The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1875-01-21
Qne snA uy eupurra4 mou @tip, gwsdg anuAg e. 1919

, sure remedy. He never proposed to do |
an illegal act, nor expressed determin-
alton TO proceed beyond what the law in
the future might authorize for the pun
ishment of the atrocities which have
been committed and the commission of
which cannot be successfully de lied.
1t is deplorable fact that political
crimes and Liurder have been committed
in Louisiana, which have gone unpun-
ished and which have been justified or
apologized for, which must rest as Are
proach upon the State and country long
after the present generation has passed
away. 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, Governor
kellogg telegraphed TO me his apprehen-
sions that the White League intended to
make another attack, Upon 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 unpalatable
to use troops in anticipation of dangers.
Let the State authorities be right, aid
then proceed with their duties without
apprehension of danger, If they are
then molested, the question will be de-
termined whether the United States is
able to maintain law and order within its
limits or not"
have deplored the necessity which
seemed to make it my duty under the
Constitution and laws to necessitate such
interference. Ihave always refused, ex-
cept where it seemed to be my impera-
tive duty, to act in such manner under
the Constitution and laws of the United
States. | 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 certain localities; and as to those, it
may be proper for me to say, that, to the
extent that ongress has conferred pow
on me to prevent it, neither Ku-klux
Klans, White Leagues, nor any other as
sociation using arms and violence to ex-
ecute their unlawful purposes, can be per-
mitted in any part of this country. Nor
can | see with Indifference Union men
or Republicans ostracized, prosecuted and
murdered on account of their opinions,as
they are in some localities.
have heretofore urged the care of
Louisiana upon the attention of Congress,
can not but think its inaction has been
productive of great evil. To summarize:
In September last an armed and organ
lied body ofmeI, in the support of candi-
dates who had been put in nomination
for the offices of Governor and Lieuten-
ant Governor, at the November election
in 1872, and who had been declared not
elected by theIBoard of Canvassers, ,recog-
nized by all the courts to which the ques-
ton had been submitted, undertook to
subvert and overthrow the State Govern
ment 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 Gus
tom House, in the capital of the State of
which he was Governor, it is scarcely to
be doubted that he would have been
killed. When in the State House, before
he had been driven to the Custom House,
call was made in accordance with the
fourth section, fourth article of the Con-
stitution of the United States, for the aid
of the General Government to suppress
domestic violence. Under these circum-
stances, and in accordance with my sworn
duties, my proclamation OF the 10th of
September, 1874, was issued.
This served to reinstate Governor Kel
logg to his position no ninally, but it can
not be claimed that the insurgents have to
this day surrendered to the State author
tiles the arms belonging to the State, or
that they have in any sense been disarm-
ed. On the contrary, it is known that the
same armed organizations that existed on
the 18th of September, 1874, in opposition
to the recognized State Government, still
retainther organization, equipments and
commanders, and can be called out at
any hour to resist the State Government
Under these circumstances the same mil
itary force has been continued in LOuisi
ana as was sent un, er the first call and
under the same instructions. | repeat,
that the task assumed by the troops, is
not pleasant oneto them; that the army
is not composed of lawyers capable of
Judging at moments notice of Just how
far they can go in the maintenance of law
and order; and that it was impossible to
give specific instructions providing for
all the possible contingencies that might
arise. The troops were bound to act up
on the judgment Of the commanding Of
ficers upon each sudden contingency that
arose, or wait for instructions, which
could only reach them after the threat
ened wrongs had been committed which
they were called on to prevent
1t should be recollected, too, that upon
my recognition of the Kellogg govern
ment, | reported the fact with fairgrounds
of recognition to Congress, and asked that
body to take action in the matter; other
wise, / should regard their silence as ac-
quiescing in my course. No action has
been taken by that body, and have main
tanned the position marked out.
If 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 the law, and
the protection of life. Their bearing re-
fleets credit on the soldiers, and ifwrong
has resulted the blame rests with the
turbulent elements surrounding them.
| now earnestly ask that such action be
taken by Congress as to leave my duties
perfectly clear in dealing with the affairs
of Louisiana, giving assurance at the same
time that whatever may be done by that
body in the premises will be executed ac-
cording to the spirit and the letter Of the
law, without fear or favor, ] herewith
transmit copies Of documents containing
more specific information as to the sub
jet matter of the resolution.
4 IT