The New York herald., 1871-03-11
THE MINORITY REPORT.

senator's Blair ana Bdyaru constituting MINOR
ity Of the committee, found themselves unable TO
agree with the majority ana present their Views
length. After citing the resolution under which
the committee was appointed and referring to the
report transmitted by the President In answer to
the Senate resolution Of inquiry in relation the
alleged organization OF disloyal persons IN North
Carolina, the minority say
Thus 1t will appear that the resolution under
which the special committee was appointed Is
founded on the report transmitted as alore-
said by the President. Instantly upon this
appointment the committee organized and pro-
ceeded without delay 10 examine witnesses, who
the city Of Washington, to wit:-The son Of Cover.
nor Holden, Colonel George w. Kirk, and Bergen,
hIs Lieutenant Colonel. No opportunity. save that
afforded by its single reading in the Senate has been
given the undersigned 70 inspect the report OF the
majority OBTAIN proper knowledge OF its contents.
The report was read once and instantly transmitted
We desire to attract the attention OF the Senate to
the scope Of the resolution under under which the com
or fssehood Of the crimes and outrages
Of political character In the Southern States"
fed only by the word political" and conveying
nothing definite to the communities whose domestic
affairs were without notice or specified charges, to
have Congressional drag net thrown over them
and be hauled before the committee: and the closing
paragraph OF the resolution only aggravated the
dangers and difficulties OF such an .nqusition by in
quirng whether there be in those States security for
persons and property.
After saying that no State has passed any law In
violation OF the fourteenth amendment. and that no
question had been made relative to the exercise oil
power In the emergencies set forth in the fourth
section OF article three Of The constitution, the
minority cOntnue:-The undersigned are therefore
at loss 10 discover where such power is derived as
Is set forth In the resolution and acted upon by the
committee, and
In the name and under the limitations OF the constt-
tuition Of the United States, against any and all
action of nqusltorial character into the internal
tempt by Congress or the Executive to interfere
with the State governments OF citizens individually
as to matters not cognizable Dy the federal govern
ment under the constitution. In view OF tie fact
that North Carolina Is, In all respects, under the
constitution cons Ion and ana Laws upon an equal footing
assert that any claim Of power to investigate the
internal ana domestic affairs Of that State "a Invade
her police powers OF control all matters within
her jurisdiction must be equally valid and have
equal force when applied to any other State, and
constitutions Of Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, Ohio
q New YORK York age Y 70 degree more secure than
the opinion Of the minority unwarranted by ths
constitution and utterly subyersye Of our federal
system OF state governments They say, further
there can no longer be urged
THE PLEA OF MILITARY NECESSITY.
The flag OF the nation floats In placid security in
every part of the Union and there is no preence OF
opposition IN any quarter TO the peaceaoie operation
kind OF investigation pursued has simply given an
opportunity for any one to come forward and assa
the State aud people of North Carolina by any char
acter OF testimony and In any manner that
prejudice or animosy can suggest the minority
continue-"But all this Is maniiestly the
result OF plan 'cut and dried,' by Il cons piracy
| formed OF disappointed politicians who have lost
the confluence or their people and have been cast
| trayed and injured constituency. AT the head of
tins conspiracy plainly stands William W. Holden,
the Governor OF North Carolina, and new undergo.
ing trial BY process OF Impeachment for high MS
demeahois and gross abuses OF his Official
power hs State has 9egga,red The treasury
and BETRAYED her people, and now looks
TO the strong arm OF the federal government as the
1 m hfl Aliat
the Just punishment due their crimes. In further.
ance Of tins scheme the present measure was lnsti.
IRON North Carolina, Messrs. Abbott and Pool have
efficiently aided it, suggesting witnesses and sup.
sometimes escorting them In person 10 the door of
the committee room; and what is
THE CHARACTER OF THESE WITNESSES
ready and in attendance for examination? Joseph
w. Holden the son and accompllce OF Governor ".
W. Holden, heads the list. He has been an ollce.
holder fatening on the corruplions OF his fathers
administration, the editor OF his party organ, and
even his testimony is most entirely hearsay In ITS
nature and inadmissble IN courts OF justice George
W. Kirk and George w. Bergen came upon tie
scene, and TO the undersigned there seems to be
strange insensbillty to the opinions OF mankind in
the production OF two such atrocous characters
IN the role of witnesses in this case.
were called from abroad by Holden as dt,ing nry in
siruments for his dark and bloody intent. In VIOLA
uon u the constitution OF his State he made these
Two strangers to his people officers of militia and
havlsg declared two counfies-Alamance and Cas-.
weH-in a state of nsurrection, he gave the un.
w. NSi W VIC ttDueT ueTCles oI tieSe
Two ruhlans. The testimony discloses their abso-
inte denial OF having insuted or maltreated their
prisoners In any way. and their perjury IN these
mony OF Lucian II. Murray, Mr. Kerr, MIR.
Turner ana Others who were their prs-
0ners. The testimony quoted ut Length
showing various Kinds OF maltreaiment and torture
to extort confessions, &C.; and the minority pro.
ceed, Ia The same manner. 10 review the Testimony
OF William r. Albright, whom they term violent.
INSCRIPTIONS man. and of James f. Boz d, upon
whose sole testimony they say, the majority largely
rely TO justify Them In their remarkable conclusions
respecting the condition OF society in North Caro-.
lima. ibis Witness the minority say IN q very