The New Orleans bulletin. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1874-1876, 1874-07-01
GOV. KEMPER TO PRESIDENT GRANT.

From the bold and manly let ter Of the Gov
ernor Of Virginia to the President, in relation
to the extraordinary instructions transmitted
to Petersburg by the Attorney-General Of the
United States, we extract the following:
It was but few days before the date OF
these instructions that other wrongs We're in
dicted by Federal authorities upon citizens OF
Petersburg. Certain judges Of local election
were charged with rejecting legal votes, an
odense at all times cognizable and punishable
by the State tribunals by virtue Of State laws,
due evidence Of the offense being shown either
on the complaint OF any person aggrieved or
without such complaint.
These causes were not permitted to be heard
by State court, nor yet by the appointed
Federal authority located for such investiga-
tons at Petersburg, the residence Of all the
parties and their witnesses, but the accused
were forced under arrest to Richmond, and
here tried by United States Commissioners
who, although as is confidently believed, no
probable cause was shown, held the parties for
Indictment and trial in Federal court, and in
so doing he announced the monstrous doctrine
that in such case it devolved upon the accused
to prove their own innocence.
IF it be claimed that the exercise Of such
arbitrary and despotic powers in time of
peace is permitted by the letter of the Fed
eral statute, commonly known as the enforce
ment act, statute which sprung from the
exigencies and passions resulting from war,
and the provisions of which are abhorrent to
all the traditions of free government and to
the principles of all it's founders let it suffice
to answer that the violent remedies sought to
be provided by that act were never intended
to be employed within a State, except to re-
press actual and serious infraction OF law and
order, and then only in case the authorities
of the State should fail efficiently to meet the
emergency.
Desiring to cultivate peaceful, beneficial and
cordial relations with the common govern
ment and with each of its departments;
cheerfully yielding to that government the
full measure of its delegated authorities, OPP
pose 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 right of this Com
monwealth TO self-government, its authority to
rule its internal and municipal affairs ac-
cordance with supreme organic law and with
out undue restraint or hindrance from any
power whatever 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; and
solemnly protest against the late action
of the Attorney General of the United States
as fragrant wrong and indignity to State au-
thority, as subversive of the principles Of free
government and destructive Of the organism
Of American constitutional liberty. In the
name and in behalf of the injured Government
and people of Virginia, I charge that officer
with a usurpation of power which imperils
the safety of both and of all. 1 confront him
before the justice and authority Of your
great Office and l appeal to you for action
which will at once redress the wrongs of the
past and guard the principles of the Govern
nent against like infaction in the future.
have the honor to be, Mr.. President, very
respectfully your obedient servanr,
JAMES L. kEMPER.