Year: 1877

that neither constitutional provision
nor acts Of Congress were framed with
any such design, both obviously treat.
ed the case Of domestic violence
within Il State, as OF an outbreak against
the law and authority Of the established
government, which the State was unable
to suppress by its own strength. A case
wherein every department Of the State
government has disputed representa-.
tion, and the State therefore furnishes to
the Federal Government no internal po.
litical recognition Of authority on which
TO rely, will present case Of so much
difficulty that II is Of pressing impor.
tanCe 10 all interests in Louisiana that II
should bO avoided. A single Legis.
lature would greatly relieve this
trouble, for that department Of the
government Is named by the Con,
sutution rs necessary applicant
when it can be convened for military
Intervention by the United States. Ii,
therefore, the disputing interests can
concur or be reduced to single Legisla.
ture for the State Of Louisiana, it would
be great step toward composing this
unhappy strife. The President leaves
entirely 10 the commission the concilia.
tory influences which in their judgment
formed on the spot may seem to them to
conduce to the proposed end. His own
determination that only public consider.
atoms should inspire and attend this
effort to give ascendency in Louisiana to
things that belong to peace is evinced
by his selection Of commissioners who
offer to the people OF the country in their
own character every guarantee Of public
motives and methods Of the transaction
which they have undertaken in your re-
port Of the result OF this endeavor will
satisfy the President that he does moi
doubt the wisdom Of his selection and
planary trust in the commission.


A second and less important subject OF
attention during the visit to New Orleans
will be the collection Of accurate and
Trustworthy information from public off
GERS and prominent citizens OF all politi
cal connections as to the state OF public
feeling and the opinion Of the community
at large on the general questions which
effect the peaceful and safe exerclseI il
the State Of Louisiana Of all lega
and political privileges conferred
by the Constitution OF the United States
on all citizens, the maintenance and pro-
lection Of these rights and privileges, by
all constitutional means and by every
just, moral and social influence are q
settled purpose OF the President in his
Administration OF the Government. He
will hope to learn from your investiga
tionp, that this purpose be aided and not
resisted by substantial and effective
public opinion of the great body
OF the people Of Louisiana. The Presi
dent does not wish to impose any limit
upon your stay-that would be to defeat
the objects OF your visit. He is, how
ever, desirous to find it in his power a
the earliest day compatible with safe
exercise of that authority TO put an enc
to every appearance of military inter
vention in the domestic affairs Of Louisi.
ana, and he awaits your return with ,
confident hope that your report will en-
able him promptly to execute purpose
he has SO much at heart. The President
desires me to add that the publication
Of the results Of your visit he shall hope
to make immediate after their communi
cation to him.


/ have the honor to be, with great re
spect, your obedient servant,


[Signedl WM. NJ. EvARTs.