The anti-monopolist. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1874-1878, 1875-01-21

usurpation and tyranny in law was re-
newed with doubled energy. Troops
had been sent to the State under requi-
sition of the Governor, as other dis
turbances seemed imminent. They
were allowed to remain there to render
| the executive such aid as might be-
come necessary to enforce the laws Of
the State, and to repress the continued
violence which seemed inevitable the
moment Federal support should be
withdrawn.
Prior to and with view to the late
election in Louisiana, white men ASSOC
Glazed themselves together in armed
bodies, called White Leagues, and at
the same time threats were made in the
Democratic journals of the State that
the election should be carried against
the Republicans at all hazards, which
very naturally greatly alarmed the COL
ored voters. By section Of the act Of
February 18th. 1871, it is made the
duty of United States marshals and
their deputies, at polls where there are
votes cast for representatives in Con-
gress, to keep the peace and prevent
any violation Of the so-called
enforcement acts, and other ofienses
against the laws of the United States.
Upon requisition Of the Marshal Of
Louisiana, and in view Of said armed
organization and other prctentious cir
cumstances, caused detachments Of
troops to be stationed at various local
tiles in the State to aid him in the per-
Torrance Of his official duties in the
enforcement Of the State laws. The
officers and troops of the United States
may wei! have supposed that it was
their duty to act, when called upon by
the government for that purpose.
Each branch of legislative assem-.
bly, is the judge Of the election and
qualifications of its own members, but
if mob or BODY of unauthorized per-
sons seize and hold the legislative hall
in tumultuous and riotous manner,
and so prevent any organization by
those legally returned as elected, it,
might become the duty of State exc
cutive to interpose, if requested by a
majority of the members elected, to
suppress the disturbance and era
Bile the persons elected to
organize the House. Any exercise of
this power would be justlfiable under
most extraordinary circumstances, and
it would then be the duty of the Gov
ernor to cali upon the constabulary or,
if necessary, the military force Of the
State.
But with reference to Louisiana, it is
to be borne in mind that any attempt
by the Governor to use the police force
of the State at this time, would have
undoubtedly precipitated bloody con-
hict with the White League, as it
did on the l4th Of September.
There is no doubt but the
presence of the United States troops
on that occasion prevented bloodshed
and the loss of life. Both parties ap-
pear to have relied upon tn en- as con-
senators of the public peace. The
first call was made by the Democrats
to remove persons obnoxious to them
from the Legislative hall. and the sec.
ond from the Republicans to remove
persons who had usurped seats in the
Legislature without legal certificates
authorizing them to seats, and in suf-
ticient number to change the majority.
Nobody was disturbed by the mill
tary who had legal right at that time
to occupy seat in the legislature.
That the Democratic minority Of the
House undertook to seize its organiza-
ton by frard and violence; that in this
attempt they trampled under foot the
law; that they undertook to make per-
sons not returned as elected members
so as to create majority; that they
acted under prcconcerted plan, and
under false pretenses introduced into
the hall by men to support their pre-
tensions by force. if necessary, and Gre
ate disorder aud riotous proceedings,
are facts which seem to be we'll cstab-
lished. am credibly informed that
these violent proceedings were part
Of premcditated plan to have the
house organized in this way, recognize
what has been called the McEnery SEN
ate, then depose Gov. Kellogg and so
revolutionize the State government.
Whether it was wrong for the Gov
ernor at the request Of the majority Of
members returned as elected to the
House, to use such means as were in his
power to defeat these lawless and rcvo-
lutlonary proceedings. is, perhaps, q
debateable question. But it is quite
certain that there would have been
no trouble if those who now complain
ofillegal interference had allowed the
House to be organized in .
lawful and regular manner.
When those who inaugurate disorder,
war and anarchy, disavow such pro-
ceedings, it will be time enough to con-
denim those who. by such means as
they have, prevent the success Of law
less and desperate schemes.
Lieut.. Gen. Sheridan WAS requested
by me to 90 to Louisiana to observe and
report the situation there, and if in his
opinion necessary, to assume the COM
mand, which be did on the 4th inst,
after the legislative disturbances had
occurred at Q clock, r. ". number
of hours after the disturbance. No
party motives nor prejudices can rra-
sonably be imputed to him. but
honesty. Convinced by what he
has seen and heard there, he has
| characterized the leaders Of the
White Leaguers in severe terms, and
suggested summary modes of proceed
ure against them. which though they