Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1877-03-22

that results shall not imperil the rights
and equity of the eolored people OF
Louisiana, 40 far as 1t has lawful power
to prevent II; and also to take care that
staunch Republicans like yoursel,
against whom nothing disreputable
can be alleged, should not suffer, and
should receive consideration and posi-
tion in sUme appropriate way. These
are, in short, NY own INDIVIDUAL
views, / regret the condition OF affairs,
but 1 cannot help it, and see no better
way to improve it. Respectfully,
b. STANLEY MATTHEW'S.
STATE OF LOUISIANA, EXEC. DEPT,
New ORLEANS, March Il, 1877. }
Hon. Stanlr Nattkeses;
My DEAR SIR-Your letter of the
9th ult. duly received. In my COM
muuicafion to you, and referred to in
YOUR letter, aimed to exhibit to you
the reasons aud sterling facts why tne
Government of W hieh / am the head
ought to receive prompt recognition
from the National Administration. In
your reply you suggest the difncultles
that YOU deem exist, without reference
to the rightfulness of origin oil your
'(my) title" and say that "as soon as
existing military orders are Withdrawn
the Nichols Government Will become
the only existing Government, ana
will have to be recognized then as
such"
much as you say your letter only
EXPRESSES your own individual views,
il il not necessary to attempt to correct
vour opinion that ''the circumstances
are such that il will be out OF the ques-
tion for a Republican Administration
to maintain its (my) title," as that IS .
subject which now engages the stten-
|tion of the President, under the Con-
stitution and law of the United states.
] Judge the propose OF your letter 10
have been in q friendly way to accom-
plish the abandonment by me OF the
Office of Governor, to the end that my
defeated opponent might assume un-
questioned the Office to which nave
been elected.
Admitting the value of the opinion
of one so learned, of SO deservedly great
influence in the councils of tie Nation
/ am constrained by high sense oil
duty to unqualniedly decline to enter
tain auy proposition to relinquish-or to
abandon the position which i hold. l
received msjority of the legal votes
east at the last election; have been de-
cIared Governor by the legal Legisia-
ture. in Joint session, with an undis.
puted quorum in both houses; and
having been lawfully vested with au-
tbority as Governor can not, with
| due regard to my oath of office and
duty to the seventy six thousand voters
who have elected me to the Chief Mag
istracy, though / should "receive con
sideration and position in some appro.
Ipriate way,n abandon those faithful
men 10 the merciless vengeance OF the
White League Democracy. 1 am the
head of a Government rs perfect as tnai
| az any State in the Union. Ny pre-
decessor. together with his Secretary
of State. Auditor of Public Accounts,
state Treasurer, Superintendent OF
Pnblic INSTRUCTION, and Attorney Gep-
eral, with all the archives Of their sew
eral Offices, surrendered these positions
Into the hands OF those iawfaisy eieeteu
to receive them. Inow represent TINS
Government. with possession oil all OF
these offices.
lam opposed by an organised and
armed mob of men in this city, known
as the White League, who have mann
tanned during my administrator :
force held together more by the en-
couragement given them from abroad,
than any other means; by those wnG
apparently seem to measure the iegal
existence OF q government by the
lamount of force it can present. were
Ithis force removed, as II VIII be Wnen
the legitimacy of my governments Is
1 determined by the President, nothing
then will seriously impede the success
of my administration. :.
Personally, my position has been, i
and will be, until the general dovern'
ment shall see fit to recognize my eu-
4 thority as Governor, q most perilous
one: and it would be source Oh satis-
i faction did the responsibility rest upot
lsome other than myself. The hrndreo'
of Republicans who have given incl
Hives as q sacrifice to the cause OF npe,
ty and free government tao taoosanol
who have depesss.sli then' woes at sns
peril of life. are ever present in M.
mind. and demand that ! faitnfuh!
discharge the duties devolved on me
ShouId exhibit less devotion than tni
faithful people, though the en9tt COS
3 my life, still that devotion Wouio oe /,
better heritage to my children tnan ~
!, plaudits of the White League o. ID
/, State, when gained by SURRENDER =
|. both manhood and duty. i am IN
Governor, and no armed force or VIC
Ilence can give my competitor ia"iu
P title. Respectfully,