New-York tribune., 1875-01-14

called the McIsnery Senate then depose Gov keiogs
and so revolutionize the state Government.
whether IL was wrong for the Governor az tue repuc
OF the majority Of the members returned as eoc'ed "
,hs uonss to nae sueh means as were IN his power TO
defeat these lawless and revolutionary proceeo"es" "
perhaps debatabe question. but IL is qui'e .ei'n
that there would have been no troupie II 'hoso WI" nv"
COMPLAIN OF illegal interference had allowed tue ouse
70 he organized In lawful and regular manner Wneb
those who ipaugurate disorder and anarchy disavow
such proceedings It will be time enough 10 coudcmn
those who by such means as they have, prevent tho
success their lawless aud desperate schemes lieut.
Gen Sheridan requested by me to go to Louisiana
20 observe and the situation there, asu III III s
opinion necessary, to aesume the command wnien nc
did the 4h instant after the legislative
had occurred-at O'Clock p. number OF hours a'er
the disturbance. No party motives or preudiees can
reasonably be imputed to him but honestly convinced
by what he and heard there he has character
lied the leaders of the White Leaguers In severe ers
and suggested summary modes of procedure against
them which, though they cannot be adopted, would, II
legal put end to the troubles and disorders III
that State. Gen. Sheridan looking at facts ana
possibly not thinking of proceedings which woud DC ne
only proper ones TO pursue In time OF peaoo' "AU
thought more OF the utterly lawess condition OF society
surrounding him OF the time OF his DISPATCH ana OF "
would prove q sure remedy He never proposed 10 uo
an illegal act expressed determination 10 proceou
beyopd what the law ia future might authorize TOT
the punishment Of the atrocities which have oecn eo
mited and the commission OF which cannot DC denied
It deplorable fact that political crimes ana murder
have been committed In Louisiana which nave gone uh
punished and which have been justified or apologized
for which must rest reproaoh upon the STATE ana
country long after the present generation has passeo
away.
have no desire to have United States troops Interfere
In the domestic concerns OF Louisiana other state
On the eth OF December last Gov. Kellogg elegraphed
to me apprehension that the White League intended
to make another attack upon the State House. to Which,
on the same day, made the following answer sinco
which no communication has been sent TO him
Your dispatch OF this date Just received It's OK,
eeedingy unpaatabe to use troops In ANTICIPATION oI
dangers ,et the State authorities be right ana the
proceed with their duties without apprehension OF
danger If they then molested the question VIII De
determined whether the United States Is able 10 main
tain law and order within ITS hunts or not
have deplored the necessity which seemed TO make
it my duty under the constitution and laws 10 direct
interference. have always refused except where
it seemed to be my imperative duty to act in such
manner under the Constitution and laws OF the United
States. have repeatedly and earnestly entreated the
people tho South TO live together In peace and obey
the laws, and nothing would give greater pleasure
than TO reconciliation and tranquility everywhere
prevail and thereby all necessity for the pres
ence OF troops among them Iregret, however, to say
that state things does exist does Its ex
be desired in localities, and as to
those be proper for to say that TO the extent
that Congress has conferred power on me to prevent H.
neither Ku Kux Klans White Leagues, nor any other
association using arms and violence 70 execute their
unlawful purposes be permitted in that way 10 gov
ern any part OF this country Nor can SEQ with ndit
| ference Union Republicans ostracized, perse-
cuted and murdered account OF their opinions, as
they now are In some localities. have heretofore
urged the OF Louisiana upon the attention OF Con-
eress and but think that its inaction has pro-
dueed great evil
To summarize In September last an armed organized
Od ~ man I'm tha Of
pnt in nomination for Offices of Governor and Lieu
tenant-GoverDOr at the November election IN 1872, aud
who had been declared elected by the Board OF Can
recognized by all the courts to which the ques
tion had been submitted, undertook to subvert and
overthrow the State Government that had been recog
nzed to me In accordance with previous preeedents
The recognized Governor driven from the State
House. and but for his finding shelter in the United
Custom house In the Capital of the State of which
he Governor it is scarcely to be doubted that he
would have been killed From the State House. before
lie had been driven to the Custom-house, call
made IN accordance with the fourth section OF the
fourth article of the Constitution Of the United States
for the aid OF the General Government to suppress do
nestle violence.
Under those circumstances. and In accordance with
my dntes, myi proclamation Of the 18th OF Sep
tember 1874 issued This served to reinstate Gov
Kellogg to his position nOminally but lit scannOt be
claimed that the insurgents haye TO his day surrend
cred to authorities the belonging to the
State, that they have in any sense dsaned On the
contrary, is known that the armed organizations
that existed the 14th Of September 1874 in opposition
to the recognized State Government still retain their
organization. equipments and commanders. and can be
called out at any hour to resist the State Government
Under these circumstances the same military force has
been continued in Louisiana as was sent there under
the first call, and under the same general Instructions
repeat that the task assumed by the troops is not
pleasant them that tue army s not composed OF
lawyers capable of judging at moments notice Of just
how far they can go in tho maintenance Of law and
der and that 1t impossible to give specific nstruc
tons providing all possible contingencies that might
arise The troops bound to act upon tho judgment
OF the commanding officer upon each sudden eOntin
gency that arose. wait Instructions which could only
reach them after the threatened wrongs had been com
mtted which they were called prevent It should
be recoected too, that upon my recognition Of the
Kellogg Government I reported the fact, with the
grounds Of recognition, to Congress, and asked that
body to take action in the matter; otherwise should
regard their silence as an acquiescence In my
course. No action has been taken by that
body and have maintained the position then marked
out II has been committed by the army in these
matters has ALWAYS been the side of the preserva
on of good order the maintenance OF the law and the
protection Of life Their bearing reflects credit upon
the soldiers and IL wrong has resulted the blame with
the turbulent elements surrounding them. I now ear
nesy ask that such action be taken by Congress to
leave my duties perfectly clear in dealing with the
fairs Of Louisiana, giving assurance at the time
that whatever may be done by that body in the prem
ises will be executed according to the spirit and letter Of
the law, without fear or favor,
herewith transmit documents containing more spec
c information the subject matter of tho resolu
ton. u. 8. GRANT.
BxeruHee Haasioa, Jan. 13. 1876
ABsTRAU OF THE SPECIFIC INFORMATION"