South Branch intelligencer. [volume] (Romney, Va. [W. Va.]) 1830-1896, 1874-07-03
Gov. Kemper to Pres't Grant.
The Arrest Of Judges Of Eleetiea at PetersSarg-
Protect ASains. ne Action Of tis Government.

! Ane iohoWlng IS Governor keDpers letter 10
PRESIDENT Grant in relation TO the extraordinary
instructions transmitted to Petersburg By the At
torney General Of the United States during The
excitement consequent upon the recent arrest of
the judges of election.
Commonwealth Of Tirginia, Gorernor's
! Office, Richmond, June IL, IS74-To his
Excellency, u. s GRANT, President Of the
United States: Sir: With respectful de-
ference invoke your attention 20 ins,ruc.
tons very recently delivered by the Attor-
neg General Of the United States to the
marshal OF the eastern district Of Virginia
IN relation TO alleged disorders in Pc
tersdurg. L cannot suppose that these To-
strcctions were issued either with your ap-
proval or your cognizance. They appear
to have been despatched directly from the
Department. of Justice to an inferior officer
OF federal district court in Virgins, but
without communication with any Of the au-
thorities of this State, and 10 directing that
officer to resist the alleged disorders they
assure him that upon his requisitou mil
ltary force Of the United States would be
forwarded to his assistance. They assume
that disorders existed in Petersburg, altho'
no breach Of thepeace or disturb ance wtiatey.
er had IN fact occurred, or been attempted or
threatened, or was likely to arise in tha, city.
They completely ignore the existence of
this commonwealth aud its constituted au-
thorities; or, at the least, they assume that
the government Of Virginia is unable or
unwilling to maintain the peace within the
just jurisdiction of The State. They imply
that Federal department. may exercise
immediate and discretionary control, within
this State, other vital interests which are
distinctively local aud domestic They en-
power subordinate ministerial ageut Of the
general government, at its discretion, 10
subject peaceful community, t ogether with
all It's authorities, to the dom ia alton of an
armed Federal force
Such instructions, If carried into cxecu,
ton, wrest from the people the right of
self government, and convert the State it.
self into province or military division of
| central and virtually imperial power. They
erect the dominion Of the Federal sword in
time of peace, over the civil authority of the
State.
Ii was but few days before the date of
these instructions THAI other wrongs were
Inflicted by federal authority upon citizens
of Petersburg, Certain judges of local
election were charged with rejecting legal
votes, On offense at all times coguizsble and
punishable by the State tribunals by virtue
Of State laws, due evidence of the ffepse be-
ing shown either on the complain. of any
person aggrieved or without such complaint.
These causes were not permitted to be heard
by State court, nor yet by The appointed
federal authority located for such inyes,iga.
tons at Petersburg, the residence of oil the
parties and their witnesses, but the accused
were forced under arrest to Richmond. and
there tried by United States commission
er, who, although as isconfdently beliey.
cd, no probable cause was shown, held the
parties for indictment and trial in q federal
court, and in SO doing he announced the
monstrous doctrine that IN such case il de
volVed upon the accused to prove their own
/ Innocence.
If it be claimed that the exercise cf such
arbitrary aud despotic powers in time of
peace is permitted by tho letter of the fed.
eral statute commonly known as the en-.
foTcemeut act, statute which sprung from
the exigencies and passions resulting from
war, and the provisions of which are abhor
rent to oil the traditions of free govern,
ment ard TO the principles of all its foun.
ders, let 1t suffice to answer that the violent
remedies sought to be provided by that &C.
wcrO never intended to be employed within
State except to repress actual ard seri-
Gus infraction of law and order, and then
only in case the authorities of the State
should fail Efficiently to meet the emergency.
Desiring to cultivate peaceful, beneficial
aud cordial relations with the common
government and with each fits departments
cheertully yielding to that governm ant the
full measure of its delegated authorities.
l oppose with all the constitutional means
at my command these acts of invasion Of
the rights Of the States and tho liberties Of
the people.
| nfim the inalienable rights of this
Commonwealth to self government, its au-
! thority to rule its internal and municipal
nfFars-in accordance with supreme organic
law and without undue restraint or hinder
ance from any power whatever | point
! to the yet recent past for proof that this
/ government has the oOpa city aud the will
to protect personal right aud TO enforce
/ justice, order, and law; and I solemnly
protest against the late action Of the Attor.
nsy General Of the United States as a IA
| grant wrong aud indiguity to State author.
ity, as subversive Of the principles Of free
government & destructive Of the organism
Of American constitutional liberty. la the
naue and in the behalf Of the injured gov
eminent and people Of Virginia, | charge
that officer with a usurpation Of power
which imperils tho safety Of bolb and Of all.
] confront him before tho justice and au-
thority Of your great Office, aud / appeal
TO sou for action which will at once redress