterly lawless condition of society sur
rounding him at the time of his dispatch, and of
what would prove remedy. He never
proposed to do an illegal act, expressed de-
termination to proceed beyond what the law,
in the future might authorize for the punish
ment of the atrocities which have been COM
mitted, and the commission of which cannot be
denied. 1t is deplorable tact that political
crimes and murders have been committed in
Louisiana which have gone unpunished, and
which have been justified apologized for,
which must rest as a reproach upon the State
anG country long after the present generation
has passed away.
1 have no desire to have United States troops
interfere in the domestic concerns of Louisiana
or any other State On the 9th of December last
Gov. Kellogg telegraphed to me his apprehen-
sion that the White League intended to make
another attack upon the State House, to which,
on the same day, made the following answer,
since which no communication has been sent
to him:
"Your dispatch of this date just received. 1t
is exceedingly unpaatable to use troops in an
ticipation of dangers. Let the State aut horities
without apprehension of danger. If they are
then molested the question will be determined
whether the United States is able to maintain
law and order within its limits or not"
to make it my duty, under the constitution
and laws, to direct such interference. 1 have
always refused, except where it seemed my i'm
perative duty, to act in such manner under
the Constitution and Laws of the United States.
1 have repeatedly and earnestly entreated the
people of the 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 all necessity for the presence of troops
! among them. L regret, however, to say that
this state of things does not exist, nor does its
existence seem to be desired in some localities,
and as to those it may be proper for me to say
that to the extent that Congress has conferred
| power me to prevent it, neither Ku-KluX
| Klans, White Leagues, nor any other associa-
| ton using arms and violence to execute their
unlawful purposes can be permitted in that
way to govern any part of this country. Nor
can see with Indifference Union men or Re-
| publicans ostracized, prosecuted and murdered
on account of their opinions, as they are now
| in some localities.
| have therefore urged the case of Louisiana
upon the attention of Congress, and can not
but think its inaction has been the cause OF
great evil.
| In September last armed organized body
of men, in the support of candidates who had
been put in nomination for the offices of Gov
ernor and ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS at the Novem-
| Der election, in 1872, and who had been declared
not elected by the Board of Canvassers, recog-
nized by all the courts to 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 recognized 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