The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1874-12-18


frauds and forgeries committed at said election
and because II appears that the returns thereof
were never legally canvassed, il was impossible
10 tell thereby who was chosen, but from the best
sources of information at my command I have
always beliycd the present state officers received
"A majority Of the legal votes actually east at that
election. repeat what said in my special mes
sage Of February rs, 1873 that, in the event Of no
action by Congress, must continue 20 recognize
The government heretofore recognized by me.
SOUTHERN DISORDERS.
regret 10 say that with preparations for the
late election decided indication appeared in
some localities IN the southern States OF deter
mination by acts 81 violence and intimidation "a
deprive citizens ~ the freedom Of the ballot be-
cause Of their political opinions. Bands Of men.
masked and armed. made their appearance.
White Leagues and other societies were formed.
Large quantities ~ arms and ammunition were
Imported and distributed Ia these organizations.
Military drills, with menacng demonstrations,
were held, and with all these murders enough
were committed, which spread terror among
those whose political opinion was 10 be suppress
ell II possible by these intolerant and criminal
proceedings. la some places colored laborers
were compelled 10 vote according 10 the wishes Of
their employers under threats OF discharge II they
acted otherwise, and there are too many Instances
in which, when these threats were disregaried,
they were rcmorsclessly executed by those
understand that the Fifteenth Amendment to
the Constitution made to prevent this state 81
things, and the act of MAY 81 ls70, with amend
ments, was passed Ia enforce its provision; the
object Of this being To guarantee % all citizens the
right 10 vote, and 10 protect them IN the free en-
IL.
ton 10 take care that the laws be faithfully exc
cued and convinced by undoubted evidence that
violations of said act had been committed and
that widespread and Migrant disregard of IL
was contemplated the proper officers were in
structed 10 prosecute the offenders, and troops
We're stationed al convenient points 10 aid these
officers, II necessary, in the performance of their
duties. Complaints are made ~ this interference
by Federal authority. hut II said amendment and
act do not provide for such interference under the
circumstances above stated, then they are
without meaning, force or effect, and the whole
scheme Of colored cnfranchsement IL worse than
mockery, and little better than a crime Possibly
Congress may find it due TO truth and justice u
ascertain, 10y means Of q committee, whether the
alleged wrongs To colored citizens for political
purposes real or the reports thereof were
manufactured for the occasion.
The whole number OF troops in the States of
Louisiana, Alabama, Georgia. Florida, South
Carolina, North Carolina, Kentucky, Tennessee,
Arkansas, Mississippi, Maryland and Virginia.
at the times of the elections, was ,0s2. This
embraces the garrison- Of al the forts from the
Delaware 10 the Gulf Of Mexico.
THE TROUBLES ~ ARKANSAS.
Another trouble has arisen in Arkansas. Ar
uce - Of the Constitution Of the state which was
adopted IN l-ts, and upon the approval of which
by Congress the State was restored 10 representa-
ton AZ one of the States OF the Union, provides
IN effect that before any amendments proposed TO
this Constitution shall become part thereof they
shall lie passed by two successive Assemblies and
then submitted TO and ratified by majority Of the
electors Of the state, voting thereon. On the nth
of May, 1874 the Governor convened AN extra
session Of the General Assembly OF the State.
which, on the 18th Of the same month. passed an
act providing for a convention 10 frame n new
Constitution. Pursuant 10 this act, and at an
election held on the 30th June, 1874, the Conven-
ton was approved and delegates were chosen
thereto, who assembled on the 18th Of last July,
and formed a new Constitution, the schedule Of
which provided for the election of entire new
set OF state officers in manner contrary to the
then existing election laws Of the state. ON
the 18th If October, 1874, the Constitution, as
therein provided was submitted ~ the people for
their approval or rejection, and according a. the
election r.turns "A ny "a al ma
~ OF those qualified 10 vote thereon, and at the
same election persons were chosen to ill all the
state, county and township Offices The Cover
nor elected in 1872 for the term Of four years
turned over hr Office Ia the Governor chosen un-
der the new Constitution, whereupon The Lieu
tenant Governor, also elected in lss2 for term
OF four years, claiming 10 act as Governor and
alleging that said proceedings by which the new
Constitution was made and new set Of officers
elected were unconstitutional. illegal and void
called upon me. az provided in section 4, article
Of the Constitution, 20 protect the state against
domestic violence. A. Congress Is now investi-
eating the political affairs Of Arkansas, have
declined 70 interfere with the subject. ENecu-
tive Interference with the affairs of state il
repugDant to public opinion, 90 the feeling Of
those who from their official capacity mnst be
used in such interpostion, and 10 him or those
who must direct Unless most clearly on the side
Of law, such Interference becomes a crime with
the law Ia support il, thus condemned without a
hearing. desire therefore, that all necessity
for executive direction in local affairs may be-
come unnecessary and obsolete, and invite the at
tention. not Of Congress hut Of the people Of the
United states, TO the causes and effects Of these
unhappy questions. II there not disposition ON
one side o. magnify wrongs and outrages, and ON
the other side to belittle justify them. II pub
lie attention could be directed 10 correct survey
Of what is right. and To rebuking wrong and aid
ing proper authorities in furnishing IL. better
state of feeling would be nculcated, and the
er would We have that peace where II would leave
the states free indeed to regulate freely their own
domestic affairs. believe on the part Of our
citizens OF the Southern States-the better
part of them-there is disposition To be law
abiding and do violence either b. indi-
viduals or the laws existing; but do they do
right in ignoring the existence Of violence and
bloodshed and in resistance 10 constituted
thoritys sympathize with their PROSTATE
dition, and would do all in my power to relieve
thcm-ack nowledging 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 hardship imposed but can they pro
claim themselves entirely blameless for this con
pant in some localities and has further been just-
lied or denied by those who could have prevented
IT, The theory IL raised that there Is 10 I've fur
Their interference ON the part 81 the General Gov
eminent to protect citizens within state where
the State authorities fail - give protection. This
ia great mistake. While | remain Executive all
the laws of Congress and the provisions Of the
Constitution. including the amendments added
thereto, will he enforced with rigor. But ! re
greet that they should have added one jot title
TO executive duties and powers Let there be
fairness in the discussion Of southern questions.
the advocates of both or all political parties Civ
ing honest, truthful reports of occurrences, con
denning the wrong and uphodng the right.
and soon all will be well. Under existing
conditions the negro votes the Republican
ticket because he knows his friends are of that
party. Many good citizen votes the opposite,
not because he agrees with the great principles Of
state which separate the parties, but because
generally he Is opposed 10 negro rule. This Is
most delusive cry. Treat the negro as citizen
and voter, as he H. and must remain. and soon
parties will be divided, not ON the color line, but
ON principles. Then we shall have no complaint
OF sectional nterfcrences
THE ATTORNEY GENERALS REPORT.
The report Of the Attorney General contains
valuable recommendation relating To the admin
istration OF justice IN the courts of thu United
states, 70 which invite your attention. ! ~.