Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1875-01-15


Meetings in various cities, messages from
the Governors of Massachusetts, Missouri,
Tennessee, Ohio, and other States, action of
the legislature of Pennsylvania and other
bodies have condemned the action With
great severity. In Congress the friends Of
the administration with two OF three ex-
ceptions do not vigorously support the ac-
ton.
WHAT THE PRESIDENT SAYS.
On Wednesday President Grant sent in
a message rehearsing ''outrages'' in LOU
isiana as reason for the interference, and
sustaining the action of Sheridan. To
show how little he knows Of the principles
of Government, he says:
Whether it was wrong for the Governor,
at the request of the majority of the men,
bers returned as elected to the House, to
use such means as were in his power to
defeat these lawIesS and revolutionary pro-
ceedings is, perhaps, a debatable question;
but it is quite certain that there would
have been no trouble if those who now
complain of illegal interference had allowed
the House to be organized in lawful and
regular manner.
He concludes as follows:
repeat that the task assumed by the
troops is not a pleasant one to them; that
the army is not composed OF lawyers Ca
pable Of judging at a moments notice of
Just how far they can 60 in the mainten-
ance of law and order; and that it was i'm
possible to give specific instructions pro-
Yiding for all possible contingencies that
might arise. The troops were bound to
act upon the judgment Of the command
ing officer upon each sudden contingency
that arose, OF wait Instructions, which
could only reach them after the threatened
wrongs had been committed which they
were called on to prevent. 1t should be
remembered, too, that upon my recogni-
tion Of the Kellogg government reported
the fact with the grounds OF recognition
to Congress, and asked that body to take
action in the matter; otherwise l should
regard their silence as an acquescence in
my course. No action has been taken by
that body, and have maintained the posi-
ton then marked out. IT error has been
committed by the army in these matters it
has always been on the side of the preserva
ton of good order, the maintenance Of
law, and the protection Of life. Their
bearing reflects credit on the soldiers, and
il wrong has resulted the blame is with
the turbulent elements surrounding them.
now earnestly ask that such action be
taken by Congress as to leave my duties
perfectly clear in dealing with the affairs
of Louisiana, giving assurance at the same
time that whatever may be done by that
body in the premises will be executed &C
cording to the spirit and letter of the law,
without fear or favor.
THE MATTER IN THE VIRGINIA SEN
The Conservatives of the Virginia Legis-
lature held caucus Friday night on the
Louisiana matter and authorized the
Chairman, 1t Coy. Withers, to appoint a
committee on resolutions, to be presented
at an adjourned meeting. Senator Cocii-
ran of Augusta, without awaiting the
action of this committee, presented the
following resolutions in the Senate Oh
Saturday:
l, Resolped by the General Assembly of
the Commonwealth Of Virginia, That the
Governors OF the States composing the
United States of America be and they are
hereby earnestly requested to convene rs
soon as practicable the Legislatures of
their respective States, i'll order that the
States may consult together and advise
with each other respecting the late interfe-
renee of the army of the United States with
the Legislature of the State OF Louisiana,
and determine simultaneously and prompt
ly what is necessary to be done to defend
nomy of the States.
2. ResOlued, That the Governor of this |
Commonwealth be and lie is hereby re-
quested forthwith to telegraph these reso- |
lutions to the Governors of the several |
States, and request Immediate replies.
g. Resolved, That this joint resolution
shall be in force from its passage.
Mr.. Cochran supported his resolutions
in a speech in which he maintained that |
Virginia, by reason of the great part she
bore in the war Of the Revolution and in |
the formation of the Union, as also on ac- |
count of the influence she has in all emer-
gencies exercised in the councils of the |
nation, was entitled to take the leadership |
in repelling the attack that has been made |
on constitutional government and the |
rights of the States.
Sentors Bland, Penn, Smith of Nelson, |
Kirkpatrick, Quesenberry, Hundly, Tho
mas, McRae and Moffett all expressed the
warmest sympathy with Louisiana and |
the strongest Indignation at the out /
RACES to which she has been subjected, but |
none seemed to favor Mr.. Cochran's reso-
buttons. Most, if not all OF the speakers |
expressed dissent from them and regret |
that they should haYe been introduced
But most Of them appeared to think that |
since the subject had been thus precipita-
ted. some action should be taken. Nearly |
all appeared to think that the initiative |
should be taken by the Northern States
and not by any of the late subjugatcd |
States. Northern leadship would be more
influential and less free from injurious
criticism.
Senator Penn, who made an admirable |
speech, moved to refer the resolutions to a
special committee of the two houses.
Senator Smith, who spoke with great
good sense, was in favor OF referring the Il
10 the standing Committee Oh Federal r :
latiens.
Senator Kirkpatrick indicated in his !
excellent remarks the line OF policy
which he thought should be pursued. C.,
resolutions of sympathy with Louisiana aid
an earnest but respectful protest again
the outrages that had been inflicted upoa
her, and an appeal to the National author
tiles fol justice.
Mr.. Penn regretted deeply the introduce
ton of these resolutions, for, WhateVet
disposal might be made of them, would be
liable to be misunderstood, and Whethct
be voted for OF against their adoption MS
vote would be open to misinterpretatloli,
and to such misinterpretatiOn on the part
OF friends of, and sympathizers with LOT
isiana as he should deeply regret.
Ii the resolutions meant anything more
than empty defamation, they meant
RESISTANCE AND REVOLUTION.
Are we prepared to inaugurate revoll-
ton? Is it wise and proper that we shout !
suggest it to the more powerful Common
wealths of the North? Could any one
suppose that such a suggestion could work
anything but mischief and hinder the ef- '
forts of those good and noble friends in {
the North and the great Northwest who {