Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1877-05-02

COMPLIMENTARY ADDRESS TO GOV. PACKARD.

COMPLIMENTARY ADDRESS TO GOV. PACKARD.
New ORLEANS, April "a.
The following address was adopted in
Joint caucus of the Senate and House by
The Republican members of the General
Assembly of louisiana:
To Gov. s. IL. Packard.
We recognize and appreciate the fidelity with
which you have sought to carry out the obliga-
tons which you assumed when, in the presence
of legally organized quorum of both houses
of the General Assembly, after Il formal Consti-
tutional canvass of the votes, you took the oath
of Office as Governor of the State of louisiana.
The sympathies and active cooperation of the
Republican members of the General Assembly
have been with you and your associates in the
State Government in your struggle to MAINTAIN
your authority against overwhelming obstacles
at home and abroad One of the first acts of
the General Assembly was to pass "a Joint
luton calling upon the President of the United
States, under Sec. 4, Art. 4 of the Consti-
tuition Of the United States, to accord the
legal Government support against domestic vio-
ience, which threatened its overthrow. In re-
'ponse 10 that appeal, after some delay,
an order was issued by President Grant,
setting forth that you mad been legal
~ declared Governor of the State; that the
Supreme Court violently set up by Your oppo-
directing that, if necessity for recognition
should arise, recognition must be given to Pack
ard and not to Nichols. Encouraged by the ex-
pcctaton thus held out that the Government
knowledged to be- the legal Government of the
State would eventually be recognized by the
President, members of the General Assembly,
faithful 10 their trust, although encountering
many hardships, patiently awaited the action of
the National Government. Kumors, which soon
took authoritative shape, were circulated that
the oyer-zealous friends of the President-elect,
for whose success hundreds If devoted Republi-
cans in Louisiana had laid down their lives, had
baIgaIned to give away the States of Louisiana
and South Carolina to our political opponents.
The outgoing President failed to take further
action upon the application of our General Az
scmbly. Reluctant to give even passing credence
to these scemlngly impossible reports the General
Assembly patiently remained in session and after
the accession of President Hayes adopted with
quorum III both houses, and transmitted to him
n concurrent resolution recitlng the domestic
violence prevailing in the State, and requesting
under the Constitution and laws OF the United
states his aid Ia suppress it. No reply has been
youch..fed to that request
The President sent to the State Commission
oi five gentlemen, who submitted II proposition
for a reorganization of the General Assembly,
which, though involving the waiver of I'M
doubted legal rIghta on our part, was accepted
understood wishes of the President That prop
oslton rejected by our opponents who in
turn submitted n plan ilaqantly unjust and
yiulatiye Of the laws. The resolutions adopted
10y the General Assembly in joint caucus, which
have been published, have explained by what
means of cajolery, persuasion and threats, the
members OF the commission, protesting simply
- act III an individual capacity, but welding
all the power and influence of authorized agents
President a IA q
purpose, induced sufficient number of bcgis-
htom Ia give To- the opposing body majority
of members legally returned elected. This nc
ton of the Commission was followed by an
official order of the President made at the
quest of den. Nichols, directing the withdrawal
OF the United States troops, and virtually sus-
tanning the opposing Government.
During no days and more that have elapsed
SINCE you took your seat as Governor, word of
encouragement, recognition or support has been
accorded you by the National Administration
On the contrary, "A disposition has been clearly
manifested Ia encourage, strengthen and main
tain 10y all direct aud Indirect means the Govern
meut of your opponent, already 40 strong in the
oyerpowcr,ng armed force il has mustered Ia its
airport IN the Capital of the State. Under these
circumstances, whilst ahating mono of our belief
IN the rghtfuncss OF your title. We cannot but
feel that forces which neither YOU nor ourselves
arr able to resist render II impossible 10 enforce
your rights at the present time, To attempt 10
do So would only add 10 the blood which has al
ready been lruitlcssly shed in defense of Repub-
lean principles in this State, We therefore are
respectfully constrained Ia advise that for the
time being You refrain from actively asserting
your unqueetioued rights, trusting to the future
tovndluato the righteousness of Your cause.
NJ II. lwIrCnELl,
ABsllpts DEJnlE,
lorls NJ. SouER,
Committee