Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1867-06-13
a BFsPOTIC ORDER.

From the National Inteuigencer
It is difficult to restrain within the
limits Of rational discussion cur inGigna-
ton at the extraordinary order Of Gen.
Scofeld, which puts the whole civil sys-
ten Of YirginiG-the courts, the police,
the sberifs, the ~Constahles, In 8 word, all
the officials Of the state-Under the su-
peryision, not simply of Gen. Scoheld,
but OF his petty subalterns. A more des-
potic act we can hardly conceive OF. If
the executive proposes to retain the re
spect Of those who believe in liberty
regulated by law he cannot much
longer refrain from instructlDg his suoOr-
dinates as to the limits of their author
ity. Gen. Scoheld may be a man Of the
unrest intentions, and We certainly have
no disposition TO assail him but this or
Ger is unealled for and iniquitogs, and
embodies the very guintessence OF des-
potjsm. We cannot, however, enter now
into a discussion Of its bearings and an
exposure OF its offensive provisions.
Want of space conpels Us to defer that
to a future day.
FIRST MILITARY D~isTRICT,)
TAI OF Vu5GINIA,
RIcHMoND, Va, May q, 1862.
For the purpose Of giving adequate
protection to all persons in their rights Of
person and property in cases where the
civil authorities may fail, from whatever
cause, TO give such protection, and to in
sure the prompt suppression Of ins0rrec-
tiou. disorder and violence, military
commissioners, To be selected from the
officers of the army and Of the freed
mems bureau, will be appointed and
given Jurisdiction over subdistricts, to be
defined IN the orders appointing them,
with sufficient military force to execute
or secure the execution Of their orders.
For the purpose Of suppressing insur-
rectiOn. disorder or violence, the military
commissioners are given command Of the
police of cities and the power Of counties,
ia addition to the troops that may be
placed at their disposal and all police
officers, sheriffs, constables and other
persons are required 10 such cases to obey
and execute the orders of the military
commissioners.
For the purpose Of protecting individu-
ais in their rights OF person and property
and Of bringing offenders to justice, the
military commissioners are clothed with
all the powers of justices Of a county, OF
notice magistrates Of q city, and viii be
governed in the discharge Of their duties
by the laws Of Virgins, so far as the
same are not in conflict with the laws Of
the United States or orders issued from
these headquarters.
The military commissioners will make
a prompt report TO these headquarters of
each case of which they may take juris-
diction, and the disposition made of such
ease. Where parties are held for trial,
either in confinement or under bail, such
fan statement viii be made Of the facts
ia each case as Will enable the Command
ing general to decide whether the case
shall be tried By q military commission
or be brought before q civil court.
Trial by the civil courts will be pre-
ferred in all cases where there is satisfac-
tory reason to believe that Justice viii be
done. But until The orders Of the com
manding general are made known ia any
case, the paramount jurisdiction assumed
by the military eemnsssioners viii be
exclusive.
All persons, civil officers and others,
are required to obey and execute the law
full orders Of the military commissioners
10 the same extent as they are required
by law to obey and execute writs issued
by civil magistrates. Any person who
shall disobey on resist the lawful orders
or authority OF a military commissioner
shall be tried by 2 military commission,
and upon conviction shall be punished
By fine and imprisonment, according to
the nature and degree Of the offense.
This order viii not be construed to <
civil officers in any degree from the
discharge Of their duties. II is
60 aid all the civil authorities,
and net to supersede them, except in
cases Of necessity.
By command of brigadier and brevet
sIai.-Gen. Seo6eld, United States army.
IS. y. CHAAFIN,
ASSISTANT AdsutEnt GsEerRl,