The Russellville Democrat., 1875-02-18
WHAT THEY SAY.
The Press on the Arkansas
 Message.

Chicago IrlDune, taulh. rep].
 President Grant sent a message to the senate yesterday with a number of documents relating to affairs in Arkansas. The presi- dent says all the testimony shows that Brooks was elected governor in 1872, that he was unlawfully deprived of possession of his office; and that the new constitu- tion under which Garland now holds, was carried by fraud, vio- lence, and revolutionary proceed ings. We do not know on what testimony the president bases his opinion. That is presumably contained in the documents sent to the senate. But we do know that all the testimony before the people goes to establish the validi
 ty ofthe Garland government. It may be that the position of the president is technically correct; yet we believe that interference with the constituted government of Arkansas, which has brought prosperity and peace to that un- happy state, would be contrary to a broad and enlightened public policy.
 Chicago Times.
 The most infamous proposition ever made by a president of the United States to congress was contained in Mr. Grants special message to the senate on Arkan- sas affairs, which was read yester- day. Mir. Grant wants congress to relieve him of any responsibili- ty regarding affairs in that state, and to recognize the Brooks fac tion as being rightfully in control of the state government. If this was question upon which two honest men could differ, such recommendation might find palli- ation. But, unfortunately for Mir. Grants reputation, it is question that has but one side. The means by which the people of Arkansas reformed their con stitution and placed men of integ- rity, who were in harmony with the public, in official position, while they may not have been wholly constitutional, were cer- tainly warranted by precedent, and sustained by law. These means were not revolutionary, al- though even revolution is sustain ed by the best legal authorities, in cases of extreme emergency. The people, through their repre- sentatives, exercised an undoubt- ed right in reforming their con stitution, and in elccting of off cers to administer the law under that constitution after it had been duly and legally ratified. There has been no violence in the state since the present state of affairs was inaugurated, a fact that shows most conclusively that the exist ing government is the choice of the people and is being admins tered to their entire satisfaction.
 Mir. Grants presumption that any responsibility in Arkansas affairs rest upon him is simply absurd. He is no mere responsi- ble for the condition of affairs in Arkansas than he is for the con dition of affairs in Illinois or Wis consin. Only when state of insurrection exists is the presi- dent empowered to interfere in the affairs of a state, and then only on request eff the governor or legislature of the commonwealth. | In such case only does any respon- ! sibillty rest upon the president ana ms assumtion of responsibili- | ty under the circum stances. is | rare piece of impertinence that l should be promptly rcbuked by | congress. For these reasons the | Times asserts that Mir. Grants is nothing short of infamous.
 St. Lonis Democrat, (adm. rep.)l
 President Grant, in his Arkansas message, expresses the opinion that Mir. Brooks was legally elec- ted in 1872, and has since been unlawfally deprived of his office. That he was elected. but wrann. 1