Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1875-01-19
The Presidents Message.
III. se.,nle NJ tll rlilcd Shines


any part oil the army oi The L nited States
with the organization or proceedings oil
the General Assembly OF the State oil
Louisiana, or either branches thereof and
also iuqulring in regard To the existence
OF armed organization IN that State nos
tile 10 the government thereof, aud iu-
tent ON overLurning such government by
iUrce.
To say that lawessneSS, tui oI!tnce
and bloodShed have characterized the
political affairs oil that state sI.cc It's
reorganization under the CccOus,I uIuOn
acts, is only 10 repeat what has become
we'll known as palt of its unhappy his
tory bnt it may &c proper here to reier
TO the election oil 1868. by which the Re
publican vote OF the state, through fraud
and violence. was reduced TO = lew
thousand, and the bloody riOts OF 1866
and IS6S TO show that the disorders there
are not due 10 amy recent cause CT 10 any
late action OF the federal authorities.
Preparatory TO the elections oi 1872, a
shameful aud undiSguised conspia,y was
formed 10 carry that election hg"n,t The
Republicans. without regard H. Law or
right, aud 10 that end the most glarinS
frauds and iorgeries were commiued III
the returns. alter many colored citizens
had been denied registration and others
deferred by lear from casting Ihei' hai
lots. When the time came ior Il mai
canvass oi the votes. in view oil the lore
going facts William L. Kellogg, the lie
publican candidate tor Governor, brought
suit upon tho equity side OF the nited
States court Tor Louisiana and against
Warmoth and others. Warmoth had OBJ
,aincd possession OF the return OF the
election representing that several thous.
and voters OF the state had been dcpilTed
of the election franchise on account oil
color, ard praying that steps might be
taken 10 have said voters accounted. For
general relief. 10 enable the court to en-
0uire as 10 the truth OF theseAllegations.
a temporary restraining order was issued
against the defendant. which was nj once
wholly disegarded and treated with con.
tempt by those against whom 1t was dl
rected.
The Presilen. then gives full account
Of the troubles during these years. but
says
To hold tho people OF Louisiana gen
orally responsible ior these atrocities
would not be lust, but II is 1 lameutable
TACT ;hat insupportable distractions were
thrown in the way OF furnishing these
murderers. and the 80 called COnserva-
tive papers OF the state not only Justified
The massacre. but denounced rs federal
tyranny and despo;ism the attempt OF the
United States officers to bring them to
Justice. Fierce dcnuncialiOus ring
through the country about the office hold
inc and election matters in Louisiana,
while every one of The Coliav miscreants
goes unwhipp,d Of Justice, and no WAY
can be found in this boosted land OF CIV
i.izalion and Christianity 10 punish the
perpetrators OF this bloody and monslrous
crime.
August last. several Northern Young
men ol capital and enterprise had started
the little and nourishing town OF COucsh
alta. Some OF them were Republicans
and Office holders under Kellogg They
were therefore doomed 10 death. Six OF
them were seized and cau led away from
their homes and murdered in cold blood.
No one has been punished, and the Con.
servalive press OF the state denounced all
efforts TO that end aud boldly justified the
crime.
Then follows statement concerning
other oulrages committed, which brings
The uaiive to the present time.
Respecting the alleged interference by
the military with The organization Of the
Legislature OF Louisiana on the Sth Inst.
| have no knowledge or Information
which has not been received By nle sinoc
that date and published. My first iniur-
nation was from the papers on the morn
ing OF the 9th. did not know that any
such thing was authorized and no orders
nor suggestion were ever given 10 any
military officer in that state upon the sub
iect prior to the occurrence. lam well aware
that any military Interference 10y the
officers or troops of the United States
with the organization OF state legisla.
ture OF any OF the proceedings, or with
any civil department OF the government,
is repugnant 10 our idea Of government
can conceive of no case Involving re-
bellion or instruction where such inter
ference by the general government ought
to DO permitted or can be justified. But
there are circumstances connected with
the late legislative imbroglio in Louisiana
which seem 10 exempt the military from
any intentional wrong in that matter,
knowing that they were placed in Louis
lana to prevent domestic violence aud aid
to repress il.
There is no doubt bot that the presence
Of United States troops upon that occa.
sion prevented bloodshed and loss Of life
y I'll m ria nnnnnral q ha rn raliah Nm.