The Portland daily press., 1875-01-14
whether the United Stairs is able to maintain

whether the United Stairs is able to maintain
law and order within its 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 al
wa*s refused except where ii seeriled to be any
imperative duty to act in such manner under
the constitution and laws of the United States.
/ have repeatedly and earnestly entreated the
people of the South to live together in peace
and obey the laws, and nothing would give me
greater pleasure than to see reconciliation and
Tranquility everywhere prevail, and thereby re-
move all necessity for the presence Of troops
among them. | regret, however, to say that
the state Of things does not exist, nor does Its
existence seem to be desired in some localities.
As TO these it may be proper for me to say that
to the extent that Congress has conferred
mower on me to prevent it. neither Ku kux
KIaus, White Leagues, nor any other associa-
ton using arms and violence to execute their
unlawful purposes can be permitted in that
wav to govern any part of this country, nor can
/ see with Indifference Union men or Republic
cans ostracised prosecuted and murdered, on
account of their opinions as they now are in
some localities.
have heretofore urged the case Of tduisi-
ana upon the attention of Congress, and l can
not but think that its inaction has produced
great evil.
organized body of men in the support of can
dldates who bad been put in nomination for the
November enection in 1872, and who had been
declared not elected by the board of canvass
ers recognized by all the the courts to which il
had been submitted, undertook to subvert and
overthrow the state government which had
been recognized by me in accordance with pre-
vious Dracedents. The recognized Governor
was driven from the state house and but for
his finding shelter in the U. S. custom house
in the capital of the state of which he was
Governor, it is scarcely to be doubted that he
would have been killed. From the state house,
before he had heen driven to the custom house,
a call was made in accordance with the 4th
section of the 4th article of the constitution of
the United States for the aid of the general
government to suppress domestic violence.
Under these circumstances, in accordance
with my sworn duties, my proclamation OF the
18th of September, 1874 was issued. This
served to renstate Gov. Kellogg in his position
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 disarmed.
! On the contrary, it is known that the same
| armed organic alton that existed on the 18th of
| September, 1874, in opposition to the recog-
| nized state government, still retains their Or
gauization, equipments and commanders, and
can be called out at any hour to resist the state
government. Under these circumstances the
same military force has been continued in LOU
isiana as was sent there under the first call
under the same general instructions.
repeat that the task assumed by the troops
is not a pleasant one to them, that the army is
not composed of lawyers capable of judging at
moments notice of just how far they can go
in the maintenance of law and order, and that
it was impossible to give specific instructions
providing for all possible contingencies that
might arise. The troops were bound to ACT
upon the Judgment of the commanding officer
upon each sudden contingency that arose, OF
wait instructions which could only reach them
after the threatened wrongs had been commit
ted, which they were called on to prevent.
1t should be recOllected, too, that upon my
recognition of the Kellogg government L re-
ported the fact with the grounds OF recognition
to Congress- and asked that body to take action
on the matter, otherwise should regard tbell
silence as an acquiescence in my course. NC
action has been taken by that body, and l have
maintained the position then marked out. Ii
error has been committed by the army In these
matters, it has always been on the side OF
preservation of good order, the maintenance OF
law and the protection of life. Their bearing
reflects credit upon the soldiers, and II wrong
| has resulted, the blame is with the turbulent
elements surrounding them.
L now earnestly ask that such action be taken
by Congress so as to make my duties perfectly
clear in dealing with the affairs of Louisiana
giving assurance at the same time that what
ever may be done by that body in the premise;
will be executed according to the spirit and
letter of the law, without fear or favor.
l herewith transmit copies OF documents con
tanning more specific information as to the
'N'' tSigneD ~ IT, S. GRANT.
Executive Mansion, Jan. ID, 1875.