The Union flag. [volume] (Jonesborough, Tenn.) 1865-187?, 1868-10-02
Proclamation by the Governor.

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WHEREAS, For several months' past,
an organization Of considerable extent
hns existed ia this State, sometimes
rallol the K1klux Khan, and at others
by similar, unusual and significant
names, which organization is conspi-
ring In secret and acting in the dark
ness Of midnight, against the peace
and welfare Of the State, by whipping,
hanging and shooting de~fenseless and
~ihotfending loyal citizens /; and
WHERRAs, As the result Of this law.
les violence, hundreds of colored men
have been driven from their homes,
their families and crops to tako refuge
in cities aud camps from the prevail.
ing terrorism and
WHEREAS. This violence, backed up
constantly and vigorously, by infa-
mously i~ncendiary speeches from for
mer civil and military officers in the
late rebel Government, and also by
frequent ~;nAamatory and insurree-
tionary newspaper articles is largely
on bhe ucfedse anu
WHERRAs, To meet this emergency
/ recently convened the General AS
sembly in extraordinary session -; and
the members thereof, have, after a
careful survey of all the facts in the
case and upon good and reliable au-
thori,y, with something of unanimity
enacted a law whereof the subjoined
is a copy, and to which l respectfully
call the attention Of all the citizens Of
Tennessee; both those p~eaceably in.
clined and those who are turbulent:
AN ACT TO ENFORCE THE LAWS OF THE
STATE
WHEREAs, There exists in this State law
less bands Of desperadoes who. are setting
at defence civil law, and by threats of viO-
lehce are forcing many Of our citizens to
leave their homes; and.
WHEREAS, In certain localities Il is en-
tirely impossible for civil officers of the State
to enforce the laws thereof in order that the
supremacy Of the law may be maintained
and that peace and order may prevail, there
fore.
SEc. |. Be u enacted by the General Assemble of
the STATE Of Tennessee, That the Governor be
and he is hereby authorized and empowered
10 organize, equip, and call into active SER
vice at his discretion 3 volunteer force to be
known as the tennessee State Guards" tn
be composed Of one or more regiments from
each Congressional District Of the State,
provided always that said Tennessee State
Guards shall be composed Of loyal men,
who shall take and subscribe an oath to
support the Constitution Of the United States
and the Constitution Of the State of Fen
nessee.
SEC. Q. Be Il further enacted, That the State
Guards organized under the provisions of
this Act shall be governed and regulated in
all respects by the revised Rules and Regula-
tions Of the Army of the United States.
SEC. 3. Be Il fHker enacted, That the
Comptroller Of the State shall issue his war
rant upon the Treasurer, payable to the or
der Of the Governor, for any amount in the
opinion Of the Governor actually necessary
for the organisation, equipment, transpOrta-
ton, support, and payment Of said State
Guards. not to exceed the sum Of fifty thou
sand dollars at any one time, and the same
shall be paid out ofany funds in the Treasu-
~ not otherwise appropriated, the amount so
drawn from the Treasury to be replaced as
hereinafter provided.
$50. 4. Be Il further enacted, That whenev-
er a full representation is made TO the Gov
ernOr from any county or counties, by the
Judge and the Attorney General of thu Cir
cult Court in which said county is situated,
and the Senator and Representatives and ten
Union men Of good moral character of said
COunty or counties, that the laws cannot be
enforced, aRd that The citizens of that cpun-
~ or counties cannot be protected in their
just rights on account of rebellion or i1sur-
rection or the opposition Of the people to the
enforcement vi law and order, the Governor
be aud he is hereby empowered to declare
martial law in any county or counties in the
State for the protection and safety Of the cit
liens thereof; and furthermore, as it is right
aad proper that good, peaceable and law
abiding citizens Of the State should not be
held responsible or suffer loss from the viO-
lent acts Of such turbulent communities, it
shall be the duty of the Governor to assess
And collect a sufficient amount for the full
Fayment Of said Estate Guards" so employed,
vat Of said county or counties so declared I'M
der martial law, as provided for in section 3
aud 4 Of an Act passed February LIST, 1893,
chapter 80, entitled An act to amend an act
for The protection Of SheriGs, &c.
Sec. 5. Be IL further enacted, That upon the
application Of the sworn statement Of ten or
more unconditional Union men Of good NOR
al character, or three Justices of the Peace
Of any county in the State, setting forth that
tbe laws cannot be enforced IN such county,
ard that the law-abiding citizens cannot be
projected in their rights and liberties with
out he aid ofthe military authorities, It shall
be the duty Of the Governor to furnish such
number OF troops as may be necessary to en-
force the laws and protect the citizens from
y violence.
sec. s. Be it further enacted, That all laws
aud parts Of laws ia conflict with this Act are
repealed, and that this Act shall take effect
aud be ir force from and after its passage.
Passed September 10th, 1868.
=. s. RICHARDS,
Speaker ofthe House Of Representatives.
D. W.. @. SENTER,
Speaker Of the Senate.
I, ASpRsW J. FLETcHER, Secretary of State,
OF the State Of Tennessee, do certify that the
foregoing is q true copy Of An Act Of the
General Assembly Of the State Of Tennessee,
entitled an "Act to enforce The laws Of the
State, the original Of which Is now on file in
my Office.
In testimony whereof have hereunto sub
seribed my Official signature and
- hv order ~ IN. ncy.-,o. .mv.d