Wilmington daily gazette., 1874-06-27
Governor kemper to President Grant

The following is Governor kempers letter to
President Grant IN relation to the extraordinary
iustructIous transmitted to Petersburg, by the
Attorney General oil the United States
CoxxoswKLLTH OF VIRGINIA,
GovERNoR's OFFICE,
RICHMOND, June nth, 1874.
To HIS Etcellency, L. s. Grant, Pres'dSnt OF the
UHited States:
Sir:-Wnh respectful Difference invoke your
attention TO the instructions very recently delV-
cred by the Attorney-Gencral OF the United
States 10 the Marshal of the Eastern District of
Virginia, IN relation to alleged disorders IN Pc
tersburg. 1 cannot suppose that those lnsirue-
tvns were issued either with your approval OF
your cognlzance. They appear to have been die
patched directly from the Department oil Jnsiice
to AN inferior officer OF Federal District Couit
IN Virginia, but without communication win
any oi the authorities Of this State; and III d.
rectjuR that officer to resist the alleged disorders
they assure him that upon his requsition mill
tary force OF the United States would be forward
ed TO his assistance. They assume that disorders
existed In Petersburg, although no breach OF ihe
peace or disturbance whatever had In fact occur
red, or been attempted or threatened, or was
likely to arise in that city. They completely ig-
more the existence OF this Commonwealth and
its constituted authorities or, at the least, they
assume that the government OF Virginia Is unable
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 vhkh are distiuctively local aud
domestic. They empower subordinate minste-
iial agent OF the general government, at Its dis
cretion, to subject peaceful community, toge'h-
with all Its authorities, to the domiaalion Of an
al med Federal force.
Such instructions, If carried into execution,
wrest from tue people tue right OF self-govern-
ment aud convert the Stale itself into province
or u military division Of q central and virtually
mi tat INA hTv hp Inn m al hn
Fedeial sword in time OF peace. over the civil
authority OF the State.
1t was but few days before the date of these
instructions that other wrongs were inflicted by
Federal authority upon citizens of Petersburg.
Certain judges Of local election were charged
with rejecting legal votes, an offence al all times
cognzsble aud punishable by the State tribun-
ais BY virtue OF State laws, due evidence Of the
ofsnce being shown either on the complaint of
any person aggrievedor without such complaint.
These causes were not permitted TO bs heard by
State court, nor yet by the appointed Federal
authority located for such Investigations at Pet
ersburg, the Iesidence of all the parties and
their witnesses, bat the accused were forced un-
der arrest TO Richmond, and here tried by
United States Commissioner who, although as is
confidently believed, no probable cause was
shown, held the parties for indictment and trial
10 Federal court, and in so doing be announc-
ed the mopsrous doctrine that in such case it
devolved upon the accused TO prove their own
innocence.
If it be claimed that the exercise Of such ar
bitrary and despotic powers in time OF peace is
permitted by the letter Of the Federal statute,
commonly known as the enforcement act, stat
ute which sprung from the exigencies and pas
sons resulting from war, andthe provisions Of
which are sbhorrent to all the traditions Of free
government and the principles of all its found
ere, let it suffice to answer to that the violent
remedies sought to be provided by that act were
never intended to be employed within State
except to repress actual and serious nffaotion of
law and order, and then only in case The author
tiles Of the State should fail efficiently to meet
the emergency.
Desiring to cultivate peaceful, beneficial and
cordial relations With the common government
and with each Of its departments, cheerfully
yielding 10 that government the full measure of
it's delegated authorities, 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
affirm the inalienable rights of this Com
nonwealth TO self-governmsnt, its authority to
rule its internal and municipal affairs--in ac-
cordance with supreme organic law and without
undue restraint or hinderance from any power
whatever. L point TO the yet recent past for
proof that this government has the capacity and
the will to protect personal right and to enforce
justice, order and law; aud olemnly protest
against the late action of the Attorney General
Of the United States as Aagraut wrong and in
dignity to State authority, as subyersiVe of the
principles OF free government and destructive OF
the organism of American constitutional liberty
In the name and in behalf Of the injured gov
ernment and people Of Virginia, charge that
officer With q usurpation Of power which imper-
ills the safety of both and of all. l confront him
before the justice and authority of your great Of
tice, and appeal 10 you for action which will
at once redress the wrongs Of the past and guard
the principles Of the government against like
infraction 10 the future.
have the honor to be, Mr.. President, very
respectfully, your obedient servant,
SiRned1 IAMES T RENpEp