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

I the. Federal Constitution and the acts OF
/ Con gress provide or permit military inter
yention by the President in the protection
OF State against domestic violence has
satisfied the President that the use OF this
authority in determining or influencing
disputed elections in a State Is most care
fully to be avoided.
| Undoubtedly, as was held by the Supreme
Court in the case Of Luther Us. Border, the
| appeal from State may involve such an
| inquiry as the Iawfulness OF the authority
which inv0kes tile interference OF the Presi-
dent IN supposed pursuance OF the Constl-
tuition; but it is equally true that neither
| the. constitutional provision nor the nets OF
! Congress were framed with any such de-
sign. Both obviously treated the case OF
domestic violence within State as OF out
break against law and the authority OF
established government which the State was
unable to suppress by its own strength. A
case wherein every department of the State
government has q disputed representation,
and the State therefore furnishes to the
Federal Government no internal political
recognition OF authority upon which the
Federal Executive can rely, will present q
case of so much difficulty that it Is OF
pressing Importance to all interests in
Louisiana that 1t should be avoided.
A single legislature would greatly relieve
this difficulty, for that department OF The
State governments named by the Constitu-
ton as the necessary applicant when it can
be-. convened for military Intervention by
the United States. II, therefore, the dis
putting interests can concur in or be re-
duced to single legislature for the State
Of Louisiana it would be a great step in
composing this unhappy strife.
The President leaves entirely to the COM
mission the conciliatory influences which
in their judgment formed on the spot may
seem to them to copduce to the proposed
end. His own determination that only
public considerations should inspire and
attend this effort to give the ascen dancy in
Louisiana to the things that belong to peace
is cvinced by his selection Of commission
ers who offer to the country in their own
character every. guarantee OF the public
motives and methods OF the transaction
which they have undertaken.
Your report Of the result OF this endearor
will satisfy the President. He does not
doubt OF the wisdom OF his selection OF and
of his penary trust in the commission. A
second and less important subject OF at
tention during your visit to New Orleans
will be the collection Of accurate and trust
worthy information from the public officers
and prominent citizens Of all political con-
ncctions as to the state Of public feeling and
opinion in the community at large upon
the general questions which affect the
peaceful and safe exercise within the
State of Louisiana of all legal and po-
litical privileges conferred by the Constitu-
ton OF the United States upon all citizens.
The maintenance and protection OF these
rights and privileges by all constitutional
means, and by every Just, moral, and So
cial influence, are the settled purpose Of the
President in his administration OF the Gov
ernment. He will hope to learn from your
investigation that this purpose will be aided,
and not resisted, by the substantial and
effective public opinion OF the great body
OF the people OF Louisiana. The President
does not wish to impose any limit upon
| your stay in Louisiana that would tend to
defeat the full objects OF your visit.
lie is, however, extremely DESTROYS to find
! it in his power Mt the earliest day
| compatible with safe exercise OF that
authority to put an end to even the appear
ance Of military intervention in the dOmcs-
tic affairs OF Louisiana, and he awaits your
return with confident hope that your re-
port will enable him promptly to execute 4
purpose he has SO much at heart. The Pre-
sident desires me to add that the pubiica-
ton Of the results Of your visit he shall hope
to make Immediately after their communi-
cation to him.
I have the honor to be-, with great re-
spect, your obedlent servant,
WILLIAM NJ. EyAETs.