Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1875-01-19

heard ana seen thcfc ITO nus S""i
the leaders OF the white leagues in severe
terms. and suggests summary measures
against them, which though they cannot
be adopted. would il legal, soon put an
end TO the troubles and disorders III that
slate. Gen. Sheridan was loohl' al
facts aud possibly not thinking oil the
proceeding which would be the only one
proper TO pun sue in time OF peace. lie
thought more of the utterly lawless con
dillon OF society surrounding him at the
time OF his dispatches, and at what
would prove sure remedy. lie never
proposed to 10 an illegal act nor express,
cd u determination 10 proceed hey onu
what The law in the future might author
ize lor the punishment OF the atrocities
which have been committed. and the
commission OI which canuot successfully
be denied.
have haretoiole urged the case oil
louisiana upon the attention ot Con-
uIess, and | cannot but think that us
inaclicn has produced great evil.
To summarize: In Septc Der last IN
armed organized body Ot men IN the
support OF candidates who had beSd put
ia nomination Tor the offices ol Governor
and 1t. Governor at the November elee.
ton in 1872, and who had been declared
not elected by The board OF canvssSers
recognized ~ all the courts 10 which II
had been submitted. undertook 10 sub
vert and overthrow the state government
which had been recognized by me III
accordance with previous precedents. lie
recognized Governor was driven tom
the state house and but for his finding
shelter in the |. ). custom house in the
capital OF the State oil which he WAS Gov
eruor, il Is scarcely 10 be doubted that lac
would have been killed. From the Stale
house, before he had been driven 10 the
custom house, 4 call was made IN accord
ance with The 4ih section OF the 4th
article OF the constitution OF tho United
States for the aid OF the general govern
ment 10 suppress domestic violence.
Under these circumstances. in accord
ance with my sworn duties, my proc!a-
nation OF the 18th Of September. 1874,
was issued. This served 10 reins,alc
Gov. Kellogg in his position nominally.
bnt it cannot be claimed that the insu:s-
ents have 10 this day surrendered b. the
State Authorities the arms belonging 10
the State. or that they have in any sense
disarmed. Ga the contrary, it Is known
that The same armed organization that
existed on The l4lh oil September. 1874,
in opposition 10 the recognized State
government, still retains their organi
cation, equipments and commanders.
aud can be called out at any hour 10 lie
sist the State government. Under these
circumstances the Saue military force
has been continued in louisiana Is was
seut there uader the frs, call. under the
sumo general Instructions.
| repeat that The task assumed by the
troops - not pleasant one 10 them. that
the army is not comp oSed OF ilwy crs ca.
pable OF Judging at a moments notice OF
Just how lar they can go III the maiute
nance oil law and oider, and that il was
impossible TO give specific instructions
providing for all possible contingencies
that might arise. The troops were bound
TO act upon the judgement OF the com.
manding officer upon each sudden con.
liugency that arose. or wait institutions
which could only reach them alter the
threatened wrongs bad been committed.
which they were called on 10 prevent.
IL should be recOllecled. too. that upon
my recognition OF the Kellogg govern
men, | reported the fact with the
grounds ol recognition TO Congress, aud
asked that body TO take action In the
matter otherwise should regard their
silence as an acquiescence in my course.
No action has been taken BY that body,
and have maintained the position then
mnrkd out. 1t error has been committed
by the army in these matters. it has al
NAYS been on the side OF preservation
ii good order. the maintenance OF law
and the protection vi life Their bear.
ing reflects credit upon The soldiers. aud
IL wrong has resulted. The blame Is with
ILo turbulent elements surrounding them
now earnestly ask THAI such action
be taken by Congress 50 a. 10 make my
duties perfectly clear Ia dealing with the
affairs OF louisiana, giving assurance
at the same time that whatever may be
done by that body in The premises vii.
be executed according TO the split and
letter OF the law without tear or favor.
(Signed) L. 5 GRAM.
Executive Mansion, Jan. IS. 1879.
Owing 10 the great length OF the Presi-
dents Message We have been obliged 10
abridge and condense it,