The Somerset press. [volume] (Somerset, Ohio) 1873-1977, 1874-12-11


which, when these threats were diSre-
garded, they were remorSelessly executed
by those by whom they were made. |
understand that the Fifteenth Amend
ment to the Constitution was made 10
prevent this like state of things, and the
act of MAY 81. 1870, with amendments,
was passed To enforce its provision, the
object of this being TO guarantee 10 ali
citizens the right to vote and to protect
them in the freezer rjoyment of that right
enjoined BY the Constitution, to take
care that the laws be faithfully execu-
ted; and convinced by undoubted evil
dence that violations of said act had
been committed. and that a widespread
and fragrant disregard of it was con-
templated, the proper officers were in
structed TO prosecute the offenders, and
troops were stationed at convenient
points to aid these officers, if necessary,
in the performance of their official du-
ties. Complaints are made of this in
terfeence by Federal authority, but if
said amendment and act do not provide
for such inference under the circum-
stances as above stated, then they are
without meaning, force or effect, and
the whole scheme Of colored enfranchise-
ment Is worse than mockery and little
better than a crime. Possibly Congress
may find it due to truth and Justice to
ascertain, by means of a committee,
whether the alleged wrongs TO colored
citizens for political purposes were man
ufactured for the occasion. The whole
number of troops in the States of Louis
lana, Alabama, George, Florida, South
Carolina, North Carolina, Kentucky.
Tennessee, Arkansas, Mississippi, Mary
land, and Virginia, at the times of cleo
ton, were 4,0S2 This embraces the
garrisons of all the forts from the Della
ware to the Gulf of Mexico.
THE ARKANSAS TROUBLE.
As Congress is now investigating the
political affairs of Arkansas, have de-
clined TO Interfere with the subject
Executive interference with the affairs
of State is repugnant to public opin-
ion, to the feeling of those who from
their official capacity, must be used in
such interpositIon, and to him or those
who must direct it. Unless most clear
ly on the side of the law such interfer-
ence become a crime. With the law 10
support it, ii is condemned without a
hearing. | desire, therefore, that all
necessity for executive direction in local
affairs may become unnecessary and OBJ
solete.
| | invite the attention not only of Con-
gress, but of the people of the United
States, TO the causes, and effects of these
unhappy questions. Is there not dis
/ position on one side 10 magnify wrongs
and outrages, and on the other side to
belittle them or justify them? If pub
lie opinion could be directed TO a cor
rect survey of what is, and to rebuking
wrong and aiding the proper authorities
in furnishing it, better state of feeling
would have that peace which would
leave the States free indeed to regulate
their own domestic affairs. / believe
on the part of our citizens of the South
ern States-the better part of them
there is disposition to be iaw-abidIng
and to do no violence, either to individ-
uals or the laws existing; but do they
do right in ignoring the existence of
violence and bloodshed in resistance to
constituted authority? l sympathize
with their PROSTATE condition, and would
do all in my power to relieve them, ac-
knowledging that in some instances
they have had most trying governments
to live under, and very oppressive ones
in the way of taxation for nominal i'm
provements, not giving benefits equal to
the hardships imposed. But can they
proclaim themselves entirely excusable
for this condition? They cannot Vio-
lenee has been rampant in some locali-
ties, and has further, been justified or
denial by those who could have preven-
ted it.
The theory is raised that there is to
be no more interference on the part of the
GENERAL GOVERNMENT TO PROTECT CIT
IZENs
Within a state where the State author
tiles fail to give protection. This is
great mistake. While / remain Execu-
tive all the laws of Congress and the
provisions of the Constitution, including
the amendments added thereto will be
enforced with vigor, without regret that
they should have added one jot or title
to the Executive duties and powers. Let
there be frmness in the discussion of
Southern questions the advocates of
both or all political parties giving hon
est, truthful reports of occurrences, or
denouncing the wrong and upholding the
right, and soou all will be well. Under
existing conditions the negro votes the
Republican ticket because he knows his
friends are of that party; many a good
citizen votes the opposite, not because he
agrees with the great principles of state,
which separate parties, but because gem
orally he is opposed to negro rule. This
is a most delusive cry. Treat the negro
as citizen and voter, as he is, and
must remain and soon the parties will
be divided, not on the color line, but on
principles. Then we shall have no
complaint of sectional interferences.
THE REPORT OF THE ATTORNEY GENER-
AL
Contains valuable recommendations re-
lating to the administration of justice in
the Courts of the United States, to which
L invite your attention. l respectfully
suggest TO Congress the propriety of in
creasing thu number of Judicial Dis
tricts in the United States to eleven, the
present number being nine, and the
creation of two additional Judgeships
The territory to be traversed by the
Circuit Judges is so great, and the bus
Al. I .