Year: 1875




disturbances of any kind, ut least not
ut present. 1t is not to be disguised, ,
however, that local disturbances of a
very serious character may take place
in the event Of the Returning Board
now in session in New Orleans, ruling
out the votes of the parishes for mere
technical reasons. ...
He goes on to say that the universal
sentiment there is that resistance and
violence will be entirely justifiable to
secure to the people change Of local
administration, to which they claim to
be entitled as the result of the late
election. He continues: In all have
said it is important to understand that
so far rs relates to the United States
there is not the slightest disposition to
oppose the General Government, but
the opposition to the State Govern
mcnt is determined and expressed,
and will manifest itself in open violence
whenever and wherever it asserts
itself.


On the gath of December Lieut.. Col.
Morrow, then in New Orleans, submits
4 detailed report of his Investigation.
Its main conclusions are the same as
those above given in his skeleton report.
He expresses the opinion that the troops
may be safely withdrawn from AleXan-
dria, ColfaX and Natchitoches, and
need not be increased at any other
point to compel obedience to the laws
of the United States, though he adds !:
Troops will be required, however, in
nearly every section of the State to
sustain the State authorities If Congress,
by appropriate legislation, does not
give some relief. He says he is aware
OF the fact that tho Federal troops have
not been ordered into parishes except
on requisition of the civil authorities !;
but recommends that stringent orders
be given to the officers
to exercise caution, and not to furnish
posses except in case where a marshal
and failed, and has made application
to the citizens for proper assistance and
been refused. This he believes to be
good policy as well AS good law, and if
adhered to fewer demands will be made
on the military. He says that the gen
eral condition of affairs on the Red
River is bad. Respect and regard for
the General Government arc expressed
by all classes of people, but they also
express open contempt and defiance of
the authority of the State Government.
This dissatisfaction and discomfort
affects all departments of business, and
the whole aspect of the country has
look of poverty and neglect. The law
has fallen into disregard and disreputc
and the judges are openly charged with
corruption. United States deputy
marsllals have used soldiers in cases
where there was no necessity for them ;
in some parishes have discharged their
duties in an unnecessarilyh harsh manner.
Col. Morrow gives the following as his
ofof1


The present State Government can
not maintain itself in power single
hour without the protection of Federal
troops, and even with this protection,
they will not be able to collect taxes
and perform the functions of the Gov
ernmcnt. The State Government has
not the confidence or respect Of any pOr-
ton of the community. Further on he
says, if the expressions OF the people
are to be believed, and l do believe
them, there is q very sincere desire to
live quietly under the protection of the
constitution of the United States and
enjoy the blessing of the National Gov
crnncnt; but there is no Disgusting the
fact that tho protection afforded by the
Federal Administration to the present
State Executive is the cause of bitter
personal and political feeling in the
breasts Oh Observation-Disclosures OF the
white Inhabitants of the State.


In forwarding this report, December
27, Gen. Emory says: "l'or nearly two
years the condition of affairs has been
very prccarious, and the State Govern
ment has constantly shown itself una-
Bile to cope with the difficulties Of the
situation in which it is placed. This
state of things is daily growing worse,
and / commend the subject to serious
consideration.


The mission of the army, to keep
peace without tho power of removing
causes which disturb, has, think been
carried as far as practicable, and there
fore respectfully recommend that, if it
can be done, the powers of the military
commander be greatly increased, or
some other measure be rcsortcd to, to
obtain the desired end"


Gen. Sherman makes the following
Endorsements:


HEADQUARTERS OF THE ARMY, |


ST. Louis, Jan. 4, 1875,


This paper is most respectfully for
warded to the Secretary of War, with a
request that he submit it for tho pcrusal
of the President. l know of no officer
OF Col. MOrrow's rank who is better