The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1875-02-26
A Bold Stride Toward Military Des.
polish.


polish.
WASHINGTON, Feb. S.-No act Of Grant
Administration has produced more start
ling sensation than his special message to-
day on Arkansas affairs. Even his own
friends are surprised. Attorneys5eneral
Williams said only the other day that he
had no reason 10 believe that the President
had changed the views which led him last
spring 10 recognize the Baxter Govern
ment as the lawful state Government OF
Arkansas. There have been no Cabinet
meetings held lately upon the subject. but
for weeks past Senator's Clayton and Dor
sey have been quietly operating upon
Grant. Both of these men know that II
the people Of Arkansas are allowed self
government they are doomed 20 political
death when their Senatorial terms shall
expire. In addition TO this there IL big
railroad job, involving over 5000. 900, by
which the Clayton and Dorsey Ring ex-
pect TO grow rich AT the expense of the
people.
Ii will be remembered that Grant sus-
tanned Gov. Baxter in 1928, and again in
Bakers contest last spring with Brooks,
MIR. Williams delivered an elaborate opin-
ion upon the subject which il was then
supposed closed all idea OF Federal inter-
I ference. The report obtains that the Pres-
de- came up lately 10 the Capitol and
there sent for Messrs. Poland, Scudder
and Ward, the three Republican MEM
bers OF the Special Committee on
Arkansas Affairs, and endeavored to
induce them 10 frame such a report as
would justify the overthrow by military
force OF the present State Government
\ Two of these gentlemen, Messrs. Poland
and Scudder. refused 10 surrender their
honest and independent judgment. and
the result is a report. drawn by Poland and
I signed by four out of the five members of
the committee. declaring that the Cons:i-
tuition OF Arkansas was lawfully adopted
and ratified by large majority OF the legal
voters, and that there j. no authority in
any branch of the Federal Government TO
overturn it or the State Government of
which Gov. Garland is the head.
J The message to-day is undoubtedly
meant as an endeavor by the President to
induce Congress To repudiate the Poland
report, though made by an extreme Re-
/ publican partisan, and TO prepare the pub
J lie mind for action alter Congress adiourns
\ similar 10 that OF Sheridan in New Or.
leans. The message Is construed as de-
claring the settled purpose of the Presi.
dent TO revolutioniZe Arkansas, whether
Congress sustains HIM or not, and is re-
gardcd 10y the Democrats a. the boldesl
and most audacious stride toward military
despotism that Grant has Yet made. The
feeling produced by il among Democratic
Senators Is one of depression, uneasiness,
and alarm. They regard the situation a
critical In the highest degree. and recog.
niZe a desperate purpose on the part OF the
President TO maintain himself in power by
extreme measures. and by forcing "A con
fiict with the Southern people. In thi.
way he expects To awaken the passions and
old war feeling of the North. aud under
the cover of pretended necessity. the re
suit OF his own deliberate usurpations and
expressions. to extend the rule of the sworL
all over the country.
Some OF tho most prominent Southern
ers are really doubtful whether this OF
any other act OF usurpation will arouse
the Northern people ia time 10 arrest the
success Of the third term plot. They
rightly condemn as imprudent. under
present circumstances. the propositions
made i'm the Georgia and North Carolina
Legislatures 10 modify the State Constitu-
tions, and there can be no doubt that these
proceedings give great satisfaction TO
Grant. Morton n Co.. "a aflordlng a pre-
text for exercising military control over
the Southern States. Well informed OBJ
servers OF the situation here are amazed
that members of the State Legislatures
should fail to understand by how slender
thread they keep control of their State
Governments, and that as long "a Grant is
President they are liable to be upset any
day by the army.
In the House of Representatives there
is a strong hope on the part of prominent
Democrats that many Of the Republican
members will stand up the Poland report
and repudiate the message. Much depends
on the manner in whick Poland will stand
up To his own report. He has declared to-
day. since the message was read, that he
will not surrender or modify his position.
The subject i not expected 10 come up In
the House for week. II the House shall,
by an emphatic vote. declare that there i
no authority for the Federal Government
to interfere with the State Government of
Arkansas, and public opinion shall be
manifested with equal decision. il Is pos
sible that the President may hesitate to
pursue the revolutionary programme he
has marked out for himself as his road TO
absolute power.
Another Turn Of the Screw.