Bradford opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1874-1881, 1875-01-23

had usurped the seats IN the Legis'
lature without legal certificates au.
th0rizing them to take seats, and IN
sufficient number to change the
majority. Nobody was disturbed
by the military who had ut that
time a legal right to occupy u seat
in the Legislature.
THE DEMOCRATIC CONSPIRACY.
That the Democratic minority of
the House undertook to seize its
organization by fraud and violence,
and in this attempt trampled under
foot the law that they undertook
to ma Ike persons not returned as
elected, members. 50 as to create u
majority that they, under u pre-.
concerted plan and under false pre-
tense, introduced into the hall a
body of men to support their pre-
tensions by force, il necessary, and
that the conflict, disorder and riot
Gus proceedings which followed are
facts that seem to be well estab
lished and l am credibly informed
that these violent proceedings were
a part of a paemeditated plan to
have the House organized in THE
way, recognize what is called the
McEnery Senate, and then depose
the Kellogg Government, and so
revolutionize the State Government.
Whether it was wrong for the Gov
ernor at the request Of the majority
of the members returned as elected
to the House, to use such means as
were in his power to defeat these
lawless and revolutionary proceed
Jugs, is perhaps a debatable ques.
ton; but it is quite certain that
there would have been no trouble
if those who now complain Of ille-
gal interference had allowed the
House to be organized in a regular
and lawful manner when those
who inaugurate disorder and anar-
chy disavow such proceedings, it
will be time enough to condemn
those who by such means as they
have prevented the success Of their
lawless and desperate schemes.
sIERIpAN'A MISSION AND CONDUCT.
Lieutenant. General Sheridan was
requested by me to so to Louisiana
to observe and report the siturtion
there, and, if in his opinion lieces-
sary, to assume command, which
he did on the 4th inst, after the
Legislative disturbances had occur
red, at 9 o'clock p. M, number
of hours after the disturbance. No
party motives nor prejudices can
reasonably he imputed to him, but,
honestly convinced by what he has
heard and seen there, he had char
acterized the leaders of the White
Leagues in severe terms, and sug-
gested summary modes of proceed
ure against them, which, though
they cannot be adopted, would, if
legal, soon put an end to the troub-
les and disorders in that State. Gen
eral Sheridan was looking at facts,
aud possibly not thinking of the pro
ceedings which would he the only
proper ones to pursue in time of
peace. He thought more of the ut
terly lawiess condition of society
surrounding him at the time of his
dispatch, and of what would prove
a sure remedy. He never proposed
to do an illegal act, nor expressed a
determination to proceed beyond
what the law might in future au-
thorize for the punishment of the
atrocities which have been commit
ted, and the commission of which
cannot be successfully denied. tits
a deplOrable fact that political
crimes and murders have been com
mitted in Louisiana which have
gone UNPUBLISHED and which have
been justified or apologized for,
which must rest as y reprOach upon
the State and country long after the
present generation has passed away.
| have no desire to have United
States troops interfere in the domes-
tic concerns of Louisiana or any
other State.
KELLoGG's FEARS AND REQUESTS.
On the 9th of December last, Gov
ernor Kellogg telegraphed to me
his appre tensions that the White
Leagues intended to make an at
tack upon the State House,to which,
On the same day, l made the follow
ing answer, since which no commu-
has been sent to him:
Your dispatch of this date is just received.
It is exceedingly impractioable to use troops
N anticipation of dangers. Let the State au-
.horities be right and then proceed with their
luties without apprehension of danger. If
hey are then molested the question will be
determined wine ther the United States is able
% maintain law and order within its limits or
lot.
l have deplored the necessity
which seemed to make it my duty |
lnder the Constitution and laws, to
lirect such interference. l have
llways refused, except where it
seemed to be my imperative duty to
lct in such manner under the Con-
and laws Of the United
States. ! have repeatedly and earn
silly entreated the people Of the
south to live together in peace and
hey the laws, and nothing would
i've me greater pleasure than to
ee reconciliation and tranquility
verywhere prevail, and thereby re-
nove all necessity for the presence
f troops among them. ! regret,
owever, to say that this state of
Kings does not exist, nor does its
xistence seem to he desired in some