The New Orleans bulletin. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1874-1876, 1875-01-20
PRESIDENT GRANTS MESSAGE OF
APOLOGY.

The following is taken from an article, IN
der the above heading, which appeared il
the New York Herald, Of the nth inst:
! The President exonerates his friend Gen
Sheridan, from all responsibility for the pro
ceedings of January 4. He asserts that Sheri
dan did not assume command until 9 o'clocl
in the evening of the day on which the five
sitting members were dragged from theil
places; but this effort to shield Sheridan is an
| implied confession that the acts in which it is
deemed important to know that he had nc
completely are indefensible. If they were
right it would be absurd for the President to
disclaim responsibility for himself by assert
ing that he knew nothing of them until he
saw the newspapers the next morning and to
disclaim ell responsibility for Sheridan, on
the ground that he was not in command until
several hours after the military interference
The Presidents apology for the officers of
the army is a virtual admission that they mis-
took their duty. ''The army" he says sis
not composed Of lawyers, capable OF judg-
ing, at moments notice, OF just how far they
can 50 in the maintenance OF law and order
II this means anything it is confession that
the officers of the army overstepped the limits
OF legal authority. It would be irrelevant to
plead their ignorance of law as an excuse for
their action if the President believes they
have done nothing which the law condemns.
1t is clear that President Grant has retreat
ed from the position he assumed when he
sanctioned Secretary Belknap's "all of us
dispatch, and the country is to be congratu-
lated on his adoption of more sober and de-
feasible opinions. Whether the change be
due to the protests of certain members of his
Cabinet or to the widespread expressions of
public Indignation, it is fortunate for the
PRESIDENT that he has reconsidered his first
determination and been induced to change
legged wrongs and outrages alleged to have
been perpetrated against the negro voters of
Louisiana
1t would be unkind to deprive him of this |
refuge, or this subterfuge but if it be true
that MIR. Foster, of the Congressional com |
mittee which conducted its investigation at |
New Orleans, had long interview with the |
President on Saturday evening, and attempt |
I'd to disabuse him Of his false impressions
here is no good excuse for those parts of the
Message which charge the Louisiana Conserv-
'tIves with every kind Of atrocities. But
wen the President does not maintain that
hese alleged atrocities are a justification for
Military interference with State Legisla-
ure.
He tries to clear himself on the ground
hat he knew nothing Of the transactions I'm
II the next day; he tries to clear Sheridan on
he ground that he did not assume command
ntil several hours after the interference with
he Legislature had taken place; heapologizes
Or the army on the ground Of its ignorance
the law, and he attempts to Shift the whole
to the shoulders Of Gov. Kel-
'gg, whose right to interfere he admits to be
debatable. We rejoice that the President
as felt constrained to'pubicly wash his hands
the face OF the country, of this unwarrant-
BILE transaction.