Year: 1875

| made the following answer. since which
no communication has been sent to him


Your dispatch Of this date is just
received. |, is exceedingly impraetica
ble to use troops IN anticipation of dan
gers. Let the State authorities be right
and then proceed with their duties with
oat apprehension of danger. If they
a 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 always refused,
except when it seemed to be my impear-
ative duty to act in such manner under
the Constitution and laws of the United
States. have repeatedly and earnestly
entreated the people Of the South to live
together in peace and obey the laws. and
nothing would give me greater pleasure
than to see reconciliation and tranquility
everywhere prevail. and thereby remove
all necessity for the presence of troops
among them. | regret, however, to say
that this state of things does not exist.
nor does its existence seem TO be desired
in some localities, and as to those it may
be proper for me to say that the extent
that Congress has conferred power on
me to prevent it, neither ku klux klans.
White l.eaguers nor any other assocla-
tion using arms and violence to execute
their unlawful purposes, can be permit
ted in that way TO govern any part of
this country. Nor can see with in
difference Union men or Republicans
ostracized. prosecuted and murdered on
account of their opinions as they now
are in some localities. have heretofore
urged the case of Louisiana upon the
attention of Congress. and cannot but
think that its inaction has produced
great evil.


THE SITUATION REVIEWED.


To summarize: In September last. an
armed organized body of men in the
support of candidates who had been put
in nomination for the offices of Governor
and Lieutenant Governor at the Novem
Der election in 1872. and who had been
declared not elected by the Board of
Canvassers. recognized by all the courts
TO which the question had been submit
ted. undertook to subvert and overthrow
the State Government that had been
recognized by me in accordance with
previous precedents. The recognized
Governor was driven from the State
House, and but for his finding shelter in
the United States Custom House in the
capital of the State of which he was
Governor. it is scarcely to be doubted
that he would have been killed. From
the State House. before he had been
driven to the Custom House call was
made in accordance with the fourth Sec
tion, fourth article of the Constitution
of the United States for the aid OF Gen.
eral Government to suppress domestic
violence Under these circumstances
and in accordance with my sworn duties,
my proclamation of the 10Th of Septem-
Der, 1874. was issued.


NO SURRENDER YET OF THE INSURGENTS.


This served to reinstate Governor
Kellogg in his position nominally. but
it cannot be claimed that the insurgents
have, to this day. surrendered to the
State authorities the arms belonging to
the State. or that they have in any sense
disarmed. On the contrary, it is known
that the same armed organization that
existed on the 18th of September. 1874,
in opposition to the recognized State
Government. still retains their orgauiza-
ton. equipments and commanders, and
can be called out at any hour to resist
the State Government. Under these
circumstances the same military force
has been continued in Louisiana as was
sent there under the first call, under the
same general instructions.


THE DEFENCE OF THE AcTs OF THE ARMY.


repeat. the task assumed by the
troops is not a pleasant one to them;
that the army is not composed of lawyers
capable of judging. at moments notice.
Of just how far they can 90 in the main
tenance of law and order. and that it
was impossible to give specific instruc-
tions providing for all possible cohtin-
gencies that might arise. The troops
were bound to act upon the judgment of
the commanding officer upon each sudden
contingency that arose. or wait instruc-
tions. which could only reach them after
the threatened wrongs had been commit
ted which they had been called to pre-
vent. 1t should be recollected, too. that
upon my Reorganization of the Kellogg
Government. ! reported the fact. with
the grounds of recognition to Congress,
and asked that body to take action in
the matter otherwise [ should regard
their silence as an aquiesceuce IN my
course. No action has been taken by
that body. and have maintained the
position then marked out. If error has
been committed by the army in these
matters. 1t has always been on the side
Of the preservation of good order. the
maintenance of Law and the protection
Of life. Their bearing reflects credit
upon the soldiers. and if wrong has re-
suited. the blame IS with the turbulent
element surrounding them.


Az APPEAL TO CONGRESS TO ACT.


now earnestly ak that such action
be taken by Congress as TO leave my
duties perfectly clear in dealing with
the affairs Of Louisiana. giving assurance
at the same time that whatever may he
done BY that body in the premises will
be executed according to the spirit aud
letter Of the law. without fear or favor.
herewith transmit copies Of documents
containing more specific information as
to the subject matter Of the resolution.


L. 5 GRANT.
A country deacon went home one
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