The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1871-01-12
STAUNTON VIRGINIA. THURSDAY. JANUARY H. 1871

the State TO do service as occasion may de-
mand 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 all this, by the Presidents
orders United States troops were brought
from distant posts and quartercd in the city
of New York, and ships of war were anchor
ed III its harbor. It was certainly not un
reasonable to expect that the first drop OIL
citizens blood shed in the city of New York
by federal troops in time of peace nigh,
lead to terrible results, involving great loss
Of life, and iucalculable destruction Of prop
erty. Therefore, as Chief Magistrate of Thu
State, charged with the duty of enforcing
its laws and preserving order within its boun
daries, used every exe1tion and made every
p, separation and provision in my power te
preserve order and protect the people IN then
rights, their lives and property. At the last
moment, that is to SAY, the afternoon imme.
diately before the election, the officers Of the
United States fortunately and wisely aban
doned the extreme ground they had taken
and entered into a stipulation with the loca
authorities of New York city, in my pres
ence which resulted in preventing any armed
interference by troops, either of the Unitee
States or of the State.
Nevertheless, it is we'll known that abou
1000 deputy United States marshals were
appointed in the city of New York, wht
were
EACH ONE OF THEM ARMED
with what is known as a navy revolver, worn
in belts bearing the designation of the fed
eral armories. They did not, it is true, form
any portion of the regular force of the army
or navy; they were undisciplned, and with
out military commander; but they were
men armed by the United States government
and paid out of its treasury, and were sta
toned, thus armed, at the election polls, hav
ing been taught that they were the superior,
of the lawfully appointed peace officers o.
the State, upon whom the preservation Of
order in large city depends.
II was due to the patient forbearance Of
the people, and to the earnest enasavors and
great GOODNESS and discretion OF the peace
officers of he city, that order was preserved
l deem it my solemn duty to protest now
formally against these outrages, which, it is
given out, will be renewed at future elections
with preparations looking to greater degree
of intimidation and coercion. Iu this pro
test the people of this State do, am conf
dent, by an overwhelming majority, earnestly
unite They are not to be mislead by the
pretence that military force is necessary te
prevent fraud. For they we'll know, what
all history proves, that military elections are
never honest nor free that military force al
elections has always been used by ambitious
rulers to hinder full and fair expression Of
popular sentiment; in fact, to perpetuate and
cover fraud, not to prevent it. If elections
are not honest, they should be made so by
the force of public opinion and by law
military force asserts its supremacy owe,
both, and is itself fraudulent and fna
overthrow of free ballot