The New Orleans crescent. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1866-1869, 1868-10-10
FROM ATLANTA.
order by Gen. Meade DIsposition of HIS
Force.

order by Gen. Meade DIsposItion of his
Force.
ATLANTA, Oct. 9.-Gen. Meade has issued the
following general order No. u, which distributes
deems necessary 10 enforce the laws and preserve
order. The order says:
"WHEHEAs. By act of Congress OF the q nited
States approved March I'd. 1865, II is made the
duty of the military Authorities 20 preserve the
esce at the polls at any election that may be held
in any State; and
WHEREAs, This duty has become more i'm.
perstIve from the existing political excitement in
the public mind. from the recent organization of
civil government and from the fact that Congress
has by recen, statute prohibited the organic ition
Of military forces in the several States OF this de-
partmeDt; il is therefore ordered ~
Bere follows the distribution of troops and in
structions to district commanders.
District commanders will instruct post COM
snders in their duties and the relative positions
of the civil and military powers, and will impress
upon post commanders that they are to act In aid,
cooperation and subordnaton TO the civil author
tiles; that they are to exercise discretion and
Judgment unbiased by political or other preju-
dices; that their object should be exclusively to
preserve peace and uphold law and order, md
nust be satisfied that such is the object OF the
civil officers in calling on them for aid, and must
In all cases, where time will permit apply for To-
structions TO superior authority but they must at
all hazards preserve the peace and not be re-
strained by technical points when, in their con-
scieDuOus judgment, under tne rules ABOVE set
forth, IL is their duty to act.
Post commanders, on being notified Of proposed
ho ding of political me- etings. may send sn officer,
and. II necessary, q detachment, TO watch pro-
ceediDgs aud see that peace Is preserved.
To the people of the several-States composing
the department, the major general commanding
appeals TO cooperate with him and the civil su-
thorities in sustaining law and order in preserv-
ing peace and avoiding those scenes OF riot and
bloodshed and wsnton destruction OF life and
property which have already in some instances
been enacted in this department.
lie urges abstinence from all infammatory and
diary appeals 70 the PASSIONS and discount
ncipR keeping open liquor shops on days OF
political meetings and OF eectop, the abstalniug
from carrying arms and asserting The individual
right Of constituting the laws by force OF arms.
lie says no Just cause ic ever advanced by
resort 20 violence Let there be charity and for
beaTance among political opponents whatever
msy be<ne result; let each good citizen deter
mire that all, who under the Law have the right
to the ballot, shall exercise IL undisturbed. IL
there ere any disputed points of Law let them be
referred 10 the courts, and let not mobs or politi
cal clubs, or other irresponsible bodies construe
and undertake TO execute the law.
This appeal is made In the earnest hope that
the major general commanding can rely on the
good sense and correct judgment OF the mass OF
the people, and that he will not be compelled to
resort to the exercise of the power which he -
instructed, and which he will most reluctantly
employ. But he thinks it his duty to make kno Tn
that so far as the power under ha command will
admit he will not permit the peace to be broken,
| and that he viii not be restrained in the con-
seientious discharge Of his duty by technicaliies
| OF laws made when the present anomalous condi-
| ton Of affairs was neither anticipated nor pro-
v ded for.
The governor also. issued the following proc
| lamatiop:
WHEREAS, notwithstanding the executive proc
| lamation OF September l4th, 1865. many lawles;
| acts have occurred in violstion thereof, whereby
the lives and property of citizens have been de-
stroyed the right Of free speech impaired, the per
formance Of the duties Of Offices to which citizens
have been elected denied, and the lives Of citizens
| So threatened as to cause them to abandon theil
| homes and property; and
| WHEREAS. Protection of person and property i
| the paramount duty of the government, and shall
| be impait 81 and complete; and
WHtREAs, The sheriff OF each county Is by law
| charged with the preservation OF lie, property
| and peace therein:
/ Now therefore, ], Rufus B. Bullock, governo
| and commander. In. chief Of the army and navy o
the State OF Georgia, and Of the militia thereof
| do hereby issue this my proclamation, charging
| and commanding said sheriis, and each and ever,
other civil officer IN every county IN this state,
see TO il that the lives and property OF all citizen
and the peace OF the community are preserved
| and that all persons are protected 10 the free es
ercise Of their civil and political rights ana PRIV
leges, and charge upon every person resident