New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1875-01-07
VIEWS OF THE PRESIDENT ON TIE SOUTH
ERN TROUBLES.

VIEWS OF THE PRESIDENT ON THE SOUTH
ERN TROUBLES.
A SUPPLEMENTARY MESSAGE TO CONGRESS IN con-
OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES TO BE PUBLISHED
Throwing LIGHT ON THE CONDITION OF AFFAIRS
IN THE sOUTH-THE PRESIDENT DETERMINED
TO PRESERVE ORDER UNTIL CONGRESS ACTS
tDF TELEGRAPH TO THE rRIBUSE.l
WASHINGTON, Jan. Compressed with the grave
responsibility Of dealing with the internal concerns
Of several Of the Southern States the President said
in conversation to-day that he was induced to urge
more emphatically in his last message than in any
previous one his desire for definite action by
the legislative branch OF the Government
nnon which he could base line of
policy. Since the meeting of Congress
he has contemplated sending TO that body, as sup
Elementary 10 she views expressed in his annual
message q great mass of information now in posses
SION of the Var Department and Department OF
Justice from which he says the true condition of
fairs in the South might be judged by the country
Al large Governed by feeling of fOrbearance and
desre 10 create no unnecessary excitement this in
formation has been thus far withheld. The
events Of the past few days have convinced the
Pres, INT that the documents referred to should
now 5e even to the public and accordingly, yester
oav nc..lng he requested the Secretary of War and
the Attorney General to put them into proper
shape for submission to Congress. 1t
is possible that, in transmitting them.
the President may also send in a special message
this beet but on this he is not yet fully deter
mined. As several days will be required for the
preparation of the documents referred TO- there will
be ample time for consideration OF this subject,
and the preparation Of the message, if one is deter
mined upon.
The documents referred TO contain evidence that
is satisfactory to the President of the revolutionary
and ncendiary purposes Of the White League organ
izations in the South; that their object is spe-
officially to wrest the Government in those States
in the South still held by the Republicans
from the hands of the people; that this is to be
done without regard TO law that the negroes are
threatened to great extent that they afraid
10 20 70 the polls to vote that in the States
controlled by the Democrats the negroes and white
Republican voters are allowed political
rights and finally, that the success Of the White
League ia practically equivalent to the establishment
of an independent political power in the South, as
despotc and exscting as existed in the days of
Slavery. The bellgerent aspect of affairs, particu
larly in louisiana led the President to order Lieut.
Gen. Sheridan TO New-Orleans in order to have at
hand an officer of sufficient rank to assume the re-
sponsibility Of dealing with the grave questions
which in the exigencies Of the situation might arise
It is the purpose OF the President, as stated by
him to-day to preserve order in tbs Southern States
until Congress determines upon policy of its own.
As TO the declaration of martial law the slspen-
sion OF the writ of habeas corpus, Congress being
now in session. the President says that he shall take
no stepa unless authorized by the Legislative branch
of the Government, and he adds that Gen. Sheri-
dams request that proclamation be issued by him
declaring the White Leaguers handful will not be
acceded to. No additional troops will be sent to
New-Orleans unless absolutely required there. and
everything will be done, he says in q manner
consistent with the authority and dignity
of the Government and with a view rather TO
pacify than to irritate the Southern people. The
main body Of the army on the plains is now concen-
trated and in Winter quarters at the centers Of mill
tary supplies, such Forts LeavenwOrth and Rus
sell and at Omaha Should serious disturbances
occur these forces and the garrisons al Fortress
Monroe and elsewhere could be concentrated In a
very few days. Should troops be needed elsewhere,
| the citizens Of the States the Indian Dor
ders would have to protect the frontier
! themselves when Spring opens. On point
| the Presidents mind seems to be fully made up
and that u.s. that the political rights Of every class
! of people in the South as he understands them,
shall be protected. and that persons elected to
offices shall be sustained in the possession of them
The President is constantly receiving information
from the scenes Of the present troubles, and the
Government is ready at any time, TO take such steps
as it may deem necessary IN the premises.