The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1877-04-20

10 the newly appointed Commission 70
investigating the affairs Of the State Q
\ Louisiana:
Hon. CHARLES II. LAWRENCE. JosEPi
X. HAwLEr, JNo. NJ. HARLAN, joins
T.. Brown, WAYNE MAcVEIGn, Com
missioners: GenfitmeH-l am instructed
by the President 70 lay before you soms
observations upon the occasion and OBJ
jects which have led him to invite you
as members Of the Commission about IL
visit the State Of Louisiana 10 undertake
this public service.
Upon assuming his Office the President
finds the situation Of affairs in Louisiana
such a. 70 justly demand his prompt and
Solicitoms attention, for this situation
presents a. one Of its features the ap-
parent intervention OF the military power
of the United States in domestic contro-
versies which undoubtedly divide opin-
ions and disturb the harmon, Of the
people Of that State. This intervention.
arising during the term and by the au-
thority Of his predecessor. throws no
present duty upon the President, except
10 examine and determine the real ex-
tent, form and effect 10 which such in
teryention actually exists and 10 decide
rs 10 the time, manner and conditions
which should be observed in putting an
end to it.
IL j. in aid of hi~ intelligent and
prompt discharge Of this duty that the
President has sought the services Of this
Commission TO supply. by means Of an
examination conducted in the State If
Louisianb some information that NAV
be pertinent 10 circumspcction and e.
curity Of any measures he may resolve
upon. Ii will be readily understood that
the service desired Of and entrusted 10
this Commission does not include any
examination into or report upon the facts
81 the recent State election or of the
canvass Of votes east al that election.
80 far a attention TO that subject may
be necessary. the President can not but
feel that the reports uf the committees
of the TWO Houses Of Congress and 9th
cr public information nj hand will di~-
pense with. and should preclude. any
original exploration bv the Commission
OF that field of inquiry. But Il i most
pertinent and important, In coming 10 4
decision upon precise question If the
executive duty before him, that the Presi-
dent should know what are the real i'm
pediments. regular, legal and peaceful
procedures under the laws and Consti-
tuition 81 the state of Louisiana by which
the anomalies in government there pre-
scented may be put in course Of settle
ment without involving the element II
power, a either an agent or 4
in such solution.
The successful entertainment of
these impediments. the President
would confidently expect. would indi-
cate % the people Of that State the wis
dom and mode of their removal. The
unusual circumstances which attended
and followed the State election and can
VAS. from it, relation 10 the excited feel
ings and interests Of the Presidential
election. may have retarded within the
State Of Louisiana the persuasive influ-
ences by which the great moral and ma
terial interests common to the whole
people Of the State and pride Of Amer
lean character a. law-abiding nation.
disappointmenfs and dis
solve reSentments Of close and jealous
political contests. But the President
both hopes and believes the great body
a the people Of Louisiana are now pre-
pared to treat the unsettled results IL
their State election with calm and con
ciliatory spirit. II il be too much to a.
pect 4 complete concurrence in single
government for that State. AT least the
President may anticipate submission TO
the peaceful resources Of the laws and
Constitution of the State II all their d.
sensions. at once relieving themselves
from reproach and their fellow citizens
81 the United States from anxicties which
must ever attend prolonged dispute as
to title and administration 81 the gov
rrnment Of one Of the States Of the
l. Mon
The President therefore desires that
You should devote your first and princi-
pal attention to removal " the obSta-
cles 10 an acknowledgment II one Gov
srnment for the purposes Of an exercise
a authority within a State Of repre-
sentation Of State i'm its relations to the
General Government under section 81
article 4 Of the Constitution Of the Unit
~ States, leaving, ii necessary. 10 H.
iicial or other constitutional arbitra-
nent within the State the questions Of
he ultimate right. II these obstacles
'hould prove insuperable from whatever
'eascns, and the hope Of single Govern
nent in all it, departments be disap-
pointed, il should be your next endeavor
o accomplish the recognition Of a single
legislature A. the depository Of the rep
'esentative will Of the people II Lou
siana. This great department rescued
rom dispute, the rest of the problem
'ould gradually be worked out by prcya-
cnt authority, which the legislative
'owcr, when undisputed, j. quite com
'ctent to exert in company conflicts IN
coordinate branches Of Government.