The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1877-04-04
rhe Louisiana Commission.

The Louisiana Commission.
The PRESIDENTS LETTER OF INSTRUCTIONS AS
PREPARED BY MR.. EvARTs-THE COMMISSION
IS TO ASCERTAIN WHAT ARE THE REAL M
PEDIMENTS TO LEGAL AND PEACEFUL PRO-
CEEDINGS UNDER THE LAW-EARLY REMOVAL
OF TROOPS DESIRED.
WASHINGTON, D. G., April ,, 1s77.-7he
Honoru6les Charles 3. Laurence, Joseph r.
Ha,cleu John -M Harlan, John C. Broun,
uad Vayne Iacreagh, Commissioners:
Gentlemen,-I am instructed by the Presi-
dent to LIZ before you some observations
upon the occasion and objects which have
led him to invite you as members of the
commission about to visit the State Of Loui-
siana to undertake this public service.
Upon assuming his office the President
finds the situation OF affairs in Louisiana
such as to Justly demand his prompt and
solicitous attention; for this situation pre-
sents as one OF its features the apparent in
tervention of the military power Of the
United States in the domestic controversies
which undoubtedly divide the opinions and
disturb the harmony OF the people OF that
State. This intervention, arising during
the term and by the authority OF his prede-
cessor, throws no present duty upon the
President except to examine and determine
the real extent, form, and effect to which
such intervention actually exists, and to
decide as to the time, manner, and condition
which should be observed in putting an end
to it. It is in aid of his intelligent and prompt
discharge Of this duty that the President
has sought the service Of the commission to
supply by means OF its examination into the
condition of the State OF Louisiana some in
formation that may be pertinent to the-cir-
cumspection and security Of any measures
he may resolve upon. 1t will be readily
understood that the service desired OF, and
entrusted to, this commission does not in
clude any examination into or report upon
the facts of the recent State election, or OF the
canvass OF votes cast at that election. So
far as attention to that subject may be
necessary, the President cannot but feel
that the reports Of the committees Of the
two houses of Congress and other public
information at hand will dispense with and
should preclude any original exploration
by the commission Of that field OF inquiry.
But it is most pertinent and important IN
coming to q decision upon the precise ques-
ton OF Executive duty before him that the
President should know what are the real
impediments to regular legal and peaceful
procedures under the laws and Constitution
OF the State of Louisiana by which the
scented may be put in course OF settlement
without involving the element OF military
power as either an agent or make-Weight IN
sucn solution. The successful ascertain
ment OF these impediments the President
would confidently expect would lndl-
cate to the people OF that State the
wisdom and the mode OF their removal.
The usual circumstances which attended
and followed the State election and canvass,
| from its relation to the excited feelings and
interests of the presidential election, may
have retarded within the State OF Louisiana
the political influences by which the great
social and commercial interests, common to
| the whole people OF Il State, and the pride OF
| the American character rs law-abiding ma
ton, ameliorate the disappointments and
dissolreFthe resentments sof close and zeal-
! Gus political contests; but, the, President
| both hopes aud believes that the great body OF
the people of Louisiana are now prepared to
treat the unsettled results OF their State
| election with calm and concilitory spirit.
I Ii it be too much to expect complete
concurrence in q single government for that
State, at least the President may anticipate
a submission to the peaceful resources OF
the laws and the; Constitution OF the State
Of all their dissensions, ut once relieving
themselves from the .reproach and; their
| felIoW-citizens Of the, United States from
the anXieties which must ever attend pro-
| longed dispute as to the title and the adj
| ministratiotlC of the government OF one OF
the States OF the Union. The President
therefore desires that you should devote
your,first and principal attention to re-
moyal OF the obstacles to an acknowledg.
ment of one government for the purposes
of m exercise OF authority within the State,
and representation OF the State in its re-
lation to the General Government, under
section Of article OF the Constitution OF
the United States, leaving,ii necessary, to
judicial or other constitutional arbitrament
within the State the question OF ultimate
right. %: ~ ..&a5. aEZ -
Ii these obstacles should prove inserara-
BILE, from whatever reason, and the hope Of
single government in all its departments
be disappointed, it should be your next en-
deavor to accomplish the recognition OF
single legislature as the deposltary OF the
representative will OF the people of Louis
4 iana.9 This great department rescued from
! dispute, the rest OF the problem could grad
! ualIy be worked out by the prevalent au-
! thority, which the Legislative power, when
4 undisputed, is quite competent to exert in
composing conflicts in ns the coordinate
1hrahches OF the Government. m attentive
faerat as q 81 TIP sQnaitcps paAsr YhISl
sTsfifaI.stfffE Il,d st3fiasiI I.