Wilmington journal., 1874-07-03
Governor EAcinper's Letter.
COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA,
GOVERNORS OFFICE,
I,iCHMOND. June IitD, 1SI1.
To His ErcCWcNcu, Z. s. Grant.

RICHMOND. June 17tD, 1874.
TO His Eccc}lcHcy, Z. s. Grant,
President OF the United States
Sir-With respectful Difference I in-
woke your attention to the instructions
very recently delivered by the Attor-
ney General of the United States to
the marshal of the Eastern District of
Virginia, III relation to alleged dis
orders ill Petersburg. / cannot sup
pose that those instructions were is
sued either with your approval or your
cognlzance. They appear to have been
dispatched directly from the depart
| ment of Justice to an inferior officer of
Federal District Court in Virginia,
but without communication with any
of the authorities of this State and
in directing that officer to resist the
| alleged disorders, they assure him
that upon his requisition a military
force of the United States would be
forwarded to his assistance. They
assume that disorders existed in Pc
tersburg, although no breach of the
peace or disturbance whatever had
intact occurred, or been attempted or
threatened, or was likely to arise in
that city. They completely ignore the
existence CT this Commonwealth and
its constituted authorities; or, at least,
they assume that the government of
Virginia is unable or unwilling to
maintain the peace within the just ju-
risdiction of the State. They imply
that Federal department may exer-
else immediate and discretionary con-
troll, within this State, over Y ital inter-
ests which are distinctively local and
domestic. They empower subordi-
nate ministerial agent of general gov
crnment, at its discretion, to subject
peaceful community, together
with all its authorities, to the domi-
nation OF an armed Federal force
Such instructions if carried into exc
cution, wrest from the people the right
| OF self government and convert the
| State itself into province or mill
| tary division Of a central virtually i'm
| perial power They erect the dominion
Of til Federal sword, i'll tine of peace,
over the civil authority of the State. X
K Desiring to cultivate peaceful,
| beneficial and cordial relations with the
Common government and with each of
| its departments; cheerfully yielding to
that government 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 the liberties
of the people.
| l affirm the inalienable right to this
| Commonwealth to self government, its
authority to rule its internal and muni-
cipal affiaIrs--in accordance with su
prelne organic law and without undue
restraint or l.lndrance from any power
whatever I point to the yet recent
past for proof that this government
has the capacity and will to protect
personal right and to enforce justice,
order and law: and I soiemnly protest
against the late action OF the Attorney
General Of the United States as fla
grant wrong and inGignity to State all-
thority as subsersive of the principles
of free government and destructive Ol
/ the organism of American constitution
al liberty. In the name and in behalf
Of the injured government and people
of Virginia, charge that e'ticer witt
a usurpation OF power which imperilF
the safety of both and all. j confront
him before the justice and authority o
your great Office, and L appeal to yor
for action which will ut once redres:
the wrongs of the past and guard the
principles of the government againet ;
like infraction in the future.
I have the honor to be, Mr.. Presi
dent, very respectfully, your obedien
servant,
| (Signedl JAMES Z. KEMPER.
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