The Lake County star. [volume] (Chase, Mich.) 1873-current, 1875-09-23
The Attorney Generals letter to Gov
ernOr AmeS.~

Senator Price, of Mississippi, and one of
his associates called upon the Attorney.Gen-
eral, at Washington, and stated that they had
telegraphed Gov. Ames they were satisfied
with what the Attorney General had done in
regard to the applications from the Gov
ernor for the interference of General Grant.
They again requested the publication of the
Attorney-GeneraPs letter to Governor Ames,
and President Grant conserving, it is made
public. The letter is as follows:
DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE,
WASHINGTON, Sept IA.
Cor Adelben An,es jackson, Miss:
This hour have had dispatch from the Presi-
dent can best convey to you his ideas by extracts
from his dispatch
1.-THE whole public are tired out with these annual
autumnal freaks in the South, and the great ma
jority are ready now to condemn any interference
on the part of the Government. 1 heartily wish
that peace and good order were restored without
issuing a proclamation, but IL they are not, the
proclamation must be issued but II II is / shall
instruct commanders Of forces TO have no child's
play. II there Is necessity for military inter
ference there is justice In such interference to
deter evil doors. / would suggest the sending
Of dispatch or letter, by private messenger,
to Governor Ames, urging him to strengthen his own
position by exhausting his resources In restor-
ing order before he receives Government aid. lie
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, as he may deem ne
Sy sSc.e WSo offer he will be- eoson
TO defeat their ends, and punish them"
You see by this the MUD Of the President with
which and every member OF the Cabinet who has
been consulted in full accord You see the diff
culties You see.tbe responsibilities which you
sumo. We can not understand why you do not
gcsts. 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 Legislature can not be convened, and the law
expressly says, In case OF an instruction in any
State against the government thereof, Il shall be law
full for the President on application Of the Legisa-
ture Of such State, OF of the Executive when the
the plain meaning OF the Constitution and the laws,
when taken together that the Executive OF the State
may call upon the President for military aid, to
quell domestic violence only In Of insurTec-
tion In any State against the Government thereof,
when the Legislature can not be called together.
You make no suggestions, even that there Is any
ipsurrection against the government OF the State,
or the Legislature would not support you In
any measures you might propose 10 preserve the
public order. L suggest that you take all lawful
means and needed measures 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 10 good order, and who are largely Repub
lican, have the courage and the manhood TO light
for their State rights, and TO destroy the bloody
ruffans who murder the innocent and unohending
freedmen. Everything II In readiness. BE careful
10 bring yourself strictly within the Constitution
and the law, aud II there Is such resistance 10 your
State authorities rs you can not by all means at
aid you In crushing the lawless traitors 10 human
rights.
Telegraph me on receipt Of this, and state sxplic-
lily what you need.
Very respectfully yours
EDWARDS PIEkREPoNT, Attorney General.