New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1876-04-01


events in Mississippi by the publication of
the following letters, which appear in an
extra of the Jackson, Mississippi, Pilot of
March 30:
JACKSON, Miss, March %, 1876.
To his Excellency Adelbert Ames, Governor Of Mis-.
sissipp
The fact disclosed to US to day, that be-
fore proceedings of impeachment were be-
gun against you, you had resolved to resign
your office, has led US to consider whether
your purpose might not be resumed and
carried ont without any sacrifice Of your
honor or dignity.
Approaching the sensibility which re-
strains you from resigning while charges
are pending against you, we are neverthe-
less clearly OF opinion that, in the event
the charges are withdrawn, you may retire
without the least compromise of your repu-
tation.
An examination of all the evidence ad-
duced against you, satisfies us that your
acquittal would be the result Of thorough
and impartial trial; but when We con-
template the expense you must incur in
procuring the attendance of the hundreds
of witnesses whom it will be necessary to
summon from various parts of the State,
we do not see why you should suffer SO
great q sacrifice when your vindicatiOn
may be accomplished by withrawal of the
charges.
Awaiting your reply to the suggestion
hereby conveyed, we have the honor TO be
your excellency's obedient servants,
THOMAS j. DURANr,
ROGER A. PRYOR.
GOVERNOR AMEs' REPLY.
EXECUTIVE MANSON /
Jackson, March %. 1876.
GENTLEMEN-In reply to your suggestion,
/ beg to say that. in consequence of the
election of las. November, found myself
confronted with a hostile Legislature and
embarrassed and batfied in my endeavors
to carry out my plans for the welfare of
the State, and of my party.
had resolved, therefore, to resign my
office as Governor Of the State of Missis-
sippi. But meanwhile, proceedings of i'm
peachment were instituted against me, and
of course could not and would not retire
from my position under the imputation Of
any charge affecting my honor or integrity.
For the reasons indicated still desire to
escape burdens which are compensated by
no possibility of public usefulness, and if
the articles of impeachment presented
against me were not pending and the pro-
ceedings dismissed, should feel at liberty
resignation. am, very truly yours;
ADELBERT AMES.
Messrr. Durant and Pryor.
GOVERNOR AMEs' ADDRESS.
To the People of the State Of Mississippi:
The election of November, 1873, left the
Republican party of this State routed at the
polls, and in hopeless minority in both
branches of the Legislature.
1t is needless to recount now the means
by which so disastrous q result was brought
about, or to renew the reproaches which
were then breathed against the opponents
of the party here and ITS friends elsewhere.
1t is sufficient to say that the event forced
upon me the conviction that my ability to
guide the State in that path which I con-
scientiously believed to be one of progress,
peace and prosperity was gone; and, while
inspiring me with profound regret, natu-
rally suggested that l should cease to oc-
cupy post where l could no longer be Of
service. l should then have performed the
act which now gives occasion to this ad-
dress, had not my fellow-citizens of adverse
political views menaced me with impeach-
ment for what they averred to be "high
crimes and misdemeanors" in office. Con-
scious of my own honor and integrity, l
waited patiently to see what possible
charges could be made, casting from my
mind all thought of leaving my official posi-
ton while even q whisper Of accusation
should be heard against me.
These charges were finally made and
framed in the form of articles OF impeach-
ment, addressed by the House of Repre-
sentatives to the Senate of the State. They
are known to you all, and are known to
contain no accusation which in substance.
however incriminating in form, could, if
proved, have tarnished my personal honor
and integrity.
l have met these charges with that
prompt and full denial which placed me
before the bar of legal and public opinion
as innocent of them whatever they might
be; and have seen them dismissed abso
lutely and Internationally.
This result leaves me at liberty to accom-
plish that purpose which had previously
entertained and avowed; and accordingly,
as soon as the articles OF impeachment led
against me had been dismissed rendered
may resignation of the the high and respcn-
sible Office to which your unbought sutfrages
had elevated me.
With no uukindness towards my oppon-
ents, with deep affection for my friends,
with a single desire for the welfare and
happiness Of all it's inhabitants. l now re-
lnquish my official relation with the State
which | have faithfully served, and whose
best interests have ever been my aim and
motive.
ADELBERT AMES.
Executive Mansion, jackson, Mississippi,
March %, 1876.