Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1868-10-10
IMPORTANT ORDERS FROM GEN.
MEADE.

Pfocla m atien by Gov. Bullock, Of Georg in.
General Meade has issued the following Gen
erai Order No. "a, which distrI bu tes the forces
under his command to the points which ne
deems necessary to enforce the laws and pre-
serve order. The order says:
Whereas by an act of Congress of the United
States, approved March I'd, 1865, it is made the
duty Of the military authorities to preserve the
peace Of the polls, at any election that may be
held in any STATE; and whereas this duty has
become more imperative from existing politi-
cal excitement in the public mind from the re-
cent organi ization of civil government, and
from the fact that Congress has prohibited the
several States of this department. 1t is, there.
fore, ordered
Here follows the distribution of troops and
instructions to district commanders. Distric:
commanders will instruct post commanders in
their duties and the relative position of the
military and civil authority, and will impress
on post commanders that they are 10 act in aid
of the civil authorities, and In subordination TO
them; and they are to exercise discretion and
Judgment. unbiased by political or other pre-
JUDGE; that their object should be exclusively
TO preserve peace, uphold law and order, and
must be satisfied such is the object of the civil
ofhcer calling on them for aid; and must In all
cases, where time permits. apply Tor instruc-
tons to superior authority, but they must, at all
hazards, preserve the peace, and must not be
restrained by technical points when in their
conscious judgment, under the rules above set
forth, it is their duty to act.
Post commanders, on being notified OF the
proposed holding of political meetings, may
send an officer, and il necessary, detachment
to watch the proceedings, and see that peace is
preserved.
To the people Of the several States compris-
ing the department, the Major General COM
mandIng appeals that they will Cooperate
with him and the civil authorities in sustain
ing law and order, in preserving peace, an d
avoiding those scenes Of riot and bloodshed,
and wanton destruction Of property aud life,
which already in some instance have been
enacted in the department. He urges abstinence
lQflammatOry Is
to the passions, and discountenances keeping
open liquor shops on the days Of political
meetings and on election days, and abstaining
from carrying arms, and asserting individ ual
right OF constituting the laws by force Of arms.
No just cause is ever advanced by a resort to
violence. Let there be charity and foreoear.
may be the result Let each good citizen
determine that all who, under the
law, have the right to the ballot shall eXerci Sc
IT undisturbed If there are disputed points of
law, let them he referred to the courts, and let
R0t mobs or political clubs, or other irrespou.
sfUie bodies, construe and undertake to exec u tie
the law This appeal is made in the earnest
hope that the Major General can rely on the
good sense and correct Judgment OF the mass of
the people, and then he will not be compelled
to resort to the exercise of power with which
he is entrusted, and which ne will most reIuc.
tantly employ. But he thinks IL his duty to
make known, that SO far as the power under
his command will admit, he will not allow the
peace TO be broken; and that he will not be re-
duty by technIcalities of law, made when the
present anomalous condition Of affairs were
neither anticipated nor provided for.
Inc Governor also issues the folio wins proc.
lamation:
Whereas, notwithstanding the Executive
proclamation of Septembe II, 1865 many law.
less acts have occurred In violation thereof,
whereby the lives and property of citizens
have been destroyed, the right OF free speech
impaired, the performance Of duties to which
citizens have been elected denied, the lives of
citizens % threatened as to cause them to aban.
don their homes and property; and whereas
the protection Of life and property Is the para
mount duty of the Government, and should De
impartia and complete; and w hereas the sheriff
OF each county is by law charged with the
preservation OF life and property and peace in
each county:
Now, therefore, 1, Rufus J. Bullock, Gov.
ernor and commander-in-c chief of the army an d
navy Of the Site Of Georgia and OF the militia
thereof, do hereby issue this my reclamation,
charging and commanding said sherlffs, and
each and every civil officer in every county of
this State, to see to II that the laws and prop
erty OF all citizens and the peace Of the com.
munity be preserved, and that all persons are
prOtectS in the free exercise of their civil and
political rights and privileges; and charge upon
every person resident in this State that thew
render prompt and willing obedie nee to the
sheriffs and other civil officers, under all cir.
cumstance3 whatever, and that they demand
from the said officers protection when threat.
ened or disturbed in person or property, or de-
MED political or civil rights, and that failing
to receive such protection, they port the facts
10 this department.