The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1875-02-13
rhs Arkansas Message Likely 90
Prove y KtckinK Gun.

the Senate in relation to Arkansas af.
fairs is having the effect OF opening
tho eyes OF the people of the North.
and has already. it is said, caused a
split among the Republicans of the
House Of Representatives. The Senate
is his stronghold. and will be the last
place where any change will be mani
tested. The fret feeling every where
upon reading this message was sur
prise and alarm. Only last spring the
President refused to recognize Brooks
as Governor OF Arkansas. Less thau
four mouths ago ho declined to inter
fere with the Garlund Government in
that State. The wonder is, wias has
produced so complete IL change in his
views and policy? BE not only says,
now, that Brooks was elected in 1872.
but intimates pretty plainly that he
conceives it to be his duty to take
the requisite rteps to reinstate
him. He complains also of tue change
in the Constitution, seeming 10 deny
tho people the right to make it. This
he does just as respectable commit
tee of Congress has returned from the
State. reporting that the new Consti-
tion and the Garland Government are
cordially supported by the people;
that the Constitution is regular in
form and substance. and the State
reasonably quiet and peaceful. 1t is
noticeable that his language is modelled
upon that Of the one dissenting mem
ber OF the Congressional Investigating
Committee which represents the rights
OF the minority as overthrown. But
it is notorious thut, since the troubles
between Brooks and Baxter we're
quieted. nothing has occurred in the
State OF Arkansas which has called for
Federal interference. As to the Presi-
dents complaint that az this State has
changed it's Constitution, others may
do so likewise, and the whole scheme
of Congressional reconstruction come
to an end, it shows exactly what mar
row idea he has of the rights and
liberties Of peoples and States.
He is evidently of tho opinion
that these States are still in
the hands of Congress. to be
cufed down when it pleases. What
ever technical irregularities may have
marked the Constitutional Convention
OF Arkansas, are common to it With
other States which have made changes
in their constitutions.
"Not less than twenty-s States, u
says the Baltimore San, In discussing
the Presidents ominous messuge, "our
own among the number, have modified
their constitutions without reference
to modes prescribed by previous legis-
lation. or even existing constitutions.
Various constitutions OF Maryland, in.
Guiding that formed by the Repnbli
cans in 1864. were thus created. 1t is
known. also, that the present Consti.
tuition Of New York was framed and
adopted In le46 In disregard Of the
provisions of the Constitution that
preceded it, it being held there, AS it
had been held elsewhere, that the per.
mission Of the Legislature aud ratlticu-
ton by majority Of the people was II
sufficient warrant. There is lust us
much authority for President Grant 10
send an army into New York, Mary.
land. or any of the other States which
have formed their Constitutions in
this manner, as there is to subvert by
Federal bay yonets. or by any other
agency-if he 30 contemplatcs-the
existing Constitution Of Arkansas. II
there IL an irregularity in the latter
case, 1t was the same irregularity in
our and all the other States, and in nil
it was the work Of the people, vino
were once supposed to be supreme IN
this country, especially in making thei
fundamental law"
From the Washington correspond
ence of the Sun We are grati6ed to
learn that the majority of the men,
bers of the House arc disposed to ad-
here to the Poland report. Republi-
cans from both the West and East
regard the course of the President
with stern disapproval. A lively dis.
oussion is anticipated among the Re.
publican members exclusively. A
leading Republican from New England