The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1875-01-14


them; but 1t Is very clear that the Ia y gives
them the power, II they choose to exercise It.
4 OF deciding that way, and prinaa .fdcie the
persons whom they return as elected are en-
titled to the offices for which they were can.
didates. Respecting the alleged interfer-
cnce by the military with the organization OF
the Legislature of Louisiana on the 4tb
instant, | have no knowledge or in
| formation which has not been received
by me since that time and published.
My first information was from the papers OF
the morning Of the 9th Of January. I did
not know that any such thing was antici.
pated, and no orders nor suggestions were
| ever given to any military officer in that
State upon that subject prior to the occur
renee. am we'll aware that any military
interference by the officers or troops of the
United States with the organization OF State
Legislature or any Of its proceedings, or
with any civil department Of the govern
ment, Is repugnant to our ideas of govern.
ment. I can conceive Of no case not inVolv.
ing rebellion or instruction where such in.
reference by authority of the General Gov
eminent ought to be permitted or can be
justified; but there are circumstances con-
neced with the late legislative imbroglio in
Louisiana which seem to exempt the mill
tary from any intentional wrong in that mat.
| ter. Knowing that they had been placed In
| Louisiana TO prevent domestic violence and
aid in the enforcement Of the State laws,
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 purpose. Each branch Of legislative
assembly is the jadge of the election and
qualifications Of its own members; but IL
mob or body Of unauthoriz"d persons seize
and hold the legislative hall in tumultuous
and riotous manner. and so prevent any
organization by those legally returned as
elected, it might become the duty OF the State
Executive to interpOse, if requested by a
| majority Of the mem ers- elect, to suppress
the disturbance and enable the persons elect
ed to organize the House. Any exercise Of
this power would only be justiiable under
most extraordinary circumstances, and it
would then be the duty Of the Governor to
call upon the constabulary, or, if necessary,
| the military force Of the State. But with
reference to Louisiana it is to be borne in
mind that any attempt by the Governor to
use the police force Of that State at this time
would have undoubtedly preciptated
bloody conflict with the WhitcLeague, as it
did on the 14th of September. There is no
doubt that the presence Of the United States
| troops upon that occasion prevented blood
shed and the loss of life. Both parties APP
pear to have relied upon them as conserVa-
tors of the public peace. Tine first call was
made By the Democrats to remove persons
obnoxious to them from the legislative hall,
and the second was from the Republicans to
remove persons who had usurped seats in
the Legislature without legal certificates au.
tborzing them to take 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 Democratic minority
of the House undertook to seize its organiza-
ton through fraud and violence; that in that
attempt they trampled under foot all law
that they undertook to seat persons not re-
turned as elected members, so as to create
majority; that they acted under a precon-
certed plan, and under false pretences intro
duced into the hall a body Of men to support
their pretenSions by force if necessary and
that conflict, disorder, and riotous proceed.
ings followed, are facts that seem to be well
established and / am credibly informed that
these violent proceedings were q part of
premeditated plan to have the House organ
lied in this way, recognize what has been
called the McEnery Senate, then to depose
Governor Kellogg, and so revoIutionize the
State government, Whether it was wrong
for the Governor, at the request Of the ma
jorty of the members returned as elect
ed to the House, to use such means
rs were in bis power to defeat these
lawleSs and revolutionary proceedings
is, perhaps, debaable question;
but it is quite certain that there would
have been no trouble if those who now COM
plain Of illegal interference had allowed the
House to be organized in lawful and reg
ular manner. When those who marguerite
disorder and anarchy diSavoW such proceed.
ings it will be time enough to condemn those
who, by such means as they have, prevent the
success Of their lawless and desperate
schemes. Lieutenant. General Sheridan was
requested by me to go to Louisiana to OBJ
serve and report the situation there, and if
in his opinion necessary to assume the COM
mand, which he did on the 4th instant, after
the legislative disturbances had occurred
at O'Clock p. NJ, q number Of hours after
the disturbances. No party motives nor pre-.
iudlces can reasonably be imputed to him
but, honestly convinced by what he has seen
and heard there, he has characterized the
leaders of the white leagues in severe terms,
and suggested summary modes Of pro.
cedure against them; which, though they
cannot be adopted, would; if legal, soon put
an end to the troubles and disorders in that
State. General Sheridan was looking at
facts; and, possibly not thinking of proceed
ings which would be the only proper ones TO
pursue in time 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 sure remedy. he
never proposed to do an illegal act, nor eX-
pressed 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. 1t
is deplorable fact that political crimes and
murders have been committed in Louisiana
which have gone unpunished, and which
have been justified or apologiZed for, 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
United States troops interfere in the domes.
tic 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 attack upon the State-House, to
which, on the same day, made the follow.
ing answer; since which no communication
has been sent TO him:
"Your dispatch of this date just received.
1t is exceedingly unpalatablc to use troops
in anticipation of danger. Let the State au-
thorities be right, and then proceed with
their duties 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"
Ibave deplored the necessity which seemed