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.
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