Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1877-04-25
Another Letter fioIn GOV. Packard.
The following letter was sent to Presi-
dent Hayes by Gov. Packard on the 10th
EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT.
New ORLEANS, April l6, 1877.

NEW ORLEANS, April 16, 1877.
To President Hayes Washington, u. c.:
SIRA-it is evident that the Commission sent
here by you, i.,trusted among other points TO
secure removal of the obstacles to the aclnowl-
edgement of one Government, and failing in
that, to accomplish the recognition of "A single
Legislature rs a depository of the representative
will of the people of Louisiana, will fail to
effect either of these results The first
proposition can be obtained only by
the abandonment of or the other
of the claimants to the Gubernatorial chair
The second proposition, involving the unitica-
ton of the two bodies, each now claiming to be
the Legislature of the State of Louisiana, is
possible. Tie plan suggested by the Commits
SION that lO4 members of the lower House and
thiity-three members of the Senate, whose
election is not disputed should be brought to-
geth, in one body and the General Assembly
thus constituted sh Juld ptss upon the qualihca-
tons u the contested members. and thus re-
organized should compose tie conflicts in the
coordinate branches of the Government was
acceptable TO the Republicans but is said to have
been rejected by the Democrats. This plan was
understood to emanate from the President and to
embody his ideas of what was just and equita-
bic. The Republicans have lndlcated willing
ness to accede a reorganization of the Legisla-
ture on this basis in defereuce to the Presidents
wishes even If in so dong they should waive
undoubted legal rights. Ii is presumed that,
Legislative settlement would work in ustice to
one or the other of the coutcnding part ies, and
II is not believed that the Adm nistration would
sanction in lustice. The Republicans were willing
| to submit the claims of their state Government
to the Les s..ture thus constituted 1t IS clearly
indicated that Gen. Nichols and his adj
herents have rejected this proposition mainly
because OF their fixed belief In the truth of the
statement repeatedly made that the Foster-Ma
thews agreement is eventually in some way to
give the Government of the State to the Democ-
racy. If this belief were removed from their
minds, perha ps they would not be SO defiant,
and would accept the ad justinent you offer.
The reported purpose of the Administration TO
carry out the suggestions of Messrs. Foster ana
Matthews by the withdrawal of the United
States troops is a standing mt mace to the Repub-
liclns in this State and encourages the Democ-
racy to emulate the arrogant policy of Gen
Hampton in South Carolina.
/ have received no reply to my letter of the
9Th inst, requesting that the Instructions of the
Commission should be SO amended and enlarged
Ms to enable them to inquire and report which
| of the contending Governments is legally ent-
tied to recognit.on; whether legal Supreme
Court exists, and who compose 1T, and whether
or not there is an armed insurection against
the lawful Government. l therefore most
spectfully renew that request in view of the
lection by any political opponentsof the reason
able proposition above referred to, made
| by the President through the Commits
sion. Your Excellency cannot fail to per
ceive that in thus expressing my willingness to
submit my clsin,s to II Conimi ssion appointed
without solicitation on my part, without
either myself or any of my friends having any
voice in its selection, it at least manifests con-
hdence in the justice of my claims. Under pres
ent instructions the Commission Is chargedeSth
the investigation Of matters not essential. Why
should instruction be withheld which would en-
able it to to report upon matters essential to the
ascertanment of the legality OF one or the other
Government claiming recognition from the Pres
ident one of which must be entitled thereto
der the provisions of the Constitution of the
country ....t
The Commission thus far in its relations to
the Republican party, has only suggested
/ methods which directly tend to abandon
nent of the contest irrespective of right or JUS
tice. ] respectfully submit that the questions
at issue in Louisiana cannot be dis
posed of by mere exprdients. The claims
of individuals to Office are of little
consequence when weighed against the
rights and liberty Of a majority of the people.
If lawful Government in Louisiana can
be overthrow by dom ztic violence with the
consent of the Federal Government originally
amongst Others, OF preventing such occurrence,
what State in the Union may not hereafter be
subject to similar revolutionss Are the Ameri-
can people willing to see ts.is precedent estab-
lishedI
Earnestly requesting your immediate action
on the facts pre~ented have the honor To be,
yeiy respectfully, your obedent servant,
(Sigued) s. u. PACKARD, Governor.