Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1875-02-12
Grants Last Move.

Those who have been watching The course
Of the administration for the past few weeks
will hardly be surprised at The astounding
message on Arkansas affairs sent 10 The Senate
on Monday last 1t plainly shows that Grant
has fully determined 10 hold The Southern
States under the heel Of military power in or
der to succeed in his aspirations for third
term. He plainly says 10 Congress that I'M
less they pass laws 10 give the party control Of
these States he will do 10 alI Of Them what he
has already done in Louisiana. We give the
message in full, and Mr.. Thurman truly says
of II that II is The most astounding document
that ever emanated from :he White House:
TO The Senate ef tie Unted States
Herewith have the honor 10 send in nc.
eordance with The resolution Of the srd in
slant, all the information in my possession,
not heretofore furnished relating 10 affairs ia
the State Of Arkansas.
will venture to express the opinion that all
the testimony shows that in the election OF
1872 Joseph Brooks WAS lawfully elected Cow
ernor of that State; that he has been unlaw-
fully deprived OF the possession Of his Office
since that time that in 1874 the Constitution
OF the State was, by violence, Intimidation
and revolutionary proceedings. overthrown
and a new Constitution adopted and new
State Government established.
These proceedings If permitted 10 stand
practically ignore all rights by nnorties III
all the States
Also, what is there 10 prevent cash of the
States recently re-admiuea 10 Federal rela-
tions on certain conditions, from changing
their Constitutions and violating their pledges
If This action in Arkansas is arqniesced in 2
] respectfully submit whether precedent
40 dangerous 10 the stability Of State Govern
meut, il not Of The National Government also,
should be recognized By Congress
Etaruestly ask tis.st Congress will take def
mite action in this matter TO relieve the ExecU-
rive from aching upon questions which should
be decided by the Legislative branch of the
Government.
IS. Gaasr.
Executive Mansion, Feb 8. 1875
To show the utter Inconsistency and nu-
blushing Eslsehood contained in The above We
have bot 10 remember the course taken By
Grant last summer 10 the contest between The
rival Governors in that State, when be took
the groand that Brooks had no just claim to
the offive and mnst vsc,,e. Since that time
aaother election has been held and Gov Gar
wheImiag majority. No one has heretofore
donbted the legality of bis election except
mere handful of carpet-haggefs who wish TO
get control Of the State, and to further his own
interests Grant has been induced to champion
their canse.
Al the last session OF Congress a committee
consisting Of 1t majority Of Radicals was APP
pointed 10 visit aud investigate the affairs OF
that State and the report which they have
submitted will show to all candid minds the
Ivy Grant in his message. We have room but
for the annexed extracts from this report, but
they are sufficient:
We are asked TO recommend that the Nation
al Government shall declare, in some form
that the Constitution has not superseded thai
Vi S68 but that the old one Is sill the true
fundamental law Of the State, and that Mr.
Brooks, who doubtless was elected aud ought
to have been declared Governor, is now the
lawful Governor OF the Stale, and that the
Government-wil support and uphold him as
the lawful Governor OF :he State.
Instead Of making any such recommends
ton, they say:
The committee are satisfied that the Conven-
ton to frame the Constitution, and the Con-
sttuiion itself were voted for and are saiis-
factory 10 the majority Of The voters and peo-
pie OF The State. The State officers were GER
tainly elected by a majority of voeS cast and
we believe by a majority OF the voters in the
State. The condition OF the State has heen as
peaceable since the new government was inau-
Rnratrd as i ever has been acts Of violence
have been very rare indeed.
And again, as to the right of people of a
Stale 10 frame for themselves new Consliiu-
lion:
The people Of every State have the right to
make their own Constitution 10 suit them
selves, provided it be republican in form and
in harmony with the Constitution Of the
United States, and the National Government
has not authority TO deprive them OF thai
right. here We have the case of n Stale hav-
ing a Constitution republican, IN form, adopted
and ratified BY large majority Of The people.
governed by officers OF their CHOICE and going
forward with reasonable quiet and peace
Your committee cannot ind any solid grounds
on which 10 stand 10 say the General Govern
ment can or oneht 10 interfere. aud no amount
Of irregularity 10 the processes by which ibis
state Of things was brought about furnishes
just reason for doing so The committee be.
tleNe tHit uIut iiFlucfP irS no" Weli cStdpltsHtu
these defects and Irregularities ia he proceed
inqs mus, be regarded as covered by the ver-
diet OF The people
Ii remains 10 be seen what action Con-
gTess will take in these revolutionary de-
signs Of The President, and whether republican
government in this country is to be snbverted
into military dfspoiism merely 10 please an
ambitious General and minority Of the peo-
pie. We predict that when the people both
North and South awake TO the real danger
they will not he satisfied with merely protest
ing against these outrnges, but will use Ian
guage loud enough 10 be heard Ly the petty
would-be despot aud his hangers-on ri Wash
ington, even If they have to speak through the
mouth Of the cannon and muske, There is
certainly point beyond which endurance
ceases to be u virtue, and that point is in the
near future.
THE CIVIL RIaHrs BLL.--0n Friday last, the
odions Civil Rights Bill, (which will be found
ia Another column, as amended, passed the
lower House of Congress, by avote of 1853 to
o. There were eleven Republicans voted in
the negative, among them WAS Mr. Lowndes,
from this District. II is somewhat milder
than the former bin, on account Of the amend
ment of emitting churches, schools and ceme-
teries. Bnt ms the Senate had previously
passed its own conception and approval Of
those rights which are now denied to he negro
by their OMISSION, and inasmnch as the two