persons were chosen to fill all the State, county, and township offices.  The governor elected in 1872 for the term of four years turned over his office to the governor chosen under the new constitution, whereupon the lieutenant-governor, also elected in 1872 for a term of four years, claiming to act as governor, and alleging that said proceedings by which the new constitution was made and a new set of officers elected were unconstitutional, illegal, and void, called upon me, as provided in section 4, Article IV, of the Constitution, to protect the State against domestic violence.  As Congress is now investigating the political affairs of Arkansas, I have declined to interfere.

The whole subject of Executive interference with the affairs of a State is repugnant to public opinion, to the feelings of those who, from their official capacity, must be used in such interposition, and to him or those who must direct.  Unless most clearly on the side of law, such interference becomes a crime; with the law to support it, it is condemned without a hearing.  I desire, therefore, that all necessity for Executive direction in local affairs may become unnecessary and obsolete.  I invite the attention, not of Congress, but of the people of the United States, to the causes and effects of these unhappy questions.  Is there not a disposition on one side to magnify wrongs and outrages, and on the other side to belittle them or justify them?  If public opinion could be directed to a correct survey of what is and to rebuking wrong and aiding the proper authorities in punishing it, a better state of feeling would be inculcated, and the sooner we would have that peace which would leave the States free indeed to regulate their own domestic affairs.  I believe on the part of our citizens of the Southern States—­the better part of them—­there is a disposition to be law abiding, and to do no violence either to individuals or to the laws existing.  But do they do right in ignoring the existence of violence and bloodshed in resistance to constituted authority?  I sympathize with their prostrate condition, and would do all in my power to relieve them, acknowledging that in some instances they have had most trying governments to live under, and very oppressive ones in the way of taxation for nominal improvements, not giving benefits equal to the hardships imposed.  But can they proclaim themselves entirely irresponsible for this condition?  They can not.  Violence has been rampant in some localities, and has either been justified or denied by those who could have prevented it.  The theory is even raised that there is to be no further interference on the part of the General Government to protect citizens within a State where the State authorities fail to give protection.  This is a great mistake.  While I remain Executive all the laws of Congress and the provisions of the Constitution, including the recent amendments added thereto, will be enforced with rigor, but with regret that they