Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1875-01-14
a. elected TO the Hou,e to use such means IS were

elected TO the House, to use such means IS were
IN his power to defeat these lawless and revolu-
tionary proceedings, is perhaps debatable ques-
tion but it is quite certain that there would have
been trouble, if those who now complain OF
Illegal interference had allowed the House to be
organized in a lawful and regular manner When
those who inaugurate disorder and anarchy dsa-
! vow such proceedings it will be time enough to
! condemn those who by such means as they have,
prevent the success Of their lawess and desperate
! scheme.
/ Lieut.. Gen. Sheridan was requested by me to
! go to Louisiana to Observe and report the situa-
! ton there, and if in his opinion necessary, to as
sumo command which he did on the 4th inst,
after the legislative disturbances had occurred, at
| O'Clock, ?. NJ, number of hours after the dis
| turbarce No party motives nor prcJudlces can
/ reasonably be impated to him, but honestly con
| WINGED by what he had heard ard seen there, he
| had characterized the leaders Of the W hite
! League in severe terms and suggested summary
| modes Of procedure against them which, though
| they cannot be adopted, would If legal, soon put
an end to the troubles and disorder in that State
| Gen. Sheridan was looking at facts, and possibly
| not thinking of the proceedings which would be
| the only proper ones to pursue IN tune OF peace,
| he thought more of the utterly lawlcss condition
| of society surrounding him at the time of his des
| patches and of what would prove sure remedy.
| lie never proposed to do an illcgalea act nor ex
pressed determination to proceed beyond what
the law 10 the future might authorize for the pun
| ishnent of the atrocities which have been COM
| mitted and the commission Of which can not sue
| cessfully be denied. 1t is fact that
| political crimes and murders have been commit
| ted in Louisiana, which have gone unpublished,
| and which have been justified or apologized for,
| which must rest as rcproach upon the State
and country long after the present generation has
| passed away.
| have no desire to have United States troops
interfere in the domestic concerns Of Louisiana or
| any other State On the 9th of Dec last, Governor
| Kellogg telegraphed to me his apprehension
| that the White League intended to make an attack
| upon the State House. to which on the same day
| made the following answer since which no COM
| munication has been sent to him.
"Your dispatch of this date is just
received. 1t is exceedingly Impractical
| gers. Let the State authorities be right and then
proceed with their duties without apprehension oil
| danger. If they are then molested the question
| win be determined whether the United States Is
able to maintain law ard order within It's limits or
| not
| l have deplored the necessity which seemed
| TO make it my duty under the constitution and
| laws to direct such Interference. l have always
| refused except where it seemed to be my impera
| tive dnty TO act in such manner under the con
| stitation ard laws Of the United States l have
| repeatedly and earnestly ontreated the people of
| the south to live together in peace and obey the
| laws, and nothing would give me greater pleasure
then to see reconciliation and tranquility every
| where prevail, and thereby remove all necessity
| for the presence OF troops among them. l regret
| however to say that the state Of things does not
| exist does its existence seem to be desired IN
| some localities and as to those it may be proper
for me to say that to tie extent that Congress has
| has conferred power on me to prevent
| it, neither ku kluy klans, White Leagues,
nor any other association using arms and violence
| to,executc their unlawful purposes, can be per-
| mitted in that way TO govern any part of this
| country; nor can | with indifference mon
| men or republicans ostracised, prosecuted and
| murdered on account OF their Opinions, AZ they
| now are in some localities.
| have heretofore urged the case Of Louisiana
| upon the attention of Congress, and cannot but
think that its inaction has produced great evil
| To summarize In September last, an armed Or
| ganzed body of men, III the support OF candidates
who had been put in nomination for the Offices OF
| Governor and Lieut. Governor at the November
election in 1872, and who had been declared not
| elected by the board of consassers, recognized by
all the courts, to which the question had been sub
mittcd, undertook to subyert and overthrow the
| Stale government that had been recognized by ne
| in accordance with previous precedents. The rec
| ognzed Governor was driven from the State
| House and but tor his finding shelter in the nit
| ed States Custom House in the Capital OF the
| State of which he Governor, 1t Is scarcely to
| be doubted that he would have been killed. From
the State House, before he had been driven to the
| Custom House, call was made IN accordance
with the fourth section, fourth article of the con-
sttution of the United States, for the aid OF the
| general government to suppress domestic
| violence Under the circumstances and IN
| accordance Win my sWOTH uutitS, nv PiOC-
lamation of the 18th of Sept, 1874, was issued.
This served TO reinstate Gov. Kellogg in his posi-
| ton 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 dsarmed On the con-
| trary it is known that the same armed organization
that existed on the Nth Of Sept, 1874, in opposl
| ton to the recognized State government still re-
| tain their organization, equipments and command
ers and can be called out at any hour to resist
| the State government. Under these cIcumstan-
ces the same military force has been continued IN
| Louisiana was sent there under the hrst cal,
under the same general instructions. repeat,
! the task assumed by the troops is not G pleasant
| one, that the army is not composed OF lawyers
| capable of Judging at a moments notice OF just
how far they can GO in the maintenance OF law ana
order and that it was impossible to give speclhc
instructors providing for all possible contingent
| cies that might arise. The troops were bound
to act upon the Judgment of the command
| ing officer upon each sudden contingency that
arose, or wait Instructions which could
only reach them sitter the threatened wrong
| had been committed, which they were called on TO
prevent.
recognition OF the Kellogg Government re-
| ported the fact with the grounds OF recognition 10
| Congress- and asked that body to take action IN
the matter otherwise should regard their silence
| as an acluescence in my course NO acton mas
| been taken by that body, and have maintained
| the position then marked out. Ii error mas been
committed by the army in these matters, IT has al.
WAYS been on the side of the preservation of good
| ORDER the maintenance of law and the protection
| Of life Their bearing reflects credit upon the
soldiers, and if wrong has resulted, the blame Is
| with the turbulent elements surrounding them
| | now earnestly ask that such action be taken by
| Congress as to leave my duties perfectly clear IN
dealing with the affairs of Louisiana, giving as
surance a, the same sine that whatever may be
done by that body in the premises will be executed
according to the spirit and letter OF the XIV, with
out fear or favor. herewith transmit copies OF
| documents containing moie specific information
| as to the subject matter ofthe resolution.
(Signed), Z: ,. Hi'NNi'
| ENecutiyc Mansion, Jan. l3th, 1870.