The Caucasian. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1874-1875, 1874-12-12
He then reviews the; contest il
Arkansas az follows

1868, and upon the approval Of which
nv Congress the State was restored to
Representation "a one Of the States OF
the Union), provides, in effect, that be-
fore any amendments proposed to this
constitution shall become a part there
of they shall be passed by two success
sive Assemblies add then submitted to
and ratified by majority Of the cleo
tors of the State voting thereon.
On the llth May, 1874, the Governor
convened an extra session of the Gen
eral Assembly Of the State, which, on
the 18th of same mo:lth passed an act
providing for convention to frame u
new constitution, pursuant to this act,
and at election held on the Both June.
1874, thu convention was approved and
delegates were chosen thereto who as.
sembled on the l4th of last July and
formed new constitution, the scl,ed-
nle of which provided for the election
of an entire new set Of State officers,
in manner contrary to the then ex-
listing election laws of the State. On
the 18th October, 1874, the constitu-
ton, as therein provided, was sub
mitted to the people for their approval
or rejection, rnd according to the cleo
ton returns was approved by large
majority Of those qualified to vote
thereon, and at the same election per-
sons were chosen to fill the State,
county and township Offices. The Gov
ernor elected in 1879 for the term of
four years turned over his Office TO the
Governor chosen under the new Con-
stitntion. Whereupon the Lieutenant
term Of four years, claiming to act as
Governor and alleging that said pro
ceilings by whic:, the new C"rstitu-
ton was made and new set of officers
elected were unconstitutional, illegal
and void, and called upon me as provi-
ded in section 4, articles 4 Of the Con-
stitution, to protect the State against
domestic violence.
As Congress is now investigating the
! political affairs Of Arkansas. I have
declined to interfere. The whole sub
ject of Executive interference with the
affairs of a State is repugrant to
public opinion, to :hc feelings OF
those who from their official capacity
must be used in such interposition and
to humor those VIII" must direct (?)
Unless most clearly on the side Of law.
such Interference becomes IL crime,
With the law to support. it is condam-
ed without hearing. desire, there
fore, that all necessity for Executive
direction in local affairs may become
unnecessary and obsolete.
| invite the attention, not of Con
gress, but OF the people Of the United
States, to the causes and cife is Of
these unhappy questions. Is there not
a disposition On one side to bcliltle
them or Justify them? fpub)ic opin-
ion could nc directed to correct sur
vey of what it is, and to rebukns
wrong and aiding the proper authori-
ties iu furnishing it, Il better state Of
feeling would be incalcuated. aud the
sooner we wonld have that peace which
would leave the States tree indeed to
regulate their own domestic affairs.
believe on the part of orr citizens
of the Southern States, the better part
Of them. there is Il disposition to he
law abiding and to do no violence
either to individuals or to laws exist
ing. But do they do right in ignoring
existence of violence and blnudshed in
resistance to constituted authority. I
sympathize with their PROSTATE condi-
ton and would do all in my power to
relieve them. Acknowledging that in
some instances they have had most
trying government to live nnder and !
very oppressive ones IN the way Of
taxation tor nominal improvement. not |
giving benefits equal to tho hardship
imposed.
But can they proclaim themselves
entirely irresponsible for this condi-
toni They cannot. Violence has
been rampant in some localities, and
has either been justified or denied by
those who could have prevented it,
The theory is even raised that there
is to be no further interference on the
part Of tho General Government to
protect citizens in a State where the
authorities fail to give protection.
This is great mistake. While l re-
main Executive all the laws of Con-
gress and the provisions of the Consti
tation, including the recent amend
"CHtS duutU tucVetO. Will Ut eIlOTccu
with vigor, but with regret that they
should have added one ,jot or title to
Executive duties or powers. Let there
be fairness in the discussion of South
ern questions; the advocates Of both
or all political parties giving honest,
truthful reports Of occurrences, con
demnihg the wrong and upholdins the
right, and soon all will he well.
Under existing conditions the negro
votes the Republican ticket because he
knows his friends are of that party.
Many good citizen votes the oppo-
site, not because he agrees with the
great principles Of State which sepa-
rate parties, but becanoe generally he {
is opposed to negro rule. This is a
most delnsive cry. Put the negro as
citizen and II voter as he is and must
remain, and soon parties will be divi- |:
dcd, not on the color line, but on prin- T:
nSvNy., Al. 4