The Pulaski citizen. [volume] (Pulaski, Tenn.) 1866-current, 1868-09-25
THE ToCsIN OF WAR!
BrOwnlow's Proclamation for the Organ
ization Of the Militia

WHEREAS, For several months past an
organization of considerable extent has sHs;7-
ted in this State, sometimes called
klux Klan, aud at others by similar uG4su
al and significant names, which organiza-
ton is 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 inof-
fensive loyal citizens; and,
Whereas, AS the result Of this lawless vi
olence, hundreds of coIored men have been
driven from their homes, their families and
their crops, to take refuge in cities and
camps from this prevailing terrorism; and,
Whereas, In several couties in Middle
and West Tennessee loyal citizens, white
and cOlored, have been compelled to leave
their respective counties, while of those
who remain many are driven to the neoes-
sity of hiding out in the woods and out
houses to escape apprehended outrage and
cruelty; aud,
Whereas, This violence, backed up con-
atantly and vigorously by Infamous incen-
diary speeches from their former civil and
military officers in the late rebel govern
ment, and also by frequent infammatOry
and iusurrectionsry newspaper articles, is
largely on the increase; and.
Whereas, To meet this emergency, re-
Gently convened the General Assembly in
extraordinary session, and the members
thereof have, after a careful survey of all
the facts in the case, and upon good and re-
liable authority, with something of magma
nimity, enacted law whereof the subjoin-
ed is a copy, and to which 1 respectfully
call the attention of all the citizens of Ten
nessee. both those peaceably inclined, and
those who are turbulent:
| AN ACT TO ENFORCE TIE LAWS OF THE STATE
WHEREAS, There exists in this State law
less bands of desperadoes, who are setting
at defiance civil law, and by threats and acts
of violence, are forcing many of our citizens
to leave their homes; aud,
Whereas, In certain localities it is en-
tirely impossible for the civil officers of the
State to enforce the laws thereof; in order
that the supremacy of the laws may bt
maintained, aud that peace and order may
prevail; therefore,
SECTION /. Be. Il enacted by the Genera
assembly cttde State Of Tennessee, That th'
Governor be, and he is hereby authorized
and empowered to organize, equip and cal
into active service at his discretion, vol
unteer force to be known as the "Tennesse
State Guards, - to be composed of one o
more regiments from each Congressiona
District of the State; Provided always tha
said Tennessee State Guards shall be com
posed of loyal men, who shall take and sub
scribe to an oath to support the constitutiO
of the State of Tennessee.
SEQ. 2. Be Il further enacted, That tn
State Guards organized under the Provia
ions of this act shall be governed by the re
vised rules and regulations of the Unite
States army.
Szo. 8. Be It further enacted, That th
Comptroller of the State shall issue his wal
rant upon the Treasurer, payable to the ol
der of the Governor, tor any amount, in th
opinion of the Governor, actually necessaF
for the organization, equipment, transpol
tation, support and payment Of the sal
! State Guards, not to exceed the sum offft
: thousand dollars at any one time, and II
: same shall be paid out Of any funds in Il
Treasury not otherwise appropriated, Il
amount SO drawn from the Treasury to
replaced as hereinafter provided.
SEC. 4. Be It further enacted. That whel
ever a full representation is made to Il
{ Governor from any county or counties, /
B. the Judge and the Attorney General Of Il
circuits which said county is situate'
and ten Union men Of good moral eharacte
Of said county or countless and The Law
cannot be enforced, and the good citizel