The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1875-01-14
The Military interference in Louisiana.


The extraordinary and unprecedented action
Of the military authorities in Louisiana, Vio-
ently interfering with the local affairs OF a
sovereign State, has attracted attention through
cut the United States beyond anything which
has occurred since the firing upon Fort Sumter
President Grant is primarily responsible tor
this fragrant outrage, and does not hesitate to
assume the responsibility. He believes that it
was necessary to preserve law and order, and
justi6es the conduct of Gen. Sheridan by de-
claring that peace and tranquility shall be
maintained. In other words, while inaugural
ing these rigorous and unauthorized measures,
he will compel peace were it to produce a
solitude. We do not regard Sheridan as amen
able to the people for this unjusti6able assault
upon liberty. He is soldier by profession
and instinct. His only thought is to command
and obey orders. 1t was not his own Volltlon
that carried him to Louisiana, but that of his
master. While he is coarse, brutal and un-
principled in the execution Of his orders, and
there 10 no extenuasion for his brutality and
eoaRseness, these things reflect upon his militia
~ reputation, and do not concern the main
point, which is that liberty has been assailed
and threatened, and the American people are
now brought to the verge Of military despot-
ism. Every genuine lover Of civil and politi-
cal freedom will recognize that the embodiment
of these threats and assaults occupies the high
est Office within the gift of the nation. 1t ia
President Grant alone who permits this inva-
sion of sacred and inalienable rights. His
policy has regulated events in Louisiana, and
there is no escape from the responsibility
which he so unhesitatingly assumes.
Congress, however, must bear its share of the
odium which attaches to the unhappy condition
of Louisiana Its failure during the past two
years to provide settlement of the troubles
existing in that State has allowed the oppor-
tunity for President Grant to exercise rigor-
Gus policy towards that unfortunate people,
he has frequently demonstrated with Congress,
and urged settlement of existing difficulties
by the law-making power; at the same time
declaring his purpose to sustain the Kellogg
government at all hazards, while the matter
depended upon his decision. But, just as Con-
gress awakes from its tardiness, and is about to
determine the question for themselves, the oc-
| cssion is offered for President Grant to inter
fsre, with the strong arm of the military power,
in the organization of the State Legislature
and strike blow at the rights and liberties oi
the people. 1t was his final opportunity to
sustain the usurper Kellogg, whose power was
crumbling and fading away, and in doing SO
he was precipitating fearful issue upon the
American people. We have no fears in regard
to the ultimate result before this tribunal, un-
less the spirit of liberty quails in the presence
of armed authority. The indications point
with unerring certainty to just and stern re,
buke of this ruthless inovasion and marked
usurpation. The final, crowning infamy Of
this Louisiana business will not only throttle
the aspirations of President Grant for third
| term, but will submerge beneath its waves the
already expiring hopes of the Republican par
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