Plymouth weekly banner. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1855-1856, 1855-06-14
PROCLAMATION,


To the people of Indiana:
Whereas. it is represented to me, and
this Department is in actual possession
of information from public and private
sources. that the outrages alluded TO in
my proclamation of May the Gath. are
again repeated, under circumstances of
deep aggravaiion. BY which still more Sc
rieuSsdamage has been done TO the Wa
bash and Erie Canal in Clay county; and
whereas. these outrages are confessedly
the result of combination OF persons
known and denominated as Black Boys
or Regulators. whose aim and object is
to visit punishment upon those who Of
fend them, either in the execution of
public duties or in the private intercourse
of citizenship: And whereas. it is mani
fest that these combinations and associ
ations are illegal, dangerous, and subver-
sive of the public peace. and the rightful
protection of person and property within
this State: And whereas it is represented
to me. by good men living in Clay, Green
and other counties south of the Birch
I Creek Reservoir, that the destruction Of
/ that necessary feeder of the Canal is to
them a great private loss. and its viola
ton great public outrage: And whereas,
/ from recent inhamatOry letters received
/ from unknown persons. at this Depart
meni, and elsewhere, there is manifest
intention to irtimidate and arrest the
course Of public justice BY the debasing
agency of midnight assaults and the fire.
! brand of the incendiary-for remedy
whereof it is declared
! That the Wabash and Erie Canal in
Clay county, is now under the immediate
/ charge of the State authorities, for the
purpose OF being repaired by the trustees
aforesaid, the officers and agents Of the
Trustees having been warned off at the
peril of thei lives. and by an armed band
of men. concealed by masks and other
DISCUSSES. This protection is due to it,
and to them. not only because they are
in the discharge of legal duty in sup
plying the Canal with water. by means
OF the said reservoir. but because every
interest suffers BY its destruction. Hun
dreds Of thousands of dollars are now in
vested in boats. produce. and labor on the
/ Canal, which is all liable to be turned
worth less on the hands OF the owners by
the criminal and misguided conduct of
! the persons engaged a and near the res
orvoir. To enumerate these outrageS,
and recall the forbearance manifested
under such state Of lawlessness, the
! Executive calls them up in the order III
which they have occurred, viz:
l. Destruction Of Birch Creek Resor.
voir. June 22d, 1854;
/. Attempt 10 destroy waste .way of
same. Jsty 9Th iso4;-
3. Attempt 10 burn Eel River Dam,
August. $50;
4. Destruction of Birch Creek Resor-
voir May 10th. 1885;
3. Warning Of men sent to repair the
same. May 3lst. 1855;
6. Partial destruction of equeduc,
over Birch Creek. May 3lst, 1885:
6. Mobbing. lynching and tearing down
the house of citizen, May Oath. 1850.
s. Burning of shanties. destruction oil
property. and turning the inmates out OF
doors. near the Reservoir, June I'd. 1879
This catalogue Of ouirages is sufficient
ded and energetic measures of correction
For the character Of eur State. our PEG
pie, our institutions, and the peace and
prosperity Of society, sincerely hope
that these things will not be re-enac,ed
The laws must be eniorced-our happy
institutions must be preserved-publiC
property must be protected. and the pri
vate citizen secured in all his rights. II
injuries are inflicted-if the rights oil
the citizen are impaired or taken away
BY these or similar works, the courts o
the country are at hand 10 apply the rem
edy. | cannot doubt but that that por
ton of our citizens who are now led away
by passion anu strange decisions. and art
ready to strike dow the law and its min
listers, come to reflect upon their conduc
and the consequences that must ensue
they will cease to disturb the peace anC
harmony of he whole country.
The work recently destroyed is now be
, ing repaired under the protection Of I
force ordered by this Department; and |
therefore. call upon all good citizens oil
Clay county and elsewhere. and all off
GERS holding any relation TO the Govern
ment to aid in securing the public peace
the security of the public property
, and in bringing to punishment the per
( sons who have so recently set at defiance
the authority os the Law. and the RICH
of the citizen. This Department vested
by The constitution with the power Il
+ see that the laws are executed, to sup
press insurrection, is firmly resolved L
bring the whole military force of thu
State, if necessary TO put down thes'
lawless proceedings. and to secure Ath'
quiet reign Of the laws. II is far bette
, that millions should be expended, anC
even lives sacrificed, than that lawles
band of men or private individual SHOULD
I usurp the authority of law. and rule
| day or an hour in madness in our happ,
: State.
In testimony whereof. have hereunt'
set my hand. and caused to b.
e LIS affixed the seal of the State, q
! ~ the city of Indianapolis. thi
$ seventh day Of June. A. d. 1855.
, BY the Governor.
( JOSEPH A. WRIGHT.
I ERASMUS B. COLLINS. Sec'y of State.
: EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT. INDIANA.