Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1875-01-14

dertook TO make persons not returned a
elected members, so rs 10 create majority
that they acted under prCconcerted plan
and under false pretenses introduced into tht
hail men 10 support their pretenslons D!
force, if necessary, aud that conflict. dis
order and riotous proceedings followed, are
facts which seem TO be well established
. and / am creditabIy informed that these vio-
i lent proceedings We're part OF pramedl-
tated plan TO have the house organized in
this way and recognized as what has been
called the Emery senate, then 70 depoSe
Governor Kellogg, and so reyOluIloniZe the
state government. Nhether ~ wa WIone @ 10.
the governor, at the request OF The majority
OF the members returned as elected 10 the
house 10 use such means as were in his power
TO defeat these lay1leES and revolutionary pro-
ceedings is, perhaps a debatable question. But
II Is quite certain that there would have been
no trouble If those who now complain OF IL
| legal interference had allowed the mouse 10
| be organized IN a lawful and regular manner.
| When those who inGugurated disorder was
was an anarchy dlvow such proceedings IL
/ Will be time enough TO condemn those VINO,
I by such means as they have, prevent the sue
cess OF their lawless aud desperate schemes.
1 Northumberland Sheridan was requested
| by me to go to Louisiana to observe and re-
port the situation there, and If, in his opinion
necessary, 70 assume the command,
after the legislative disturbances had
occurred at nine O'Clock in the evening, A
! number OF hours after the disturbances. NO
! party motives nor prejudices can reasonably
] be imputed to him, but honestly, and convtc-
/ ton by what he has seen and heard there
He has characterized the Leaders OF the White
Leagues in severe terms, and suggested sum-
mary mode OF proceedance against them,
Whlchl though they cannot ne 5oopted would
disorder in that State. General Sheridan was
looking at facts, and passibly not thinking of
proceedings which would be the only proper
ones to pursue in time of peace, and thought
more of the utterly lawless condition OF the
society surrounding him at the time OF his
dispatch than of what would prove & sure
remedy. He never proposed TO do an illegal
act nor expressed any determination TO pro-
ceed beyond what the law in the future might
authorize for the punishment of abe atrocities
which have been committed, and the comts-
sion OF which cannot be successfully denied:
political crimes aud PdOinTnGd murder have been aS
committed in Louisiana, which have gone
unpunished, and which have been justified or
apoiogised for, which must rest as a reproach
upon the State and country, long after the pre-
sent generation has passed away. l have no
desire TO have United States troops interfere
in the domestic concerns of Louisiana, or any
other ; ate. On the ninth of December last,
Governor Kellogg telegraphed to me his ap-
prehenstons that the White League intended
10 make anot her attack. Upon the same day
made the following answer, since which no
communication has been sent him: "Nour
dispatch OF this date Just received. II is eX- !
ceedIngly unpalatable to use troops in antici- |
patton OF danger. If the State authoritie are |
right then proceed with their duties without |
moleSted the queSlon VIII oe de- !
termined whether the United States is able to (
maintain law and order within its |
limits or not. / have deferred the eceSSity |
which seemed TO make it my duty under the !
constitution and law to neceSstate such inter !
ference, have always refused, except where
IL seemed TO be my imperrtive duty TO act in |
such manner as the constitution and laws of |
the United States. l 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 pleasurer than
to see reconciliation and tranquility every
where prevail, and thereby remove all neces-
sity for the presences OF troops among them.
l regret, however, to say that this state of |
things does not exist, nor does its existence |
ii may be proper for me TO say that to the eX-
tent that congress has conferred power on me
TO prevent 1t, either kukluX klans
white leagues nor any other association using |
arms and violence to execute their unlawful
cannot be permitted in that way to
govern any part of this country, nor can see
with Indifference Union men and Repub l.
cans ostracised, prosecuted and murdered on
account of their opinions, as they now are in
some localities L have heretofore urged this
course of Louisiana upon the attention OF
Congress, and can not but think its enaction
mas pTejudiced the great evil to summOniZe
the dewGrtment least an armed organized
body of men, the support of candidates who
had been put in nomination for the Offices of
governor and lieutenant-goverDor at the No
Yember election in eighteen hundred and
Seventy-two, and VINO has been declared not
elected by the board OF canVaSSerS, recOg- |
nized by all the courts to which the Question
had been submitted, undertook to subveTt and
the State government that was
|
Dus precedents. The recognized governor was
driven from the statehouse, and but for his |
inding shelter in the United states custom
house in the capital of the State OF which he
was governor, il is scarcely TO be doubted that |
ne would have been killed. From the state
house, before he had been driven TO the GUS |
q call was made, in accordance /
With the fourth section of the fourth article |
IF the constitution of the United States, for
domestic violence. Under these circum- |
stances was my proclamation OF the fifteenth
o reinstate Governor Kellogg 10 |
lis position nominaIly, but il cannot |
De claimed that the insurgents have to this
lay surrendered to the State authorities the |
lrms belonging to the state, or that they have |
n any sense disarmed. On the contrary il is |
Known that the armet organization that ex- ,
sted on the fourteenth of september, 1874 in
opposition TO the recognized State govern
nent, still retain their organization, equip
nents and commanders, and can be called
,ut at any hour to resist the state govern
nent. Under these circumstances the same
military force hsS been continued in Louisi-
ma as was sent under the first call and under
he same general instructions. repeat that I
he task assumed by the troops is not pleas :
mt one TO them; that the army is not COM
Dosed of lawyers capable of judging at mo- {
nents notice Of just how lar they can go ,
N maintenance OF law and order, and that it
providing for impossible contingencies that 5
night arse. The troops were bound to =
ct upon the judgment of the commanding !
Ulcers upon each sudden contingency that
rose or wait instructions, which could only
each them after the threatened wrongs had
een committed, witch they were called on I
o prevent. Be it recOllected, too, that upon s
ny recognition of the Kellogg government, 9
reported the fact with the grounds of the
TO congress and asked that body
D take action in the matter, otherwise 1 | [
h hould regard their silence rs acquieSSing in | !
ny course. No action has been taken
y that body, and l have maintained !
be position worked out. II error has been I
by the army, in this matter, il has +
lways been on the side for the preservation =
f good order, the maintenance of law I
nd the protection of life. their
earring reflects credit upon their
caring, and if wrong has resulted
le blame with the turbulent elements sur q
Onnding them. l now earnestly ask that L
lch action be taken by congress as to leave
~ duties perfectly clear in dealing with the ,
fairs of Louisiana, giving assurance at I
le same time that whatever may be o
one by that body in the prem .
es will be executed according to
ne spirit and letter of the law without iear or
lvor. I herewith transmit copies of docu- {
tents containing more specific information h
) TO the subject-matter of the resolution. q
U. s. GRANT. o
EXECUTIVE MANSION, January i3, 1874.