The herald and mail. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 1873-188?, 1875-01-22
upon the state and country long after the

upon the state and country, long after the
present generation has passed away.
1 have no desire to have United States troops
interfere in the do nestic concerns of Louisiana
or any other state. On the 9th of December
last, Gov. Kellogg telegraphed to nae his ap-
prehensions that the white league intended
to make another attack. Upon the same day
made the following answer, since which no
communication has been sent to him:
i" Your dispatch of this date has just been
received. 1t is exceedingly unpalatable to use
troops in anticipation of dangers. Let the
state authorities be right and then proceed
with their duties without apprehension of
danger. If they are then molested, the ques-
ton will be determined whether the United
States is able to maintain law and order within
its limits or not"
l have deplored the presence of troops
among them. regret, however, to say that
this state of things does not exist, nor does
its existence seem to be desired in localities,
and as to those it will be proper for me to say,
that to the extent that congress has conferred
power on me to prevent it, neither ku-klux
klans. white leagues nor any other assocla-
ton using arms and violence te execute their
unlawful purposes, can be permitted IN that
way to govern any part of this country, nor
can | see with indifference union men or re-
publicans ostracized, persecuted and murdered
on account of their opinions, as they now are
in some localities.
have heretofore urged the case of Louisi-
ana upon the attention of congress, aud can
not but think that Its lnaCtIOn mas produced
great evil. To summOnze In September
last an armed organized body of men, in the
support of candidates who had been put IN
nomination for the offices Of governor and
lieutenant governor. at the November election
in 1872 and who had been declared not elected
by the board of canvasser5, recognized by all
the courts to which the question had been sub
mitted. undertook to subveTt and overthrow
the state government that had been recognized
by me- in accordance with previous presidents.
l,o WAS TjV
state-house. a d. but for his finding shelter in
the United States custOm-house, In the capital
of the state of which he was governor. 1t Is
seriously 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 4th section,
4tn article of the constitution of the United
STATES for the aid of the general government
to suppress domestic violence. Under these
circumstances. and in accordance with my
sworn duty, my proclamation of the 18th of
September. 1874, was issued This served to
reinstate Gov. Kellogg to his position nomi
nally, but it cannot be claimed that the in .ur-
gents 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 armed |
organization that existed on the 14th of Sep |
TENDER, 1874, i'll opposition to the recognized |
state government, still retain their organiZa- |
ton, equipments and commanders and can be |
Gale out at any hour to resist the state gov |
eminent. Under these circumstances the same |
military force has been continued i'll Louisiana |
as was sent under the first call, and under the |
same general instructions. | repeat that the |
task assumed by the troops is not pleasant |
One that the army is not composed of lawyers,
CAPABLE of Judging at a moments notice Of |
just how far they can go 10 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 COM
handing officers upon each sudden contingency |
that arose, or wait instructions which could |
only reach them after the threatened wrongs
had been committed, which they were called |
on to prevent. 1t must be recollected, too,
that upon my recognition of the Kellogg gov
eminent, reported the fact with the grounds
of the recognition to congress. and asked that
body to take action in the matter, otherwise, l |
should regard their silence as acquiescing in
my course. No action has been taken by that
body, ami l have maintained the position
marked out. If error has been committed by
the army III these matters, 1t has always 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
with the turbulent elements surrounding them,
must not rest on them.
1 now earnestly ask that such action be |
taken by congress as to leave my duties per-
fectly clear in dealing with affairs in Louisiana
giving assurance at the same time that what
ever may he done by that body in The premises,
will be executed according to the spirit of the
law, without fear or favor.
| herewith transmit copies of documents
C containing more specific information as to the
subject matter OF the resolution.
U. S. GRANT,
Executive Mansion, Jan. IS, 1875.