The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1877-01-23
Message OF the President on tho
Employment of TrOOnS.

from either oil the executive department,
to any military commander or civil off,
Ger, relating 10 the service ot the army IL
Virginia, South Carolina, Louisiana and
Florida since The 1st OF last August, 10.
gelher with all reports from any Of said
military or civil officers, the President
Today sent to the House Of Representa-.
uVes the following message:
Alter stating that the House resolution
reached him on the 9th OF December. the
President says: at was Immediately, or
soon thereafter, referred TO the Secretary
Of War and the Attorney General, the
custodians OF all retained copies OF Mi
orders or directions given by the execu.
tive departments Of the Government GOV.
cred by the above inquiry, together with
all information upon which such orders
or directions were given. The in.
formation, il will be observed, is
voluminous and with limited clerical
force in the Department OF Justice has
consumed the time up to the present,
Many Of the communications accompany.
ing this have already been made public
in connection with messages heretofore
sent 10 Congress. This class OF iniorma.
ton includes important documents re.
ceived from the Governor Of South Caro-
lima and sent to Congress with my mes.
sage on the subject OF the Hamburg mas.
sacre, also documents accompanying my
response to the resolution OF the House
in regard TO the soldiers stationed at
Petersburg. There have also come TO
me and to the Department OF Justice,
from time to time, other communications
from persons holding public trusts and
and others residing in the South, Of which
l append hereto, as bearing upon the
precarious condition OF the public peace
Ia those States, these communications, |
have reason to regard as made by re.
spectacle and responsible men. Many of
them deprecate the publication Of their
names as involving danger 10 them per.
sonally. The reports heretofore made
by committees Of Congress OF the result
Of their inquiries in Mississippi and in
Louisiana, and the newspapers Of several
OF the States recommending the Mis-
sissippi plan, have also furnished
important data for estimating dan
ger to the public peace and order
In these States. 1t ia enough to
say that three different kinds and sources
OF evidence have left no doubt whatever
in my mind that intimidation has been
used, and actual violence to an extent re.
quiring aid Of the United States, where
it was practicable to furnish such aid. In
South Carolina, Florida and in Louisiana,
as well as in Mississippi, Alabama and
Georgia, troops OF the United States have
been but sparingly used, and in no caseao
as to Interfere with the full right Of sui.
trage. Very few troops were available
for the purpose Of preventing or suppress
sing violence and intimidation in the
States named. In no case, except that
OF South Carolina, was the mum
Der OF soldiers in any State increased
in anticipation Of the election, saving
that twenty men and an officer were
sent from Fort Foote TO Petersburg, Va,
where disturbances were threatened prior
to the election. No troops were stationed
at voting places. In Florida and Louis-
lana small numbers Of soldiers in said
States were stationed at such points
in each State as were most threatened
with violence, where they might be avail
able as posse for the officer whose duty
it was to preserve the peace and prevent
the intimidation OF voters. Such dis
position OF the troops seemed 10 me rea-
sonable and justified by law and prece-
dent, while its omission would have
been inconsistent with the constitutional
duty OF the President OF the United
States 10 take care that the laws be faith
fully executed; the statute expressly for
bids the bringing Of troops to the polls,
except where it is necessary to keep the
peace. Implying that TO keep the peace
itmay be done, but this even, 30 far rs |
am advised, has not in any case been
done. The stationing OF company or
part OF company in the vicinity where
they would be available to prevent riot
has been the only Use made Of the troops.
Prior to that and at the time OF the elcc-
ton where so stationed they could be
called in an emergency requiring it by
Marshal or deputy, rs posse 10 aid in
suppressing unlawful violence. The eYi.
dence which has come 10 me has left me
no ground to doubt that if there had
been more soldiers available it would
have been my duty TO have disposed of
them in several States with view to the
prevention Of violence and intimidation,
which have undoubtedly contributed to
defeat the election laws in Mississippi,
Alabama and Georgia, as well as in South
Carolina, Louisiana and Florida. BY
article 4, section 4, Of the Constitution,
the United States shall guarantee to
every State in this Union republican
form OF government, on an application
Of the Legislature Of n State, or oil
the Executive where the Legislature
cannot be convened, against domestic vic.
lence, by act Of Congress (revised statutes
Of the U. s., sec. 1044) the President, in
case OF insurrectian in any State or OF
unlawful obstruction 10 the enforcement
OF the laws OF the United States by the
ordinary course Of judicial proceedings,
or whenever domestic violence in any
State 80 obstructs the execution OF the
laws thereof and OF the United States as
to deprive any portion OF the people OF
such State Of their civil or politi-
Sul IIBHtSt ID uulllUElLeu ~ employ
such parts OF the land and naval
forces as he may deem necessary TO en-.
force the execution OF laws, preserve
peace and sustain the authority OF the
State and OF the United States, Acting
under this title, 60 Of the revised statutes
oil the United States, accompanied IL .
sending OF troops to South Carolina with
proclamation, such as is therein pre-.
scribed. The President is also authoriz.
ed by act Of Congress 10 employ such
part Of the land or naval forces Of the
United States MS shall be necessary to
prevent violence and to enforce due ex.
ecution Of the provisions OF the title, "a
Of the revised statutes Of the United
States, for the protection OF the civil
rights Of citizens, among which Is provi.
sion against conspiracies to prevent
by force, intimidation or threat any citi.
zen who is lawfully entitled 10 vote, from
giving his support or advocacy in legal
manner toward or in favor Of the elec.
ton OF any lawfully qualified person as
elector for President or Vice President,
or as a member Of the Congress OF the
United States. Revised Statutes, 1881
In cases falling under this title have
not considered II necessary to issue
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