The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1875-01-14

nor any other association using arms and
violence to execute their unlawful pur,
poses, can be permitted to act in that way
In any part Of this country; nor can see
with indifference Union men or Republi.
cans OstraciEed, prosecuted and murdered
on account Of their opinions, asthey nov
are in some localities, have heretofore
urged the case Of Louisiana upon the ut
tention Of Congress, and l cannot but think
its inaction has preiudiced this great evil,
To summarize, in September last an
armed and organized body Of men, in the
support Of the candidates who had been
put In nomination for the Offices Of Gov
ernor and Lieutenant Governor at the
new election in 1879, and who had been
declared not entitled, by the board Of
canVassers, to be recognized and by all the
courts to which the question had been
submitted, undertook to subYert and over
throw the State government that had
been recognized to be In accordance with
previous precedents, The recognized
Governor was driven from the State
house, and bnt for his finding shelter in
the United States custom house in the
Capital Of the State OF which he was
Governor, II Is not sincerely 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 sec
ton and fourth article ofthe Constitution
OF the United States, for aid Of the Gem
eral Government to suppress the domestic
violence. Under those circumstaces and
In accordance with my sworn duties, my
proclamation oft Is Of September, 1874,
was Issued. This served to reinstate
Gov. Kellogg 10 his position nominally,
but II cannot be claimed that
the insurgents have to this day
surrendered 10 the State authorities
the arms belonging to the State,
or that they have in any sense become
On the contrary, It Is known that the
same armed organization that existed on
the l4th OF September, 1874, In oppose
ton to the recognized State Government
still retains its Organization, equipments
and commanders, and can be called out
at any hour 10 resist the State Govern
ment, Under these circumstances the
same military force has been continued
In Louisiana as was sent under the first
call and under the same general instruc-
tons, repeat that the task assigned to
the troops Is not q pleasant one to them;
that the army Is not composed OF lawyers,
capable OF judging at moments notice
Of Just how far they can go In the'main-
tainance Of law and order, and that itwas
impossible to give specific Instructions
providing for all possible contingencies
that might arise, The troops were bOuad
to actupon the Judgement Of the command
ing officer upon each sudden contingency
that arose or await instructions, which
could only reach him after the threatened
wrongs had been committed which they
were called on to prevent.
It should be recollected, too, that upon
my recognition Of the Kellogg government
| reported the fact with the grounds Of
recognition to Congress, and asked that
body to take action on the matter. Other
wise | should regard their silence as
acquiesenco In my course. No action has
been taken by that body, and have main
tanned the position marked out, lferror
has been committed by tho army In these
matters II has always been on the side Of
the preservation Of good order, the main.
tenance Of the law, and the protection Of
life. Their bearing reflects credit upon
the soldiers, and Il wrong has resulted
the blame rests with the turbulent feeling
surrounding them,
now earnestly ask that such action 10
taken by Congress as to leave my duties
perfectly clear in dealing with the affairs
Of Louisiana, giving assurance ut the same
time that whatever may be done by that
body In the premises will be executed &c.
cOrding to the spirit and letter Of the law
without fear or favor. herewith trans
init copies Of the documents containing
more specific information as to the sub.
jeCt and matter Of that resolution.
[Signed U.S,GRASr
Executive Mansion, Jaauaryl3 10, 1875.