The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1875-01-20
THE UNION LEAGUE CLUB.


SHERIDAN.
II now appears, despite the efforts TO keep Sc
cret everything relating TO the meeting OF the
Union League Grub, on Monday evening, that the
meeting was originated by the speech OF a promi-
nant Grant republican at the annual election OF
the Officers in which the Presidents course was
boldly indorsed ThereuDon one OF the demOcra-
tic members OF the club, Mr.. Horace Barnard,
rose to protest against TINS view. on the ground
that not only every democrat and every republi-
can, but that every upright citlzen and fearless
man should openly condemn the usurpation In
Louisiana The result vas that a cohpittee was
appointed to embody the views OF the club In Q
series OF resolutions to be submitted to the club
on Monday evening last. This committee was
composed OF the following gentlemen william
orion, lie Grand B. Cannon, s. B. II. Vance. Levi p
Morton and Artemus 3. Holmes. The frst-named
four gentlemen agreed upon series OF resolutions
but Mr.. Holmes, though republican, was not
quite so ready 10 whtewash General Sheridan and
President Grant, refused to approve OF the major
ity's whitewashlng, ana drew up minority re-
port The majority report was drawn up by Mr..
orion.
THE DEBATE.
The discussion on Monday evening was confined
to but lew members, and was. 1t certain points,
very excited. The Custom House was literally
represented and attempted to pass the resolutions
presented by the majority of the committee, but
because OF the manly, Outsp0ken independence OF
Mr.. Horace Barnard, Mr.. Artemus B. Holmes and
other members, The effort was frustrated. Mr.
Barnard. In remarkably vigorous speech, de-
nounced the course of President Grant and Gen.
aral Sheridan as illegal. arbitrary, and likely to
suovert the free institutions OF this country.
Mr.. Dexter A. Hawkins Iecited the facts OF the
Louisiana usurpation. taking the ground that the
State Legislature was not a legal body, and ex.
cusing the Presidents action on that ground.
Mr.. Barnard tried get the Congressional
Committees report read to conlute this state
mcnt, but such confusion ensued that 1t could NOT
be read.
The most elaborate speech of the evening was
that OF Mr.. Dorman B. Eaton, who spoke of the
prOprety OF limiting the power OF the United
States to Interfere IN the affairs OF State and to
decide the legality OF any body of men assembled
as legislature, or even merely claiming to be
legislature.
Mr.. Orton's speech was In the main, an amplif
cation oil the views expressed in the resolution
submitted by the majority OF the committee
me speech was received with great favor oy the
Custom House nabobS who attended the meeting,
The following Is the majority repOrt:-
THE MAJORITY REPORT.
Resolved That the STATE o. Louisiana as sovereign
the powers and immunities Of sovereign state under
beng or claiming to be- entitled 70 exercise he es.a
republican institutions That the interference Which
INST cSnsitates preceGen not to be oiowed or ap
s It n ls5,
wrongin their DretsnslSns 70 seats he legislative
s sti without power to consider determins
" a i Ss
which could result from the illegal Organization Of any
kessiyed That while thu. condemn the principle
to trah and justice to say that aG mo- eve eve
dsnee anywhere where appears Of purpose on the
favor either one Or the other Of the contendins po
the
n that the the esd States DEBT Of
Tor MS great services during the rebellion adequae to
caey distance 6hisi and and
ana lately had met Hf in saie Of
EesoyeG That cempess Of the facts
shows The President Of the United states in an attitude
and hat his messages to Congress on this subject give
complex troubles Louisiana been wanting either in
Of the whole or brave
conersss invest the fTesidena once ONCE
H @ to
ss % % ct hs 70 se the Of
in the state q ~ enactns such
and the ns
laws d INC 'A'''0 ''~N W Vi MSS kFoS.
sAk H EGfi i. Il VANCE
Mr.. HOLMES VIEWS.
Mr.. Holmes IN presenting the minority report
spoke as iOllows:-
In suomltting to the consideration of the club
this minority report OF your committee, am
FULLY conscious OF how trifliEg Is the claim have
parson with the claims Of the other four members
Of your committee whose years, experience IN
PaUc analrs anu long OF TINS club
and faith OF all the members. For my own part l
wish did not consider that 1t is my imperative
duty to submit this report, and regret that have
been unaOle TO agree with my associates on the
committee, and claim your attention, as
ustpresume 1t to be tnat-but q minority wnlcn
have the heart to hope VIII prove very consider.
was 50 to na myse ls r.
this committee and greatly surprised upon
discovering that alone represented the moderate
ana conservative sentiment OF the club; but, hav-
ing taken great interest in this subject and gwen
1t considerable consideration, entered upon my
digested views and opinions and with decided con-
v1ctions as to what was the most becoming and
desirable course ior this body to take In the prem
tSeS.
IMPORTANT Issues
believed, and still believe, that what transpred
in Louisiana on the Atm oil January ana the attend
AMI circumstances thereon lnvOived questions or
the gravest character and OF the rights and priv-
leges Of our republican form OF g0vernment-ques-
lions abOlt which would crystalline the political
and partisan interests OF this country the creed
OF parties, the political faith and views of men
questions which viii most surely determine
the course OF public opinion and political action
during tine d penang R presidental eamoagn
the radical questions involved would tend to
widen the breach In the republican party ana
cause division In the political sentiments OF this
clue. l more than halt wished that no action
should be taken BY the club, ana desired and de-
termined TO contne whatever actIon was taken
within narrow limits; but found that IN this
was greatly at odds with the other members oil the
club. think IL unwise and unnecessary 10 con-
slder the question OF indorsing or cOndemning the
acts OF the President OF the United States and
wholly supernuous and gratuirous to consider and
report TO the club sentiments concerning the ac-
ton OF Lieutenant General Sheridan. Both sub
jects are dangerous to tamper with and beyond
the authority Of the club to the committee, who
are instructed 10 prepare and submit TO the CLUB
resolutions expressive OF the sentiments OF the
Clue IN regard 10 the condition OF affalrs In Lou
islana; but IN this found no concurrence in your
committee.
TIE PRESIDENTS RESPONSIBILITY.
do not undertake to decide, aud my report
contains nothing deciding the question OF the re-
sDonsiDility OF the President. 1 do not undertake
10 saddle him with that responsibility OF General
de Irobrand or Governor Kellogg. wholly agree