The Van Buren press., 1874-12-15

| to act as governor. and alleging that said pro-
ceedings by which the new set of officers
elected. were unconstitutional. illegal and
void. called on me. As provided in section 1.
article OF the constitution TO protect the
state domestic from violence
As congress is now in, estigating the polit-
ical affairs of Arkansas, | have declined to
interfere with the subject. Executive inter-
ference With the affairs of the state l. repug-
nant to public opinion and to the feelings Of
those who. from their official capacity. must
be used In such interpostion, and to him or
to those v bo must direct Others Most clear
ly, on the side Of law. such an interference
becomes a crime without a hearing. l dc
sire. therefore. that all necessity for execu
tive direction In local affairs may become
unnecessary and obsolete.
Invite the attention. not only Of congress.
but of the people of the United States. to the
causes and effects ef these unhappy Gnes-
tions. Is there not "A disposition on one side
to magnify wrongs and outrages, and on the
other side to belittle them or justify them?
lf public opinion could be directed to cor
rect survey of what is the actual condition OF
affairs. and to rebuking wrong and aiding the
proper authorities in Furnishing it, better
state of feeling would be inculcated and the
sooner we would have that. peace which
would leave states Tree indeed to regulate
their own domestic affairs.
! believe, on the part Of the citizens of the
southern statcs-the better part Of them
there i disposition to be law-ahiding.
and to do no Violence either to individuals or
laws now existing; but do they do right in
ignoring the existence of violence and blood
shed in their resistance to constituted author
ity sympathize with their PROSTATE con-
dition. and would do all In my power to re-
lie"e them. acknowledging the fact that, in
some instances they have had the most trying
governments to live under and very oppres-
sive ones In the way of taxation for nominal
improvements. not giving benefits equal to
the hard>Eips imposed a-
But can they proclaim themselves entirely
irresponsible fer the condition of violence
that has been rampant In sUIne localities
and has further been justified ar denied by
those who could have prevented IL? The the
ory Is raised that there Is no further inter-
ference necessary on the part Of the federal
government to protect citizens within state
where the state authorities fail to give pro-
lection. This is "A great mistake. While re-
main the executive, all the laws of congress,
and provisions Of the constitution. including
recommendations added thereto. will be en-
forced with vigor. but with regret that they
should have added one jot or little to the ex-
ecutlvc duties or power.
Let there be fairness in the discussion Of
the southern questions. advocates of both or
az Po'hbai Phit SlNiuS huuVrt anu
ful reports of occurrences condemning the
wrong and upholding the right. and soon all
will be well. Under the existing conditions
the negro votes the republican, ticket because
he knows his friends are of that party. Many
good citizens vote the opposite, not because
they agree with the great principles of the
state. which separate pan ties, but because
generally they are opposed to negro rule.
This Is most delusivc cry. Treat the negro
a. a 4 nd N nf..r hp is nd mn st rs,-
main. and soon parties will hedividcd. not on
color line. but on principles, Then we shall
hear no complaint of scctiUtHl interference.
Complaints are made of this Interference
by the federal authorities. but IL said amend
ment and act do not provide for such inter-
ference, under such circumstances ms above
stated then they are without meaning and
fo:cc and effect, anG the whole scheme of
colored enfranchisemeut i, worse than "A
mockery, and little better than crime
Possibly congress may find it due to the
south and justice. to ascertain. by means OF
committee. whether the alleged wrongs to
the colorcd citizens for political differences
real. or the reports thereof were manufactn-
red for the occasion
TROOPS IN THE SOUTH.
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 election.
were 4.0s2. This embraces the garrisons Of
all the forts from the Delaware to the Gulf of
Mexico.
MISCELLANEOUS.
The president asks congress to increase
the number of judicial districts to eleven. rs
the present number is insufficient for the dis
patch of business. Recommends the restor-
alton Of bounty to the soldiers Of the war of
1872. residing In the southern states. Says
if congress ad journs without action on the
civil service reform. lie will abandon II, eX-
ccpt to require exam nations for certain APP
pontmcnts.
fSy- Gov Tjldpn of Now York is said