Year: 1875

the democrats to remove persons obnox-
ious to them from the legislative hall,
and the second was from the republicans
to remove persons who had usurped the
seats in the legislature without legal
certificates authorizing them to their
seats, and in sufficient number to change
the majority. Nobody was disturbed by
the military who had legal right at
that time to occupy a seat in the Legis-
lature.


THE DEMOCRATIC CONSPIRACY.


That the democratic minority of the
house undertook to seize its organization
by fraud and violence, and in this at
tempt trampled under foot the law; that
they undertook to make persons not re-
turned as elected members, so as to cre-
ate majority; that they under pre-
concerted plan and under false preten-
ses introduced into the hall body of
men to support their pretensions by
force, if necessary, and that the conflict,
disorder and riotous proceedings which
followed are facts, seem to be well estab-
lished, and l am credibly informed that
these violent proceedings were part of
premeditated plan to have the house
organized in this way, recognize what is
called the McEnery Senate, and then de-
pose the Kellogg government, and so
revolutionize the state government.
Whether it was wrong for the governor,
at the request of the majority of the
members returned as elected to the
house, to use such means as were in his
power to defeat these lawless and revo-
lutionary proceedings, is perhaps de-
batable question; but it is quite certain
that there would have been trouble
that if these who now complain of ille-
gal interference had allowed the house
to be organized in lawfal and regular
manner, when those who inaugurate dis
order and anarchy disavow such pro-
ceedings, it will be time enough to con-
denim those who by such means as they
have prevented the success of their law
less and desperate schemes. Lieutenant
General Sheridan was requested by me
to go to Louisiana to observe and report
the situation there, and if in his opinion
necessary to assume command, which he
did on the 4th inst, after the legislative
disturbance had occurred, at nine clock
p. M, number of hours after the dis
turbance.


NO PARTY MOTIVES


Nor prejudices can reasonably be imput-
ed to him, but honestly convinced by
what he has heard and seen there, he has
characterized the leaders of the White
League 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 possibly not thinking of the
proceedings which would be the only
proper ones to pursue in time of peace.
He thought more of the utterly lawless
condition of society surrounding him at
the time of his dispatch, and of what
would prove sure remedy. He never
proposed to do an illegal act nor ex-
pressed a determination to proceed be-
yond what the law in the future might
authorize for the punishment of the
atrocities which have been committed,
and the commission of which cannot sue
cessfully be denied. 1t is deplorable
fact that political crimes and murders
have been committed in Louisiana which
have gone unpunished and which have
been justified or apologized for, which
must rest as a reproach upon the state
and country long after the present gen.
Grafton has passed away. | have no de-
sire to have United States troops inter-
fere in the domestic concerns of Louis
lana or any other state.


AN APPEAL FROM GOV. KELLOGG.


On the 9th of December last Cover
nor Kellogg telegraphed to me his ap-
prehensions that the White League in
tended to make an attack upon the state
to which on the same day I made the
following answer, since which no COM
munication has been sent to him.


Your dispatch of this date is just
received. 1t is exceedingly impractical
bic to use troops in anticipation of dan
gers. Let the state authorities be right
and then proceed with their duties with
out apprehension of danger. If they
are then molested the question will be
determined whether the United States is
able to maintain law and order within
its limits or not" have deplored the
necessity which seemed to make it my
duty, under the constitution and laws,
to direct such interference. / have al
ways refused, except where it seemed to
be my imperative duty to act in such a
manner under the constitution and laws