Litchfield enquirer., 1875-01-21


 DOW complain of illegal interference had allowed the house to be organized in a law fal and regular manner. When those who disorder and anarchy dfsavow spch proceedings 1t will be time enough to condemn those who, by such means as they have, prevent the success of their law less and desperate schemes.
 sHERIDAS's DISPATCH.
 Lieut. General Sheridan was request ed by me to go to Louisiana to observe the situation there and, If in his opinion necessary, to assume command, which he did on the 4th inst, after the legislative had occurred, at 9 P. M., a number of hours after the disturbance. Party motives or prejudices cannot req sonably be imputed to him. Honestly convinced by what he has seen and heard there he has characterized the leaders oi the white leagues in severe terms and suggested summary modes of procedure against them which. though they cannot be adopted, would. If legal, soon put an end to the troubles and disorders in that state. General Sheridan was looking at facts, and probably not thinking of proceedings which would be the only proper ones to pursne in time of peace, thought more of the utterly lawless condition of society him at the time of his dis patch and of what would prove a sure remedy. He never proposed to do an H. legal act nor expressed a determination to proceed beyond what the law in the fu- ture might authorize for the punishment of the atrocities which have been commit ted, and the commission of which cannot be successfully denied It Is deplora- ble fact that political crimes and murders have been committed in Louisiana, which have gone unpunished, which have near been justified or apologized for, and which must rest as reproaeh upon the state and country long after the present generation has passed away. ---.
 AGGREssIyENEss DIsCLAHlED.
 have no desire to have United States troops interfere in the domestic concerns or Louisiana or any other state.
 On the 9th of December last, Governor Kellogg telegraphed to me hls appreheR- sions that the white league intended to make another att ack on the State house, to which, on the same day, made the following answer, since which no commu- nication has been sent to him:
 ''Your dispatch of this date just -eceiv- ed. It IS exceedingly unpalatable to use troops in anticipation of dangers. Let the state authorities be right and then proceed with their duties without appre- hension of danger. If they are then mo- tested the question will be determined whether the United States is able to main tain law and order within it's limits or not"
 I have deplored the necessity which seemed to make 1t my duty under the con- and laws to direct such interfer- ence. I have always refused, except where 1t seemed to be my imperative du- ty, to act in such manner under the con- stitution and laws of the United States. have repeatedly and earnestly entreated the people of the south to live together in peace and obey the laws, and nothing would give me greater pleasure than to see reconciliation and tranquility every where prevail, and thereby remove all ne- cessity for the presence of troops among them. ...>
 WORD OF WARNING. F F7
 regret, however, to say that this state of things does not exist, nor does it's ex- lstence seem to be desired, in some locali- lies. And as to those it may be proper for me to say that to the extent that con gress has conferred power on me to pre- vent 1t, neither ku-klux klans, white leaguers nor any other association using arms and violence to execute their unlaw- full purposes, can be permitted in that way to govern any part of this country. Nor can see with indifference Union men or republicans ostracised, persecuted and on account of their opinions. as they now are in some localities.
 l have heretofore urged the case of and I cannot but think that it's inaction has produced great evil. .=
 A SUMMARY.
 To summarize: In September last an armed organized body of men in the sup- port of candidates who had been put in nomination for the offices of governor and lleutentant governor, at the November election in 1872, and who had been de- clared not elected. by the board of can vassers, recognized by all the courts to which the question had been submitted, to subvert and overthrow the state government that had been recogniz- cd by me in accordance with previous precedents. The recognized governor was driven from the state house, and, but for his finding shelter in the United States custom house. in the capital of the state Of which he was governor, 1t Is scarcely 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 fourth section fourth article of the consti- tuition of the United States for the aid of the general government to suppress do- nestle violence. Under those circum- stances, and in accordance with my sworn duties, my proclamation of the 18th of September, 1874, was issued This serv- ed to reinstate Governor Kellogg to his position nominally, but 1t cannot be claim ed that the insurgents have to this day surrendered to the state authorities the arms belonging to the state or that they have ln any sense disarmed On the con trarv, 1t IS known that the same arm- ed organizations that existed on the 14th of September, 1874, in opposition to the recognized state government, still retain
 OAS9@AA<ss'IOds dLu COu- manders. and can be called out at any hour to resist the state government
 Under these circumstances the same military force has been continued in Lou lsiana as was sent there under the first call, and under the same general instruc- tlons. I repeat that the task assumed by the troops is not a pleasant one to them that the army is not composed of lawyers capable of judging at a moments notice of just how far they can go in the main tenance of law and order, and that it was impossible to give specific instructions providing for all possible contingencies that might arise. The troops were forced to act upon the judgment of the command ing officer upon each sudden contingency that arose, or await instructions, which only could reach them after the threaten- ed wrongs had been committed which they were called on to prevent |
 If should be recollected, too. that upon my recognition of the Kellogg govern ment reported the fact, with the grounds or recognition, to congress, and asked that body to take action in the matter: otherwise l should regard their silence as an acqu1esence in my course. No action has been taken by that body, and have Inc {: -E.