The Richmond palladium. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1855-1875, 1875-01-20
PRESIDENTS MESSAGE.
[coneluded from first page

attempt Dy the uOScru0r 10 use the
police force OF that State at this time
would have undoubtedly precipitated
a bloody conflict with the White
League. a. il did ON the 14th of Sep
TENDER. There is no doubt but the
presence Of the United States troops
on that occasion prevented bloodshed
and the loss Of life Both parties ap
pear TO have relied upon them as con-
SENATORS of the public peace. The
first call was made by the Democrats
to remove persons obnoxious to them
from the legislative hall. and the sc
cond was from the Republicans to re-
move persons who had usurped seats
in the Legislature without legal certi-
ficates authorizing.th them 10 seats, and
in sufficient numbers to change the
majority. Nobody was disturbed by
the military who had legal right at
that time to occupy seat In the Leg
islature. That the Democratic minor
ity Of the House undertook to seize
its Organization by fraudan violence;
that in this attempt they trampled IN
der foot the law: that tfev undertook
to make persons not returned elected,
members so as to create a majority;
that they acted under a preconcerted
plan, and under false pretense intro
duced into the hall men to support
their pretensions, by force il neces.
sary. and that conflict, disorder and
riotous proceedings followed, are facts
which seem to be well established,
and | am creditabfy informed that
these violent proceedings were part
of premeditated plan to have the
House organized III this way, recognize
what has been called the McEnery
Senate, and then to depose Gov. KEEL
,logg, and so revolutIonize the State
government Whether it was wrong
for the Governor, at the request OF the
majority Of members returned as elect
ed to the House to use such means as
were in his power to defeat these law
less and revolutionary proceedings, ~
perhaps a debatable question, but 1t
is quite certain that there would have
been no trouble if those who now
complain of illegal interference. had
allowed the House to be organized IN
lawful and regular manner. When
those who inauaNrated the disorder
and anarchy disavow euch proceed
ings it will be time enough to con-
denim those who by such means as
they had, prevented the success of
their lawleas and desperate schemes
Lieutenant General Sheridan was
requested by me to go to Louisiana to
observe and report the situation there,
and If, in his opinion it should be nee
essary, to assume the command, which
he did on the 4th inst, after the legis
lative disturbances had occurred, at 3
% clock p. NJ, a number Of hours after
the disturbances. No party motives
nor prejudices can reasonably be i'm
puted to him, but honestly convinced
by what he has seen and heard there,
he has characterized the leaders OF
the White League in severe terms,
and suggested summary modes OF pro-
cedure against them, which, though
they cannot be adopted, would, it le-
gal, soon put an end to the troubles
and disorder in that State. General
Sheridan was looking at facts. and
possibly not thinking of proceedings
which would be the only proper ones
to pursue in time of peace, SO much as
of the utterly lawless condition of So
his dispatch, and of what would prove
sure remedy He never proposed to
do. an illegal act nor expressed a de-
termination to proceed beyond what
the law in the future might authorize
for the punishment of the atrocities
which have been committed, and the
commission of which, cannot be sue
cessfully denied 1t is deploratle
fact that political crimes and murders
have been committed in Louisiana
which have gone unpublished and which
have been justified or apologized for.
and which must rest as a reproach
upon the State and country long after
the present generation has passed
away. l have no desire to have Uni
ted States troops Interfere in the do
nestle concerns of Louisiana or any
other State On the 9th of December
last Governor kellogg telegraphed to
me his apprehensions that the White
League intended to make another at
tack. Upon the same day l made the
following answer. since which no
communication has been sent to him:
Your dispatch of this date is just re-
ceived 1t is exceedingly unpalatable
to use troops in anticipation of dan
ger. Let the State authorities be
right, aud then proceed with their
duties without apprehension Of dan
ger. 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. =
I have deplored the necessity which
seemed, under the constitution and
laws, to necessitate such interference.
| have always refused, except where
it seemed to be my imperative duty, to
act in such manner by the constitu-
ton and laws of the United States. l
have repeatedly and earnestly entreat-
ed the people of the South to live to-
gether 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.
regret, however, to say that this state
of things does not exist, nor does IFS
existence seem to be desired. In
some localities, and as to those it may
be proper fer me to say that to the
extent that Congress has conferred
power on ME to prevent IT, neither
ku Klux klans, White Leagues, nor
any other association using arms and
violence to execute their unlawful
purposes. can be permitted in that
way to govern any part of this eoun-
try. Nor can / see with indifference
Union men or Republicans ostracised
prosecuted aud murdered on account
of their opinions, SIS they now are III
some localities | have heretofore
urged the case of Louisiana upon the
attention of Congress, aud | can moi
but think its inaction has produced
great evil.
To summarize: In September last
an armed, organized body of men IN
the support of candidates who had