Year: 1875

THE LETTER OF THE ATTORNEY GENERAL TO
GOVERNOR AMEs-PREsIDENT GRANTS APPRE-
CITATION OF PUBLIC SENTIMENT SOUND CON-
sTTrUTIoNAL DOCTRINES APPLIED AT A LATE
DAY.


WASHINGTON Sept 16 1875.
Senator Bruce of Mississippi and of his associaes
called upon the Attorney General day and stated that
they had teegraphed Governor Ames that they
satisfied with what tho Attorney General had done in
regard to the applications from Governor Ames for the
interference of the general government in the affairs of
their State. They again requested the publication OF
the Attorney Generals letter to Governor Ames and
assured that its publication dependent upon
tho views Of the President thereon Judge Perrepont
had already toegraphed TO the President for his drec
tions and at telegram received from the
President conscnting to its publication The following
is the letter referred to:-


DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE.


WASHINGTON, d. c., Sept IA, 1875.
To Governor ANEs, jackson, Miss.


This hour have had dispatches from the President,
/ can best convey you his ideas by an extract from
his despatch:-


The whole public tired with these autumnal
condemn any interference the part q the govern
ment heartily wish that and good order be
the proclamation must be issued and is shall instruct
play. If there is necessity for military inter,
there . Justice in such % IS 'S @
despatch (or better, private messenger 20 Governor





haustng his resources in restoring order before he
ceves government aid. He might accept the assistance
Governor Ames and his advisers can be made perfectly
necessary may be sent to jackson II he betrayed by
those who offer assistance he will be in position defeat
their ends and punish them.


You by this the mind Of the President, with
which and every member of the Cabinet who has been
consulted are in full accord. You the dIiculties
you the responsibilities which you assume. We
cannot understand why do not strengthen yourself
in the way the President suggests nor do we see why
you do not call the Legislature together and obtain
from them whatever powers, money and arms you need
The constitution is explicit that the Executive of the
State call upon the President for aid In suppressing
domestic violencen only "whcn the Legislature
not be convened and the law expressly says:-"In
Of an instruction in any State against the govern
application of the Legislature OF such State,
of the Executive when the Legisa-
ture cannot be convened, to call" &c.
II is the plain meaning OF the constitution and laws
when taken together that the Executive of the State
may call upon the President for military aid TO quel
domestic violence" only IN or insurrecon in
any State against the government thereof when the
Legislature cannot be called together. You make no
suggestion that there any insurrection against
the government of the State. that the Legislature
would not support you In any measures you might pro-
pose TO preserve the public order suggest that you
take all lawful and all needed measures TO pre-
the peace by the forces in your State and
let the country that the citizens of Mississippi who
largely favorable to good order and who
largely republican have the courage and the
manhood TO fight for their rights and to
destroy the bloody ruflans who murder the
innocent and inonending freedmen. Everything is
in readiness. BE careful and bring yourself strictly
within the constitution and ne laws, and if there is
such resistance TO your State authorities you cannot
by all the means at your command SUPPRESS the Presi
dent will swiftly aid you in crushing these lawless
traitors TO human rights


Telegraph me on receipt Of this and state explicitly
what you need. Very respectfully yours


EDWARDS PIERREP0NT,


Attorney General