Port Tobacco times, and Charles County advertiser. (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1845-1898, 1875-02-12

was thought of this demand, because it
seemed too preposterous to think about.
But we now see how significant it was.
Ever since the disappearance of Brooks,
Arkansas has been one of the most quiet
,, and peaceable States in the Union. Not
Il word was breathed against the good
order and enforcement of laws within its
borders until Gen. Sheridan, in his famous
dispatch, denounced its inhabitants as
'banditti." In the meantime, and as soon
as the Baxter difficulty was ended, the
Legislature met and submitted to the po
pular vote the question of calling Con
vention to frame a new Constitution. The
Convention was called by an immense ma
jority, and after having framed Consti
tuition, this was again submitted to the
popular vote and ratified by majority
we think, of $4,000. This new Constitu
ton provided for new election for Gov
ernor which was accordingly held, when
the present incumbent was elected by an
equally large vote and quietly and peace
fully installed; Gov. Baxter, his predeces-
sor, retiring cheerfully.
Then certain Volney Voltaire Smith
who had been elected Lieutenant Cover
nor at the same time Baxter was elected
put in an appearance before the President,
and claimed that inasmuch as he and BaX-
ter had been elected to serve for four years,
and the four years not having yet expired,
| and Baxter having abdicated in favor OF
the newly elected Governor, he, the afore
said Volney Voltaire Smith, was in fact
and in law the Governor of Arkansas, and
he appealed to the President to exercise
his Governor making powers and induct
him into said Office with its emoluments
and stealings. But the President would
not listen to Mr.. Smith any more favorably
than he did to the Rev. Brooks. And so
Volney Voltaire has disappeared from the
public gaze and has gone into obscurity,
of which doubtless he is an ornament.
What makes the action Of the President
on this occasion the more remarkable. is
that before the adjournment of Congress in
June, committee had been appointed by
the House to visit Arkansas and make q
general Investigation into the affairs of the
State This committee was headed by
Judge Poland, an extreme Republican.
They visited tie State and had just made
a report representing everything as being
in most favorable condition therein, and
strongly condemning any attempt at in
reference with people, who were getting
along so peaceably and quietly. The pub
lie generally supposed that we would hear
no more of Arkansas trouble. But this is
not to be so. it seems. When the Presi-
dent refused to interfere in favor of Brooks.
the fall elections had not then taken place
and in his arrogance and ambition he
thought his third term would be gained
as easily as his second had been. But
when the great Democratic tidal wave
swept over the land he began to have his
eyes opened somewhat. And he has now
undoubtedly come to the conclusion that
nothing can give him the so much coveted
power but extreme measures, and TO these
he has made up his mind to resort. From
that time forth Executive tyranny and OPP
preston have been step by step steadily
advancing in the march of usurpation.
This message, read by this light, means a
third term or revolution. It's tone cannot
fail to strike the reader. Right on top OF
Judge Poland's report which the President
had reason to believe would be adopted,
he tells Congress, that he is satisfied Brooks
is the legal Governor of Arkansas, and if
they do not take steps to install him into
that office he will do so. 1t is the short
and abrupt order of military superior
to his inferior, which says plainly, this
order must be obeyed.
The whole thing has been so sudden and
SO startling that the public have not yet
recovered from their surprise, and it is
impossible to say what will be the end.
That such unconstitutional action on the
part of the President would clearly deserve
impeachment there can be no more doubt
about than that the present servile MAORI
ty of the Senate would acquit him. II
such monstrous doctrine can he upheld
no State government is safe. We cannot
believe that such a bold and INSCRIPTIONS
military adventurer, as cycn Grant is, will
In sober moments undertake to perpetrate
so Hagrent an outrage. We hope, but we
fear.