The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1875-01-22
tied to the offices for which they were candi.

military with tho organization of the Legis-
lature OF Louisiana on the 4th instant, L have
no knowledge or information which has not
| been received by me since that time and pub
lished. Ny first information was from the
papers of the morning OF the 9th OF January.
did not know that any such thing was an
| ticipated, and no orders, no suggestions were
ever giveR to any military officer in that State
| u?on the subject prior TO the occurrence. 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 it's proceedings or with any civil depart
ment of the government, 10 repuh nant to our
idess Of government. / can conceive OF no
case, not involving rebellion or ipsurrec-
ton where such Interference by the au-
thority of the general government ought to be
permitted or can be justified; but there are
| circumstances connected with the late Legis-
lature imbroglio 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 to aid in repressingi II. The rev.
olution was apparently, though 1t is believed
not really, abandoned, and the cry of =" Fed
| eral usurpation" and Tyranny in Louisiana"
was renewed with redoubled energy. Troops
| had been sent to the State under the requisi-
ton of the Governor, and as other disturbances
seemed imminent, they were allowed to remain
! there TO render the Executive such aid az might
become necessary to enforce the laws of the
state and reoress the continued violence
| which seemed inevitable at the moment when
the Federal support should be withdrawn.
Each branch of a Legislative assembly is
the Judge of tho election and the quslihca-
| tions of Its own members but il mob or n
body Of unauthorized persons seize and hold
the Legislative hall in tumultuous and riot
| Gus manner, and 80 prevent any organization
| by those legally returned az elected, IL
might become the duty OF tho State Execu-
! tive te interpose, if requested by a majority
of the members-eect to suppress the dis
turbance and enable the persons elected to
organize the House. Any exercise of this
| power would be justifiable under most extraor-
dinary circumstances, and it would then be the
duty Of the Governor to call upon the con-
stabulary, Or, il necessary, the military force
| of the State but with reference to Lou
| isana, it is TO be borne in mind that any at
! tempt by the Governor to use the police force
Of that State at this time would have un-
doubtedly precipitated bloody conflict with
| the White League, as it did on the 1ith of
September There is no doubt that the pres
ence of the United States troops on that oc-
casion prevented bloodshed and the loss of
life. Both parties appear to have relied upon
them rs conseryators Of the public reace.
The frat call was made by the Democrats
to remove persons obnoxious to them from
the legislative hall, and the second was from
the Republicans, to remove persons who had
usurped seats in the Legislature without le
gal certificates authorizing them to seats. and
! in sufficient number to change the majority.
! Nobody was disturbed by the military who had
legal right at that time to occupy seaG in
the Legislature. That the Democratic
minority of the House undertook to seize its
organization by fraud and violence; that in
this attempt they trampled under foot the law,
in that they acted under precon-
certod plan, and under false pretenses intro
| int tl,a hall a tbo;.
tensions by force, il necessary,
and that the conflict, disorder and
riotous proceedings following are facts,
seems to he well-established and
am credibly informed that these violent pro-
ceedings were part of premeditated plan
to have the House organized in this way I;
to recognize what has been called the Mem
cry Senate then to deposs Gov. Kellogg,
and so revoluuonize the State government.
Whether it was wrong for the Governor at
the request of a majority OF the members
returned as elected in the House, to uss such
means as were in his power to defeat these
lawless and revolutionary proceedings is
perhaps debatable question but it is quite
certain that there would have been no trouble
# those who now complain OF illegal interior
ence had allowed the House to be organized
in lawful and regular manner. When those
who inaugurats disorder or anarchy disavow
such proceedings, IL will be time enough to
condemn those who, by such means as they
had, prevented the success Of their lawless
and desperate schemes.
Lieut. Gen. Sheridan was requested by mo
to go to Louisiars to Observe and report the
situation there, and, IL in his opinion neces-
sary, to assume the command, which he did
on the 4th instant, after the legislative dis
turbances had occurred st Q o'clock in the
evening number OF hours after the disturb
ance. No party motives nor personal preju-
dlces can reasonably be imputed to him. but,
honestly convinced by what he hiss seen and
heard there. he has characterized the leaders
Of the 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 to the troubles and disor.
der in that State.
Gen. Sheridan was looking at the facts and
possibly not thinking of proceedings which
would be the only proper ones to pursue in
time OF peace-he thought more of the utterly
lawess condition Of society surrounding him
at the lime Of his dispatch and of what would
prove a sure remedy. He never proposed to
do any illegal act nor expressed determine
ton to proceed beyond what the law in the
future might authorize for the punishment Of
the atrocities which have been committed and
the commission Of which cannot be success
fully denied
1t is deplorable fact that political crimes
and murders have been committed in Louis-
lana which have gone unpublished, and which
have been justified or apologiZed FOR, which
must rest as 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 con-
Germs OF louisiana or any other State
On the 9th OF December last, Gov Kellogg
telegraphed to me his apprehension that the
White League intended to make another at
tack Upon the same day made the follow
ing answer since which no communication
has been sent to him:
Your dispatch of this date just received.
1t is excee dinghy unpalatable to use troops in
anticipation of danger. Let the State author
tiles be right, and then proceed with their
duties without apprehension OF danger. II
they are then moested, the question will be
determined whether the United States is able
to maintain law and order within its limits er
not"
have deplored tho necessity which seemed
to make it my duty, under the Constitution
and laws, to make such interference
/ have always refused, except where it
seemed to be my imperative duty, to act in
such a manner as the Constitution and laws
of the United States required. 1 have
repeatedly and earnestly entreated the people
of the South to live together in peace and
obey the laws, and nothing would give me
greater pleasure than to rec reconciliation
and tranquility everywhere prevail, and
thereby remove all necessity for the presence
Of II hos