The Lake County star. [volume] (Chase, Mich.) 1873-current, 1877-01-25

me elected Governor, and on the 9Th of jan
uary duly took the oath to observe the Con.
stitution and maintain the laws of the State.
My predecessor feeling, Ipresume, that there
was difference of opinion in the Nation
with regard to the election in this State, as
was made manifest BY the presence Of the
Investigating Committees Of both Houses
Of Congress, permitted, with my full assent,
my contestant to go through the form of an
Inauguration, without attempting in any
way to interpose. had scarcely taken nv
oath Of Office, when the White League were
called to arms; the Courtroom and records
OF the Supreme Court of the State Ia Court
whose title no well informed jurist ventures
to dispute) were forcibly taken possession
OF, and the various precinct police sta
tions were captured in like manner by
the display Of overwhelming force. Orders
had been issued early on this day (the
9th instantly, by the honorable, the Score.
tary Of War, directing that ali un.
authorized armed bodies should be re-
quired to desist. A dispatch of the
same date from yourself to the Secretary of
War conveyed the assurance that Nichols
has promised the disbandment of his
armed forces. l construed this order of the
Secretary OF War as virtually commanding
the maintenance Of status quo, consequently
the State forces in charge Of the different
positions outside of the Capitol were di.
rected to make such resistance as would
compel the manifestation of force and
breach OF the peace on the part of their
opponents. 1t was my understanding that
neither side should be permitted TO inter.
fere with the status of the other side, yet il
Is matter of public notoriety that, on the
day after this order was received and this
pledge was given, force of several
hundred armed White Leaguers ION the
ro1 10 kx.S
took therefrOm into their own keeping five
pieces of artillery (including two Gatlin
guns); that a garrison of armed men was
placed in and around the Supreme Court
buildings; that on the following day 9th
lnst( an armed company of White League
broke into and took possession of the Office
OF Recorder of mortgages in this city.
The dispatch of the President Of the date
OF January IA, a copy of which was COM
municated by you to me, distinctly affirmed
the illegality of the prete nded Court placed
by the White League in possession of the
COurt-roOms and records of the Supreme
Court Of the State. Since the publication
OF the dispatch, unauthorized armed bodies,
by whom these court rooms are held, and
this pretended court is sustained, have been
openly reinforced. In view of all these
facts, 1t seems to me that to give the pledge
verbally asked of me this morning would be
to sanction revolution, and, by acquiescence,
give it the force of an accoinplis he'd fact, and
l, therefore, declined.
Inasmucb, however, as / learn that it is
the Presidents wish that the present status
should be maintained throughout the State
until the Congressional Committee,
now In Louisiana, return, and feeling
assured that the legal status of the existing
State Government will speedily be recog.
nized, and that the wrongs committed in the
last eight days will be set right, give the
pledge requested thatn effort will be made
OH the part OF the lawful State Government
to forcibly disturb the existing state of
affairs, without further communication with
you. Very respectively,
[Sisned] s. B. PACKARD, Governor.
New Orleans, January 1.-THE effect
OF the instructions from the War Depart.
ment to General Augur to preserve the
statu quo Of both parties until the reports
OF the Congressional committees are re-
ceived is plainly visible to-day. All
danger of a collision is regarded as past,
for the present at least.
The Republican Legislature did not
ballot for United States Senator to-day.
In the House, Barrett and Kennedy,
who had gone over to the Democrats,
were expelled.
The Democrotic Legislature balloted
for Senator without choice. In the
Democratic Senate Mr.. Eustis introduced
a resolution setting forth that one Pack
ard, falsely assuming to be Governor,
had, by means of scandalous and
hbelous publication, purporting to be
proclamation addressed to the General
Assembly and lawful authorities, and cal
culated to bring them into contem pt,"
etc.; therefore be it
ReSoived, That the Committee on the Ju.
dietary be instructed to inquire whether the
said Packard, by authorizing the said
scsndalous and libelous publication, has not
breach of the privileges of this
body, and what means, il any, should be
taken to punish the said Packard for the
said contempt and to maintain the dignity
and authority of this body.
So ordered. The House bill in refer
ence to the protection of colored people
was passed unanimously.