Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1874-12-08

of no action by Congress, / must continue to
recognize the government heretofore recognized
by me-
Iregi ct to say, that, with prepare atoms for the
Ielection, decided indications appeared in some
localities in the Southern States ola determination,
by acts Of violence and intimidation, to obstruct
the freedom ofthe ballot Because oftheir political
opinens, bands of men, masked and armed, made
their appearance; White Leagues and other So
cietes were formed large quantities of arms were
imported and distributed to the organizations
military drills, with menacing demonstrations
were held, and with all these, murders enough
committed to spread terror among those whose
political action was to be suppressed fpossble, by
these proceedings. In some places coored labor
ers were compelled TO vote according to the views
of employers under threats of discharge if they
acted otherwise; and there are too many instances
in which there were threats which, being disre-
garded they were remorsely executed by those
who made them. l understand the Fifteenth
| Amendment TO the constitution was made to pre-
vent the like state of things and the act of May
3lst, 1870, with amendments, was passed to en-
force iis provsions,-the object of this being to
| guarantee to all citizens the tight to vote, and
protect them in the full enjoyment Of that right.
Enuped by the constitution to take care that laws
| he faithfully executed, and convinced by undoubt-
ed evidence that violations of said act have been
committed, and that widespread and ilagrant
disregard Of it was contemplated, the proper Off
GERS were instructed to prosecute the offenders,
and troops were stationed at convenient points to
aid if necessary, in the performance of their Off
cial duties Complaints are made of this inter
ference by Federal apthc aty; but if the sa4o
amendment and act do not provide for such inter-
ference, under the circumstances as above stated,
then they are without meaning force and effect !;
| and the scheme of colored enfranchisement is
worse than mockery and little better than crime !!
i Possibly Congress find it due to truth and JUS
tlce, to ascertain by means of committee who can
hear whether all the alleged wrongs of coored citi-
zens forpocal reasons are real or whether the re-
ports thereof were manufactured for the occasion.
| The whole number Of troops In the State OF Ala
bama, Louisiana, Georgia, Florida, South Caro-
| lina North Carolina, Tennessee, Arkansas, Mis-
sissipp Missouri and Virginia, at the time of the
| election, was 40S2. These embrace the garrisons
| of all the forts from the Delaware TO the Gulf Of
| Mexico.
Another trouble has arisen in Arkansas. Art-
Gle 18th Of the Constitution of that State which
| was adopted in 1868, and upon the approval of
which by Congress the State restored to repre-
| sentation as one Of the States Of the Unon,-
provides in affect, that before any amendments
proposed to this Constitution shall become part of
it, they shall be passed by two successive assem-
| blies, and then submitted to and ratified by a
majority of the electors of the State voting there
on. The llth of May, 1874, the Governor con-
vened an extra session Of the General Assembly
of the State, which, on the 18th of the same
month"; passed an act providing for convention
to frame new constitution. Pursuant to this
act, at an election held on June 3oth, 1874, the
convention was approved ard delegates were
chosen thereto, who assembled on the 9th OF last
July and formed a new constitution,-the sched-
ule of which provided for the election of an entire
set OF state officers IN manner contrary to the
then existing election laws of the State. October
18th, 1874, this constitution as therein provided,
was submitted to the people for their approval or
rejection; and according to the election returns,
was approved by large majority OF those quail
fed to vote thereon. At the same election per-
sons were chosen to fill all the State, county and
township Offices. The Governor elected in 1872,
for term Of four years, turned over his office to
the Governor chosen under the new Constitution !;
whereupon the Lieutenant Governor, also elected
in 1872 for term Of four years, claiming to act
Governor, and alleging that said proceedings by
which the new constitution was made and new
set of officers elected were unconstitutional illc-
gal and void, called upon me- provided in Sec
ton A. article 4, of the Constitution to protect the
State against domestic violence. AS Congress is
now investigating the political affairs of Arkansas,
| have declined TO interfere The whole subject
of executive interference with the affairs of State
is rcpugnant to public opinion, to the feeling of
those who from their official capacity must be used
in such interposition, and to him those who
must direct. Unless most clearly on the side of
the laws, such interference becomes crime; with
the law to support it, it condemns without a hear
ing. desire, therefore, that all necessity for Ex-
ecutiye direction in local affairs may become uu-
necessary and obsolete.
4 l invite the attention not only of Congress but
and effects of these unhappy questions. Is there
not disposition on one side to magnify wrongs
and outrsges and on the other side to belittle
them If public opinion could be directed by u
correct survey OF what is, and to rebuking wrong,
and the proper authorities in furnishing it, better
state Of feeling would be nculcated; and they
would have that peace which would leave the
States free, indeed, 10 regulate their own affairs.
l believe on the part of our citizens of the South
| ern States,-the better part of them-there is q
disposition to be law abiding and do no violence,
either to irdviduals or to the laws existing; but
do they do right in ignoring the existence of vio-
lence and bloodshed in resistance to constitu-
tional authority: | sympathize with their pros
trate condition, and would do all in my power to
relieve them, acknowledging that in some instances
they nave had most trying governments to live
UNDER and very oppressive ones in the way of
taxation for material improvements, not giving
benefits equal to the hardships imposed But can
they proclaim themselves entirely irresponsible
for their conditions They cannot.
The LAWS TO BE ENFORCED
| Violence has been rampant in some localities,
and has either been justified or denied by those
who coulo have prevented it. The theory is even
raised that there Is to be no further interference
on the part of the general government to protect
citizens within state, where the state authoii-
ties fail to give protection. This.is great mistake.
While remain executive, all the laws of congress
and the provisions of the constitution, including
the recent amendments added thereto, will be en-
forced with vigor-but with regret that they should
have added one iot tide to the executives duties
or powers Let there be fairness in the discussion
of southern questionable advocates of both or
all political parties giving honest, truthful reports
of occurrences, condemning the wrong, or up
holding the right, and soon all will be well.
| nder the existing conditions, the negro votes
the republican ticket because he knows his friends
are of the party. Many good citizen votes the
opposite, not because he agrees with the great
principles Of state, which separate parties, but be-
cause generally he is opposed to the negro rule.
This is a most delusive cry. Treat the negro as a
citizen and voter-as he is and must remain and
soon parties will be divided, not on the color line
but on principle. Then we shall have no compla Mt
of sectional interference.
TIE LAW DEPARTMENT.
The report OF the Attorney General contains
valuable recommendations relating to the admins
traton Of justice in the courts of the United States
to which invite your attention. l respectfully
suggest TO Congress the propriety of increasing
the number Of judicial districts in the United States
10 eleven, the present number being nine; and the
creation OF two additional iudgeships. The terri
tory to be tIavcrsed by the circuit judges
is so great, and the business of the courts is so
steadily increasing, that it is growing more and
more impossible for them to keep up with the bust
ness requiring their attention. Whether this