The New Orleans bulletin. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1874-1876, 1875-02-04
THE WHITE LEAGUE AND THE CON.
GRESSIONAL COMMITTEE.
Editor New Orleans Bulletin

Editor New Orleans Bulletin
| Under the above caption was an editoria
in your edition of Sunday morning, in which
you throw out suggestion to Gen. Ogde1
and his associates in the League, which is
that the League should be called toghether
that the gentlemen of the Congressional Com.
mittee, of which Hon. Geo. F. H oar is chair
man, and who are at present in this city,
might as 1t were inspect them and see for
themselves the class of our people who COM
pose the Banditti, of whom Sheridan is not
afraid.
cannot conceive of any good to be achieved
by the carrying out of the suggestion and l
am opposed to the idea for several reasons.
One is that the class of people comprising the
league, its mere personnel, is not a matter
for investigation by the committee The per-
sonal appearance of body of men is by no
means always indicative OF the objects or pur-
poses, for which they are organized; and
| though the inference is natural and correct,
that body of gentlemen are not to be gotten
together for an illegal or ungentlemanly pur-
pose, still imagine that the committee is not
here for the purpose of drawing inferences
but to inquire into facts, and the fact which
they wish to arrive at, in regard to the White
League, is as to its objects and purposes, and
this cannot be obtained by mere inspection
or review of the personnel!of the League
And now, in regard to the objects and pur-
poses Of the League, have to state that there
are very few individuals who are competent to
speak with authority on that subject. Gen.
Ogden, the President and leader of the
League, was before the Sub Committee which
was here in December and January last, and
when asked as to the object and purposes of
the League, referred them to the second arti-
Gle OF its constitution, which very clearly de-
fines 1t; and no officer or member can give
any other and correct answer to the same
question. Every member of the Crescent
City White League, before he became SUCH |
had made an application to become member, |
In which he promised obedience to the rules |
and regulations of the League; and, on being
stltutlon and bylaws, or virtually did SO, by
law which made the enrolling of mem
per- name by the secretary equivalent to his
signing for himself.
NOW, the organization Of the Crescent City
Whlte League Was only after many long con-
ferences on the condition of our people and
OF the necessity of some organ zalion for
their protection. The convictions which i'm
PEELED us are not only expressed in the plat
form OF principles, published in connection
win our constitution: but your paper, Mr.
Editor and the other daily papers of this
city, have for months and years past been,
line and again. filled with chronicles of the :
causes which led US to organize the League.
The SO called police, only an armed body of {
oartisans in the interest of Kellogg and Pack l
'rd, used in packing ward and district con-
'ent'ons and meetings in that interest, and to
'verawe and intimidate our own people, and
ent out armed expeditions to raid upon our
elbow citizens in the parishes. Our wives
nd daughters, assaulted knocked down and :
obbed even in broad day light, and never
n arrest. What protection was there to life
r property, before court organized by Kel- Fl
ogg to suit his own ends. :
With jury law which gives w. P Kellogg
who said he did not really know whether he
as Governor or not. and therefore emptied
ur penitentiary OF parties convicted of MUIR
er. arson, rape, ETC.. power to name who
hall be jury, by giving him power to ap- Of
ONT two commissioners. removable at his +
WI sweet will. who would choose the Jurors ci
} try our people? With all State arms in sa
le hands Of the police and the negro m litia. C,
Id the negro determined to enforce social St
eh's in public places; to assist them. in
hich power was given to Barney Lynch Or
assess damages where a jury could
It agree? And above ali. con. 90
tutionsl election approaching, when We
eW that that champion fraud w. p KELLOGG