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

resolution.
(Signed) U. S. GRANT.
EXECUTIVE MANSION, Jan. IA, 1875.
An Interview With Sheridan.
The New Orleans Times contains the
report of an interview with Gen. Sheri-
dan, from which are taken the follow
ing extracts. In relation to his ban
ditti dispatch, Gen. Sheridan said: 81
do not believe that there is . sensible
man in the State who really imagines
that meant that all the people were
banditti. That particular phrase was
used Tor technical reason. In an
opinion Of the bureau Of justice on the
provisions of the enfor. cement act for
the suppression of unlawful organize
tons or combinations, the terms Jay
hawker' and 'banditti' were employed.
The White League is secret military
organization. in contravention of both
state and Federal laws. Its members,
when they resort to overt acts, are all
liable to the penalties Of the enforce
mcnt act. The term .jayhawker' could
not be used, for the Leagu ers are not
plunderers ard robbers. I therefore
had no choice but to use the word con-
tanned in the opinion referred to-"
Reporter. But, General, whatever
else may be said, we are not bandits.
Gen. S. Oh, of course; the people
generally are as good as any people. but
no one will deny that the white league
is a secret political military combina-
ton. having purposes which, if they arc
not intended to be accomplished by
revolution and violence, there is no
reason or sense in the military charac-
ter the conbinat ton has assumed.
r. Iwould like to know what are
your intentions with regard to the
league!
Gen. S. It has been charged that
there was or is black league. As yet
have seen no evidence Of that fact but
if there is such an organization, shslI
find it out, and whether these combina-
tions be white or black, they cannot be
tolerated. They are at the bottom Of
much Of the trouble in this State.
They engender spirit Of lawlessness,
and it is my opinion no peaceful condi-
ton can be reached as long IS they
continue, nor until every species Of
business and social ostrac SIN on &C.
count Of Political sentiments is broken
down.
r. think you attach too much inn
poroance to this matter.
Gen. S. 1t is not denied that the
League is an armed organization, exist
ing outside Of the law. for political
purposes.
r. Not so .much for political purposes
as to defend political rights.
Gen. s. There is no use dividing the
question. II one party is permitted to
enter contest which should be peace
full, vita arms, their opponents must
be allowed the same privilege, and it
does not require the wisdom Of Solo
mon to know that such an array of
parties would soon end in drenching
your State with blood, and endangcr the
peace Of the whole country. The sim
pie arming Of one portion Of the people
is practically declaration Of war
against the rest. 1t is an abandon
ment of the logic Of reason for the logic
Of. force. These are not peaceful meth
DDS. Peace may, indeed, follow these
forces, but only after they are through
with their work Of desolation.
r. You have said in some Of your
dispatches that human life is too lightly
estimated in this State, but have you
any reason to believe that one party il
more cuIpable than the other in this
respect
Gen. ST. have not specially assign
ed this evil to any class exclusively. It
mas occurred to me that many people
here nave not been conscious to what
an extent this is true. Many have
known it and declared it. Many were
persuaded Of the dangerous policy Of
secret and armed political bodies, but
such people did not openly proclaim
their conviction, and indeed could not
afford to meet the ostracism which
would have been their reward il they
had done SO. In other sections Of the
country mans views on political
questions do not affect him favorably or
unfavorably in business or otherwise.
1t is not so here. Many Of your
best citizens have said 80 in . private
way, and would say SO now If forced to
answer, or il they felt that they could
afford to do 50. Do not nearly al cit
liens carry arms, and is it not the ex-
pectation that MISUNDERSTANDING ~
tercations, and quarrels, especially
those of > political character. will end in
the use Of pistols or knives! Ihave .
lis. Of murdered men in this State
which may well startle the nation. I
considered it Necessary that some one
should speak the word which would
arouse all good people in the State to
the true condition Of things. It was
what I called water-line spot, and
good men have rallied to do exactly
what hoped to see them do to save
the State.
Going in for niceties-Rising TO-
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