presentation as one of
the States of the Union) provides in effect that before any amendments
proposed to this constitution shall become a part thereof they shall be
passed by two successive assemblies and then submitted to and ratified
by a majority of the electors of the State voting thereon. On the 11th
of May, 1874, the governor convened an extra session of the general
assembly of the State, which on the 18th of the same month passed an act
providing for a convention to frame a new constitution. Pursuant to this
act, and at an election held on the 30th of June, 1874, the convention
was approved, and delegates were chosen thereto, who assembled on the
14th of last July and framed a new constitution, the schedule of which
provided for the election of an entire new set of State officers in a
manner contrary to the then existing election laws of the State. On
the 13th of October, 1874, this constitution, as therein provided, was
submitted to the people for their approval or rejection, and according
to the election returns was approved by a large majority of those
qualified to vote thereon; and at the same election 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 di