Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1875-01-20

Germs of Louisiana, or any other state. On
the 9th of December last, Gov. Kellogg
telegraphed me his apprehensions that the
White lie: que intended to make another
attack on the state house, to whom on the
same day made the following answer,
since which no communication has been
sent him: 'Your dispatch of this date is
just received; it is exceedingly unpalatablc
to use troops in anticipation of danger in
Louisiana. The state authorities should
then proceed with their duties without APP
prehenSion of danger. If they are mo-
Tested the question will be determined
whether the United States is able TO main
tain law and order within its limits OF not"
have deplored the peceS~ity which
seemed to make it my duty under the con
stitution and laws to direct such interfer-
ence. have always refused, except where
it seems to be my imperative duty, to act
in such manner under the constitution
and laws of the United States. have re-
pe;,tedly and earnestly cntreatcd the peo-
pie of the south to live together in peace.
and obey the law, and nothing would give
me greater pleasure than to see rcconcllia-
ton and tranquility everywhere prevail,
and thereby lcmOve all necessity for the
presence OF troops among them. l re-
gret, however, to say that this state of
things does not exist. nor does it seem to
be desired in some localities; and rs to
this, it may be proper for me 10 say that
to the extent that Congress has conferred
power on me to prevent it, neither ku
klux klans, White Leagues, nor any other
associations using arms and violence to
execute their unlawful purposes can bc
permitted in that way to give trouble TO
part of this country. Nor can see with
Indifference union men OF republicans os-
traciscd. Iersecutcd and murdered on :tc-
count of their opinions IL they now are in
some localities. have heretofore urged
the case of Louisiana upon the attention Of
Congress, and cannot but think that il
inactIon has produced great evil. TO sum
m;,rize: in September last, an armed, or
ganizcd body of men in support of candi-
dates whO had been put in nomination for
the offices of governor and Lieut. governor
ut the November election of le72. and
who had been declared not elected bv thc
board of canvasserS, recognized by all
courts to which the question had been
submitted undertook to subvcrt and over
throw the state government that had been
recognized bv me in accordance with
previous presidents. The recognized
governor was driven from the state house.
and but for his finding shelter in the
United States custom house in the capital
of the state of which he WAS governor. it
is scarcely to be doubted that he ,vuuld
have been killed.
From the state house. before he had been
driven TO the custom house. the call WAS
made, in accordance with ith section. tlh
article of the constitution of the lnilcd
States for aid from. the general govclr mem
TO suppress, domestic violence. Under the
circumstances and in accordance with my
sworn duty, my proclamation of the l.l,ll
of September. 1874. WAS issued. 1h->
served to rc.n>tatc Gov. Kellogg to th,.
position nominal V, but il cannot be-
claimed that the insurgents have 10 lhi~
day surrcndrcd to the State authorities
arms belonging to the state, or ihat they
have in any sense dI>armcd. On lhr
contrary it j. known lhat the same armed
organ cations that existed on the iih OF
September, 1874, III opposition To the
re- oguIzcd state governments, sill retain
then organization, equipments and COM
mandcrs and can be called out ut any
hour to resist the state government. Under
the circumstances the same military tol Ct.
has been continued in Louisiana ~ WAS
sent there under the first call, and under
the same general instructions. | rtpeat
! that the task a>saned - troops !; n,t =
pleasant on" to them; that The army i not
composed OF lawyers, capable of jud rim
at Il moment , notice lu>t how far they c.n
20 IN the maintenance of law and orl,r
and that II WAS impossible t. give specific
instructions providing for all contingencies
that might ;trisr. The trooi ; We're nound
TO act upon the Judgment OF the commanl-
lng officer upon each Sudden contiug, nrv
tliat arose. or wait instructions which
could only reach them AFTER the wruny~
| had been committed which they WEI,
called on to prevent.
1t should be rtcollrctrd. too that upon
my recognition of Kellogg go1rrnm"m;
reported the fact with the grounds or
recognition to Congress. and asked tha
BODY To take action III the matter ~ other
wise. should regard their silence - N
acqutscencc in my course No action
has been taken 10y that body. and | hav,
maintained the position then marked out
! II error has been committed hv the arm,
in these matters it has always been on til.
side of preservation Of cool order. til,
malntcnan e of law and The protection "
life. Their he arinr rciltc credit on III,
>old, :. and if wrong has resulted til,
blame is with the turbulent elements sur
rounding them. now earnestly a~l
that such action be taken by Curgrc~S a
to leave my duties perfectly clear in tcll
inr with the affairs of Louisiana. irwin.
the assurance at the same time. that " hat
ever may be done by that body in TN
premises Will he executed according t,
the spirit and letter of the law. withou
fear or favor. herewith transmit colir
of the documents containing more y ecili
information as to tie subject matter g
resolution.
(Sgnrd) /. :. GRANT.
Executive Man>ion. Jan. Is. 100.