The interior journal. [volume] (Stanford, Ky.) 1872-1881, 1874-12-11
WHOLE NUMBER I43

Governor convened an extra session o
the General Assembly Of the State which
on the 18th Of the same month, passed M
act providing for Convention to fran,
new Constitution. Pursuant to thii
act, and at an election held on the 30th
Of June, 1874, the Convention was ap
proved, and delegates were chosen there.
10, who assembled on the 18th Of last
July and formed new Constitution, the
schedule of which provided for the cleo
tion Of an entire new set Of State officers,
in manner contrary to the then exist
ing election laws Of the State. On the
18th Of October, 1874, this Constitu-
tion, as therein provided, was sub
mitted to the people for their ap-
proyal or rejection, and according
to the election returns was approved by
a large majority Of those qualified 10
vote thereon, and at the sane election
persons were chosen to fill all the State,
county and township office.
The Governor elected in 1872, for t.,e
term of four years, turned over his Office
to the Governor chosen under the new
Constitution, wbereupon the Lieutenant
Governor, also elected in 1872 for a term
Of four years, claiming to act as Gov
crnor and alleging that such proceedings
by which the new Constitution was made
and n new set Of officers elected, were un-
constitutional, illegal and void, called
upon me as provided in Section 4 of the
Constitution, to protect the State against
domestic violence. As Congress is now
investigating the political affairs of
trtanYas n lava la.l.,.J - .,t.~(o-.
with the subject. Executive interference
with the affairs of State is repugnant
to public opinion, 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
clearly on the side Of the law such in
reference becomes crime. With the
law to support 1t, it is condemned with
out hearing. desire, therefore, that
all necessity for executive direction in
local affairs may become unnecessary and
obsolete.
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 to magnify wrongs
and outrages, and on the other side to be-
little them or justify them? II public
opinion could be directed to q correct
survey of what is, and to rebuking wrong
and aiding the proper authorities in pun
ishing il, q better state of feeling would
be inculcated, and the sooner we 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 Southern States
the better part Of them-there is dispo-
sition so be law-abiding, and to do no
violence, either to individuals or the
laws existing; but do they do right in
ignoring the existence of violence and
bloodshed in resistance to constituted
authority? | sympathize with their
PROSTATE condition, and would do all in
my power to relieve them, acknowledge
ing that in some instances they have had
most trying governments 10 live under
and very oppressive ones in the way of
taxation for nominal Improvements, not
giving benefits equal to the hardships
imposed. But can they proclaim them
selves entirely excuscable for this con-
dtion? They can not Violence has been
rampant in some localities, and has, fur
wha J onn,J % Hara Hu nravon,oJ !" III" " '"''
The theory i raised that there ia IN Ina
No NOR, ;ntertorenco ON ,bs nar, Of ,bs
General ae Government ~ nro,eet c;t;zens
wi,h;n /. Sat- wha,o ,hd [ S,a,a .n,hnr' %
;,;es G,;i :" r;va nro,an,;on Th;s =
grsat m;s,ato Wh;,e I rom.;n E1anu'
s;vs aii ,he laws 81 Co,aress anJ ,he
nroy;s;ons Of ,Le Con.,;,ns;on ;nelnd;na
ihs omonJmen,s aJdeJ thsra,o viii hss
ans,rcaJ VIII y;,or ,,;,hou, r.,ro, ,hot
thew shouId have added one ;ot or title
to the Executive duties and powers.
Let there be 6rmpess in the discussion
of Southern oueSIns. the advocates Of
botb or ali noIiticai norties giving honest