Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1877-01-04

u essage OF the Governor OF Delaware.

y
Gov. Cochrans first message was delivered
10 the Delaware Legislature on Tuesday. With
regard to Federal eDcroachms1ls he says:
III Gao 10 longer be doubted that The claim
Of power has been deliberately made, and lrc'
que1tiy'and extensively executed b. the pssSl-
deut Of the United States and his associates in
office, Ct general police supervision OF any and
all the States, whether under general plea Ct
keeping the peace of the United States, or
securing fair and peaesa5le elections, or fair
coua: OF the votes cast in any State.
Under this claim ard exercise Of power, and
| under circumstances not contemplated nor pro.
yided for By the constitution of the United
States in time of profound peace the armed
forces of the United States haze been sentln
the State of Virginia to remaO near the polling
places 10 Petersburg for e period prcccedos,
during and following the general election 10
that State. \ resolution OF the Senate OF the
United States has been responded to by the
President n message which believe 10 have
been happily without precedent 10 The history
of this country, either in tone or substance, 10
which he fully usliGes the posting OF United
States troops in the States during elections ard
at the polling places, thus, to use the remarka'
bic language of the President, securing the
very essence Of liberty.
"In South Carolina the election YVES held 10
the presence OF the United States troops,
ayowedly placed under the ccrtro Of one OF the
candidates for Governor, aud tic organization
Of the State Legislature entirely controlled d q
corporal and his guard acting under the author.
lty and direction Of the President OF the Uelted
States and his military subOrdinatcs, IN tic
avoaed interest OF one of the political parties
y7h CHI the President has declared that he rep
Je5cntS
10 Louisiana and Florida United States
troops have been hurried to the scene ct State
official action 10 csu7asslog aud deciaTicg the
result OF The ballots cast aud 10 utter disregard
OF those contingencies and requirements which,
under the constitution CT the United States,
could alone warrant their presence. ard the per
petration of frauds Infamous aud glar!ng has
been secured BY their presence, ard the guilty
actors abcttcd, encouraged ADD protected IRON
just punishment.
10 term such government republican, III
form, or to describe it as government OF laws,
would be hollow mockcry of truth.
IF an honest and sound Lublic orirlOu shall
not condemn and dismiss 10 disgrace the 9TH
cia!s who have been guilty Of such moDstrous
abuse eli their trust, and who have Inflicted
such wounds upol law, order and constitutional
liberty, the forms Of free government will not
long remain, and despotism must soon become
permanent and terrible reality in our land.
The continuance OF our freedom cannot be maiu.
taiacd without nccssant caution to guard
against such cUcroachmerts by the Executive.
Usurpatiors OF power are sometimes SO grad
ua as to be almost impcrceptlb;e, but 10 the
present case there is 20 conccamcnt,n no stca!tbJ
step, tuta bold. open, shameless stride, tramp
ling down the most sacred and reserved right:
Of the States. The President has openly inter
israd in three States-and 10 Louisiana for the
third ,imc-with the management and contro
Of affairs 7Thich were strictly and solely subject
to State authority. The very suggestion O.
armed Federal interference 10 State affairs va:
at one time 50 rcpugnant to our people, wlthou
regard to party. as to be deemed impossible, bu
uahappi!y that time seems to have passed. II;
has iorciby prevented the peaceab'e organz.-
ton Of The Legislature OF South Carolina, treat
cd the decisions of her highest court with oper
contempt. aud thrown the State into dire con
tusoa. What his further plans are the future
? OILY can tell, but his past conduct would seeu
to justify the gravest apprchenslons.