The weekly echo. [volume] (Lake Charles, Parish of Calcasieu, La.) 1868-1876, 1871-03-16

people ana TO provoke tumuLE, WHICH
might result ID breaking up ths
election, and depriving the city 81
its vote.
The President well knew that
the people intended no forcible re-
sistance to the law. Their deter
mination was to meet II, simply
and exclusively, by the force Of
public opinion. It must have been
apparent to every mind that the
interest 81 the great majority Ia
the city was to have a quiet and
orderly election. It could be the
interest only Of the minority to pro-
mote an outbreak. The Presidents
knew also that even if disorder, Of
any degree, should ensue, the whole
civil and police power of the State,
sustained by its National Guard
IA military organization Of our own
citizens, composed OF men Of all
classes and all political parties,
and maintained By the s ate to do
service, as occasion may demand,
for the State or the United States,
and which has never yet failed 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 discharge of official duty.
Notwithstanding al this, by the Presi-
dents orders, United States troops were
brought from distant posts and quarter
ed In the city OF New York, and ships Of
war were anchored in its harboT IT.
was certainly not unreasonable g expect
that the frst drop OfCitizen's blood shed
IN the city -ef New York by Federal
troops, in time Of peace, might lead %
terrible results, involving great loss Of
life and incalculabIe destruction Of
property. Therefore, as chief magis-
trate Of this State, charged with the
duty Of enforcing its laws and preserving
order within its boundaries, used every
exartiOn, end made every preparation
and provision in my power 60 preserve
order, and protect the people in their
rights, their lives and property. At
the last moment, that IS 70 say, the az
teTnoon immediately before the election
the officers Of the United States, fortu-
nately and wisely. abandoned the ex-
treme ground they had taken, and en-
tered into a stipulation with the local
authorities Of New York city, In my
presence, which resulted in preventing
any armed interference by troops, either
Of the United States or of the State.
Nevertheless, it Is well known that
about two thousand deputy United
States marshals were appointed III the
city Of New York, who were, each one
Of them, armed with what IS known IS q
navy revolver, worn In belts bearing the /
designation Of the Federnl arm0ries |
They did not, il is true, form any por- |
ton Of the regular force 0f the army or /
navy; they were undisciplined and with |
out q military commander; but they /
were men armed BY the United States
and paid ont Of its treasury, 1
and were stationed, thus armed, at the
election polls, having been taught that
they were the superi0rs Of the lawfully
peace officers Of the State.
upon whom the preservation Of order
In large city depends.
It is due To the patient forhearance
Of the people, and 70 the earnest endeav-
OFs and graat GOODNESS and discretion OF
the peace officers 81 the city, that order
was preserved.
deem Il my s0lemn duty to protest
now formally against these oUtragas,
which, il is given out, will be renewed
NJ future elections, with preparations
looking 10 q greater degree az insinlida-
ton and coercion. IN this protest the
people OF this Stata do. I ann confident
b. an overwhelming majority, earnestly
unite. They aFe net % Ia misled by the
pratensa that military force is eeaasagy
u prevent fraHd For they wen know.
what All history proves. thar military
elections are never honest nor free that
military foFce al elections has always
been used BY ambitious rulers to hinder
! fall and fair expression uf EogAulsE
sentiment II faet, 81 pernalEate and
,ovgr fraud, not to prevent L. III elee-
ions are not honest, they should De-
made 50 By the foree 81 public opinion
md By law; military force asserts it's
over both. and Is Itself s Il
gaadu ept and inal overthrow * fEes n
lallOt
No STATE en- ~ rvsnr v4a4 fsaNs n 1ngsrtes9