Jasper Republican, Volume 1, Number 22, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 12 February 1875 — The Arkansas Investigation. [ARTICLE]

The Arkansas Investigation.

Washikotok, Feb. 6. MAJORITY REPORT. The Select Committee -®n Arkansas Affairs conclude their report as follows: The new Constitution we regard as republican in form, and in many respects an improvement upon that of 1868. The committee are satisfied that toe convention to frame toe Constitution and toe Constitution itself were voted for, and are satisfactory to toe majority of the voters and people of the State. The State officers were certainly elected by a majority of the votes cast, and we think by a manof the votes in toe State. The condition } State has been as peaceful since toe new Government was inaugurated as it has ever been. The mass of people on both sides are inclined to peace ana good government, and to allow all toe enjoyment of their legal rights. But there so a class of men, toe oatgrowth of former society, who delight in disturbing and depriving the colored people of their rights. These are yonng men who cannot be restrained. This class of men, together with toe general custom of carrying deadly weapons—another legacy of barbarism—are toe real causes of violence and bloodshed. The changes caused by the war, giving freedom and political equality to toe colored people, are not well relished by the Southern people. But most of torn* would do nothing to disturb them. But the class to which we have alluded feel that they may invade toe right# of colored men, especially in any political quarrel, and that their offenses willbe winked at. We are satisfied that the true prosperity of the Southern States depends more upon just and stern dealing by them with this lawless class of men than any other cause. Arkansas probably presents no different condition from that of other cotton States where political control has passed into toe hands of toe class who ruled before the war.

The people of every State have the right to make their own Constitution to suit themselves, provided it be republican in form and in harmony with the Constitution of the United States, and the National Government has no authority to deprive them of that right The electionheld for the ratification of the Constitution was under form of law, and the officers who conducted it acted under appoint ment and under official oaths; and, although we regard all as defective, however, being prescribed by the conyention instead of the Legislature, still we believe they are’entitled to be regarded differently from mere voluntary meetings held under no pretense of legs! authority. The committee do not recommend any action by Congress or by any department of the General Government In regard to thfe State Government in Arkansas. This report is signed bv Messrs. Poland, Scudder Sayier and Sloss.

MINORITY REPORT. * ' W* The other member of the Committee— Ward, of Illinoia-proeent* hi a view* in opposition to the report. M his report hMWSW: arrest its Judges, elose it* conns, intimidate its people through violence anfi murder, provide Its own wry for holding and Its own officers to boTd elections, and its own officers to declare toe result, and toe fruit of such defiance to law Is bidding upon toe people of such State and upon Congress, then the present pretended Government of Arkansas is legitimate, and must be recognised as such, but hot otherwise. Those who will read the evidence must be satisfied that there was a reign of terror throughout Arkansas during toe period in which toe so-called Garland Government was being formed and set in motion, entirely inconsistent with -a fall and fair expression of toe wfll of toe people on that subject. The report concludes** followst If these proceedings in Arkansas go unrebuked, ana are allowed to «taud as a precedent to American history, teen Constitutions may be overthrown ana toe right of minorities trampled upon by parties for any purpose in times of excitement, and there is no remedy. It is revolution legalised and secession made easy. This formula wfll apply as well to the National as to toe State Government. The fearful consequences to fiow.from such a principle incorporated into onr law I need not predict or speculate upon. There can be no stability in the State or in the nation on any such basis; no protection or security for minorities or protection to liberty. In this case every form of constitutional and statute laws was violated. The American people cannot indorse the result V-Y? Mr. Ward then propose! the following resolution: ,-jr V Resolved. That James Broom, having been by the people of Arkansas elected to the office of Governor of said State, nnder the Constitution of 1868, for the period of four yean ending in January, 1877, ana said Constftnrion never having been legally overturned or abrogated and being still in Force, is the lawful Governor of said State of Arkansas.