Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1868-04-15
MILITARY Orders.

General Canbyehas issued~the following
important order with reference to the preser-
vation of order during the election. 1t will
BE- observed that the colored people are espe-
cially reminded 10 preserve order, and not TO
interfe,e with others in the exercise OF the
right Of suffrage:
HgApoUA ,'ps SECOND MILITARY DISTRICT,
CHARLESTON, S. c.. April 6, 1868.
General Orders, No. Gl.
The Commanding General has received in
formation from different sections of the States
OF North Carolina an: South Carolina, and
from members of both political par,ies that
Combinations have been fJimad, or are now
being formed. to prevent, delay, or hinder the
exccuti N of the laws Of the United States,
or bp force, intimidation. or threat, t. prevent
persons from accepting or executing the duties
of any Office or employment under the United
States, at the elections to be held under the
authority of the law of March 2, 1867, to
provide for the more efficient government. of
the rebs. States" and the laws that are sup
Elementary thereto. While he is satisfied
that these complaints apply to few persons
only of both parties, it is proper that all such
persons should be warned that any attempt
by force to prevent, hinder or delay the exc
cu;ion of the laws of the United States, under
the authority of which the said election is or
dered, or by force, intimidation or threat, to
prevent any person from accepting or holding
any office of trust or place OF confidence un-
der tue United States, as Registrar, Superin-
tcudent, Judge, Manager, Inspector or Clerk,
or other employ ment at SAID election, will be
amenable, not only to the penalties prescribed
under the authority Of the said laws, but for
violation of the Act of Congress "to define
and punish certain conspiracies," approved
July 81, 1861 Il Statutes at Large, FOlums
-, Chapter EXYIH)
1t is the duty of the civil and military au-
thorities in both States T. secure to everyreg-
is,ered voter the full al rec exercise Of his
right of suffrage, and duty must be fully,
faithfully aud impart performed; and the
Commanding Genera. confidently expects that
the people Of these States will unite in secur-
ing for each other tie full and proper exer-
else of this franchise. But if in any district
or county, or polling subdivision OF either
State, the election should be prevented or the
ballot-boxes or poll lists should be destroyed,
or the electors duly registered under the laws
of the Uuited States should be prevented by
force or intimidation from voting. new cleo
ton will be ordered for such district, county
or polling subdivision.
10 the eud that the laws OF the United
States maY be duly exercised that the Off
GERS Charged with conducting the elections
may be protected in the discharge Of their
duties. and that the qualified electors may
b. protected in the exercise OF the elective
franchise. Commanders of Posts are autho-
rzed, whenever in their judgment it may be
necessary, TO appoint, from the officers OF tie
amy or of the Freedmen'S Bureau, under
.heir command, Military Commissioners for
Districts or Counties within tie territorial
limits oil their commands that &re 50 remote
from their headquarters that the powers con-
f.rred upon Post Commanders cannot be I'M
mediately or directly exercised.
The Military Commissioners SO appointed
are invested with all the powers OF Justices
os the Peace of districts or counties, or the
lice magistrates of cities, ane will be gov
erned in the execution of their duties by the
l.ws of the State in which they may be serv-
ing. except so farsas these laws may be in
conflict with the laws of the United States or
with the orders issued from the headquarters
OF this district; nd, in addition to any troops
that may be placed at their disposal, are given
the command of the police force Of districts,
counties, cities and towns and all police Off
GERS, sheriffs, copstAbles and other peace ofti
Gers are required to obey and execute the or
ders of the Military Commissioners in al!
such cases.
Tie Military Commissioners will promptly
report all cases in which they assume juris-
diction, and the disposition made of each case
When parties are held for trial, either in con-
fiaement or under bail, the case will be so
fully reported as to enable the commanding
general to decide whether it shall be tried by
. military tribunal, or be brought before a
civil court.
The Jurisdiction herein given to the Mill
tary Commissioners will be determined and
limited by the authority heretofore delegated
to Post Commanders by General Orders No.
80. of MAY 80, 1867, and General Orders No.
l45. of December 6, 1867, and will not be
construed as extending TO the inhabitants in
their Oh iinary personal relations, unless the
civil authorities should refuse or fail to sup
press insurrection, disorder aud violence, and
to give oil rightlul protection to persons and
property and all persons, whether in author
ity or not are required 10 obey and execute
ali lawful orders Of the Military Commission.
ers to the same extent and in the same man
nar that they are required by law to obey and
execute the writs of the civil magistrates.
Some of the complaints that have reached
the Commanding General apply to celored
voters Of the two States, and to sections where
they have the numerical asccndency. To
them it is proper to say that the elective fran
chise conferred upon them by law carries
with it no authority to restrict others in the
free exercise of that right; and that while it
is their duty not to regard threats or intimi'
dation as to themselves, any combinations to
prevent by force, intimidation or threats the.
same free exercise of this right by others will
be unlawful, and will subject the offenders to
the penalties prescribed by law and by militia.
~ orders. They arc counseled to exercise
the right OF voting in quiet and orderly
manner, giving offence to no one; and after
casting their votes, not to linger about the
polling places, but to return quietly to their
homes and to their customary avocations.
Commanding Officers viii! give as wide
circulation as possible to this order within
the limits of their commands.
By Command of Bvt. Maj-Gen. Ed. R. S.
CANBY:
LOUIS V. CAZIARC,
Aide. de- Camp. Acting Asst. Adjt. Genl.