Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1868-08-28

General Assembly OF Tennessee for th
year 1868.
| have carefully examined the act
providing for the protection Of sheriff,
etc., and relating to the State Guard, an
respectfully submit to you, as my opinion
that under these laws, il vigorously en-
forced. the difficulties in Tennessee coul
be suppressed.
The seventh and subsequent section
OF the act for the protection Of sheriffs
etc, passed February /, 1868, appears 4
be especially available and PRACTICABLE
for good effect, and could be more readil
and quickly enforced than the "act 3
organize and equip State Guard" etc.
passed March l3, 1868, though, if foun,
necessary, this would be the more power
ful organization, notwithstanding iu
deficiencies as staff corps for it's admin
istration.
take the liberty Of giving an opinion
on this subject, because OF the proba
bility OF the necessity, in the end, 70
your calling on the United States for ait
under the provisions of the Constitution
and, as you have been informed, th,
force at my command is so exhausted b,
calls for other duties, that it is not likell
that sufficient troops for the purpose
could be furnished.
have the honor to be, very respect
fully, your obedient servant,
GEO II. THOMAS,
Major General, u. S. A.
This letter was written to His Excel
lency Governor w. G.. Brownlow, in
answer to letter from him asking fol
the aid of the United States troops ia
enforce the civil law in this State. But
it will be said that General Thomas de.
clares that the force at his command is
so exhausted by calls for other duties
that it is not likely that sufficient troops
for the purpose could be furnished" and
/ would respectfully refer you to the cor
respondence of later date, between
Hon. Isaac R. Hawkins, member of Con.
gress from the Seventh District of Ten
nessee, and the Secretary of War, as
follows:
To. His Excellency. Andrew johnson, Presi-
dent Of the United States;
SIR: In the event that persons should
combine together for the purpose of VIC.
lating the laws and resisting the officers
and courts in the due execution of the
laws of the State Of Tennessee, would you
feel It to be. your duty as President of
the United States to sustain the ,autLori-
ties of the State with the military force of
the State and what action on the part
of the State authorities would be neces-
sary before you could legally so employ
the army of the United States
| have the honor to be, very respect
fully, your obedient servant,
ISAAC r. HAWKINS.
P. s. Please answer at your earliest
l. R. II.
EXECUTIVE MANSION,
WAsHIYGroY, d. c.. July 80, 1865.
Hon. Isaac Il. Hawkins, of Tenness &c:
SIR: In reply to your letter oft 18th
instant, am directed by the President
TO incose toyou the accompanying copy
Of communication of the Honorable
Secretary of War, dated July 30, 1868.
have the honor to be, with respect,
-FOUR obedient servant,
r. MORROW, U. s. A.
WAR DEPARTMENT..
WASHINGTON CITY. July 30, 1861
The inclosed communication from
Hon. Isaac r. Hawkins, Member of Con.
,ress from Tennessee, referred this day by
he President to the Secretary of War for
consideration and report, is respectfully
eturned to the President with report |
hat the military forces now stationed in |
'ennessee, and those stationed in the |
djoining States, and whose services |
ould readily be made available, are be.
eved to be sufficient to suppress any in
direction against the government of
aid State, or any combination formed
, oppose the execution of the laws OF the
'nited States therein.
The troops will at all times be in readi.
ess to act when an emergency shall
rise, which, under the Constitution
I'D laws af the United States, may make
lawful for the President to employ the
ilitary forces of the United States to
Ippress insurrection or to cause the laws
be duly executed.
j. M. SoHoFIELD,
Secretary of War.
1t will be seen by the above CORE
ondence, that the United States Gov.
nment is prepared and willing to aid
9 State government with its whole
wer to enforce the laws of the State
ID protect her citizens against any
mblnations. The minority of your :,
mmittee believe that with the laws y
-eady referred to in this report, and
tn the promised aid, if necessary, of =,
3 United States army, the laws of the =
ate can and will be enforced and with !. y
is knowledge of the power of the State, y II
cked by the United States Government, u u
ither the Ku. klux Klan nor any other u
lawful band, be what it may, will dare
interfere with the execution of the
vs. of this State or the rights of its a
izens, white or black, Republicans or
mocrats. 1t is hoped that by the
option of this report, peace and har- ci
my will prevail throughout the State OF
N her mountains in the east to the sa
ssissippi in the west. The State will th
saved from a burthensome debt, and at
bitter feeling now existing will be a
lyed, and all classes of our citizens at
vie with each other in being law. II
ding, and in forwarding the interest W,
developing her unlimited resources, ar
t she may take her position among ba
proudest States Of the Union. Re- gi
ctfully submitted, en-
MARTIN I. RYDER. pa
lr. Williams moved that l4S copies of be
b report be printed. ge
ir. Thornburg, of Jefferson, moved in M
J, that the report Of the majority be nc
pied. Carried. an
lr. Williams moved to print both re- ws
Is. tel
Ir. Thompson moved in lieu, that wi
7 the majority report be printed. an
Ir. Williams-Mr. Speaker: Gentle be
! whose enthusiasm runs away with ne
T judgment need not try to gag dis SCI
ZION BY cries Of Gentlemeni" By be-
fusal to print the minority report, in COZ
{ attitude do we. place ourselves del
1 of fear N hoth sidas of fhc o,ass;o,