The Pulaski citizen. [volume] (Pulaski, Tenn.) 1866-current, 1875-01-28

McEnery senate, then to depose Gov. Kellogg,
and so revolutiOnize the state government
| Whether it was wrong for the governor at the
request of the majority CT members returned
as elected to the house, to use such means as
were IN his power to defeat these l&wless and
revolutionary proceedings, is PEI haps debat-
able question but il is quite certain that there
| would have been no trouble if those who now
complain of Illegal interference had allowed
the house to be organized in a lawful and reg
ular manner. When those who inaugurated
disorder and anarchy disavOW Euch proceed
ings, it viii be time enough to condemn these
who, by such means as they have, prevent
the success Of their lawless and desperate
schemes.
Lieut.. Gen. Sheridan was requested by me
to go to Louisiana to observe and report the
situation there, and, If in his opinion neces-
sary, to assume the commsnd. which he did
on the 4th inst. after the legislative disturb
ance had occurred. at nine O'Clock p m. a
number Of hours aftfr the disturbances No
party motive nor pFejudlces can necessarily be
imputed 10 him. but honestly convinced by
what he has seen and heard there, he has
characterized the leaders of the white leagues
in severe terms. and suggested summary
modes or procedure against them, which.
though they cannot be adopted. would. if
legal, soon put an end to the troubles and dis
orders in that state. Gen. Sheridan was look
ing at facts. an6 possibly not thinking Of pro-
ceedlDgs which would be the only proper ones
to pursue in time OF peace. and thought more
OF the utterly lawiess condition Of society sur
rounding him at the time of his dispatch, and
of what would prove sure remedy. He never
proposed to do an illegal act nor expressed
determination to proceed beyond what the law
in the future might authorize for the punish
ment OF the atrocities which have been COM
mitted, and the commission of which cannot
be successfully denied. Tt is a deplorable fact
that political crimes and murder have been
committed in Louisiana. which have gone uu-
punished, and which have been justified or
apologized for which must rest as a reproach
upon the state and country long after the
present generation has passed away.
have no desire to have United States troops
interfere IN the do Z Uestic concerns Of Louisiana
or anv other state. On the 9th Of December
last. Gov. Kellogg telegraphed to me his ap-
prehensions that the white lesgue intended
to make another attack. Upon the came day
made the following answer, since which no
communication has been sent to him
" Your dispatch of this date has just been
received. 1t is exceedingly unpalatable to use
troops in anticipation OF dangers. Let the
state authorities be right, and then proceed
with their duties, without apprehension of
danger. If thew are then molested. the ques-
tiOn will be determined whether the United
States is able to maintain law and order within
its limits or not"
I have deplored the presence of troops
among them. 7 regret however to say that
this state of things does not exist, nor does
its existence seem to be desired in localities,
and as to those it will be proper for me to say,
that to the extent that congress has conferred
power on me to prevent it, neither Ru-kluX
klans. white leagues nor any other associa-
ton using arms and violence te execute their
unlawful purposes, can be permitted in that
way to govern anv part of this country, nor
can I see with indifference union men or re-
pubEcans ostracized, persecuted and murdered
on account Of their opinions, as they now are
in some localities.
have heretofore urged the case OF Louisi-
ana upon the attention of congress, and can
rOt bT1t fbinfz that ifa inapfiOTl has TrndUpn6
great evil. To summonize: In September
last, an armed organized body OF men. in the
support of candidates who had been put in
nomination for the Offices Of governor and
lieutenant governor. at the November election
in 1872 and who had been declared not elected
by the board of canvassers, recognized by all
the courts to which the question had been sub
mItted, undertook to subvert and overthrow
the state government that had been recognized
by me, in accordance with previous prPcedents.
The recognized governor was driven from the
state house. a d. but for his finding shelter in
the United States custOm-house, IN the capital
OF the state of which he was governor. it Is
seriously to be doubted that he would have
been killed. From the state-house, before he
had been driven to the custom-hOuse, a call
was made in accordance with the 4th section,
4th 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 duty, my proclamation OF the 18th of
September 1874. was issued. This served to
reinstate Gov. Kellogg to his position nomi-
nally, but it cannot be claimed that he insur-
gents have to this day surrendered to the
state authorities the arms belonging to the
state. or that they have in any sense disarmed.
On the contrary. it is known that the armed
organization that existed on the l4th OF Sep
tember, 1874, in opposition to the recognized
state government, still retain their organiza-
tiOn, equipments and commanders, and can be
callei out at any hour to resist the state gov
ernment. Under these circumstances the same
Ipg41
as was sent under the first call, and under the
same general instructions. I repeat that tn
task assumed by the troops Is not a pleasant
one; that the army is not composed of lawyers,
capable of judging at a moments notice Of
Just how far they can go in the maintenance OF
law and order, and that it was impossible to give
specific instructions providing for all possible
contingencies that might arise. The troops
were bound to act upon the judgment OF COM
manding officers upon each sudden contingency
that arose. wait instructions which could
only reach them after the threatened wrongs
had been committed, which they were called
on to prevent. It must be recolected, too,
that upon my recognition Of the Kellogg gov
ernment, 1 reported the fact with the grounds
of the recognition to congress, nd asked that
body to take action in the matter, otherwise,
should regard their silence acquiescing in
nv course. No action has been taken by that
body, and 1 have maintained the position
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 maintenance OF law and the protection of
life. Their bearing reflects credit upon the
soldiers, and if wrong has resulted the blame,
with the turbulent elements surrounding them,
must not rest on them.
I now earnestly ask that such action be
taken by congress as to leave my duties per-
fectly clear in dealing with affairs in Louisiana
giving assurance at the same time that what
ever may be done by that body in the premises,
will be executed according to the spirit of the
law, without fear or favor.
herewith transmit copies of documents
containing more specific information as to the
subject matter OF the resolution.
U. S. GRANT,