The weekly clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1863-1882, 1875-03-04
THE GRAVE ASPECT OF THE ARkAN-
SAS QUESTION.

that the present State government Is
usurpation, will organize conspiracy to
overthrow it, or set up ounter-govern-
ment, in order to secure bayonet inter
ference in his behalf from the Admins
tration. A suspicion of such movement
would seem preposterous, if there were not
strong grounds for believing it true.
Grants message has been construed by
both parties as threat that unless Con-
gress declares its recognition of the pres
emf government, he will overturn it with
the army and put Brooks in authority.
The programme is for Brooks 10 make
the issue, and appeal to the President for
assistance, as ''the lawfully elected Gov
Z" ernor, who has," (to quote the Pres-
dent, !" been unlawfully deprived of the
:" possession of the office" 1t is clearly
foreshadowed by the following article
from the only influential Republican paper
in the West, which indorses the Arkan-
sas policy of the President. This article
is copied. with approval, in the Washing
ton Chronicle, another Administration
mouth-piece;
From the Chicago Inter-Ocsan.J
By asking Congress to pass upon the
question, the President binds himself to
abide by its decisions. Let Congress de-
clare that Garland is legally Governor of
Arkansas and the President viii promptly
recognize him, and there will be an end
of the dispute. But dare Congress to do
this? In possession of conclusive evil
dence of the soundness of the position of
the President, namely: That legal
State government has been overthrOwn
and an illegal one established by revolu-
ton, dare Congress set the precedent OF
recognizing revolution? If, however, it
dare not give legality to a revolution, why
should it hesitate to maintain justice by
restoring the rightful government? 1t
must recognize Garland or Brooks, or
leave the door open to complications
likely to end in violence, which the Pres
ident will be bound to suppress. 1t is
this danger which the President plainly
foresees, and which he has the right to
demand that Congress shall avert by de-
that, in the absence of such decisive ac-
ton, Gov Brooks aOiH not, after the adjourn
nleat of Congress, seek to establish his claim
to the glbernatoriaL office; and he ViH doubt
less be sustained by the entire Republican
party Of the State. He aoiU issue his proc
tanIation ordering the dispersion Of the in
Surrectionary government; he tViU, IN the
eUentof a failure to comply attempt to enforce
the mandate, and if unable to accomplish has
purpose, he aUiU call upon the President for
aid. As there will then be no Congress
in session to which to submit the appeal,
the President will be bound to act, and
has message shows plainly enough that he
loH feel bound to recognize Governor Brooks
There is nothing vague about the Pres
ident's message; it is plain to be seen from
its terms, that so far as the Executive is
concerned, Brooks has only to assert himself
to be recognized.
Gov. Garland, representing the will of
two-thirds of the people of the State,
and nearly all its intelligence and proper
ty, will find it an easy matter to suppress
the revolutionary movement of Brooks,
and will no doubt take steps to do SO.
But at this stage of the proceeding, we
are given to understand the President
will step in with his bayonets, and the
State Government not being able and
not deeming it wise to engage in conflict
with the National authority, will be
to succumb and submit to its
own overthrow. The movement being
designed to effect the Presidential cleo
ton, the other States of the Union will |
be directly interested in the proceedings,
and they will necessarily become a party
to the issue.
Should this dangerous usurpation be
attempted it will be done in the face of
the following facts:
1st. The President in his message of
May, 1874, rejected Brooks pretensions,
proclaimed him and his followers "'tur.
Dulent and disorderly persons"--com-
handed them to dispense, and ordered the
army to execute his decision.
End. A. H. Garland is the successor
If Baxter who was recognized as the
,ightful Governor in the message above
;ited.
3rd. The Convention which framed
he new Constitution of Arkansas was
JAILED by $4,000 against 5000 votes,
ut of voting population of 1O3, 900,
more than two-thirds having voted for
he Convention.
4th. The Constitution when framed.
eceived an equally large majority of the
'opular vote.
9th. 1t is republican in form and
ecures perfect equality of right to every .
lass of citizens
9th. These facts are of record. They ,
ave been reported to Congress by
committee appointed to investigate the {
fairs of the State, and this Committee Q
18th a Republican majority, have de- I
Jared that the existing Government rep t
esents the will of the people-that the !
Ondition of the State is peaceabIe and I
no interference whatever il
Y the Government is needed, and that
-rkansas should be left to the control of
er own affairs.
The Four Mill Tax. Z