The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1875-09-30
Mississippi Affairs.

Inc following letter from Attorney Gencral
Pierrepont, embodying, as well the Presidents
as his own views of Mississippi affairs, will
be read with interest. While manifesting the
utmost care in indicating the duty of the
government, in response to Gov. Ames' cal
for the interference of national authority to
preserve peace and suppress the disorders that
prevail in Mississippi, there is the expression
of conviction as to the spirit that is animating
the White League and disorderly and reckless
elements in that State. which it would be we'll
for the fementors Of strife to consider
The President and the Attorney seem to be
both in earnest, and it will not do for the
wholesale butchery Of colored people, for no
other reason than that they vote the Republ-
can ticket and support the Government, to
continue. twill not insure the purpose Of
justice FOR the Democratic press to attempt to
make light OF the grave Offences committed
against the rights and lives of the. colored pco-
pie Of the South. We know the spirit that is
shown towards that race whenever political is
sue is in question, and the time has come for
the national authorities to see that the laws for
their protection are not dead letter OIL the
statute book. a $685.
THE LETTER. II
The letter is dated ID apartment Of Justice,
Washington, September IA, 1874, ;and is as
follows: 80 esa aii
To Governor Anses, Jackson, Mississippi:
This hour have had dispatches from the
President. | can hest convey 10 you his ideas
by extracts from his dispatch: ''rhe whole
public are tired out by these annual autumnal
| outbreaks in the South, and the great majority
are ready now to condemn any interference OIL
the part OF the government | heartily wish
that peace and good order may be restored
without issuing the proclamation;,s&s s, # it is
not the proclamation must be sskts. .l4ss if it
is, shall instruct the commander of"t,rs for
ces to have no child's play. If there is ne
cessity for military interference there is justice
in such interference as to deter evil doers.''-
- II would suggest the sending IF
4 dispatch Tor better by private messeilger) to
Governor Ames, urging him to strengthen his
own resources III restoring order before he re-
ceives government aid. He might accept the
assistance offered by the citizens ot Jackson,
| and elsewhere. G0v-
ernor Ames and his advisers can be made per-
fectly secure. As many of the troops now in
Mississippi rs he deems necessary may be sent
to jackson. IT he is betrayed by those who
offer assistance. he will be in position to de-
| feat their ends and punish them.
You see by this the mind OF the President,
with which and every member OF the cabi.
| net who has been consulted are in full accord.
| You see the difficulties; you see the ruspoil-
sibilities which you assume.
| We cannot understand WIN you do not
strengthen yourself in the way the President
| suggests, nor 10 we see why yOl do not call
the Legislature together and obtain from them
whatever powers, and money, and arms, you
need. The constitution is explicit that the ex
ecutive of the State can call upon tho Presi-
dent for aid In suppicssing domestic violence
yened,'' and the law expressly says: I'm
case Of an instruction in any State against
the government thereof il shall be lawful for
| the President. on application Of the Legisla-
turc of such State, or the executive, when the
Legislatures cannot be convened, to call, etc.
:, 1t is the plain meaning of the constitution
! and the laws, when taken together, that the
fcxecutive Of the State may call upon the Pres
idcnt for military aid to que!l domestic VIC.
lcnce'' only sin case Of All instruction in any
| State against the government thereof when
| the Legislature cannot be called together
You make no suggestion even that there is
any insurrection against the government Of the
State, or that the lie: isaturc wound n1ksnp
| port you in any measures you miIh a. hose
to preserve the public order. 1 sng..s., thai
1 you take all lawful means and all needed
/ measures to preserve the peace by the forces il
your own State, and let the country See tha,
the citizens of Mississippi, who are largely
favorable to good order, and who are largely
republican. have the courage and the manhood
to fight for their rights and to destroy thu
bloody ruffians who murder the innocent ant
unoffending freedmen. Everything is in read
mess; be careful to bring yourself strictly
within the constitution and the laws, and i
there is such resistance to your State authori
ties as you cannot by all the means ut YOU
command suppress, the President will swiftly
aid you in crushing the lawless traitors to hui
man rights. Telegraph me on receipt Of this
and state explicitly what you need.
4 ta am, very respectfully, yours,
Ion eE sssg EDWARD PIERREPolNT,
/ Attorney General,