The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1875-01-19


lied the leaders of the White League in Sc
we're terms and suggested summary modes
OF procedure against them which though
they can not be adopted, would, If legal.
soon put an end to the troubles and
disorder in that state Gen. Sheridan was
looking at the facts and possibly not think
ing OF the proceedings which would be the
only proper ones to pursue in a time of
peace. He thought more of the utterly law
less condition OF the society surrounding
him at the time of his despatch and of what
would prove a sure remedy. He never
proposed to do an illegal act nor
expressed determination to proceed beyond
what the law in the future might authorize
Tor the punishment of the atrocities which
nave been committed, and the commission
OF which can not be successfully denied. Ii
Is deplorable fact that political crimes and
murder have been committed In T,ouisian,
Which have gone unpublished, and which
nave been justified or apologized for. which
must rest AS a reproach upon the state and
country long after the present generation
nas passed away. L have no desire to have
the United States troops interfere in tbe
domestic affairs OF Louisiana or anv other
STATE. On the OH OF December last Gov.
keIlogg telegraDhed to me his atSprehensions
that the White League intended to make
another attack upon the same dav. made
.ne .1iIomIng answer, since which no com
municat1on has been sent to him: sYour
clspatch OF this date is Just received. II !.
exceedingly unpalatable TO use troopE in
anticipation OF dangers. Let the state an
tnoritles be right and then proceed with
tnelr duties without apprehension of danger.
ii tney are then molested the question will
be determined whether the United States I.
aole TO maintain law and order within ita
limits or not. / have deplored the necessity
winch seemed to make it my duty under
the constitution and laws to necessi-
Iale suoh interference. have
h..
my imperative duty, to act in such q man
ner under the constitution and laws of ths
United States. 1 have repeatedly and ear
nestly intreated the people of the South TO
nve together in peace and te obey
tne laws, and nothing would give me greater
qulllity everywhere prevail, and thereby re-
move al necessity for
TIE PRESENCE OF TROOPS
among them. I regret. however, to say that
this state of things does not exist, nor does
its existence seem to be desired. In locali-
ties, and as to those it may be proper for me
to say that, to the extent that congress has
conferred power on me to prevent il, neither
Ku-Klux Khan, White Leagues, or any
other association using arms or yio-
purposes, can be permitted in that way to
govern any part Of the country. nor can
see with indifference Union men or repub-
llcans ostracised, prosecuted and muir
dered on account of their Opinions. as they
now are an some localities. | have beretS-
fore urged the case of Louisiana upon the
attention OF congress, and | can not but
think Its inaction has prejudiced the great
evil. To summarize: In September last an
armed and organized body of men in the
support OF candidates who had been
put in nomination for the Office of governor
and lieut-gOvernor at the November election
IN 1872, and who had been declared not
elected by the board of canvassers. recoQ-
nlzed by ali the courts to which the question
had been submitted, undertook To subvart
ana overthrow the state government that
mad been recognized by me in accordance
with previous precedents. The recogn;ze6
was driven from the state house
ana out Tor MS finding shelter in the United
States custom house in the CAPITAL of ira
state OF which he was governor, it is scarcely
70 De doubted that he would have
been killed. From the state bonso
before he had been driven to the cnStoT'3F
mousse, call was made, in accordance with
the 4th section oil the 4th article ~ the
OF the United States. for the aid
Oh the general government to suppress do
nestle violence. Under those circumstances
ana IN accordance with my sworn duties
Iy proclamation of the 18th OF September
io'4, was Issued. This served to r.
nstate Gov. Kellogg to his
position, nominally, but it can MT
be claimed that the insurgents have TO this
lay surrendered to the state authorities the
arms belonging to the state, or that tney
nave IN any sense dissrmed. On the con
,rary, II Is known that the armed organize.
ions that existed on the l4th of September
u opposition to the recognized state govern
nent, still retain their arms. eouipments
md commanders, and may be called ont at
my hour to resist the state government.
Oiioer these circumstances the United States
military force has been continually in Lou
siana, as it was sent there under the first
all and under the same general instructions.
repeat thai the task assumed by that CORDS
5 no pleasant one to them.
THE ARMY
S not composed Of lawyers, capable Of iudg-
ng at moments notice of just how they
an go in matters of law and order, and that
was impossible to give specific ins.ruc-
ions providing for all possible contingent
les that might arise. The troops were
'ound to act upon their judgment. Let it
70 recoliected, too, that upon my recogni-
ion of the Kellogg government 1 re-,
'orted the fact, with the grounds of the
ecognition, to congress, and asked that
ody TO take action in the matter; other
use 1 should regard its silence as acqui-
scing in the course. No action has been
axe by that body, and / have maintained
ne position worked out. If error has been
ommitted by the army in these matters it
as always been on the side of the preserva-
ION OF good order, the maintenance of law.
nj the protection of life. The bearing of
be commanding officers upon each sudden
ohtlnEencles That arose when instructions
ould only reach them after the threat
ned wrongs had been committed which
hey were called on to prevent.
ELECTS credit upon the soldiers, and if
'rong has resulted, the blame lies with the
elements surrounding them 1
0w earnestly ask that such action be taken
y congress as to leave my duties perfectly
lear ia dealing with the affairs of Louisiana
wing assurance at the same time
lat whatever may be done by that body in
10 premises will be executed according to
ne spirit without fear or favor. herewith
snsmlt documents containing more spe-
nc information as to the subject matter of
ne resolution.