The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1875-01-29
The Louisiana Observation-Disclosures Of
Army Officers.

President Grant, in response to the Senate 5
| 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 afiidavits 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 depart
ure from the established rules of the service,
and mschievous in its tendency. Merrill
/ thereuDon explains that his action was due to
the fact that no citizen could have made these
aidavits except at the risk of his life, and sub
mts sundry voluminous reports detailing the
lawless condition of affairs in the Red river re-
gon. These reports being all before the de-
/ partment, Adjutant General Townsend tele-
! graphed to Merrill Dec. z, 1874, through the
! headquarters of the army, that the department
considered his action justified by the circum-
stances.
Among the papers is the report of Lieut.. Col
Henry A. Morrow. who detailed by Gen.
Emory to make thorough examination Of the
condition of affairs in the Red river country
He SAYS that so far as 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 look of
poverty and neglect. The law has fallen into
disregard and disrespute and the Judges are
openly charged with corruption {; United States
.l.nla l.nxrA No1
diers in cases where there was no necessity for
them, and in some parishes have discharged
their duties III an unnecessarily harsh, if not
cruel, manner.
Col. Morrow gives the following az his deep
seated convictions 1.-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 any
norton of the comnunity." Further on he SAWS
If expressions of the people are to be believed
(and do believe them, there is a 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
government of the present State Executive is
the cause of bitter personal and political feeling
in the hearts of nineteen-twentieths of tile
white inhabitants of the State"
In forwarding this report, Dec. ~, Gen.
Emory SAYS i: 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 il placed. This state of things
is daily growing worse and commend the sub
iect 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 az far AZ practicable, and /
therefore most respectfully recommend that, if
il 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 or THE ARMY
ST. LOUIS, Jan. 4, 1875.
This paper is most respectfully forwarded 10 the
Secretary of War with the request that he submit il
for the personal perufal Of the President know of
officer OF Col. Morrows rank who liz better quail
fed 10 speak and write of matters like this and his
opinions are entitled 10 great consideration pro-
fess 10 have some knowledge Of the people of that