Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1875-09-17
New York Times - The Administration
Was Constrained 10 Deny His De-
mand, and Expose Him to
Contempt"

WASHINGTON, September Is -Sena.
tor Bruce, OF Mississippi, and one Of hi,
associates, called upon the attorL ey.
general ID day, and stated that they had
telegrsphed Governor Ames that they
were sat sized with what the att 7Tney.
general had doEe in regard 10 the appii-
GATORS from the governor for the inter.
ference of General Grant. tt ey again
requested tue publication OF the att0r-
ney generals letter ID Governor Ames,
and President GIaut cOnsentiDg, it is
made public. The letter is ss follows:
DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE, !
WASHINGTON, SOFTEN Der "A, 1873. {
To Governor Ames, Jackson, Mississippi:
This hour | have hal dispatch from
the President. l can best convey TO you his
ideas by extracts from bis dispatch: "The
whole public are tired out with these annual
autumnal outbreaks in the south, and great
majority are ready now 10 condemn any in
heartily wish that peace and good order may
be restored without issuing the proclamation; !;
but If they are not, the proclamation must be
issued, and If 1t is, shall instruct the com.
mander Of the forces To have no chtlds play.
II there is a necessity for military inCerfeT
ence, there is justice in such interference as
TO deter evil doors. l would suggest the send
ing Of 4 dispatch, or q letter by private mes
senger, to Governor Ames, urging him to
strengthen DIS own position Dv GADtaBSLln9
his own resources in restoring order, before he
receives government aid. he might accept
the assistance offered by the citizens of jack
son and elsewhere. Governor Ames and his
advisers can be made perfectly secure. As
many OF the troops now in Mississippi as he
deems necessary may be sent TO Jackson. II
he will be in position TO defeat their ends
and punish them" You see by this
the mind OF the President with which and
every member of his cabinet who have been
consulted are in full accord. You see the diff
culties-you see the respon sibilities which
you assume, We cannot see why yOu do not
strengthen yourself in the way the President
suggests. Nor do we see why you do not call
the legislature together, and obtain from
them whatever pswers and arms and money
you need, The constitution Is explicit, that
1.-THE executive of q state can call upon the
President for aid in suppressing domestic
violence only when the legislature cannot be
convened" And the law expressly says that,
ain case of an inSurrection in any SiaJe
against the government thereof, 1t shall be
lawful for the President, upon The applica-
ton OF the Legislature of such State, or OF
the executive when the legislature cannot be
convened, to call" And 1t is plain mean
ing of the constitution and laws, when taken
together. that the executive OF the State NAV
call upon the President for military aid to
Quell domestic violence only in case OF an in
eminent thereof when the legislafure
can be called together. You make no sug-
gestiOns even that there is any insurrectiOu
against the government OF the State, or that
the legislature would not support you in any
measures you might propose to preserve the
public order. L suggest that you take all law
full means and all needed measures to pre-
serve the peace by the forces in your own
State, and let the country see that the citizens
OF Mississippi, VINO are largely Republican,
have the courage and the manhood TO fight
foT their State rights, and to destroy the bloody
ruffiRus who murder the innocent and un-
offending freedmen. Everything is IN readi-
ness. Be careful to bring yourself strictly
within the constitution ana the law, and If
there is such resistance to your State authOri-
ties as you cannot by all means at your COM
mand suppress, the President viii swiftly aid
you in crushing the laWleSs traitors to human
rights Telegraph me on receipt Of this, and
state explicitly what you need. Very respect
fully yours, EDWARD PIERREPONr,
Attorney General.