Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1875-09-24
The M ississippi TrO ubIes.
Tho following letter from the United
States Attorney General to Gov. Ames, of
MISSISSIPPI, has been given TO tho public:
DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE,
WASHINGTON. Semi. Ii. 1919

DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE,
WASHINGTON, Sept. IA, 1875.
To Gov. Ames, Jackson, Miss.-This hour
l have had dispatches from the President.
l can best convey to you his idea from ex-
tracts from his despatch:
1.-The whole public are tired out with
these annual autumnal outbreaks in the
South, and the great majority are ready
now 10 condemn any interference on the
part of the government. 1 heartily wish
that peace and good order may be restored
without issuing the proclamation, but if il
is not, the proclamation must he issued,
and if it is, shall instruct the commander
of the forces 10 have no child's play. If
there is a necessity for military interler-
ence, there is justice in such interference
as to deter evil doors.
II would suggest the sending Of a des-
patch or letter by private messenger TO
Gov. Ames, urging him TO strengthen his
own position by eXhausting his own re-
sources in restoring order before he re-
ceives government aid. He might accept
the assistance offered by citizens of Jack
son and elsewhere.
"Governor Ames and his advisers can he
made perfectly secure. As many of the
troops now in Mississippi as he deems
necessary may be sent 10 Jackson. If he
is betrayed by those who offer assistance
he will be in position TO defeat their ends
and punish them"
You see by this the mind of the Presi-
dent with which l and every member of
the Cabinet, who has been consulted, are
in full accord. You see the difn culties,
you see the responsibilities which you as
sumo. We cannot understand why you do
not strengthen yourself in the way the
President suggests, nor do we see why you
do not call the Legislature and obtain from
them whatever power and money and arms
you need.
The constitution is explicit, that the ex-
ecutive of the Stale can call upon the Pres
ident for aid in suppressing domestic vio-
lence only when the Legislature cannot be
convened, and the law especially says, in
case of an instruction in any State against
the government thereof, it shall be lawful
for the President, on application of the
Legislature of such State, or OF the execu-
tive when the Legislature cannot be con-
vened to call, etc. Ii is the plain meaning
of the constitution and laws, when taken
together, that the executive of the State
may call upon the President for military
aid to quell domestic violence, only in case
of an Instruction in any Stale against the
government thereof when the Legislature
cannot be called together. You make no
suggestions, even that there is any insur-
rection against the government of the State,
or that the Legislature would not support
you in any measure you might propose, TO
preserve the public order. suggest that
you take all lawful means and legal meas
ures to preserve the peace by the forces in
your own State, and let the country see
that the citizens Of Mississippi, who are
largely favorable to good order, and who
are largely Republican, have the courage
and the manhood TO fight for their rights,
and TO destroy the bloody ruffians who
murder the innocent and unoffending freed
men. Everything is in readiness. Be care
full TO bring yourself strictly within the
constitution and the laws, and II there is
such resistance TO your State authorities as
you cannot by all the means at your com
mand suppress, the President will swiftly
aid you in crushing these lawless traitors
to human rights. Telegraph me on receipt
of this and state explicitly what you need.
Very respectfully yours,
EDWARD s. PIERREPoNT,
Attorney General.