The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1875-02-04
The Louisiana Observation-Disclosures Of
Army Officers.

|. President Grant, in response to the Senate'e
resolutions of inquiry, has sent to that body
another large mass of manuscript copies of cor
respondence relative to disorders in Louisiana.
The correspondence says the Associated Press
report, dates back to Oct. Is, 1874, and begins
with various cipher kilograms sent by Gen.
Emory to the War Department. in which he ex-
presses strong disapprobation Of Maj Merrills
action in making affidavits against citizens of
Shreveport under which they were arrested for
alleged violations of the Enforcement act. Gen.
Emory informed Merrill that he considered his
personal appearance as prosecutor was a depart
IRE from the established rules of the service.
and mischievous in it's tendency. Merrill
thereupon explains that his action was due to
the fact that no citizen could have made these
afhdavlts except at the risk of his life, and SUBJ
mlts sundry voluminous reports detailing the
lawless condition of affairs in the Red river re-
gion. These reports being all before the de-
paltment, Adjutant General Townsend tele-
graphed to Merrill Dec. 7, 1874 through the
headquarters of the army that the department
considered his action justified by the circur-
stances.
Among the papers is the report of Lieut.. Col.
Henry A. Morrow, who was detailed by Gen.
Emory TO make thorough examination of the
condition of affairs in the Red river country.
He says that SO far relates to the United
States there is not the slightest disposition to
oppose the general government, but the oppo-
sition to the State government is deter
mined and expressed, and will manifest
| itself in open violence whenever and wherever
opportunity offers. This dissatisfaction and dis
content affect all departments of business. and
the whole aspect of the country has q look of
poverty and neglect. The law has fallen into
disregard and disrespute, and the Judges are
| openly charged with corruption /; United States
| Deputy Marshals have used United States SOL
diers in cases where there was no necessity for
Them and in some parishes have discharged
their duties IN an unnecessarily harsh, if not
cruel, manner
Col. Morrow gives the following as his deep
seated convictions The present State govern
ment cannot maintain itself in power a single
hour without the protection of Federal troops,
and even with this protection they will not be
able to collect the taxes and perform the func-
| tons of the government" The State govern
ment has not the confidence or respect of anv
portion of the community" Further on, he saws
Ii expressions of the people are to be believed
(and do believe them), there is very sincere
desire to live quietly under the protection of the
| Constitution of the United States and enjoy the
blessings Of the national government but
there is no Disgusting the fact that the protec-
ton afforded by the Federal government to the
the cause of bitter personal and political feeling
In the hearts of nineteen-twentieths of the
white inhabitants of the State"
In forwarding this report, Dec. 81, Gen.
Emory says: For nearly two years the condi-
ton of affairs has been very precarious, and the
State government has constantly shown itself
unable to cope with the difficulties of the situa-
ton in which it is placed. This state of things
is daily growing worse, and I commend the sub
ject to your serious consideration. The mission
OF the army to keep the peace, without the power
OF removing the causes which disturb it, has
| think, been carried as far as practicable and T
therefore most respectfully recommend that if
it can be done, the powers of the military com
mander be greatly increased or that some other
measure be resorted to to obtain the desired
end"
Gen. Sherman makes the following indorse-
ment:
HEADQUARTERS OF THE ARMY
ST. LOUIS, Jan. T. 1875.
This paper is most respectfully forwarded to the
Secretary of War with the request that he submit it
for the personal perusal of the President know of
officer of Col Morrow's rank who is better quail
fed to speak and write of matters like this and his
opinions entitled to grave consideration pro-
TESS to have some knowledge of the people of that
section, both white and black from long residence
among them before the war, and several visits since
but shall not intrude my opinion in the confusion
| In which the subject is now enveloped.
| (Signed) w. T. SHERMAN, General