The Grange advance., 1874-12-08

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An International postal Congress
was convened in Berne, Switzerland, sep.
tcmber last, at which the United States was
by an officer OF the post once
asiff1 ment of much experience and quailR-
cat for the position. A. convention
for the establishment Of an international
post union was agreed upon by 5he dele.
gates Of the countries representeo, suDJect
to the approval of the proper authorities OF
attention to the report of the Postmaster
Geue:al. and to his suggestions in regard to
an equitable adjustment of the question Of
to railroads for carrying the
mails
AFFAIRS IN THE SOUTHERN STATES.
Your attention will be drawn to the I'M
settled condition OF affairs III some OF the
Southern states. On the l4th OF September
lat the governor OF Louisiana called upon
me- as provided by the constitution and
laws of the United States, to aid in suppress
ius domestic violence in that State. This
Gail was made in view OF a proclamation is
sued on that day by D. B. Penn, stating that
he was elected Lieutenant Governor III 1872,
and calling upon the militia OF the State to
arm, assemble and drive from power the
usurpers, IL, he designated the officers OF the
State government. On the next day issued
nay proclamation, &C commanding the lnsar.
2at, thereof / subsequently learned that
on that day they had taken iorclble possess
Sion Of the State House. Troops were aken
by me to support the existing and recognized
State government, but before the expira-
ton Of the five days the
iusurrectionary movement. was prac,c
tically abandoned, and the officers Of
tue state government, with some minor ex-
ceptions, resumed their powers and duties.
Considering that the present State admins
tration otLouisiana has been the only gov
ernment i'll that State for nearly two years,
that it has been tacitly acknowledged and
:a,ouiesced in as such by Congress, and moIe
than once expressly recognized by me, re-
garded it as my clear duty, when legally
called upon for that purpose, to prevent it's
overthrow by an armed mob, under the pre-
tense of fraud and irregularity in the election
OF 1872. have heretofore called the atten-
tiou OF Congress to this subject, stating that
On account Of the frauds and iorgerles COM
mitted at said election, and because it ap-
pears that the returns thereof were never
legally cal,yassed, it was impossible to tell
thereby who were chosen. But from the
best sources of information at my command
have always believed the present
State officers received majority Of the legal
votes actually cast at that election. l repeat
wnat said in my special message OF Febru-
any 18th, 1878, that in the event OF no action
by Congress | must continue to recognize
the government heretofore recognized by
me.
regret to say that at the late election de-
cided Indications appeared in some localities
in the Southern States of q determination by
acts of violence and intimidation to deprive
citizens OF tne freedom of the ballot because
OF their political opinions. Bands OF men
masked and armed made their appearance.
White Leagues and other societies were
formed large quantities OF arms and ammu-
nition were imported and distributed to
these organizations. Military drills with
nena.inS demonstrations were held, and
lnitted to spread terror among those whose
politica: action was to be suppressed
II possible by these intolerant and
criminal proceedings. In some
places colored laborers were compelled tc
vote according to the wishes of their employ
ers under threats Of discharge, it they act.
ed otherwise there are too many in
stances in which, when these threats were
disregarded, they were remorselessly execu.
ted by whom, made. understand that the
fifteenth amendment to the Constitution was
made to prevent this or a like state of things
and the act OF March 81, 1870, was passed tc
enforce its provisions the object Of this be-
ing to guarantee to all citizens the right t.
vote and to protect them in the full enjoy
ment Of that right.
Enjoined by the Constitution to take cart
that the laws be faithfully executed, anC
convinced by undoubted evidence that viola
lators of said act had been committed, ant
that widespread and flagran
disregard Of it was contemplated, the prope.
officers were instructed to prosecute the Of
lent points to aid these officers, it necessary
in the performance of their official duties
Complaints are made of this interference, b,
the federal authority, but it the said amend
ment and act do not provide for such inter
fere nee, under the circumstances rs abov
stated, then they are without meaning, fore
or effect, and the whole scheme Of colorec
enfranchisement is worse than mockery
and little better than crime.
Possibly Congress may find it due to trutt
and justice to ascertain by means OF a com
mission, whether the alleged wrongs to col
ored citizens for political purposes are rea
the occasion.
Of Louisiana, Alabama, Georgia, Florida
South Carolina, Kentucky, Tennessee, Ar
kansas, Mississippi, Maryland and Virginia
at the time Of the election were 4,O62. Thi
embraces the garrisons of all the forts lron
he Delaware to the Gulf of Mexico.
Another trouble has arisen in Arkansas
Article 1870 of the Constitution of the State
which was adopted in 1868, and upon tn
approval Of which by Congress the State wa
restored to representation as one of tn
States Of the Union, provides that III effec
that before any Of the amendments proposes
to this constitution shall become part there
.ot, they shall be passed by two successlv
assemblies and then submitted to and rattle
by majority of the voters of the State vol
ing thereon. The nth of May, 1874, tn
Governor convened an extra session Of th
general assembly of the State, which on tn
18th Of the same month passed an az
providing for a convention to fran
a new constitution, the schedule Of whic