The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1875-02-12
To Correspondents,
A Presidential Threat.

sion and wrong under English rule, and
which it was fondly hoped had found an
abiding-place in the New World, is persist
emily ignored by President Grant and the
unscrupulous partisans who surround and
advise him. The daring outrage upon the
rights of the sovereign people of Louisiana,
by the Federal government, justly aroused a
feeling ofindignation and alarm in the breasts
of all who prefer the safeguards of liberty to
the perpetustion of party. The expression
of the sentiment of the American people on
tho subject was so full and unequivocal that
it was reasonable to suppose President Grant
would thereafter exercise the power resting
upon him within the strict limits of the con-
stitution and the laws. His recent message
to the Senate, on Arkansas affairs, neverthe-
less, shows to an alarming degree that he is
determined to surmount every barrier of the
law, in his aspirations for third term in the
Presidential chair The following is the
message:
40 the Senate Of tie Unittd States
Herewith | have the honor to send, in
accordance with the resolution of the Senate
of the Sd instant, all the information in my
possession not heretofore furnished, relating
to affairs in the State of Arkansas. | will
venture to express the opinion that all the
testimony shows that in the election of 1879
Joseph Brooks was lawfully elected Cover
nor OF that State; that he has been unlaw-
fully deprived of the possession of his office
since that time; that in 1874 the constitu-
ton of the State was, by violence intimida-
ton and revolutionary proceedings, over
thrown and new constitution adopted, and
new State government established.
These proceedings, if permitted to stand,
practically ignore all rights by minorities in
all the States. Also, what is there to pre-
vent each of the States recently readmitted 10
federal relations on certain conditions from
changing their constitutions and violating
their pledges, ifthis action in Arkansas is
acquicsced in.
II respectfully submit whether precedent
so dangerous to the stability of State govern
ment, if not of the national government
also, should be recognized by Congress. /
earnestly ask that Congress will take definite
action in this matter to relieve the executive
from acting upon questions which should be
decided by the Legislative branch of the gov
ernment
~. s. GRANT.
Executive Mansion, February s, 1876"
The above document is certainly the most
remarkable one that has ever been sent by q
President TO Congress. In the first place it
proceeds TO instruct the awmaking power
rs 10 its duty, and then conveys the distinct
threat that if Congress adjourns without car
rying out his wishes he will overthrow the
present State government in Arkansas and
substitute one of his own choosing.
The State of Arkansas has for some years
been miserably ruled by horde Of carpet
baggers Two factions sprang up, one head
ed by Baxter, the other by Brooks In 1879
Baxter was elected Governor, and after q
contest with Brooks for the seat, obtained it,.
President Grant then refused to interfere in
Brooks's behalf, on the ground that Baxter
was fairly elected, and that there was no
cause for Federal interference. Again last
spring Grants Attorney General delivered
an elaborate opinion upon the subject, which
it was tlen supposed closed all idea of icder-
al interference
In 1874 the people ofthe State adopted new
Constitution and elected Garland as Gov.
ernor Brooks, in the meantime, from being
opposed to Grant has become his ardent sup.
porter, it is said, and the Presidents feelings
towards him have correspondingly changed.
The attention of Congress having been
drawn to the condition Of affairs in Arkansas,
q committee of the House of Representatives
was appointed to make an investigation.
This committee consisted Of three Republi-
cans and two Democrats. with Judge Po-
land, of Vermont, as chairman. The COM
mittce, after II full and impartial investiga-
ton, recently made n report to Congress,
signed by four of its five members, in which,
after reciting the history of the political
movements in that State since 1872, they de-
clare their belief that upon principles now
well established, the defects and Irregular
ties in the establishment of the existing
State government, must be regarded as cur
ed by the verdict of the people The COM
mittee also declare that The condition of the
State is one of perfect peace and quiet; that
the laws are justly administered, and that the
people are perfectly satisfied with the new
constitution and the present government
They therefore recommend no action by Con-
gress, or by any department of the General
Government.
In the face Of this report, General Grant
asks Congress TO clothe him with authority
to overthrow by military power The existing
peaceful government Of Arkansas, selected
By the people themselves and place in the
governors chair man whom he and his At
torney General have more than once declared
had no right OF legal claim TO be there.
If Congress has not the nerve TO fittingly
rebuke this bold and most audaeions stride
towards military despotism, General Grant
may, as he intimates. take it upon himself to
regulate the State government of Arkan-
sas.
The question may well be asked whether
or not President Grants usurpation of pow
or will end with Louisiana and Arkansas
Upon the same pretcxt of irrcgularty in the
adoption of State constitutions he might
interfere with the government ofother States.
That he would have the audacty to 10 so,
iii would advance his chances for third
term there is little doubt.
If the majority Of the American people
tamely submit 10 these repeated outrages
upon their rights, Liberty is dead indeed,
and the plan of the fathers of the republic for
o free land on these western shores was but
the baseless fabric of dream.
-----<-&,----
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