The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-12-28
SCORING A SENATOR.
Judge Campbell's Response to the Assault
Made Upon Him by Senator Vest.

CHICAGO, Dec. 27-Judee Hugh F. Campbell,
who appointed United States attorney for
the Territory of Dakota by President Hayes, has
addressed communication to Senator Vest, of
which the following is the substance:
"Hon. George Vest, United States Senator:
"Sir-l have this day, for the first time been
able to obtain an authentic copy of
marks made by you in the Senate chamber, per-
sonal to myself In the course of these remarks.
you took occasion to indorse, with the weight of
your official position as senator, certain charges
against me, in the following paragraph, which
quote from the Congressional Record for Dec.
10, page POI.
ga gentleman who in recent events in the State of
Louisiana distinguished himself as partisan of the
Hayes administration and who was rewarded by APP
pontment United States attorney for the Territory
of Dakota for his Jealous and not overscrupuous
carrying his revolutionary principles to the Territory
of Dakota now figures as the chairman of this COM
mittee
This short extract contains two serious mis-
statements with regard to myself, which, if
did not correct now in some proper manner,
would perhaps be considered to be admitted by
Inc to be true AS to my character, both as
Judge in Louisiana, aud as United States attor-
ney in Dakota, for honesty and uprightness,
can safely refer you to the people in both States
who have known me best, in both capacities.
whether they be Democrats or Republicans. L
was a Republican and lived in the State of
Louisiana during the presidential election of
1876. NY only official act in connection with the
election was this AS judge of the Fourth Dis
trct Court, number of witnesses
whose testimony was taken before the re-
turning board were sworn before me, and
also drafted form of affidavit in conformity
with the law, at the request of the Republicans.
In none of these particulars did do single act
which could be amepable to your charge of un-
scrupulousness did not receive my appoint
ment from Mr.. Hayes as reward for any effort
6 - lolf ~cM hA.v II,
understood that it was my brief the law of
elections in Louisiana which introduced me to
the notice of Mr.. Hayes.
THE other charge that you make is that
have carried my revolutionary principles to the
Territory of Dakota. My first lesson as to the
character and repute of revoutionists against
the United States government was taught me
the soil of your State. l was a soldier in the
Union army under Lyon, and at Wilson's Greek
received a bullet from some one of your compa-
tr:ots who were trying t. enforce revolutionary
ideas Not man in Dakota is an advocate
of revolution by force nor OF armed
resistance to the general government The
people of Dakota are fully as law abiding, peace
full and loyal to the Union the people
of Missouri, even, or of any State They are
thoroughly opposed to any scheme or plan, even
in support Of their legal rights, that would in
volve forcible resistance to the national govern
ment. They know, however. and have been
taught by high Democratic authority. by Demo
cratic Presidents, and Congress, and Supreme
Courts, and even Democratic senators, that they
have some lega! rights as citizens of the United
States; that one of these rights is the right to
form their own State government and
be admitted to the ssterhood of
States. They have been taught by the
decision of the United States Supreme Court in
the of bred Scott Us Sanford, as annouced
by that great Democratic judge Chief Justice
fancy that the Congress of the United States
has no lawful power to perpetuate a Territorial
government indefinitely, and that the people of
the Territory have constitutional right to form
a State government. and be admitted into the
Union when they have complied with certain
conditions. They have learned from Chief JUS
tice fancy that for Congress to attempt to
continue Territorial government over people
after the conditions are fulfilled would
be itself revolutionary They also know
that the opinion of Justice Mclean from which
you quote in the speech referred to as
if it were the opinion of the court, was not an
opinion of the court. but an opinion of one
Judge, not concurred in by the court Ther have
also been taught by the decisions of seven Con-
crosses, in the of the States of Michigan.
Arkansas, Iowa. Florida, Minnesota, Oregon and
California that their action in forming State
governments and electing State officers and
United States senators, has not hitherto been
deemed revolutionary by the American CO ,gress
l believe that what Iowa, Michigan and RECON
did, with the subsequent consent and approval
of Congress, it is not revolutionary for Dakota
to do. Respectfully, HUGH j. CAMPBELL"