The daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1873-1877, 1875-02-15
Monday. February Is. 1875.
Continued from first page.

ernor, receiving 1851 votes. Very few
votes were cast against him. Before the
election in the autumn the President vas
again urged to recognize Brooks, but he
refused, and was applauded for declining.
And thus the people inaugurated their
state government.
The Brooks faction--the carpet-bag |
thieves were not satisfied. and at the close
Of the last session OF congress they asked
tor committee to Investigate Arkansas
affairs. The committee was appointed, |
with Judge Poland for chairman and pro-
ceeded to Arkansas, examined witnesses,
etc. and on Saturday the 9th of this month |
reported to congress as follows:
"The condition OF the state has been as peaceaole
since h the new new government was inaugura'eu a.
''Tne people of every state have the rightto make
own IN sarm 70 and in harmony With the
constitution Of the United states; and the national
government has no authority TO deprive them OF
"IIere we have the case oi state having q con.
stitution republican IN form. adopted and ratified
GERS of their choice, and going forward with reson
able quiet and peace" 1-rFrss
Your committee cannot find any solid grounds |
on when TO stand to say the general government |
can or oughtt TO interfere, and no amonpt of irregn-
larity in the processes BY which this state things
So"
Certainly Mr. Poland and his associates
were not prejudiced 10 favor Of the people
of Arkansas, and yet they were obliged to
reach these conclusions from the inexor
able facts of the case. There was no es-
cape from them.
Hardly had the report of the committee
reached the people before the President
startled congress by sending in the follow
ing most extraordinary message:
To the senate of the United States
Herewith have the honor to send. in &C.
cordance with the resolution of the senate
of the Sd inst, all the information In my
possession not heretofore furnished rela
tive to affairs iu the state of Arkansas. I
will venture to express the opinion that all
the testimony shows that in the election Of
1872, Joseph Brooks was lawfully elected
governor OF that state that he has been
unlawfully deprived Of the possession Of
his office since that time that in 1874 the
constitution OF the state was by violence,
intimidation, and revolutionary proceed
ings overthrow, and new constitution
adopted, and new state government estab
lished. These proceedings ii permitted IT,
stand practically ignore all the rights of
minorities in all the states. Also, what
is there to prevent each of the states re
Gently readmitted to Federal relations on
certain conditions FROM changing their con-
situations and violating their pledges IL
this action in Arkansas is acquiesced in ?
l respectfully submit whether precedent
so dangerous 10 the stability of state gov
ernment, If not of the national government
also, should be recognized by congress
earnestly ask that congress will take def
mite action in the matter TO relieve the
executive from acting upon the questions
which should be decided by the Legislative
branch OF the government. 1r -t,
al.se. U. s. GRANT.
ErecntiUe Mansion, February eighth A
d. 1875. Wy
This, demonstration upon Arkansas ex
ceeds in enorDlty and audacity all ths
previous outrages and experiments upor
public forbearance. Here is state per
fectly tranquil; recently released by al
overwhelming vote from the grip of thieves
who have held it since the war seeking tt
fulfill its obligations to the national govern
ment, and acting under a constitution mod
elled after the best examples. The peopl
are content, and striving by industry tt
repair their broken fortunes Nobody
complains except the gang of robbers VIII,
have been deprived of their accustomed
plumber Mr.. Grant, in plain terms, pro
poses to dismantle. the state, to upset tn,
constitution. aud to restore Clayton and BIZ
crew to power by force. He tells congress
IN so many words, if they do not do thi
now, he will do it after the adjournment
Il will venture he says, ito express tn,
opinion that all the testimony show
that in the election of 1872
Joseph Brooks was lawfully elected
governor Of that state, and this in tn,
face of his action refusing to recogniz,
Brooks only a few months ago. The masl
Is thus thrown off, The third term i.
boldly proclaimed. That and war are tht
alternatives. This is the pass to which
Grantism has brought the country. Il
the people do not stamp out this treason
now, the northern states will be the. nexl
victims. We are at the beginning. LIE,
us finish it by such condemnation as will
leave no trace of this corrupt crew who are
seeking to pull down free government, in
order that their spoliations may go on,
Outside of Washington there does moi
seem to be a Republican newspaper which
dares to defend Grants course. We give
few extracts from press opinions in var.
ious parts of the country They are only
a sample of the views expressed by the
press generally from Maine to California
PRESS NOTES ON GRANT ARKANSAS MES.
-r- SAGE. IA
We are inclined to the opinion that the
President has erred in suggesting congress
sional action with a view of abolishing il
1.-THE existing state government in Arkan
sas) altogether, and substituting The old
constitution and re establishing the former
state officers that were elected under it
Better let these people have their own way
even though that way be irregular.-1roy
N. T., Times, tRep.)
We are quite prepared to believe, as is
reported, that nobody who is anybody knew
aught OF this message until il was shot ike
pombsheli into the senate. Fish, Jewell,
hooeson, Delano, 'all OF us" except Bel
KNAPP and Williams would haye secuted il
Dy proving to the President that its pro-
mitigation would only result in the country
settling down to the belief that he was
either fool, an ignoramus, a reyolutionist,
or crazy with drink ** r. Ark,psas