River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1874-12-18

IN sippresnIng domestic violence III tilat state.
This call was made ia view Of a proclamation
issued on that dav by ID. &. Penn, stating that
ne was ele ted ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS IN 1877.
and calling upon the militia of the state TO
arm. assemble and drive from power the usurp-
ers a. he designated tine officers OF the state
government On the day issued my procla-
nation / commanded the insurgents to dis
,,erse within i've DAYS from the date thereof,
and subsequently learned that on that day they
had taken foreible possession or the state
House Steps were taken by me TO support
the existing and recognized state government,
bht before the expiration OF the hNe
dava the insurrectionary movement was
practically abandoned and the officers OF the
state gasernment, with some minor exceptions
resumed their powers ard duties. Considering
that the present state administration OF Louisl-
ana las been the only government IN that state
for nearly two wears; that IL has been taeitly
acknowledged and acqulesced IN as such by
Congress and more than once expressly recog-
uized by me, / regarded 1t as my clear duty,
when legally called upon for that purpose, TO
prevent ita overthrow by an armed mob, under
pretence of fraud and lrregIlarity IN the cleo
ton Of 1872.
| have heretofore called the attention OF
Congress to this subject. stating that ON ac-
count of frauds and fGrgeres committed at said
ele.,tion. and because it appears that the re-
turns thereof were never legally cenvassed, it
was impossible 10 tell thereby who were
chosen But from the best sources of infor
nation at nv command have always believed
the present sta e officers received a majority
az lie legal votes actually cast at that election.
repeat what said In my special message of
February 18th, 1873, that in the event OF no ac-
ton bv Congress, | must continue 10 recognize
the government heretofore recognized by me.
regret 10 say that with the preparations
for the late election decided indications APP
peared i'm some localities in the southern states
4. Nv f,fF
timidation, to deprive citizens of the freedom
of the ballot because of their political opIn-
ions Bands of men masked and armed, made
their appearance, white leagues and other So
cieties we're formed, large quantities of arms
and ammunition were imported aud distributed
to these organizations, military drills with
menacing demonstrations held, and with all
these murders enough were committed to
spread terror among those whose political ac-
ton was to be suppressed, if possible. By
these intolerant and criminal proceedings, in
some places, colored laborers were compelled
to vote according to the wishes of their en-
ployes under threats of discharge if they acted
otherwise; and there are too many instances III
which, when those threats were disre-
garded, they were remoselessly ex-
ecuted by those by whom made
| understand that the Fifteenth Amendment
to the Constitution was made to prevent this
and like state Of things, and the act of May
3lst. 1870. was passed 70 enforce its provisions,
the object of this being to guarantee to all
citizens the right to vote and to protect them
in the free enjoyment of that right Enjoined
by the Constitution to take care that
the laws be faithfully executed, and
49, - "a 80 had baa,, com .nit-
~ - 49, ae.oad - a[.a,e4
disregard of it was contemplated, the proper
officers were instructed to prose cute the Of
tenders. and troops were stationed at conyen-
tent points 70 aio tnose oIiiccI9, y aiIy'
~ shS Poi a., = VI - ~ -. 80 - -" - ?
aie h"uo " sl5 ~ ~
o''' !. 9alI f a,,
;,,t,,so,.a,,e ,,ndar tic c;rc,,mstancas
49, thar 4t, o., ,,;tho,,t n,ae,1
az: = - i.
lliS, lo,co' " 49,: az 'iio WIZ -
= 'n'
cry anu httle ne!ter tnah o,iso. = os9lpis
congress may lhu ~ use W tIutii anu Jus'loe ~
asceI,all; ~ edin u ooliiiii :. "e'hei
i 5e ~ ~ ~
~, lls.s;d',
=,
Inc Whole NUMBER OF troops ~ tnSsstates oi
Louisiana, alapaha, georgia. florlua, nouth
Csfollha, NortI Caroilha, hehtuchy; IeInes-
see, Arkansas, Mississippi, Maryland, ana VIZ
gina, at the time OF the election was 4,OS2.
This embraces the garrlsons OF all the forts
from the Delaware 10 the Gun OF Mexico.
Another trouble has arisen IN Arkansas. Ar
tIcle ~ OF the c"nsututioh OF the
state winch "ah s"iupteo ~ looo'
aiiu upon lilo a. - "iiiol' y e,
me staie wac restoie9 " leli eee: atiot a. one
o. tile states % the o,loll, PiofN'os ~ ellec'
tlat DeIofe any amendments pfoposeu 70 tihs
constitution shall become part thereof they
shall be- passed by two successive assemblies,
and then submitted TO and ratled by major
lty of the voters thereon. Oh the 18th OF
May, 1874, the Governor convened an extra
nj General assembly
which on the 18th OF The same month, passed
an ect providing for convention to form q
mex constitution Pursuant to this act and al
AN election held on the Both of June, 1874. the
co yentiou was approved. and delegates were
chosen thereta. who assembled ON the I4th day
of last July and formed a new constitution
the schedule of which provided for the election
of an entire new set of state officers in man
ner contrary to the existing election laws OF
the state. On the 18th of October 1874, this
constitution, as therein provided. was pre-
scented to the people for their approval OF re-
lection and according to the election returns
was approved by large majority of those
qualified to vote thereon: and at the
same election persons were chosen to fiji
all the state and county and township offices
The Governor elected in 1874 for the term OF
four wears turned over his office to the Gov.
erpor chosen under the new constitution
whereunon the Jieutenant-Cio Governor also
elected i'm 1879 for the term Of four Years
claiming 10 act A. Governor. and alleging thai
said nroceedngs nv which the new con
stitntion was made and new sat =,
officers elected we're upconstitntionaI iIleoai
and void called upon me as provided
IL section 1 article of the Constitution. h
protect the state against domestic Violence
As Congress is now investigating the poiit-
ical affairs of Arkansas, / have declined to in
terfere. The whole subject of executive in
reference with the affairs of state is repug-
nant to public opinion, to the feelings of those
who from their o =cial capacity must be used
in such interpOsition, and to him
or those who must direct Unless most
clearly ON the side of law such interfere De