Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1871-1872, 1871-11-07
pailp ARGUS.


0ev. Ralmer's Aetter. a
Among the indirect consequences Of the i,
Chicago ERE, was an event which now bids q
fair to have almost As much influence upon c
certain pernieisus political theories hereto b
fore prevailing, IS the eOnasgration itself q
has had upon the business relations Of the q
country. We allude to the killing Of Gen. 4
Thomas W. Grosvsnor, . well-known citi- ,
zen of Illinois, by Theodore N. Treat, q
student Of the Chicago university, bot ct that
time member of company l., Fire, Rsgi-
msut Chicago volunteers, and acting under Z
the orders Of Col. Frank Sherman and
Lieut.. Gen. Philip II Sheridan. The oircum-
stances of this melancholy occurrence have
already been detailed Q, length in our col I
umns, and, therefore, need no reespisula- |
ton. The death of Gen. Grosvsnor has
produced Q profound sensation throughout
the state, NO, merely because Of regret for
his sudden and violent removal, bot Of alarm
and indigestion ct the peculiar nature Of
the proceedings by which it was brought
about Gov. John NJ. Palmer Immediately
ordered thorough Interrogation of the
affair, and having collected ell the facts
from official and other authentic sources,
has addressed q letter to Hon. Washington
BuShnell, attorney general Of Illinois,
which is in many respects, one Of The most
important documents lately laid before the
public. We print below the material pOr-
nons Of this lister:
When the facts thus disclosed before The
inquest, came TO my knowledge, being en-
tirely uniformed Of the existence OF such
q military organization as that OF the "First
Regiment of Chicago Volunteers" l di.
reoted an nd utant general to institute pro-
per inc uiries, and ind, from his report,
that on or about the llth day Of October,
1871, Lieut.. Gen. Philip II. Sheridan OF the
United States army in command Of the
military division Of the Missouri, and whose
hoiAl head quarters are in Chicago, issued
from the head quarters OF the military divis-
ion before mentioned, an order or orders
that either purpotted 10 authorize Frank
Sherman, . private citizen OF this state, to
raise troops, organize them into q regiment,
and after organization, to assume the com.
mani, or that directed . regiment to be
upon Mr.. Sherman. ] have not been able
to procure q copy OF the supposed order,
and cannot furnish q more precise or def.
mite statement Of its contents.
II seems TO be certain, however, that IN e
mediAtely after the order or Srders already
mentioned we're issued, Mr.. Sherman as
sumed the military rank of colonel Of the
First Regimen, Of Chicago volunteers, issued
his own orders TO several officers Of the
organized militia Of the state, calling them
and the members OF their respective com
mands into service, for the term OF twenty
days; and be also demanded, or accepted
when rendered the services Of the students
attending the Chicago university, who were
in possession Of arms furnishsd by this state.
He organized the troops thus raised, with
others enlisted specially, required them 70
take 81 oath Of enlistment, Of which you
will be furnished copy, and gave to ths
organizations that included the students oil
the university, the dssigua alton Of com pany
/, First Regiment Of Chicago volunteer rs;
and thus Theodore n. Treat became e
member Of said company and regiment, and
subject, as he supposed, TO the orders Of
Lisut Gen. Sheridan aud oil Frank T. Sher-
man, and others by them appointed TO CON
mand him.
Il docs not, in my judgment, I'D init d
question that IL the orders of Lieut. Gen
Sheridan authorizing troops to be raised,
organized and employed in the city Of Chr
cago, under the command OF officers Ap-
pointed BY himself, can be Supported upon
any grounds afforded by the constitution or
the laws, and that Theodore n. Treat WAS a
private soldier in such lawful military organ
izAiioB. and that when he inflicted the
wounds that ooSssioned the death Of Thos
W, Grosvsnor he was acting in pursuance OF
the legal orders OF his proper military 50
perior, he a. well rs bis superIors are guilt
less Of any legal offence.
II Lieut.. Gen. Sheridan had the right 10
raise, organize and employ troops 10 ChIca-
60, while that right continued ga him, the
constitution and the laws of tbs state Of
Illinois, TO the extent that they conaieted with
that right, were suspended, aud while 90
suspended had no operSsion to provide pun
ishmehts for acts done under the sanction Of
his paramount authority.
Nor can il be material IN this aspect OF
the case whether bis DO yer to raise ,Orgauize
and snploy troops under the circumstances
10 one that pertains to his otfOe OF leo
tenant general, or shat IL resulted from the
proclamation of the mayor; for II his power
10 established BY any mode, all the legal
oonssq aences before Adverted TO follow, and
the killing Of Q citizen by armed men act
ing under his Authority must be regarded
"a the necessary price Of public safety.
But II the orders Of Lieut.. Gen. Sheridan
are without constitutional or legal warrant,
they are utterly void, and afford no ProteS-
ton 70 any persons for acts done in Obedl-
snoe 10 them.
AID does the question thus stated admit
Of hesitation or discussion2
No one will pretend that the power to
raise. organize and employ troops, or to cell
the organized militia Of the states into ser
vice, pertains 70 the Office OF Lieutenant
general in the army Of the United States
Nor wall 10 be easy TO find defenders for the
opinion, II il should be expressed, that tbs
mayor Of Q city can either exercise or i'm
part each power to another.
And vill not, with you, discuss the dan
Rerous and deceptive theory Of necessity Of
emergency that has been 10 often insisted
upon 70 Justify acts Of lsulsss usurpstion
IL IL answer enough that the constitution o.
the state has not entrusted TO the mayors o
i,s cities. or TO military officers, the delicate
duty OF determining when the forces mat
be called into service or its laws be sus
pended.
II these conclusions are correct, thinl
YOU will perceive that IL 10 now the duty Of
the governor aud the attorney general, AM
Of ell Othe- officers OF the state, TO exer
themselves 90 see thai the laws are enforced
against all the parties concerned in thss,
illegal and dangerous acts.
IL is not necessary, IN determining upor