Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1875-01-25

that the election shuu be carried against
the Republicans at all hazards. which
very naturally greatly alarmed the col
ored voters.
THE DUTIES OF FEDERAL OFFICERS.
By section of the act of Feb. 2S,
1871. it Is made the duty of United
States Marshals and their deputies at
the polls. where votes are cast for repre-
sentatives in Congress. to keep the peace,
and prevent any violations of the social
ed enforcement acts. and ether offences
against the laws of the United States
and upon requisition of the Marshal of
Louisiana. in view of said armed organ
izations and other portentous circum
stances. | caused detachments of troops
TO be stationed in various localities in
the State to aid hun in the performance
of his official duties. the enforcement of
the State laws The officers aud troops
Of the United States may have supposed
that it was their duty to act when called
upon by the Governor for that purpose
Each branch of the Legislative Assembly
is the judge Of the election and the quail
i6catIon of its own members: but, if 4
mob or body of unauthorized persons
seize and hold the legislative hall in a
tumultuous and riotouS manner. and SO
prevent any organization by those legal
ly returned as elected. it might become
the duty of the State Executive to inter-
pose. if requested by a majority of mem
bers elected to suppress the disturbance
and enable the persons elected to organ
ize the House Any exercise of this
power would only be justifable under
most extraordinary circumstances, and
1t would then be the duty of the Cover
nor 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 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 l4th of September.
BLooDsHED PREVENTED.
There is no doubt but that the pres
ence of United States troops upon that
occasion prevented bloodshed and loss of
life. Both parties appear to have relied
upon them as conservators Of the public
peace The first call was made by the
Democrats to remove persons obnoxious
t. them from the Legislative hall, and
the second was from the Republicans. to
remove persons who had usurped the
seats in the Legislature without legal
certificates authorizing them to take
seats and in sufficient number to change
the majority. Nobody was disturbed by
the military who had legal right at
that time to occupy seat in the l-egis
laturc
THE DEMOCRATIC CONSPIRACY.
That the Democratic minority of the
/ House undertook to seize its organiza.
tion 10y fraud aud violence. and in this
attempt trampled under foot the law;
that they undertook to make persons not
returned as elected members, so as to
create majority; that they. under
preconcerted plan and under false pre-
tence. introduced into the hall body of
men to sup, ort their pretensions by force.
if necessary. and that the conflict. disor
der aud riotous proceedings which fol
/ lowed are facts that seem to be we'll es-
tablished and | am credibly informed
that these violent proceedings were
part Of premeditated plan to have the
Z II,
what is called the McEnery Senate, aud
then depose the Kellogg Government,
aud 50 revolutionize the State Govern
ment. Whether it was wrong for the
/ Governor at the request of the majority
+ of the members returned as elected to
the House TO use such means as were in
his power to defeat these Iawless and
revolutionary proceedings, is PERHAPS a
debatable question; but it is quite GER
tain that there would have been trouble
1 if those who now complain of illegal in
reference had allowed the House TO be
organized in lawful aud regular man
ner when those who inaugurate disOr-
der and anarchy disavow such proceed
ingS. it will be time enough To condemn
those who by such means as they have
/ prevented the success of their lawless
and desperate schemes.
sHERIDAE's MISSION AND CONDUCT.
Lieutenant General Sheridan was re-
quested by me to 90 to Louisiana to OBJ
serve aud report the situation there. and
if IN his opinion necessary. to assume
command, which he did OH the 4th inst
after the Legislative disturbances had
occurred. at O'Clock P. NJ. a number
of hours after the disturbance. No par
ty motives nor prejudices can reasonably
be imputed to HIM. but, honestly con-
WINGED by what he has heard aud seen
there, he had characterized the leaders
of the White Leagues IN severe terms,
aud suggested summary modes OF proce-
dure against then. which. though they
cannot be adopted. would. if legal. soon
put an end to the troubles aud disorders
in that State. General Sheridan was
looking at facts. aud possibly not think
ing Of the proceedings which would be
the only proper ones to pursue In time
Of peace lie thought more Of the utter
IL lawless condition of society surround
ing him at the time Of his dispatch. and
Of what would prove sure remedy. He
never proposed TO do an illegal act. nor
expressed determination to proceed be-
rond what the Law IN the fnture might
authorize for the punishment Of the atroc
iiles which have been committed. and
the commission of which cannot success
fully be denied. 1t is deplorable fact
that political crimes and murders have
been committed In Louisiana w1ich have
gone unpunished aud which have been
justified or apologized for. which must
rest as a reproaeh upon the State aud
country long after the present genera