National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1875-01-14
THE PRESIDENTS ANSWER.
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serve and report the situation there, and, II in
his opinion necessary, TO assume the command,
which he did on the lth instant, after the legis-
M, number Of hours alter the disturbances. No
party motives or prejudices can reasonably be
he has seen and bsapd tSsys ny bss cbsr.csr
lied 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, II legal, soon put an end TO
the troubles and disorders In that State. Gen.
SpnH OF nrocssdIprs Hb.S aopdP oD nES
proper ones to pursue in time Of peace, thought
more Of the utterly lswless condition Of society
Of what would prove . sure remedy. He never
proposed to do an illegal act or expressed deter
minstion 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 q
deplorabIe fact that political crimes and murders
gone unpunished, and which have been justified
or apologized for, which must rest as q rsprosch
upon the State and country long after the present
have United States troops interfere In the doines-
tie concerns Of Louisiana or any other State. On
grsphed to me mis- approximations that the White
League intended to make another attack upon
the State-house, to which, on the same day,
municstion has been sent to him:)
"Your dispatch Of this date Just received 1t
is exceedingly unpalatable to use troops In antici
patton Of danger.
LET THE STATE AUTHORITIES BE RIGHT,
and then proceed with their duties without ap-
prehension Of danger. If they are then molested
the question will be determined whether the Uni
ted States is able to maintain law and order with
I have deplored the necessity which seems to
make 1t my duty under the Constitution and laws
fused, except where it seemed to be my impers-
tive duty to act in such q manner under the Uon-
stitution and laws Of the United States. 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 pleasure
where prevail, and thereby remove all necessity
for the presence OF troops among them. regret,
however, to say that
THIS STATE OF THINGS DOES NOT EXIST,
nor does Its existence seem to be desired in some
to say that, to the extent Congress has conferred
power upon me to prevent It,
NEITHER KU-KLUx KLANs, WHITE LEAGUES,
nor any other association, using arms and Vio-
lence to execute their unlawful purposes, can be
permitted in that way to govern any portion of
this country; nor can see with indifference
Union men or Republicans ostracised, prosecuted
and murdered on account Of their opinions, as
they now are In some localities.
IhsYe HERETOFORE urged the case Of Louisiana
think that its inaction has produced great evil.
To summarize: In September last an armed,
organized body of men, in support Of candidates
who had been put in nomination for the of1ces Of
Governor and Lieutenant Governor at the No.
Yember election in 1872, and who had been de-
clared not elected by the board Of eanyassers rec
ogniZed by all the courts to which the question
had been submitted, undertook to subyerL and
OVERTHROW THE STATE GOVERNMENT
that had been recognized by me In accordance
with previous presidents. The recognized Gov
ernor was driven from the State-house, and but
for his finding shelter in the United States Gus
tom house in the capital of the State Of which he
was Governor It lie scarcely to be doubted that he
would have been killed. From the State house,
before he had been driven to the custom house, q
call was made in accordance with the fourth sec
tion Of the fourth article of the Constitution of
| eminent to suppress domestic violence. Under
| these circumstances, and in accordance with my
sworn duties, my proclamation Of the 18th Of Sep
TENDER, 1874 was Issued. This served to reinstate
| Gov. Kellogg to his position nominally, but It
| cannot be claimed that the insurgents have, to
this day. surrendered to the State authorities the
arms belonging to the State, or that they have in
| any sense disarmed- On the contrary,
1T IS KNOWN THAT THE SANE ARMED
organizations that existed on the 14th Of Septem-
Der, 1874, in opposition to the recognized State
government still retain their organization, equip
| ments and commanders and can be called out any
| hour TO resist the State government. Under these
| circumstances the same military force has been
the frst cali and under the same general instruc-
| tions. / repeat that the task assumed by the
| troops is not pleasant one to them; that the
|
| ing at q moments notice of Just how far they can
go in the maintenance Of law and order, and that
IL was impossible to give specific Instructions pro-
| viding for all possible contingencies that might
| arise. The troops were bound to act upon the
| judgment Of the commanding ofieer upon each
| sudden contingency that arose, or walt In
| stIrctions which could only reach them after the
| threatened Wrsngs had been committed which
| they were called on to prevent. 1t should be
recollected, too, that upon my recognition Of the
Kellogg government reported thefact,
WITH THE GROUNDS OF RECOGNITION,
| to Congress, and asked that body to take action
in the matter, otherwise 1 should regard the
| silence as an aequiescence in my course.
| Ne action has been taken by that body, and
have maintained the position then marked out.
i If error has been committed by the army IN these
| matters, 1t has always been on the side of the
preservation Of good order, the maintenance oflaW
and the protection Of life. Their bearing reflects
| credit upon the soldiers, and II wrong has re
suited, the blame is with the turbulent elements
| surrounding them.
1 now earnestly ask that such action may Be
taken by Congress as to leave my duties perfectly
| clear in dealing with the affairs Of Louisiana
giving assurance at the same time that whatever
may be done by that body in the premises will be
executed according to the spirit and letter Of the
| law, without fear or favor.
| I herewith transmit copies Of documents con
| tanning more specific Information as to the sub
| ject-matter Of the resolution.
U. S. GRANT.
| EXECUTIVE MANSION, Jan. 13- 1875.