Year: 1875

TrOubleS-Ile Laws should be Faith
Sherman ls.


A reporter of the St. Louis Republican
called upon General Sherman, and, in con-
versation concerning affairs in New Orleans,
the General said.


Affairs in Louisiana wore an ugly look.
He hoped, however, that solution of the
difficulties would soon be reached. This
state of affairs could not continue much
longer He thought that Congress would
soon be compelled to take some action which
would compose the difficulties as far as they
could at present be composed. Gen. Emory,
who commands the Department of the Gulf,
is good man, an excellent officer of the old
school, but perhaps little timid in interfer-
ing in the civil affairs of the State. He had
received orders and communications from
Washington touching the condition OF things
in Louisiana, which he had forwarded to Gen.
Sheridan. That commander had gone to New
Orleans to observe the progress OF the civil
complications by order of the President, with
discretionary authority to assume command
OF the troops if he deemed it necessary. Gen.
Sheridan, he said, is a kind-hearted, noble
minded man, accessible to any who may have
suit to urge. But he is soldier also and
does not hesitate to do his duty. If he thought
it necessary and believed it a matter of duty,
the city of New Orleans would be no more
regarded than an Indian village He would
not hesitate to level it, That is the kind of
man Sheridan is. But he is also prudent and
discreet, and will do nothing to complicate
matters or precipitate eYents.


The military could not decide as to the
righfulness or wrongfulness of the claims
of the contending factions; they could only
obey orders. 1t was the province of the ju-
dietary to decide as to the legality of this or
that government. The President was an ex-
ecutiYe officer; he could not constitutionally
determine whether this or that party was en-
titled to exercise the powers of government IN
Louisiana.


He thought the President, having once re-
cognized the Kellogg government, had made
up his mind to sustain it until declared by
Congress or the Supreme Court of the United
States to be illegal. There is a great problem
lying back of all these troubles. The making
of laws taxing the people by party which
pays little or no taxes is a subject which
needs to be handled with great deicacy. AS
to the question whether fair election has
been or can be held in Louisiana is matte
for careful consideration. The present con-
dition of society in Louisiana is anarchy.


A State government has been established
in Louisiana, certain laws have been passed,
and all should obey those laws until cnangeo
or declared null and void by competent judi
cial authority. By the laws of Louisiana a
board of canyassers has been created, whose
duty is declared to be the examination OF the
election returns and the certifcation OF the
persons elected to office This board declares
that Smith, Jones and Brown have been cleo
ted, Who is to determine whether they have
or not ? 1t is not the province of the military
authority nor of the President to set aside
the returns.


! The. President can only execute the law.
As to- the question, whether or not there have
been frauds committed, that is matter tor
judicial inquiry.


The General was quite fervent in bis ex-
preston of hope that solution OF tha
whole trouble would be arrived at without
bloodshed. He is opposed to war In times
Of war the law is silent. He desired peace
above all things.