The New Orleans daily Democrat. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1877-1880, 1877-03-30
THE COMMISSION.
An Ordsr Which Stands Unrev0ked and
Uneypcuted.

From private letter from Gen. r. l..
Gibson, just received by us from Wash
ington, we extract the following inter-
esting passages relating to the former
order OF Gen. Grant to remove the
troops, and the views of Mr.. Hayes In
constituting his mysterious commission.
After referring to visit to President
Grant during the last days Of his ad-
ministration, Gen. Gibson continues:
] felt 1t to be my duty to tell Presi-
dent Grant frankly that the attempt to
overthrow the government OF the peo-
pie in Louisiana by the military forces
Of the Union and to install the recent
United States Marshal, Mr.. Packard,
would lead to bloodshed and the most
deplorable consequences. He acquitted
me at once Of attempting anything like
u menace. and replied that he had made
up his mind that the day was past when
State governments could be upheld by
Federal bayonets, and that he had de-
termined that the proper place for the
troops was the barracks and not the
streets and State House Ia New Orleans.
He thereupon issued instructions which
were intended to remove the troops to
their proper quarters, and when in
formed that they did not appear to be
understood, observed that he had never
In his life made an order moro explicit.
His term expired the day after and that
order stands unrevoked and uneXecuted.
It Is due to President Hayes to say
that at our first interview before his in
auguration, he intimated his intention
to send commission to New Orleans,
but it Is also due to him and to others
81 a RI
led to believe, after subsequent CONVEX
sations, that he had abandoned the
plan OF q commission. When, there
fore, informed Of his determination, I
expressed my Surprise and regret and
my inability to convey to him the deep
disappointment the people Of Louisiana
would experience at what they would
regard as a sudden departure from the
policy Of his inaugural.
The President declares that he in
tends to adhere to his inaugural, and
that the commission will be SO consti-
tuted as to carry out the policy therein
announced. In the face Of these as
surances I cannot doubt the patriotic
purposes OF the President, and hope the
members Of the commission-distin-
guished citizens Of other States-may
be treated with consideration, courtesy
and hospitality.
The President understands that no
commission can pull down or set up a
State government, nor compel any re
linquishment of right, nor relieve him
of his responsibility, nor conceal from
the people Of the Union the true issue
in Louisiana, nor justify any govern
mental action in violation of the con-
stitution. He very we'll understands
that If he had a secret purpose to vio-
late any public pledge he has made, and
intended the commission merely as a
pretext or a blind, the attempted dis
guise would only add to the disappoint-
ment and resentment with which the
people in all parts Of the Union would
regard such conduct. Even the pres
ence of an ex-Confederate in his Cabi-
net would be regarded as part Of de-
liberate plan to cajole and deceive the
very people whose confidence the ap-
pointment was intended to secure, and
the distinguished gentleman from Ten
nessee would be looked upon as a
mere placeman and lackey, II indeed
he could be induced to retain his port
folio.
But I cannot believe for one moment
that the solemn declarations OF the
President were made only to be repu-
dated, or that the distinguished states
men Of his Cabinet would be parties to
such stupendous transaction.
They know that the Lower House OF
Representatives would never vote a dol
lar or q man to be employed in the
cruel subiugation OF the people Of Lou