The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1871-11-18
Governors Message.

Governors Message.
We have been obliged, in order to give our
readers the Governors message this week, to
omit our usual variety, as well as somewhat to
abridge that document itself, but not in any
of its essentials
The message is rather q curious document
10 be transmitted to a legislature. met to tran.
sact the general business of the State. 1t
makes not a single recommendation or sug-
gestion for the action of that body gives no
information in regard to the affairs Of the
State, its legislative wants or needs; in short,
SO far as the legitimate business OF that body
is concerned, the message might as vel have
been addressed to a town meeting: for 1t is
wholly confined to the affair of placing the
city of Chicago, after the great fire, uader
martial law through the military authority Of
the United States, matter. doubtless, of very
legitimate complaint on the part of our State
executive, but certainly not a matter in
regard to which the Legislature is called upon
to take any action.
AS to the controversy itself between Gov
Palmer, Mayor Mason and Gen. Sheridan, SO
far as strict legality is concerned, there can be
no two sides to the question. Mayor Mason's
proclamation, turning the city of Chicago
over co the military control of an officer of
the United States army, not as citizen but
in his Official capacity his q commander of one
of the military departments of the nation, was
an assumption of power in violation eff every
principle Of our governmental system, and so
gross that the execution of our State was
probably bound to take notice of it. We are
more Importance to it than the case deserves
Mayor Mason is doubtless an honest, but
weak man. The great calamity which had
visited the city of which he was the chief
officer, called for the exercise of mental capa-
bIities OF which he was wholly devoid, and in
his confusion ar! helplessness he listened
readily to any suggestions tending to relieve
him OF his muddle. His abdication in favor
OF Gen. Sheridan became thus easy and almost
natural. That officer unable, in his enor-
mously inflated notions of his Importance as
Lieutenant General of the United States
army, could not, if he would, have come
down to the humble position of citizen po-
hce officer to meet an urgent emergency, and
he could only act in his grand official charac-
ter. Uiac lachrynsae. Hence all this trouble.
Instead Of hastily organizing a thousand or
two citizens as a special police force, and
placing them on patrol duty, he commenced
Issuing orders to the United States army draw
Ing to Chicago troops from Louisville, Omaha
ana all around, as if organizing grand cam
palgn, All this was very absurd and rldicu-
lous, and should subject Sheridan to punish
ment by court martial but so far as the pro-
lection of the peace and property of the city
OF Chicago was concerned, the effect was to
say the least more beneficial than harmful and
except the unpleasant incident of the murder
OF Col. Grosvernor, was attended with no
evil consequences.
1t is hoped the row made about the affair by
Gov. Palmer will prevent the repetition of any
such ridiculous farce in the future, and will
have the tendency, if such thing is possible,
OF forcing INTO the hopelessly inflated noddle
OF Gen. Sheridan some idea of the distinction
between the duties of Lieutenant General of
the United States army and a local police
officer.