The Rutland daily globe. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1873-1877, 1877-03-15
THE SITUATION IN LOUISIANA.
Stanley Matthews Advises Packard to With
draw,

Matthews to Packard and reply:
UNITED STATES SENATE CHAMBER,(
WAsHINeToN, Feb. 81.
Hon. S. B. Packard, New Orleans:
Dear Sir,-I received and read with at
tention your communication on the sub
ject of public affairs of Louisiana, and the
subject has been carefully and a~nxiously
considered by myself and others in Its rela-
ton to the general policy Of the republican
admins ration towards it. 1 have con-
versed at length with - and given to
him the result of my convictions, which he
can repeat to you more in detail than /
can at present. I merely indicate the re-
suit Of my opinions. Without refer
ence TO the rightfulness or the origin
Of your title as governor, l am of opinion
that circumstance are such that it will be
out of the question for the republican ad-
ministratlon to maintain itself, as 1t must
necessarily by force of federal arms. AS
soon as the existing military orders are
withdrawn the Nichols government will
have to be recognized then as such. In
the meantime 1t will be the duty of the ad-
ministration to take care that the results
shall not imperil the rights and equity of
the colored people Of Louisiana so far as it
has lawful power to prevent 1t, and also to
take care that stauuch republicans like
yourself, against whom nothing disreputs-
table can be alleged, should not suffer and
should receive consideration and position
in some appropriate way. These are, in
short, my own individual views. l regret
the condition of affairs but l cannot help it
and see no other way to improve it. Re-
specially, STANLEY MATTHEWS.
PAcKARD's ANSWER he PREFERS TO STICK.
EXECUTIVE DRPARrMRNT,(
NEW ORLEANS, March IA
To Hon. Stanley Matthews:
Dear Sir-Your letter Of the 9th Is
duly received. In my communication to
you, and referred to in your letter, l aimed
to exhibit to you the reason and sterling
facts why the government of which l am
the head ought to receive prompt recog-
milton from the national administration.
In your reply you suggest difficulties that
you deem to exist without reference to
"the rightfulness or origin" Of my title,
and say ''as soon as existing military
orders are Withdrawn the Nichols
government will become the only
existing government and will have
to be recognized as SUCH" Inasmuch as
you say your letter expresses only your
individual views 1t is not necessary TO at
tempt to correct your opinion shat cir
cumstances are such that it will be out of
the question for the republican administra-
ton TO maintain 1t" (my title,) as that Is a
subject which now engages the attention
Of the president under the constitution and
laws Of the United States. l Judge the
purpose of your letter TO lave been a
friendly way to accomplish the abandon
ment by me OF the office of governor, to the
end that my defeated opponent might as
sumo unquestioned the office to which l
have been elected. Admitting the value of
the opinion of one SO learned l am con-
strained by q high sense of duty to un-
qualifiedly decline to entertain any propo-
sition to %relinquiah or TO abandon to posi-
ton which l hold. l received a majority
of the legal votes cast at the late election,
have been declared governor by 4 legal
legislature in joint session with u quorum
In both houses, and having been lawfully
vested with authority as governor cannot
with due regard to my oath and duty to the
seventy-six thousand voters who have
elected me to the chief magistracy,
though l should "receive considera.
ton and position in some appropriate
way, abandon those faithful men to the
merclless vengeance of the white league
democracy. 1 I'M the head of q govern
ment as perfect as that Of any state in the
Union. am opposed by an organized
mob known as the white league who have
maintained during my administration q
force held together by encouragement Civ
en- them from abroad, by those who appar-
sntly seem to measure the legal existence
Of a government by amount of force 1t can
present. Were this force removed IS 1t will
be when the Legitimacy of my government
is determined by the president, nothing
will then impede the success of my admin
istration. Personally, my position will be,
until the general government shall see fiji
to recognize my authority as governor, 6
most rerilous one, and 1t would be 9
source Of satisfaction did the responsibility
rest upon some one other thar
myself. Hundreds of the republicans who
have given their lives as a eacrifce to the
cause Of liberty and free government, thu
thousands who have deposited their vote
at the peril of life are ever present in my
mind, and demand that l faithfully per
form the duties devolved upon me. Should
I exhibit less devotion than these faithful
people2 Though the effort cost my life
still that devotion would be a better herit
age to my children than the plaudits Of tn,
the white league OF the state when gaine'
by the surrender of both manhood an,
duty. l am governor, and no armed fore
or violence can give my competitor a law
fnl title. Respectfully,
i. s. b. PACKARD.