Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1870-12-09

as will enable the sheriffs Of the counties
named to execute the legal process OF the courts
in these cases.
On the next day, the 26th of March, tho Cen
ersl Assembly passed joint resolution IN &C.
cordauce with the foregoing recomm enaatlon,
and the same was promptly transmitted TO the
President of the United States. In due time an
order came from the War Department to Gen.
Candy, then commanding this department., to
furnish the aid requested. At my suggestion.
Gen. Candy ordered troops to the assistance OF
the sheriff of Elizabeth City county nrst, Who'
with the aid thus rendered, successfully exc,
cuted the process of the courts entertained
the hope that the example thus set would have
beneficial effect upon the illegal occupants OF
Taylor's farm, in Norfolk county, and with
this view advised some delay in the latter case,
but in this WAS disappointed. In the mean
time this State had been attached TO the Depart
ment of the East, and to its commander, Gener-
al Irwin Mcdowell, 1 applied for aid for tho
sheriff of Norfolk county. on the 3!st Of May
last. In response TO my application, troops
we're ordered from Fortress Monroe to the as
sstance of the sheriff of Norfolk county on or
about the 2lst day of June following. On the
22d day of juno received from General Barry,
commanding ut Fortress Monroe, u telegram,
of which the following is copy:
aft. Monroe. June 70, 1871.
'To His Excelency Gilbert c. Walker, Gov
ernor Of Virginia:
In obedience to photographic order from tho
honorable, the Secretary Of War, I have this
day recalled the detachment Of troops sent By
me to the Taylor farm to protect the sheriff of
Norfolk county. civilian F. BABaY"
And at about the same time received from
the sheriff Of Norfolk county, the following tel
egrsm:
Norfolk, Va, June %, 1870.
ITO His Excellency 9. {. Walker, Governor
Captain Piper, commanding United States
forces, sent TO asset N e, has been ordered back.
and not to render the sheriff any further assist
execute the balance of the writs? I have dis
placed two-thirds and torn down the buildings
SHERIFF, (Tsyor's Farm:)'
at once telegraphed the sheriff TO hold his
position, but without bloodshed. If possible -
Secretary Of War OF which the following is II
copy:
Executive Chambers,
Richmond, June q. 1870.
1.-The Honorable the Secretary of War, Wash
ington, d. O.:
III have received this morning the following
kilograms:
THE above rected kilograms are then given.
1 have cause to believe that this withdrawal
of the aid Of the military forces Of the United
States will render the execution of the process
of the courts much more difficult, and will tend
to bloodshed. for reasons heretofore forwarded
to the President.
Please advise me why the late order from
your department, and the order of the depart
ment commander, have been modified or re-
scinded? Whether the aid of the United States
forces can be restored to the sheriff? If so,
please cause it to be done at oncs.
An immediate answer by telegram is request.
ed in view of the emergency of the case.
g.. WALKER,
Governor OF Vira mia
To this dispatch I received the next day. the
Washington. June %, 1870.
To His Excellency Governor &. q. Walker:
Your dispatch Of this date has been submitted
to the President, and l am directed by the Sec
rotary Of War to say that the order withdraw
ing the troops will be adhered to.
E. d. townsend,
Adjutsnt General.
No explanation whatever Of this extraordl-
nary transaction has ever been vouchs&fed to
me. The failure to respond to my respectful
inquiry for the causes OF this action, and Inc
silence upon that subject which has ever since
been maintained clearly demonstrate that 1t
was without justification, pallistio3 or excuse.
feel bound to say that, III view OF al the cir
cumstsnce., the sudden withdrawal OF those
troops while in the midst Of the performance
of the delicate duty TO which they, mad been as
signed in accordance with an order from the
President himself, without any notification TO
or consultation with .le, endangering, as it did,
the lives of our officers and citizens and the
peace of the community. was. IN my op;fn,on'
ton of Indifference to possible consequences
of the gravest character, Without q PARALLEL
in the history Of tie country. If the original
order for the ASST gnment of Federal troops &c
this duty were right, then its revocation
| wrong. Fortunately, the sheriff of Norfolk
county was gentleman of nerve and des
erection, who with posse Of citizens, under my
direction, went forward TO the completion OF
his duty, and succeeded in removing the
remainder of the illegal occupants Of Taylor $
farm without loss of life.
Two plantations in York county are in the
same condition as Taylors farm prior to the
removal of Its bureau occupants. The sheriff
of the county and the proprietors Of the PLAN
tstions, have applied to me for assistance 10
execute the process Of the courts. The sheriff
any posse he could summon in the county
would BE insufficient and unavsilsng. A mill
tsry force is required; but until you authorize
the organization Of one. l am powerless TO
render him the required aid. I cannot consent
to subject the Commonwealth or myself to the
danger Of any further indignity by requesting
the aid of federal troops. Although protection
against domestic violence i, one Of the guar
antics of the constitution Of the United States
to the seversl States, ION application of the
Legislature or Executive (When the Legsla
ture cannot be convened)," and although the
acts of Congress passed in pursuance thereof
devolve upon the President ths duty of ex
ecuting this guaranty when tho necessity i:
made known to him through the Leg isature
| or Executive of State, yet the lessons taught
by our recent experience admonish us that
constitutional guarantees and statutory man
dates are Of little avail when partisan zeal
usurps the place and functions Of official integ-
rity.
We must rely in tho future solely upon our.
selves for the maintenance Of order and the
enforcement of the laws; and Lave no fear OF
our ability in that behalf. But thorough
organization Of our militia is most essential.
We shall then be prepared for any and every
exigency Whenever and wherever it may arise.
(To be concluded.)
The SENATE COMMITTEES. There was con-
siderable "commotion' in the Radical Caucus
held for forming the Senate Committees
They have let Mr. Schurz alone Hc is not
I 4