Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1868-09-18


speolai 10 the Nashville Bannerl
KsoxviLLn. September IL. 1858.
The following proclamation was issue
by the Governor this morning:
PROCLAMATION ny THE GOVERNOR.
wnrsKAs, For several months past al
organization Of considerable extent hal
existed ia this State sometimes called the
Ku Klux Khan, and at others by similar
unusual and significant names, which or
ganization is y conspiracy in secret and
acting in the darkness OF midnight
against the peace and welfare OF the
State, by whipping, hanging and shooting
defenseless aud inoffensive loyal citizens
and whereas, as the result Of this lawless
violence hundreds Of colored men have
been driven from their homes, their fami-
| lies and crops, TO take refuge in cities and
camps from this prevailing terrorism |;
and, whereas, in several counties in Mid.
die aud West Tennessee, loyal citizens,
white and colored, have been compelled
10 leave their respective counties, while
| of those who remain many are driven to
| the necessity OF hiding out in the woods
and out-houses to escape apprehended
outrage and cruelty; and, whereas, this
violence, backed up constantly and
vigorously by infamous, incendiary
speeches from former civil and mill
tary officers IN the late Rebel Govern
meni, also by frequent inaammatory
and insurrectionary newspaper arti-
cles, is largely on the increase; and,
whereas, TO meet this emergency, l re-
Gently convened the General Assembly
in extraordinary session. aud the mem.
bers thereof have, after careful survey
of all the facts in the case, and upon
good and reliable authority, with some.
thing of unsnimity, enacted law,
whereof the subjoined is . copy, and to
which respectfully call the attention Of
all the citizens of Tennessee, both those
peaceably inclined and those who are
turbulent
Here follows the militia law, published
by US on the 18th, which authorizes the
Governor to declare martial law, etc.;
Now, therefore, !, William G. Brown
low, Governor Of Tennessee, in pursu-
ance of the provisions of the foregoing
act, do call upon the good, loyal and pa
triotic people, white and colored, of every
county in the State, to proceed without
delay and raise companies of loyal and
able-bodied men, and report the same to
me at Nashville. Whether any of the |
companies, white or colored, so organized,
will be actually called into the field, will |
depend entirely upon the conduct Of the |
people themselves in the several counties.
l earnestly hope that there will be no |
occasion to call out these troops, but that
the efforts OF all the citizens to preserve
snd maintain the peace will succeed,
and thus obviate the necessity of this
stern resort; but if, unhappily, better
couusels do not prevail and order is not
restored, and am compelled to put down
armed msrauders by force, I propose to
meet them with such numbers and in
such manner as the exigency shall de-
mand, whatever may be the conse-
auences. will not DO deferred from the
discharge of my duty herein by threats
of violence from rebel speakers or rebel
nor by any other means Of
When companies are made up and
reported to me, and / am compelled by
outrageous exhibitions of criminal law
lessness as before Feelted to put them in
the field, / will have competent officer
to inspect and muster them in. The pay
Of officers and men therefore will not
commence until they are mustered into
service; and here sgain ! take occasion
10 repeat the hope that may not find it
necessary to put into the field e single
company, and ] earnestly invoke the
90 operation of all citizens of the State
in the endeavor to maintain the laws,
and preserve order without military
force. Claiming the right to select
and commission the officers of the
State militia, ! viii Gag once Tor all to
gentlemen who undertake to make up
that if their commands are
received by me, and they themselves are
commissioned, must have satisfactory
evidence that they are prgda1t, thor
oughly loyal and competent. The com
panies proposed to be raised shall be
infantry, and shall consist of NOT less
han eighty nor more than one hundred
Effective laen in each company, Those
desiring to form companies can proceed
It once to do SO under the warrant of
his proclamation, without other or
'urther correspondence with me on the
Iuu S;ce.
Aware that pretext will be eagerly
ought by the rebels, who are bitterly
hostile 10 the slsyation of the colored
nan, to precipitate war of races, and
desiring to avoid all occasion for such a
,retext, and not at all as doubling the
courage or soldierly abilities of the
,olored man, / shall first call into the
ield, if found necessary, only white
roops, holding the colored companies,
where organized, as a reserve corps, to
,e called out, if it shall be found neces-
AIRY, to suppress instruction. If the
wo shall be found unequal to the work,
will call on the United States Govern
nent to assist, until armed resistance
against the State authorities shall be
'ntirely overthrown.
Should the Department Commander
,e furnished with sufficient force to keep
rider, will cheerfully cooperate with
lin, and 10 tbet event the State Guards
nay not be called into service.
Isgaiu express the hope most sincerely
hat neither the United States troops nor
he State Guards NAV be called into