Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1877-03-15
STATE OF LOUISIANA,
EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT,
New ORLEANS, March l4th.

your (my) title" and say that as soon as cx.
listing military orders are withdrawn the Mich
oils government will become the only existing
government, and will have TO be recognized
then as such. lnaSmuch as you say that yOnr
letter only expresses you: own Individual views
it is not necessary to attempt 10 correct your
opinion that the circumstances are such that
ut will be out Of the question for Republican
administration 10 maintain it. (my tltle), as
that is subject which now engages the atten'
ton Of the President under the Constitution
ard law Of The United States.
Judge the purpose OF your letter to have
been in a friendly way 10 accomplish the aban.
doumeut by me Of the Office o.! Governor to the
end that my defeated opponent might assume
uuqutstioned the Office to which have been
elected. Admitting the value oil the opinion
OF one so learned, Of so dcserVedy great lnfu-
ence 10 the councils Of the nation. am con-
strained, by high sense Of duty, to unquaIi
iedly decline to entertain any proposition TO
relinuush or TO abandon the position which |
hold. received a majority Of the legal votes
cast at The last election, have been declared
Governor by The legal Legislature in joint ses
sion, with an unaisputed quorum in both Houses.
and having been lawfully vested with authority
as Governor, cannot, with due regard to my
oath of Office and duty to the &c 900 voters who
have elected me to the Chief Magistracy, though
| should receive consideration and position 10
some appropriate way, abandon those faithful
men to the me,cess vengeance OF White
League Democracy am the head Of gov
erpment as perfect as that of any State in the
Union. My predecessor, together with his
Secretary Of State. Auditor ofPublic Accounts,
State Treasurer Superintendent of Public In.
struction aud Attorney General, with all the
archives Of their several Office, surrendered
these positions Into the hands OF those lawfully
elected to receive them. | now represent this
government with possession Of all these Offices.
am opposed by an organized and armed mob
Of men 10 this city knownas the White League,
who have maintained during my admiuisra.
ton a force held together by the encourage
ment given them from abroad by those who
apparently seem to measure the legal existence
OF government by the amount OF force 1t can
present. Were this force removed, as it will
be when the legitimacy OF my government is
determined by the President, uothiog then will
seriously impede the success of my administers
ton. Personally my position has been is, and
will be uotl the General Government shall see
fit to recognize my authority as Governor,
most perious one, and it would be source Of
satisfaction did the responsibility rest upon
some one ether than myself. The hundreds of
republicans who have aiVeo their lives as sac.
ri6ce to the cause of liberty and free-govern.
ment, the thousands who have deposited their
votes at the peril of their life are ever present
in my mind, and demand that faithfully dis,
charge the dulles devol7ed upon me. Should
exhibit less devotion than these faithful peo-
pie? Though the effort cost my life still that
devotion would be better heritage to my CHI
dren than the plaudits Of the White League of
the State, when gained by surrender of both
manhood and duty. am the Governor, and
no armed force or violence can give my COM
pettor lawful title. Respectfully,
s....... s, B. PACKARD.