Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1874-12-08

the freedom Of the ballot because of their
political opinions. Bands of masked
and armed men appeared, white leagues
were formed, ar ms and ammunition inn
ported and distributed, drills were held
and murders committed, enough to
spread terror among those whose politi-
cal action was to be suppressed, colored
laborera were threatened with discharge
If they did not vote with their employers,
! and those threats often heartlessly car
ried into effect. The object of the ff-
teenth amendment and the enforcement
act, he thought, were intended to prevent
this state of affairs; hence, troops to
the number of four thousand and eighty
two were stationed at points in the South
to aid officers in prosecuting offenders.
He asserts that if Federal interference
is not justifable under such circum-
stances, then the whole scheme of colored
Acknowledgement is worse than a mock
cry, and little better than crime. And
then he suggests to Congress that
committee be appointed to ascertain
whether these alleged wrongs we're real
or manufactured for the occasion. In
effect the President recommends that
Congress take up at public expense the
unfinished work of the carpet-bag con-
vention at Chattanooga This part of
the message was written or instigated by
Attorney General Williams. Arkansas
comes in for notice from Clayton
standpoint. He points out what he
considers the illegality of the present
State government, but refers the ques-
ton to Congress, inasmuch as commit
tee is already or has been investigating
the affairs of that State. In the same
connection he makes some sweeping as
sertions in regard to affairs in the South
first expressing sympathy with the better
class of people who have had to endure
trying end oppressive governments, and
then charging them with the state OF
violence previously reoited, and winds
up a TRADE OF abuse and studied insult by
saying that, while he remains Executive,
all the lars Of Congress and the proUis-
ions Of the Constitution, including there.
cent amendments, shall be enforced Nth
yioorl He recommends that the number
of judicial districts in the UnitedStates be
increased from nine, the present num-
Der, to eleven. The peace policy as pur-
sued toward the Indians is commended.
He recommends that the bounty be re
stored to all the survivors Of the war OF
1872 as haye been deprived of the same
by the test oath required by late acts OF
Congress. They we're too old to have
participated in the rebellion and we're
awarded pensions for services performed
| in behalf Of the whole country. The
coming exposition at Philadelphia is
commended to Congress. 1t is impossi
BILE to maintain the civil service rules
without more positive support from Con-
gress, and without some legislation on
the subject he will abandon the system
entirely. Suggestions are made in re-
gard to cheap transportation, and the
revival Of ship building. Affairs in the
District of Columbia receive a mention,
which shows that the Executive is in full
sympathy with the ring, even if that fact
had not been known before. The mes
sage closes with mention Of the board
appointed to survey the mouth of the
Mississippi river, which has not yet
reported. Taken rs e whole, the
message is a weak document. toliti-
cally, however, it is very significant, Civ
ing the country to understand that the
President is guided by such men as At
torney General Williams, Hays of Ala
bama and the most rampant members OF
the Radical party. Its effect will be to
put the Southern people on their guard
more than ever, and in this respect may
in the end produce salutary results. The
people of the North have already proved
that they begin to dis5elieye the re-
peated stories Of Southern spirit and
outrages, and the Presidents reiteration
can have little or no effect. His sources
of information all come through parti-
san channels, colored to suit political
purposes, and never as correct as re-
ports furnished by the correspondents
of such papers as the New York Herald,
Times, World and other fair papers OF
the country. The animus of the mes
sage is Enthusiastically Radical and hos
tile to liberal, statesmsn.like policy.
J, We think, however, thatits author or va
rious authors will find that the old war
cry OF rebel has lost its force with the
great American people.
1-n-
/ We agree with the New York Herald
2 Il Al 4. II.