The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1875-01-21

L
tenant Governor in lS12- issued an infammator7
| proclamation, calling upon the militia of tht
State to arm assemble and drive out the "a usurp
The White Leaguers, armed and read,
| for the conflict, promptly responded
On the same day the Governor made ,
of the act Of l7s5, and Sec of the Cons stitution
! to aid in suppressing domestic violence. On tn.
| next day issued my proclamation commanding
! the insurgents to disperse within five days from
| the date thereof, but before the proclamation
| was published in New Orleans the organized anG
armed forces, reorganizing usurping Govern
meDf. had taken forcible possession of the State
| House and temporarily subverted the govern
ment Twenty or more people were killed. in
sua.ns "a nnmoet nm ft Of the police Of the city Ths
| that was desired in the way of excitement haC
\ been accomplished.
Prior to and with a view to the late election in
| Louisiana. white men associated themselves to
| gether in armed bodies called T" White Leagues :
and at the same time threats were made in the
Democratic journals of the State that the elec
ton should be carried against the Republicans al
all hazards, which very naturally greatly alarmed
| the colored voters. By Sec. g of the
se act Of Of Feb n;,ss $751; ISL il Is made the dq
| deputies, at the polls where votes are cast fol
Representatives in Congress- to keep the peace
| and prevent any violations of the so-called In
fercement act and other ofenses against the laws
OF the United States. and upon a reQuision of the
Marshal OF Louisiana, and In view of said armed
organization, and other portentous circumstances
| j
toned in various localities in the State to aid him
| In the performance of his Official duties
and the enforcement OF the State laws. The
officers and troops OF the United States NAV well
have supposed that il was their duty TO act when
called upon by the Government for the purpose
That there was intimidation Of the Republican
voters at the election, notwithstanding this pre-
canton, admits Of no doubt. The following are
specimens OF the means used: On the 14th Of Oc.
tober eighty persons signed and published the
Following at Shreveport: We, the undersigned,
merchants OF the city Of Shreveport. in obedience
| 10 request of the Shreveport Campaign Club,
agree to use every endeavor to get our employees
TO vote the Peoples ticket at the ensuing cleo
ton- and in the event of their refusal
so TO do, or in case they vote the Radical
ticket. to refuse 10 employ them at the expiration
OF their present contracts" On the same day an
other large body Of persons published in the same
place paper in which they used the following
language: We the undersigned merchants of the
city Of Shreveport, alive to the great importance
OF securing good and honest Government to the
State, do agree and pledge ourselves not TO ad-
vance any supplies or money to any planters the
coming year who will give employment or rent
lands 10 laborers who vote the Radical ticket in
the coming election"
have no information of the proceedings of the
Returning Board for the said election which may
not be found in Its report, which has been pub
hshed, but II Is matter of public information
that great part of the time taken TO canvass the
votes was CONSUMED by the arguments oflawyers,
several OF whom represented each party before
the Board / have no evidence that the proceed
lngs OF tnls board were not in accordance with
the law under which they acted. Whether in
excluding from their count certain returns they
upon the evidence they had before them; but 1t
IL very clear that the law gives them the power. if
they chose 10 exercise ii, TO decide that way and
prsnsa tdcie. the persons whom they return as
selected are entitled TO the offices for which they
We're candidates.
Respecting the alleged interference By the mil
itary with the organization of the Legislature of
Louisiana on the 4th inst have no knowledge
or information which has not been received bv
me since that time and published. Ny first in
formation was from the papers of the morning OF
the 9th of January. did not know that any such
thing was anticipated. and no orders, no suggea-
tons. were ever given to any military officer in
that State upon the snbject prior to the occur
renee. am well aware that any military inter
ference by the officers or troops of the United
States with the organization of a State Legisla-
lure or any OF Its proceedings, or with any civil
our ideas Of government. l can conceive of no
case not nvolving rebellion insurreciion where
such interference by the authority of the General
Government ought TO be permitted or can be JUS
uhed; but there are circumstances connected with
the late legislative imbroglio in Louisiana which
seem to exempt the military from any in
ing that they had been placed in
Louisiana to prevent domestic violence and to
aid in repressinC it. The revolution was ap-
parently, though it is believed not really, aban-
doneG, and the cry of Federal usurpation" and
tyranny in Louisiana was renewed with re-
doubled energy. Troops had been sent TO the
Slatt CHGer the rbQulsltO0 O1 the Governor ana
as other disturbances seemed iJpnljalapA - i-s<-
were allowed to remair T. =. bseornc necessary to
efqoive Siieiawk OF the state and repress the con
tinued violence which seemed inevitable at the
moment when the Federal support should be
Withdrawn.
Each branch of a Legislative Assembly is the
Judge of the election and the qualifications OF It's
own members, but if mob or a body of unauthor-
lied persons seize and hold the legislative han
in tumultuous and riotous manner, and so pre-,
vent any organization by those legally returned
as elected, 1t might become the duty OF the State
Executive to interpose, If requested by majority
of the members-elect TO suppress the dlsturo-
ance and enable the persons elected to organize
the House. ANY exercise Of this power wouldbe JUS
tifabe under most extraordinary 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 borne in mind that any at
tempt by the Governor to use the police force OF
that State at this time would have undoubtedly
precipitated bloody conflict with the White
League. as it did on the 14th of September There
is no doabt but the presence OF the United states
troops on that occas on prevented bloodshed and
the loss OF life. Both parties appeared TO have
relied upon them as conservators of the public
peace.
The first call was made by the Democrats TO re-
move persons obnoxious to them from the Legls-
lative hall, and the second was from the Republl-
cans to remove persons who had usurped seats in
the Legislature without legal certificate authoriz-
ing them to 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 Legislature. That the Dem
ocratic minority of the House undertook 10 seize
its organization by fraud and violence; that in
this attempt they trampied under foot the law, in
that they undertook to make persons not returned
as elected members SO as to create maJorl
ty; that they acted under preconcerted plan, and
under false pretenses introduced in the hall men
TO support their pretensions by force If necessary
and that the conflict, disorder and riotous pro-
ceedings following are facts which seem to be
well-estabshed and am credibly informed that
these violent proceedings were part of pre-
meditated plan to have the House organized in
this way; recognize what has been called the
McEnery Senate; then to depose Gov.
Kellogg, and so reyolutonize the state
Government. Whether 1t was wrong for
the Governor, at the request of the majority
of the members returned as elected in the House,
to use such means as were in his power 10 defeat
perhaps debatable question, but il is quite Ger
tain that there would have been no trouble II
those who now complain of illegal interference
had allowed the House to be organized in law
full and regular manner. When those who in
augurate disorder or anarchy disayow such pro
ceedings, il will be time enough to condemn
those who by such means as they have, pre-
vented the success of their lawless and desperate
schemes.
LieutGen. Sheridan was requested by
me to go TO Louisiana to observe and report the
situation 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 nine O'Clock in the evening, number
of hours after the disturbance. No party motives
nor prejudices can reasonably be imputed to him,
but, honestly convinced by what he has seen and
heard there, he has characterized the leaders oi
| the White Leagues in severe terms and suggested
the summary modes Of procedure against them
which though they cannot be adopted, would. il
legal seon put an end to the troubles and disorder
in that State.
Gen. Sheridan was looking at the facts and pos
sibly not thinking CT proceedings which would be
the only proper ones to pursne in times Of peace
he thought more of the utterly lawless condi
ton Of society surrounding him at the time of bis
dispatch and OF what would prove a sure RENE
dy. He never proposed to do any illegal act nor
expressed a determination 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 successfully denied. .ff
II is deplorable fact that political crimes and
murders have been committed in Louisiana which
have gone unpunished, and which have been justl
fed or apologized for, which must res. as a re-
present generation has passed away. / have nc
desire TO have United States troops interfere in
the domestic concerns OF Louisiana or any Other
State.
On the 9th of December last Gov. Kel
| logg telegraphed 10 me his apprehensions
| that the White League intended to
make another attack. Upon the same day Imade
| the following answer, since which no communi
cstion has been sent to him:
Your dispatch Of this date just received. l,
s exceedingly unpalatsble to use troops in antici
| patton of danger. Let the State authorities be
right, and then proceed with their duties without
| apprehension OF danger. II they are then mo
| Tested the question will be determined whether
| the United States lie able to maintain law and
| orSer within it's limits or not
/ have deplored the necessity which seemed
| to make it my duty, under the constitution and
| laws, to make such interference. have always
| refused, except where it seemed to be my impera
tive duty TO act in such q manner the Consti
| tuition and laws Of the United States required.
have repeatedly and earnestly entreated the peo
| pie Of the South to live together in peace and
obey the laws, and nothing wonld give greater
pleasure than 10 see reconciliation and tranquility