Bradford opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1874-1881, 1875-01-23

the Offices of Governor aud Lieut.
enant Governor ut the November
election In 1879, and who had been
declared not elected by the Board
Of Canvassers, recognized Ivy all
the courts to which the question had
been submitted, undertook to sub.
vert aud overthrow the State Gov.
eminent that had been recognized
by me in accordance with previous
presidents. The recognized Cover.
nor was driven from the State
House, and but for his finding shel.
ter IN the United States Custom
House in the capital of the State OF
which he was Governor, it is scarce
~ to be doubted that he would have
been killed. From the State House
before he had been driven to the
Custom House, call was made in
accordance with the fourth section,
fourth article of the Constitution Of
the United States for the aid Of the
General Government to suppress
domestic violence. Under these
circumstances and in accordance
with my sworn duties, my procla-
nation of the 10th Of September,
1874, was issued.
NO SURRENDER YET OF THE iNsURoENTs
This served to reinstate Governor
Kellogg in his position nomi nally,
but it cannot be- claimed that the
insurgents have, to this day, sur
rendered to the State authorities
the arms belonging to the State, or
that they have in any sense disarm
ed. On the contrary, it is known
that the same armed organization
that existed on the 14th of Septem-
Der, 1874, in opposition to the rec.
ognized State Government, still re-
tains their organization, equipments
and commanders, and can be called
out at any hour to resist State Gov
ernment. Under these Circumstance
es the same military force has been
continued in Louisiana as was sent
there under the first call, under the
same general instructions.
THE DEFENCE OF THE ACTS OF THE ARMY.
Irepeat, the tack assumed 10y
the troops is not a pleasant One to
them; that the army is not com
posed of lawyers capable OF judging
at a moments notice. of just now
far they can 60 in the maintenance
of law and order, and that it was
impossible to give specific instruc-
tions providing for all possible con
tingencies that might arise. The
troops we're bound to act upon the
Judgment of the commanding officer
upon each sudden contingency that
arose, or wait instructions, which
could only reach them after the
threatened wrongs had been CON-
mitted which they were called on to
prevent. 1t should be recollected,
too, that upon my recognition of the
Kellogg Government, l reported the
fact. with the grounds Of recogni.
ton to Congress, and asked that
body to take action in the matter,
otherwise / should regard their ST.
lence as an acauiescence in my
course. No action has been taken
by that body, and have maintain
ed the position then marked out.
If error has been committed by the
army in these matters, it has always
been on the side of the preservation
of good order, the maintainance OF
law and the protection of life. Their
bearing reflects credit upon the SOL
diers, and, if wrong has resulted,
the blame is with turbulent element
surrounding them.
AN APPEAL TO CONGRESS TO ACT.
now earnestly ask that such &C.
ton be taken by Congress as to
leave my duties perfectly clear in
dealing with the affairs of Louisi-
ana, giving assurance at the same
time that whatever may be done by
that body in the premises will be ex-
ecuted according to the spirit and
letter of the law, without fear or
favor. l herewith transmit copies
of documents containing more spe-
cifc information as. to the subject
matter of the resolution.
U. s. GRANT.
Executive Mansion, January, 10, 1875.