New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1875-01-14
NEW ORLEANS REPUBLICAN,. THURSDAY, JANUARY A. 1875

orders nor suggestions were ever given to
any military officer in that State upon that
subject prior to the occurrence. 1 am we'll
aware that any military interference by the
officers or troops of the United States with
the organization OF State Legislature or
any OF its proceedings, or with any civil
department OF the government, is 1epugEant
to our ideas of government. l can conceive
OF no case. not involving rebellion or insur
rection. where such interference, by author.
lty OF the general government, Oh ght to be
permitted or justified. But there are circum-
stances connected with the late. legislative
lmbroglio in Louisiana which, seem to
exempt the military from any Intentional
wrong in that matter. Knowing that they
had been placed in Louisiana to prevent
domestic violence and aid IN the enforce
ment of the laws. the officers and troops of
the United States army may well have
thought that it was their duty to act when
called upon by the government for that
purpose. Each branch Of Legislature 10
the judge OF the election and qualifications
of its own members, but if q mob or a body
of unauthorized persons seize and hold the
legislative hall in tumultuOus and riOtOus
manner. and so prevent aay organization
by those legally returned as elected, it
might become the duty Of the State execu.
o ", ~, W. iao, -. s"nuyos, ~ d;s
.',,,t.a.,,..a ,a n,ahIo ~ rorsnns alan+o5 70
or,an;1s Tho House Anp axerc;se Of ,b;s
power would only be justltiable under the
most extraordinary circumstances. and 1t
would then be the duty Of the Governor to
call upon the cOnstabulary. or. it necessary.
the military force of the State.
So $50 =. .,,;,,a No, or,, at.nn,nt ~, 10
S 70 ~ .,.a 80 ncI;oa fnrrs ~, ~
So ~ ,h; w. $50 ,"r1, he nnronlfedl,.
.'ua'.;,;t ~ q. h,"oSr cora,c. w;,b thoa
vIp J'ssnue as II did en- the fourteenth
If San+amiar Tbare ia M douht hut that
tha nresanca If RI. Tinted states troons
' Nv" ,h.t occas;nn ,rsvsnted bloodsbed
"a ,nsa of ,;fa Roth nart;ea amman nv
80 raI;oG ,nnn .h.m al consarvators of
49, ,rt,;o 100 Tha frst c.Il WIS m,6a
NV tha Damocrata 70 re,nove neyson. oh.
nSx;nu, - them from the legislative hall
and tha sscond was from ,ha Ranuh,;cans
tn remove nersons who had usurped seats
in the I,eo;slature without legal certitcates
authnr;zinv them IN seats and in sufficient
hunters IT, change the majority. Nobody
was disturbed by the military who ha,, a
laga, r;uht At the time to occnpv a seat in
the Iegislatura. That the Delnocratiq mi
nor;tv If the House undertook 70 seize ;ts or.
panisation by frand and yiolence: that in
This attemnt they tramplad under foot the
law. that thew undertook to make persons
nor returned as elected members. 40 "a to
create q majority: that thew, acting under
a nreconcerted plan and under false pre.
men to support their pretensions by force,
j; necessary. and that conflict. disorder and
riotous orocaedinps followed. are facts tn at
seem TO be we'll established, and am in.
formed that these violent proceedings we're
part OF a premeditated plan to have the
House organized in this way, recognize
what has been called the MuEnery Senate,
then to depose Governor kellogg. and so
revo,utionize the State governments.
Whether it was wrong for the Governor.
at the request of the majority of the mem.
bers returned az elected to the House, to
use euch means as were in his power to
defeat these lawless and revolutionary pro.
ceedipgs. ia. perhaps. a debatable question,
bu. i. is quite certain that there would have
been no trouble if those who now complain
of Illegal interference had allowed the
House 70 ba ORGANIZED in a lawful and
regular manner. Where those who inaueu.
rate disorder and anarchy disavow those
who. by such means as thew have. proven.
The auccess of their lawless and desperate
schemes.
Lieutenant General Sheridan was req uest.
ed by me to 20 to Louisiana to observe and
| report the situation there, and. if in his
| Opinion necessary. to assume the command.
which he did on the fourth instant. after
| the Legislature disturbances had occurred,
az = =. NJ. a number Of hours after
| the disturbances. No party motives
nor prejudices can reasonably be imputed
| to him. but honestly convinced bv what he
| has seen and heard there he has character.
| :ze,, the leaders OF White Leagues in severe
| terms. and suggested summary modes of
procedure against them. which. though
| they can not be adopted. would. if legal.
| soon put an end 20 the troubles and disor.
| ders in that State.
General Sheridan was looking at facts,
| and possibly not thinking of proceedings.
| which would be the only proper ones 10
| pursue in time of peace. thought more of
tina utterly lawiess condition of society
surrounding him at the time OF his dispatch,
! and of what would be sure remedy. He
never proposed to do an illegal act, nor ex.
pressed determination to proceed beyond
what the law in the future might authorize
have been committed. and the commission
| of which can not be successfully denied.
| IL is deplorable fact that political crimes
and murders have been committed in Lou.
| isiapa which have gone UNPUBLISHED. and
such have been Justified or apologized for
which must rest az a 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 domestic concerns of
| OF Louisiana or any other State. On the
ninth of December last Governor Kellogg
telegrapned to me his apprehensions THAI
| the White League intended to make another
attack upon the State House, to which on
the same day made the following answer.
| since which no communication has been
| sent to him: "Your dispatch of this date
just received. Tits exceedingly unpalatable
| to use troops in anticipation Of danger. Let
the State authorities be right and then pro.
coed with their duties without apprehension
OF danger. II they are then moiested. the