The New York herald., 1875-01-10
THE GOVERNOR OF VIRGINIA
TO JUDGE LYONS.

RICHMOND. Jan. 9. 1876.
Hon. James Lyons, who was President OF the
Blanton Duncan Convention at Louisville which
nominated Charles O'Conor for President, IN 1872,
and who has since been regarded here us fepub-
can, has addressed the following letter to Cover.
nor Kemper:-
RICHMOND, Jan. Z, 1875.
TO Hon. JAMES L. KEMPER, Governor OF Virginia -
DEAR SIR-From the days OF Mr.. Madison to the
when the constitution Of the United States mas
been invaded aud the liberty OF the people threat.
ened by federal authority, 1t has been the custom
oil virginia to raise her voice against the usurpers
ana summon her sister States TO counsel with
her. In my opinion. the constitutional rights OF
the States and the liberty Of the people have been
more violently and dangerously assaed by the
proceedings Of the federal general PM sheridan
New Orleans than they ever were before
always the declaration OF war against the South.
ern States and their desoation for peaceably as
sestng tnsr rlg1t to wtndraw from govern.
and grievously oppressed them. / do not recol-
lect that ever before the army has been called In
bv the Executive department OF any government
to dsperse the Legislature except IN the time or
Cromwell and the First Napoleon, and II such an
the Sta!e OF Louisiana. 1t may and prob.
ably Will be practised in every state in
waen r;Sst the exercising ss n
OF It's members. shall expel republican
radical and admit democrat 10 the vacant seat.
1t will, Senator Graham Tor selling federal ofice,
we may expect some Austro-ederal butcher gen.
Austrian who whipped the hungarian women, to
march IN file OF soldiers and disperse the senate,
although gallant federal Senator presdes II,
and II IN triumph over the law, the constitution ana
the liberty OF MS country this ler0ctOus and heart
less mercenary incires The President still inrther
to trample under foot the constitution and liberty
and outrage civilization and humanity by decar-
ing by his sic r0IO peaceable citizens 'bandittin
because, as he alleges they committed offences
underlined In September and leave TO him to exc.
cute these men, who in fact have committed no
crime, unless seli-deIence against other mer-
cenaries and prompt submission to the authority
OF the United States be crimes according to the
code Of TINS military lawgiver. Nothing so
like II ever done since the massacre or the Hugue-
nots and the subjugaton OF "the lair land Of
sustained the President, you know, In his early
proceedings In Louisiana sustaining the Kellogg
@ shsS sas "a m
Ized or w,l sanction these proceedings or
DOG for the blood OF Southern men but II he does
he ought to pe immediately impeached and ex-
PEELED nom ofice anu the INFAMOUS Phil arrested
and sent to look after some 'Captain Jack.n Now,
my dear sir, we have once more true hearted,
gallant and patriotic vlreinian in the executive
chair oil the state, and to him appeal to arouse
the Legislature to the dangers and horrors which
surround US and urge It to summon our sister
as to the proper means OF meeting and repelllng
JAMES LYONS
THE GOVERNORS REPLY.
Governor Kemper replies To-day as follows:-
To Hon. JAMES LYONs:-
DEAR SIR-Your letter OF yesterday Is entitled to
On answer. l agree with you that the outrage
being perpetrated in Louisiana Is without parallel
In American history. IL Is pot local or sectional
In its character; but. II contaminated, 1t means
the overthrow OF constitutional government ana
the enthronement OF deSpotlsm In It's worst form
over all the States and people. Every friend OF
Tree institutions, no matter where ne lives or
whatever party name ne Is known by, must oppose
and abhor thus last and most alarming usnrpatlou
How can you suppose hat the federal administra-
tion has not authorized or does not sanction these
proceedIngsy Has not Sheridan OF all men and
on all occasions. treated with tue most trucu-
existence OF the state and rights OF the citizen.
Was ne not singled out lor CHIEF command OF tue
army at New Orleans expressly to give him cou.
as oandlttl the mass 0f those who represent the
best worth and intelligence Of great State after
proposing to subject them to the chances OF mas.
sacre by authority or MS own $40 coLO was he not
otnclany insured OF The continued approval ana
confidence OF the government, and is not his
power prolonged and his command upheld to-day
despite the bloody programme no proposed Be
assured, Sit. II these things are 80 they make an
impassanle gull which separates all true men
SGI the us ws
CRIME against liberty. II Is unnecessary
to act upon the suggestions you make, because
the subject is being considered on the part OF the
isni prudence aud wlsdom OF the representatives
OF the people. II my wish 10 iulnlled the state will
speak not to a section. but to the whole country
VIII speak with calmness, moderation and dignity.
and yet with no uncertain SQUAD. protesting
against the late usurpaton, deploring the danger
the heroic patience ana Iortiiude with which the
people OF louisiana peacefully abide the JudgmeDt
OF their fellow citizens oil all tue states. Very ie.
JAMES L. KEMPER, Governor Of Virginia.