Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1875-09-22
4 Sensible Conclusion.


In answer to the request Of Governor Ames,
Of Mississippi, for federal troops to keep
peace within the borders Of that state, Judge
pierepont, the Attorney General, has sent
the following communication, which, it will
be seen, embraces the views Of the President
regarding military interference in the local
administration OF justice. The letter is
emincnty sensible, and we commend it TO
the careful consideration of our readers!
DErAHrMrNr or JusricE
Washington, September II, 1875
10 Gors,nor 1mes Jackson. Miss
This hour have had dispatches from the presi-
dent can best convey to you his idea by OK
tracts from the dispatch The whole public are
tired out with the annual autumnal outbreaks in
the South and the great ma orty are ready now
to condemn any interference on the part Of the
government heartily wish that peace aud good
order may be restored without issuing the prooa-
nation; but II 1t is not, the proclamation must be-
issued, and II II is shall instruct the commander
Of the force to have no chds play II there is r.
necessity for military Interference there Is Justice
in such interference as to deter evil-docrs +
would suggest the sending Of dispatch or letter.
by private messenger to Governor Ames, urging
him To strengthen his own position by cxhausting
his own resources In restoring order before he ie-
cciyes government aid. lie might accept the
assistance offered by citizens Of jackson aud else
where. Governor Ames and his advisers can be-
made perfectly secure, a. many Of the troops now
in Mississippi rs he deems necessary may be sent
to jackson. II 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 President, with
which l. and every member Of the Cabinet who
has been consulted, are In full accord You see
the difficulties You see the responsibilities which
you assume. 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 whate,crpow
and money and arms you need The constitution
is explicit that the executive Of the state can call
upon the President for aid usuppres- ing domestic
violence only When the legislature cannot be COM
venedi and the law expressly says, in case of an
Instruction In any state against the government
thereof, 1t shall be awful for the President. on
application Of the legislature Of such state or of
the executive, when the legislature cannot be con-
yened to call, etc It is the plain meaning of the
constitution and laws when taken together that
the executive Of the state may call upon the prc.i-
dent for military aid 10 quell domestic violence
only In case Of an instruction in any stats against
the government thereof when the Legislature can-
not be called together You make no suggestions
even that there is an instruction against the .o,-
eminent Of the state, or that the legislature would
not support You in any measure you migh plo-
pose to preserve the public order
suggest that you take all lawful means and lll
legal measures to preserve the peace by the forces
in your own state, and Jet the country see thath
citizens Of Mississippi, who are largely favorable
to good order and who are largely Republican,
have the courage aud the manhood to fight for
their rights and to destroy the bloody rufliaus who
murder the innocent aud unoncndng freedmen
Everything Is in readiness Be careful to bring
yourself strictly within the constitution and the
laws and il there is such resistance To your state
authorities as you cannot by all the means at your
command suppress, the President viii swiftly aid
you in crushing these lawless traitor. to human
rights, Telegraph me ON receipt of this, and tate
explicitly what you need
Very respectfully yours,
EnwARrs PlERREroNr, Attorney General