The Andrew County Republican. [volume] (Savannah, Mo.) 1871-1876, 1875-09-24
The MISSISSIPPI TROUBLES.
AttOrnsy-Gieneral PierrepOnt's Letter to
Governor Ames.

Governor Ames.
WASHINGTON, ID. C., Sept. 1G.-Scn-
ator Bruce, of Mississippi, and II of
his associates called upon the Attorney
General to-day, and stated that they
had tclcgraphcd Governor AmcS that
they were satisfied with what the Att0r-
ncy-Gcnrral had done in regard to the
applications from the Governor for the
interference Of the General Government.
They again requested the publication Of
the Attorncy-Gcncral'S letter to Gov
crnor AmcS, and, President Grant con-
Scntin", it is made public. The letter is
a. follows:
DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE, WASHINGTON,
d. c., september II, 1S15.-Goyernor Ames,
Jackson, Miss. This hour ! have had "a dis
patch from the President. | can best con-
vcy to you his ideas by extracts from his dis
patch:
1.-The whole public are tired out with these
annual autumnal outbreaks in the South, and
u great .majority are ready now to condemn
any = Itltlltt Oi tic lill VI illc NTONtIA-
mcnt. | heartily wish that peace and good
order NAV be restored without issuing the
proclamation, but if they can not the pro-
ciamatiOn must be issued; and il is is | shall
instruct the commander of the forces to
have no childs play. II there i a necessity
for military interference, there is Justice in
such interference as to deter eyil-doers. !
would suggest the sending Of a dispatch or
letter by Il private messenger to Governor
AmeS, urging him to strengthen his own pO-
sitiOn by PXhausting his own resources in re-
storing order before he receives Government
aid. He might accept the assistance offered
by the citizens of Jackson and elsewhere.
Governor Ames and his advisers can be made
perfectly secure. As many of the troops now
in Mississippi rs ne deems necessary may be
sert to Jackson. If he is betrayed BY those
who offer assistance, he will then be in Il POI
sition to defeat their end and punish them"
You see by this the mind Of the President,
with which | and every member of the Cahi-
net who has been consulted are in full accord.
You see the difficulties; YOU see the rc>pon-
sibilities which You II We can't see
why You do not strengthen yourself in the
way the President suggests. nor do we see
why you do not call the Legislature together,
and obtain from them whatever powers and
money and arms YOU need.
The Constitution is explicit that The Exec
utiye Of 4 State can call upon the President
for aid in SuppreSSin@ domestic violence only
when the Legislature can not he convened.
and the law expressly says: "In ease OF an
instruction in any State against the Gov
eminent thereof. it shall be lawful for the
President, on the application of the Lo"isla-
ture of such State. or of the Executive when
the Legislature cannot be convened" to grant
such aid. 1t is the plain meaning of the
Constitution and laws, when taken together,
that the Executive of a State may
call upon the President for military aid to
qucll domestic violence only in case of an
inSurrection in any State against the Gov
eminent thereof, when the Legislature can
not be called together. You make no sug-
geStiOn even that there Is any Instruction
against the Government Of the State, or
that the Legislature would not support
you in any measures YOU might order,
| suggest that YOU take all lawful means
and all needed measures to preserve peace by
the forces in yOu W State, and let the
country see that the citizens Of Mississippi,
who are largely Republican, have the cour-
age and he manhood to fight for their State
rights and to destroy the bloody rufians
who murder the Innocent and unotlending
freedmen. Every thing is in readiness. BE
careful to bring Yourself strictly within the
Constitution and laws, and if there is such q
resistance to your State authorities As you
cannot by all means at your command SUP
press, the President will swiftly aid you in
crushing lawless traitors to human rights.
Telegraph me on receipt of this, and state
explicitly what you need. Very respectfully,
yours, EDWARDS PIERREPoNT,
AttOrney-General.