The Indianapolis leader. (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1879-1890, 1880-07-24
SHERIDAN VS.. HANCOCK.

Indianapolis Journal, July 3D.
The following Is order No. 40, issued
by General Hancock on assuming COM
mand of Louisiana in 1867:
"The general commanding is gratified to learn
that peace and quiet reign in this department.
1t will be his purpose to preserve this condition
OF things As means to this great end, he re-
CARDS the maintenance OF civil authorities i'll the
faithful execution Of the laws as the most Elf
cient under existing circumstances. In war 1t
throw and destroy opposition TO lawful au-
th0rity. But when fnsurrectionary force has
been overthrow and peace established, and
the civil authorities are ready and willing 20
perform their duties, the military power should
cease TO lead, md the civil administration re-
sumo its natural and rightful dominion. Sol,
emily impressed with these views, the general
announces that the great principles OF American
liberty still the lawful inheritance of this
people, and ever should be. The right of trial
by jury, the habeas corpus. the liberty OF the
press. the freedom OF speech, and the natural
rights of persons and the rights of property
must be preserved Free institutions, while
they essential to the happiness and prosper
ity OF the people, always furnish the strongest
inducements to peace and order. Grimes ana
Offenses committed in this district must be re-
ferred to the consideration and Judgment OF the
regular civil tribunals, aud those tribunals will
be supported IN their lawful jurisdiction.
''Sheud there be violations of existing laws
which are not inquired into by the civil magis-
trates. should failures in the administration
OF justice by the courts be complained OF, the
when such orders VIII be made as may he deem
ed necessary.
"while the observation-disclosures hispurpOse to
respect the liberties VI the people. he wishes all
to understand that armed insurrection or forci-
BILE resistance TO the law viii be instantly sup
pressed by arms.
''By command of Maj.-Gen- W. s. Hancock.
''W G.. MITCHELL,
"Brev. Lieut.-col, Acting Assistant Adjutant-
general"
From this it might be supposed that
perfect peace and order prevailed in
Louisiana. In fact, the first sentence
says: "The general commanding is
gratified to learn that peace and quiet
reign in this Department. In contrast
with the foregoing, we call attention to
the following:
| In December, 1875, President Grant
sent General Sheridan to New Orleans
to make personal investigation of the
condition of affairs in Louisiana and to
report for the information OF the Presi-
dent. On the 10Th of January, 1873,
Sheridan made report to the Secretary
OF War, from which we extract the fol-
lowing:
"snce the year 1866 nearly thirty-five hun
| bred persons, great majority of whom were
| colored men. have been Killed and wounded in
this State. In 1868 the official record shows
/ that one Thousand eight hundred and eighty
! four were killed and wounded. From 1868 TO
| the present time official investigation has
been made. and the civil authorities. in all hut
| few cases, have been unable to arrest, convict
and puuish the perpetrators. There, ia annie
evidence to show that moro than twelve
hundred persons have been killed and wounded
since 1868 on account OF their political princi-
pies. Frightful lnassacres have occurred in the
| parishes OF Bossifr, Caddo, Catahoula. Saint
| Bernard. SAINT Landry. Grant and Orleans The
| general character or the masSacres IN the above
named parishes is SD well known that 1t is I'M
! necessary to describe them. The isolated cases
can best be illustrated by the following instances
| which / take from mass of evidence now
| lying before me, of men killed account of
| their political principles. In NatchtOches
| parish the number OF isolated cases reported IL
thirty three. In the parish OF Bienville the
number of men killed is thirty. In Red
River parish the number of Isolated
! cases of men killed is thirty-fOur.
! In VIM parish the number of isolated cases of
murder is fifteen In Jackson parish the mum
Der killed is twenty, and In Catalonia parish the
nlqot o isq ,S cases reR0rea Tnere n men men
state is held so cheaRly that when men are kill
cd on account OF political opinions. the murder
nails the localities where they reside, and by
the White League aud their supporters. =
Safety for individuals who express their opinion
in the isolated portions of the State has existed
| only when that opinion was in favor of the prin-
ciples and party supported by the Kuklux and
| White League organization"
1t will he observed that Hancock i'm
his order No. 40, issued in 1867, says it
will Ire his purpose to preserve the peace
and quiet then reigning In Louisiana.
Sheridan says that from 1866 to 1875,
thirty-fve hundred persons were muir
dered in Louisiana, and that more than
twelve hundred of these murders oc-
CURED after 1868, or after the issuing of
Hancock's order. Sheridan went to as
certain and tell the truth. Hancock
went to make political capital with the
Southern brigadiers.