The Greenville times. [volume] (Greenville, Miss.) 1868-1917, 1900-02-03
MISSISSIPPI MATTERS.
NOTES OF PAST AND CURRENT EVENTS
BY L. POWER.
ARREST AND RESIGNATION
OF GOV. 'OHN A. QUITMI
BY J. L. POWER.


An InteroA,lng Explode In Mississippi
HisAory
For space of thirty years Gen. John
Quitman was conspicuous and
in the public affairs OF Mis-
iissippi. He was native OF Rhinebeck,
n. Y, where he was born September l,
1899. He was educated for the minis
try, his father being an immigrant
from Prussia and a minister OF the
Lutheran Church. The
family removed to Ohio, and from there
young Quitman removed to Natchez in
1922. Though educated for the minis
try he concluded to study law, and en-
tered upon it's practice in his goth year.
He represented Adams County in the
in 1897, was State Chancel-
lor in 1928, President of the Senate in
1885, and acted as Governor for short
time; Judge of High Court Of Errors
and Appeals in 1889; member OF Con-
gress, 1s55-1S5s. He was Grand Master
Of Masons fifteen years; Major-Gen-
eral in the war with Mexico, the hero
of Chapultepec," and Military Governor
OF the City of Mexico. He was elected
Governor of Mississippi in November,
lS49, and rendered his resignation as
such on February 8, 1851. He had be-
come an active sympathizer with the
Lopez Expedition for the liberation OF
Cuba. In the Spring of 1850, General
Lopez and General Quitman had pro-
tracted private conference in jackson.
President Fillmore issued two procla-
denouncing the proposed in
vasion. The Grand Jury of the United
States Circuit Court in New Orleans
found bill against John A. Quitman,
John Henderson and others for setting
On foot the invasion, and Governor
Quitman having received an intimation
that this proceeding might be followed
by his arrest, entered into correspond
ence with distinguished friends in other
southern States, soliciting their advice,
but advising them that he would act
upon his own responsibility. Many of
these friends advised him not to resign,
some openly rejoiced in the probability
of his arrest, and thus precipitate col
lision between the Federal and State
authorities, which would in it's sequel
involve the other Southern States. The
following address will explain the
course that he took in this emergency.
We have had made requests for this
important State document, which we
find in the second volume of Claiborne's
Life of Quitman
ITO the People Of Mississippi
"In November, 1849, l was elected, by
your free suffrages, Governor Of this State
My term Of office commenced with my in
auguration on the 10th Of January, 1850.
By the provisions of the Constitution, it
will expire on the 10th Of January, 1852.
In the middle of my term of office, and in
the active discharge of its duties, am to-
day arrested by the United States Marshal
of the Southern District Of Mississippi by
virtue of process originating out of charges
exhibited against me in the District Court
of the United States for the Eastern Dis
trict of Louisiana, for an alleged violation
of the neutrality law of 1918, by beginning,
setting on foot, and furnishing the means
for military expedition against the Island
of Cuba.
Under these charges, the Marshal is di-
rected to arrest me and remove my person
to the City of New Orleans, there to be
tried for these alleged offenses.
Unconscious of having, in any respect,
violated the laws of the country, ready at
all times to meet any charge that might be
exhibited against me, l have only been
anxious, in this extraordinary emergency,
to follow the path of duty. AS a citizen,
it was plain and clear must yield to the
law, however oppressive or unjust in my
case, but as Chief Magistrate of a sovereign
State, had also in charge her dignity, her
honor and her sovereignty, which could
not permit to be violated in my person.
Resistance by the organized force of the
State while the Federal administration is
in the hands of men who appear to seek
some occasion to test the strength Of that
government, would result in violent con-
tests, much to be dreaded in the present
critical condition Of the country.
"The whole South patient as she is under
encroachment, might look with some jeal-
ousy upon the employment of military
force to remove Southern Governor from
the jurisdiction of his State, when it had
been withheld from her citizens seeking to
reclaim a fugitive slave in Massachusetts,
On the other hand, the arrest and forcible
removal from the State Of her Chief Exec
utive Magistrate, for an indefinite period
of time, would not only be degradation
Of her sovereignty, but must occasion meal
culable injury and disaster to the interests
of the State, by the entire suspension of
the executive functions of her government.
The Constitution has not contemplated
such an event as the forcible abduction of
the Governor 1t has not provided for the
performance of his duties by another Off
GER, except in the case of vacancy. Such
vacancy can not happen while there is
Governor, though he be a prisoner to a
foreign power. Although he may be abb
sent, and incapable of performing his du-
ties, he is still Governor, and no other per-
son can execute his office
1T follows, therefore, that in such case
the State would practically suffer some of
the evils of anarchy, The pardoning power
would be lost Officers could not be COM
missioned or qualified the great seal of
the State could not be used vacancies in
offices could not be filed fugitives from
Justice could not be reclaimed or surren-
dered the public works, the operations of
the penitentiary, and all repairs of public
buildings must stop for want of legal requi-
sitions to defray the expenses thereof. The
sale of State lands and the location Of re-
cent grants must be suspended.
1.-The convention of the people, called at
the last session of the Legislature, could
not assemble for want of writs Of election.
In case of the death or resignation Of the
administrative officers of the State govern