The New York herald., 1871-01-04


order, were ignored, under instructions from Wash
ington as compieeiy as u Re people 81 the s'a,e h
United States. IL was bold attempt on the part VI
the federal government 10 assume absolute control
OF the state and local elections In order TO accom-
phsh partisan ends, and officials, both judicial aud
executive seemed determlned 70 prosecute IL with
0ut any regard to The rights either OF the local oni-
The law or Congress under which ne was acting
required the federal Judge 10 appoint onehalf OF the
whole number OF supervisors from each political
party; yet he deliberately refused To appoint any OF
the political organization which he well knew rep
resented the greas majority Of voters III The city.
Every popular right WaS CstentltlOlSy denied as f
tho purpose to rrtate and excite the people ana
70 provoke tumult, which might result In breaking
s e eecon ana & te , ey o s Vote
no torcible resistance 10 the law The.r determnl-
tion was TO meet II, simply and exclusively, by the
force OF public opinion. 1t must have been appa-
rent to every mind that the interest OF the great ma
1onty IN the city was TO have quieI and orderly
election. 1t could be the interest only of the mi
nority TO promote an outbreak Tue President
knew also mat even II disorder, or any degree
should ensue, the whole civil and police power OF
the state sustained by its national guard IA
military organization OF our own cltlzena
composed OF men OF all classes and all political
scrvlGe, as occasion may demand. for the State
or the United States, and which has never ye. alei
In its duty to either, was both ready and able TO
preserve order and To protect all officers Of the law
in the execution OF judicial process and the dis
Notwithstanding all this, by the Presidents
orders, United States troops were brought IRON dls-
,ant posts and 1uarlered in the city OF New York.
and ships OF war were anchored IN ITS harbor. IL
was certainly not unreasonable TO expect that the
first drop OF citizens blood shed in the city OF New
York by federal troops In time OF peace might lead
to terrible results inVOvng great loss OF life and IN
uiiculable destruction OF property. Therefore, as
chief magistrate Of tins STATE, charged with the duty
oil enforcing laws and preserving order within Its
boundaries, used every eXertion anu made every
preparation ana provision % IN my ny power to preserve @
lives and property AT the last moment, that is to
say, the afternoon Immediately before the election
thA nh nf ttah fnrfnn AnIu and
wisely, abandoned the extreme ground they had
taken, ana entered into stipulation with the local
resulted in preventing any armed interference by
troops, either OF the United States or OF the State
sand deputy United States marshas were appointed
In the city Of New York, who were, each OF them,
armed with what IS known as q navy revolver worn worn
armories. Tney did not 1t is true, form any portion
Of the regular force Of the army or navy they were
nndisclplined and without military commander,
but they were men armed by the United States gov
ernment and paid out Of Its treasury, and were
stationed, thus armed, at the election polls, having
been taught that they the supeIlors of the law
fully appointed peace officers of the State, upon
whom the preservation Of order in large city de-
1t was due to The patient Iorbearancc Of the people
and to the earnest endeavors and great cooness and
discretion OF the peace officers OF the city that order
deem it my solemn duty to protest now formally
against these Outrages which, 1t is given out,
will be renewed at future elections with prepara-
tions looking to greater degree OF intimidation and
State do | am confident. by an overwhelm-
Ing majority, earnestly unite. They are not
to be mised by the pretence that military force
is necessary prevent fraud. For they well know,
what all history proves that military eectl ms are
never honest nor free; that military force at cleo
ions has always been used by ambitious rulers to
hinder full and fair expression OF popular senti-
ment; In fact 10 perpetrate and cover fraud not 70
prevent IT, II elections not honest they should
be made SO by the force Of public opinion and by
law; military force asserts IT'S supremacy over Doth
and ts itself fraudulent and hnal overthrow OF
No State is or ever was more devoted than New
York to the Union and TO the federal government;
none more submissive to that governments c0nstl-
tutiOnal authority: none more ready to defend Its
rights and vindicate It's power. But our Union Is
union Of States; the elements OF Its great strength
the home governments OF the people. To weaken
the parts Is TO endanyer the whole.
Half century ago. when federal officers were ac-
cused or interfering with State elections not by
armed forces, but simply by exerttng an influence
ton, Then Governor Of this state, addressed the
Legislature as 1Olows:- eee
Az member the American confederacy. only
promote hs OF the national az Sy
attending to
. complex
IN their pa1y and
80 s d iSa sa es ron n
sSmDinasion the federal and representative principles.
State would constantly encroach powers
s TSs 4eneny has 'G 10 IN h
the officers unoer its appointment shall mt.
State elections trust there win be found becomng dspo
the purity independence Of their local for
the pillars which support the edce Of the general
undermined prosrated the whole fabric
OF national freedom and prosperity win be crushed 10 ruin
c0n tered solemn duty to protest against these
unwarrantable ntrusions of influence, and
hope the natona legislature will not be OF It's
duty this occasion.
These words, more applicable now than then, are
so forcible and eloquent thai quote them. in the
hope that they may impress themselves upon the
MINDS and upon the hearts OF the whole people.
To denend, for the peace and order Of localities,
On the federal army, Is not segovernment; to snb-
stitule the regular sold er with his musket peace
officer, In place OF the constable with his writ is not
to preserve the peace, but to establish the condition
OF war: to surrender elections the control OF the
President, supported by armed forces is to surrel-
der liberty aud 10 abandon a republic.