e turmoil
reached its height in Louisiana in 1874. Ever since 1872 the whites in
that State had been chafing under republican rule. The election of
Governor Kellogg was disputed, and he was accused of having plunged the
State into ruinous debt. In August, 1874, a disturbance occurred which
ended in the deliberate shooting of six republican officials. President
Grant prepared to send military aid to the Kellogg government. Thereupon
Penn, the defeated candidate for Lieutenant-governor in 1872, issued an
address to the people, claiming to be the lawful executive of Louisiana,
and calling upon the state militia to arm and drive "the usurpers from
power." Barricades were thrown up in the streets of New Orleans, and on
September 14th a severe fight took place between the insurgents and the
state forces, in which a dozen were killed on each side. On the next day
the state-house was surrendered to the militia, ten thousand of whom
had responded to Penn's call. Governor Kellogg took refuge in the
custom-house. Penn was formally inducted into office. United States
troops were hurried to the scene. Agreeably to their professions of
loyalty toward the Federal Government, the insurgents surrendered the
state property to the United States authorities without resistance, but
under protest. The Kellogg government was re-instated.

[1875]

Troops at the polls secured quiet in the November elections. The
returning board decided that the Republicans had elected their governor
and fifty-four members of the legislature. Fifty-two members were
democratic, while the election of five members remained in doubt, and
was left to the decision of the legislature. The Democrats vehemently
protested against the decision of the returning board, claiming an
all-round victory. Fearing trouble at the assembling of the legislature
in January, 1875, President Grant placed General Sheridan in command at
New Orleans. The legislature met on January 4th. Our reports of what
followed are conflicting. The admitted facts are that the democratic
members, lawfully or unlawfully, placed a speaker in the chair. Some
disorder ensuing, United States soldiers were called in and, at the
request of the democratic speaker, restored quiet. The Republicans
meanwhile had left the house. The Democrats then elected members to fill
the five seats left vacant by the returning board. Later in the day,
United States troops, under orders from Governor Kellogg, to whom the
republi