Ashtabula telegraph. (Ashtabula, Ohio) 1874-1880, 1875-01-22


dent we have not been able to find a
place for, anj yet il is a most able docu-
ment, and upon subject that needs to
be made familiar to the public mind. The
President reviews The deplorable condi-
ton Of affairs that has existed in LOuisi-
ana since the reconstruction of the State.
This condition has been growing worse
until il has reached thai point when the
murder of colored man or of white
Republican has ceased to offend the
public sentiment, and has ceased 10 he
prosecuted and punished as crime.
In 1872 occurred the disputed election :;
Kellogg and M'Enery both claiming 10
he elected Governor. The President at
that time was forced to exercise the power
vested in him by the act of 1895, and rec
ognized Kellogg as Governor. Whether
Kellogg was elected Governor or not, the
President thinks his claim was much bet
ter than that of M'Enery. Under con-
siilutional requisIiion, he sent troops TO
Louisiana to protect the State against do
mestic violence In 1874 he Withdrea
the troops, and in September the M'Ene-
ry faction, claiming to have been elected
in 1872, by force of arms, seized the State
Government, and for several days at
tempted TO exercise the functions of Gov
ernment. Upon legal requisition, he
again sent troops to Louisiana to suppress
this domestic violence. There were ap-
prehensions of forcible intimidation OF
voters, and to prevent this he caused the
troops 10 be located at various points in
the Stale. In several districts there was
resort to intimidation, by published
threats TO employ no persons who should
vote the Republican ticket. OF the action
of the Returning Board the President has
no official information. But whether they
acted rightly or not, they had, by law,
the power TO do as they did. on the al
legged interference by the military with
the organization of the Legislature, he
has no information that has not been
published. He had no knowledge that
any such thing was anticipated, and no
orders or suggestions were given to the
military upon the subject prior 10 the
occurrence. He freely admits that any
military interference with the organiza-
ton OF the Legislature of State, or with
any civil department of the Government,
is repugnant to our ideas of Government,
and be says he can conceive of no case,
not involving rebellion or insurrection,
when such interference ought to be per-
mitted or can be justified
But there are circumstances connected
with this affair in louisiana which acquit
the military from intentional wrong.
They were there to prevent domestic vi
Olence the revolution was seemingly
but not really abandoned; each branch
of the Legislature was judge of the cleo
tiOn of its own members; but if mob of
unauthorized persons seize and hold the
legislative hall in tumultuous and riot
GUS manner, so as to prevent an organI-
zation of those legally returned as elect
ed, it might become the duty of the State
Executive TO interpOse. if requested by
majority of the members-elect, to sup
press the disturbance The Governor
might call upon the State constabulary
or State military for this purpose; but it
must be remembered that any attempt
by the Governor to use the State police
would have, as il did in September, pre-
cipitated an armed conflict with the
White League. Both sides seemed 10
recognize the presence of the Federal
troops as preventive of bloodshed; both
sides appealed 10 the troops. No person
was disturbed by the military who had a
legal right at that time TO occupy seat
in the Legislature. ."
The President holds that the proceed
ings by the minority. their seizing the or
ganization, was all preconcerted and was
part OF a general plan to obtain control of
both branches of the Legislature, depose
Kellogg, and reYolutionize the State Gov
ernment. Whether it was wrong in Kel-
logg under the circumstances to use such
means as was in his power to defeat this
lawless combination, may be debatable,
but when those who inaugurated disorder
and anarchy disavow such proceedings it
will be time enough to discuss the meas
ures by which the desperate schemes
were prevented.
The President states that Gen. Sheri-
dan was in Louisiana to observe and re-
port the situation there; honestly con-
vinced by what he had seen and heard,
he denounced the White League leaders,
and suggested proceedings which, while
they cannot be adopted, would, if legal,
put an end 10 the troubles. Gen. Sheri-
dan never proposed to do an illegal act,
nor expressed a determination to pro-
ceed beyond what the law might author
ize
The President reminds Congress that
in 1873 he urged such legislation as
would settle this vexed business in Louis
lana, and he very justly suggests that the
failure of Congress to act has had the ef-
feet to encourage the strife. Repeating
his objections to being called upon to
employ the military in anything like in
reference with State Governments, he
again urges that Congress shall take such
action as may dispose of the matter,
that, so far as such legislation
requires action on his part, he will rigid
ly enforce it without fear or favor.
The President haYing thus answered
the resolusion calling for information,
places this whole matter where it prop
erly belongs-before Congress-and that
body cannot do better than give its
prompt attention to the subject, and not
leave Louisiana and the country exposed !
to the danger of renewed civil war, ex-
element. and bad blood.