The Daily clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1866-1888, 1868-06-22
A I'D I'D R e y q
Democratic Executive Com ittee
TO THE


FREEDMEN OF NIlSSISSHPPH.
II is now publicly admitted and known to
,on all that the secret political combination
ssoIIed the Loyal League is the org ,nization
oftbe Republican party in this State, that the
Pev. James Lynch, a colored man from
PbiIadelphia-who admits that he receives
c550O a wear from the Methodist Church
North, has been, and now is leading agent
Of said party in the formation of said
Leagues. That the said Lynch, under the
patronage of said church ,and the pretence of
divine service, and forming religious socie-
ties and holding nightly prayer-meetlngs,
has assembled the freedmen in all portions
of the State, and by falsely representing to
them that the white men of Mississippi were
their enemies and intended to reduce them
again to slavery, and to deprive them of all
the rights of freemen, has induced great
3 numbers of the freedmen to become mem
hers of said Loyal League-hOstile in their
feelings and conduct to the white race, and
to arm and combine against them.
That the said Lynch has inaugurated said
League as an oath-bound, secret religious
society. that the freedmen and freeman who
enter the same are solemnly sworn under
severe pains and penalties, extending to
prvation of liberty and property, that they
will keep the secrets of said League-that
they will vote for none but the candidates
of the Leauge or the Republican party for
Offce-that they Will support no public men
or measures but such as are recommended
and adopted by the League-that they will
maintain and support none but members of
the League in all the dealings, associations
and duties i'll public and private life, and
that they will combine and exert the full
power of the League with arms, if necessary
to accomplishe their object. These facts
and many more to the same effect are sus-
ceptible of legal proof.
The candidates of the Republican party
are known to be members of the League.
and in full accord and conspiracy with the
said Lynch, who is put forth as cats-paw
because of his clerical character and negro
blood.
The result of this combination has been
and will continue to be to put PERSONAL
political and social enmity and animosity
between the black and white races-and if
persevered in, will render the liberty you
now enjoy, curse instead of a blessing
cut YOU off from the support of the employ
ers of labor throughout the State, and rem
der you liable with all the members of the
League, to prosecution for high crime
against the laws of the State, and to punish
ment by fine and imprisonment In the Pen
itentiary, and loss of suffrage forever.
Before you obtained yonr freedom,and the
right to vote such combinations between
white men were declared unlawful, and
those laws now apply to your race The
Revised Code of 1857 declares that
Whoever shall procure, or endeavor to
procure to vote of any elector, or the lnt1u-
ence of any person over other electors, at
any election, for himself or any candidate,
by means of violence, or threats of violence,
or threat of withdrawing cusVom or dealing
in business or trade. or OF enforcing the
payment of a debt, or of bringing suit or
criminal prosecution, or by any other threat
or injury to be inflicted by him, or by his
means, shall upon conviction, be forever
disqualified to hold any office or place of
trust. honor or profit, under the laws or con-
stitution of this State excluded from SUI
frage and be punished by imprisonment In
the Penitentiary for term not exceeding
two wears, or in a county Jail, not more than
one year, or by fine not exceeding one thou
sand dollars or by both such fine and I'M
prisonment."-Rev Code, $40, Art 80.
IF any one shall, by illegal force, or
threats of force prevent or endeavor TO pre-
vent any elector from giving MS VoCe' ne
shall. upon conviction be punished by I'M
nrisonment in the Penitentiary for term
not exceeding two years, or IN county Jal
NOT exceeding one year, or by fine not ex-
eeeding five hundred dollars, or Dy Doth
such fine aud imprisonment" "--heVlsed
Code, 587, Art SO.
IGNORANT persons to take an oath to vote for
particular measures or men at an electlons
with threats of violence or with denial Oh
custom or any other injury II the person
shall see fit to vote contrary TO MS oath' Is
is unlawful -, &c Az
oo+hs Won are required to take, and the IN
structions you receive, as members OF the
Taaoue and agree to obey, is TO procure your
votes. and the votes of all freedmen III Ine
State for the Republican candidates1'naU
Won are not at liberty to vote as you Please,
either as to men or measures, and are nelu
nd
opd nersonal Injuries and persecution, from
T,annhars of the League, if you do not vote
occordino TO the orders of the League your
Master. James Lynch, in his late ADDRESS 10
Won. commands you to $ go to work aue NUM- util
nm votes.r He orders you TO VoIe Iol Cno
tba RannhIican party to hold office; These
ore the official commands of the League TO
90, Won dare not disobey.-Iour Judg
IInant and vour will are both enslaved,-1ou
are not freemen to vote,-fou nave un1r
fnlly bargained your vote away LOT gne or p,o
lection of the League, az. ac'O =
of its punishments-
Won cannot fail to perceive that these ar
+icles Of the Code of 1857, prohibit and rem
der criminal the very acts when Inelupeis lti
Of tba I,ovai League are required, Dy eheh
oaths. agreements and obligations TO coih-
nit. aofnod tn he
4hoaa that do BIND themselves, by oath'
o1anant agreement, or other alllance, 10
do an mnlawfaI act, or a la,cfal act' Tor un- n
law and such as rstda fsesmender men @
saIarv or pay-to maintain their naleao"' ono
snteTnrizes s%tasy :-Tomliaus Law, Die. !, Sg1a
ChittF's Chit G. Law, /, 1l3s-lst Russ On Crime
277, and 2sl. = Low
.,h;,ation is conspiracy In ia"'
49,. the act to be done has necessary
3,.s 20 ,,ye;tdice the public or oPpress t'-
5fnds@Sy sga@s by " nDsy suheetng them to ss nf
n"rSer of the confederates, and giving eeeoe 20
70 the purposes Of the latter whsfnsr Or Of m ns
tortion or mischief OF la any .tnn,s ari American
GGrsi CTsi0ai sha.a0,s ha~ page section gs92
ena The Combinations of the Loyal ieagusi gand
ome clearly within these dstol6oos anm@on Ia anu
prohibitions Of the statute nh1;e a1d and oppress
D1tdus f.; Tasy PBqnSiSdS Ss nDidns ses fear + 9Ps
restraintMSy ea eorrnptng the minds 81 tbem sns
electors and voters, ana ,:Sa.as sMsaa or meas