The New York herald., 1877-03-15
LOUISIANA.

INTERESTING CORRESPONDENCE BETWEEN JUDGE
STANLEY MATTHEW'S AND GOVERNOR PACK
ARD-INDUCEMENTs TO THE LATTER TO
w1THDRAw--HE DEEMS IT DUTY TO STAY.
NEW ORLEANS, March IA, 1871
Tho following is a copy letter from Hon. Stanley
Matthews 10 Governor Packard aud the laters reply
JUDGE MATTHEW'S ADVICE
UNITED STATES SENATE CHAMBER
WASHINGTON, ID. G, Feb q, 1871
To the Hon. s. B. PACKARD, New Orleans:
MY DEAR SIR received and read with attention
your communication tho subject OF public affairs
and anxlousiy considered by myself and others
IN reiation to the general policy OF
republican administration toward it. have con-
verscd at lengih with ana given 10 him
tho result Of my conviction, which he repeat you
more in detail than can at present. merely indicate
tue results OF my opinions, without reference the
rghtulness OF the origin OF your title Governor.
am OF the opinion that the circumstances sucn
that It will bc of the question for republican ad.
ministraton to maintain itself, must necessarily
do by force Of federal arms As soon existing mill
tary orders Withdrawn the Nichols government
will become the only existing governments, and will
havc - be recognized then as such.
CoLORED PEOPLE PROTECTED.
In tho meantime II will be tho duty O tho admins.
tration take that results shall imper tho
right equity OF the colored people OF louisiana
lar as It has lawful power to prevent IT. and also to
that stanch republicans like yourself against
whom nothing dsrepulable can bo alleged. should
suffer- and should recelvo consideration and po.
son IN somc appropriate way. These are, In short,
my own individual views. | regret the condition OF
Affairs but cannot help II, and better way
Improve IL. Respectfully, STANLEY MATTHEW'S.
PACKARD s REPLY.
STATE OF LOUISIANA, EXECUTIVE DEPARTMkNr,l
NEW ORLEANS, March IA, 1917. (
To tho Hon. STANLEY Matthew'S
My DEAR SIR--Your letter OF 27th ut duly received
In my communication to you and referred 10 IN your
letter, aimed to exhibit 10 you the reason and sterling
TACT why the government of which l am the head
ought to receive prompt recognition from the national
administration In your reply you suggest tho dinh-
cultcs that you deem to exist "without reference
the rghtuncss OF tho origin OF your (my) title, " and
say that as the existing military orders are Withdrawn
the Nichols government Will become tho only existing
government, and will have to be recognized then
such. Inasmuch you say that your letter only
presses your own In ivdua views, 1t Is not necessary
to attempt TO correct your opinion that the circum
stances such that II will be out OF the
question Tor republican administration to MAINTAIN II
my .te as mat IS suo)ec. wnich now engages INC
laws OF tho United Statcs. Judge the purpose Of
your letter to have been In friendly way accom-
plish the abandonment by OF the Office OF Governor
10 tho end that my defeated opponent might assume
unqucstioned the Office 10 which have been elected
IDEA STEPPING DOWN
Admitting the value OF the op MON Of learned
OF so deservedy great influence IN the counses OF the
nation, am constrained by high sense OF duty to
TO abandon the position which hold. l received
a majority OF tho loyal votes cost at the
Legislature joint SESSION, with undsputcd quorum
IN both houses; and having been lawfully vested with
authority Governor cannot, with due regard TO my
9TH Of office aud duty TO the 76 600 voters who have
elected mo to the chief magistracy, although should
consideration and position In app ropri
ute way, abandon those faithful to the merciIcss
vengeance Of tho White League democracy. am the
head Of government as perfect as that of any State in
the Union.
A CLEAR TITLE
My predecessor together with his Secretary OF State,
Auditor OF Public Accounts, State Treasurer Supern.
tcndent OF Public Instruction and Attorney General,
with all the archives Of their several offices, surren
dercd these positions into the hands OF those
lawfully elected 10 receive them. now repro
sent this government, with possession OF a Of these
Offices. am opposed by an organized and armed
mob OF men in this city known as the White League
who have maintained, during my administration, a
force held together by tho encourag gwen them
the legal existence Of government by the amount Of
force u can present.
DEVOTION TO PRINCIPLE
Were this force removed, as II will be when tho
legitimacy oil my govern mont Is determined
by the President, nothing then Will seriously
impede the success Of my administration
Personally my position has been, is and
Will be until the general government shall see
fit TO recognize my authority as governor, most peri
the responsibility rcst upon other than my
self The hundreds OF republicans who have given
their lives as sacrafce to the OF liberty and
FREQ government tho thousands who have de-
posted their votes at the peril oi life
arc ever present In my mind, And
demand that faithfully discharge the duties dcvelved
upon Should exhibit less devotion than these
faithful pcopcy Though the effort should cost my
lie, still that devotion would be better heritage TO
the State when gained by surrender OF both manhood
and duty. am tho Governor, and no armed force or
violence can give my competitor lawful title.
Respectfully, s. b. PACKARD.