o have United States troops interfere in the domestic
concerns of Louisiana or any other State.

On the 9th of December last Governor Kellogg telegraphed to me his
apprehensions that the White League intended to make another attack upon
the statehouse, to which, on the same day, I made the following answer,
since which no communication has been sent to him:

Your dispatch of this date just received. It is exceedingly unpalatable
to use troops in anticipation of danger. Let the State authorities be
right, and then proceed with their duties without 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.

I have deplored the necessity which seemed to make it my duty under the
Constitution and laws to direct such interference. I have always refused
except where it seemed to be my imperative duty to act in such a manner
under the Constitution and laws of the United States. I 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 tranquillity everywhere prevail, and thereby
remove all necessity for the presence of troops among them. I 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 to the extent that Congress has conferred
power upon me to prevent it neither Kuklux Klans, White Leagues, nor
any other association using arms and violence to execute their unlawful
purposes can be permitted in that way to govern any part of this
country; nor can I see with indifference Union men or Republicans
ostracized, persecuted, and murdered on account of their opinions,
as they now are in some localities.

I have heretofore urged the case of Louisiana upon the attention of
Congress, and I can not but think that its inaction has produced great
evil.

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 November 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 submitted, undertook to
subvert and overthrow the State government that had