The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1876-08-05
MISSISSIPPI AFFAIRS

THE DEMOCRATIC NATIONAL EXECUTIVE COM
MITrEE, IN REPLY TO ALLEGATIONS CON-
TANNED IN PRESIDENT GRANTS LETTER TO
GOVERNOR CHAMBERLAIN.
GRAND CENTRAL HorEI, I
NEW YORK, August 4, 1876.
To EDITOR HERALp:-
beg ask the publication of brief statement In
reply TO allegations concerning MssissI pi Affairs con-
tanned the recent letter OF the President OF the
United the Governor OF South Carolina and
communicated by him. with other papers, to Congress-
They are as follows
The scene Hamburg, rs cruel boodthirsty, wan
ton, unprovoked and uncalled for as II was ~ only
repetition OF &c course which has been pursued in
other Southern States within the last few years;
tably IN Mississippi and Louisiana. Mississippi Is
governed to-day by officials chosen through fraud and
Violence such es would scarcely be accredited to
savages much less to civilized and Christian people
How long these things to continue or what Is TO be
the final remedy the great Ruler OF The universe only
knows
Nothing could be uuprovoked and less justified
by the truth of the case, far Mississippi is
cerned than this assault At this moment, under the
administration installed by the Democratic
party OF the State rs a result OF the overthrow OF
radical msrule in the election of 1875, the State pre-
uncxamped condition OF peace order and obo-
dence to law The language OF the President Ia there
FORE presumed have reference the Of last
year. His allegations amply rciuted by the follow
ing facts:-
During the canvass Governor Ames, VINO was q
proege of President Grant and was elected Governor
Hon. j. s. Alcorn, another republican, mainly BY
the patronage and influence welded by the President,
made repeated aud applications to the latei
tor troops, upon the ostensibe pretext Of domestic
violence" The President, after mature consideration
of the case refused to comply for the reason that the
Governor had presented grounds which would war;
rant such Interference by the United States auhori
tics To make that opportunity for such in
reference should be lost tho President despatched
special agent to Mississippi after Governor Ames had
made his call for troops charged with tho duty Of In
vestgatng the condition of affairs This agent re-
NAMED in constant intercourse with Governor Ames,
at the capital OF tho State, for weeks before tho cleo
ton. He employed skliul corps of detectives, and
vgilant in the performance Of his trust. He was
required TO report to Washington whenever occasion
should arise justify interference by the President to
preserve the peace and fair election He
failed TO find such opportunity and go reported 10 the
President Thus have not only in the refusal Of the
President to furnish troops at the call of Governor
Ames but in tho action OF his we'll in
formed and accredited agent who the spot
complete rcfutation Of His Exccllencys statement
On the day of the election this agent domiciled al
the capital Of the State, he had been for weeks,
where military post has been established since the
any point where their services might DO required
tho peace, protect the voters and tar
election The county which this garrison Is located
has a colorcd voting majority of 1900 At the pro-
cincts stationed immediately under tho guns OF the
garrison large Numbers OF colored people who had
hitherto boen controlled by the carpethaR politicians
went 20 the polls, and, with open tickets IN their
hands, voted Tor the reform Candidates The county
carried for this ticket by ], 500 majority. Under
the circumstances be assumed that the result
due to violence ~ nor could 1t have been due TO
'fraud,' inasmuch as the entire election machinery
the hands OF the radicals. 1t was simply re.
Of the people, white and c0lored against the prof
legacy, fraud and consequent decentralization which
had signalzad tho rule OF the political al
vcnturers who, by the aid of the administration had
seized the State government and welded selfish
and corrupt purposes In addition to the facts before
mentioned, exposing the injustice of the Presidents
vehement Remuneration, 1t worth while TO mention
that he has in his possession letter from coored cx
Senator Revels Of Mississippi republican, positively
declaring that the election was fair and that tho re-
publican had caused its defeat BY
its misconduct; and also letter from the present
Attorney General OF the State IA republican, atribut
ing the result to the might add that the
republican predecessor of that officer, gentleman OF
talent and Endorsed by his party with nomination
the Hayes and Wheeler electoral ticket, December
1874 predicted that tho maadminstration, corruption
and mbecihy OF tho republican State author
tiles would bring dcfcat and disgrace upon
them and their party. The prediction verified
The party was defeated. Governor Ames himself re-
signed under charges which had required his impcach-
ment. Another State official was removed on convlc
ton OF bribery still another fed the State avoid
punishment Tor forgery and embczzcment, upon which
CHARGES judgment forfeiture has recently been rem
dered against the Circuit Court OF the county
which he resided.
| have said that State could be more free from
violence and disorder than Mississippi Her people OF
both are content and happy i'll the prospect Of
brighter day the expulsion OF corruption and
ruptionsls from her State government Under tho
maign influence OF radical legislation 5000, 600
OF land had been forfeited by the owners to the State
for payment of taxes Tho property basis OF the
had been reduced six years nearly $50 0O0
Industry FRUSTRATED and the earnings of labor
umed by taxes which touched the point of confs-
cation Now nil this is changed The reform Lcgisla.
ture, without impairlng the efficiency of any branch OF
the public SERVICE has reduced expenditures than
third and reduced taxes proportionatcy Good feel
ing exists between the two races Both feel secure
In the possession OF their rights long this state Of
Affairs continues to exist. Tho reform Legislature has
faithfully redeemed its pledges to dispense justice
equally to all classes, and there Is complaint
OF the result OF the election except the
discarded Office holders who brought upon themselves
their punishment 1t is confidently believed that
tho State will cast her electoral vote Tor the democratic
candidates President and Vice President to prevent
a recurrence of the evils OF radical msrule pro-
scripton to restore the fraternity OF the sections and
to era of prosperity for the whole country
Respectfully, f. BARKSDALE.