The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1868-04-14
New Military Orders.
HEADQUARTERS % MILITARY DISTRICT,
Charleston, S. e., April 6, 1868.
- r. NJ

General Orders, No. 81.
The Command ng General has received nfor
nation from different sections of the States OF
North Carolina and South Carolina, and from
members of both Political parties. that combina-
tions have been formed or are now being formed
to p, event. delay or hinder the execution OF the
laws of the United States. or by force. intimIda-
tiun or threat to prevent persons from accepting
or executing the duties OF any office or employ
nent under the United States at the elections
to be held under the authority of the law OF
March 2 1867, ito provide for the more efficient
government of the rebel States and the laws
that are supplementary thereto. While he is
satisfied that these complaints apply to a few per-
s"ns only of bath parties, it is proper that all
such persons should be warned that any attempt
by force to prevent. hinder delay the execu-
ton of the Iaws of the United States, under the
authority of which the said election is ordered
or by force, intimidation or threat to prevent any
person frem accepting or holding any office. or
trust or place of confidence under the United
States ;,s Registrar, Superintendent. Judge,
Manager. Insp ctor or Clerk. or other employ
ment at said election VIII be amenable not only
to the penalties prescribed under the authority
Of the said laws but for violation Of the Act Of
Congress Ito define and pun sh certain conspr-
acies," approved July 81. 1861. (.S"t"tes at
Larye. Iof,np L., Chg t"r I&%ILL)
1t is the duty IF the civil and military author
tiles In buth States to secure to every registered
voter the full and free exercise OF his right OF
suffrage and this duty must be fully. faithfully
and in partially performed: and the Command
ing General confd. ntly expects that the people
of these States will unite in securing for each
other the full and pr per exercise OF this fran
chse. But if in any District or County or poll-
ing subd.v of either State, the election should
L L IL l.r%,
should be d. stroycd. or the electors duly regis
tered under the laws of the United States should
prevented by force or intimidation from voting
a new election will be ordered for such District,
County or polling subdivision.
To tn end that the ws of the United States
may be duly executed: that the officers charged
with conducting the elections may be protected
in the discharge of their duties and that the
qualified electors may be protected in the exer-
else OF the elective franchise, Commanders of
Posts are authorized whenever in their jud gment
it may be necessary, to appoint. from the officers
OF the aru.y or of the Freedmens Bur, under
their command. Military commissioners for Dis
tricts or lounties within the territorial limits of
their commands th-t are remote from their
headquarters that the powers conferred upon
Post Commanders cannot be Immediately or
directly exercised
The Military Commissioners appointed are
invested with all the powers of the Justices of
the Peace of Districts or Counties. or the police
may strates of cities and will be governed in the
execution of their duties by the laws Of the State
in which they may be serving, except 50 far as
these laws may be in conf ct 18th the laws of the
United States with the orders issued from the
Headquarters OF this District; and in addition
t" any troops that may be placed at their disposal,
given the command of the police force Of
lTi-tr cts. 'ouuties. cities and towns and all
police officers sherifls constables and other peace
,thcers required to obey and execute the
orders of the Military Commissioners in all such
Cases
The Military Commissioners will promptly re-
port all eases which they assume jurisdiction,
and the disposition made of each case. When
parties held for trial. either in confinement
or under bail, the case will be SO fully reported
as to enable the Command ng General to decide
whether it shall be tried by military tribunal
be brought before a civil court.
The jurisdiction herein given to the Military
Commissioners will be determined and limited
by the authority her tn!6re delegated to Pest
Commanders by GEM raj Orders No. 80, of May
30, 1867. and General Orders No 145 of De-
cenber &, 1867, and will not be construed as
extend NJ to the inhabitants in their ordinary
personal relations. unless the civil authorities
:uld refuse or fail to suppress insurrection,
disorder and violence and to give all riehtiul
protection to persons and property; and all per-
sons. whether in authority net, are required
to obyy and execute all lawful orders of the Mil
TRY Commissioners t. the sanle extent and in
the same hammer that they are required by law
to OBJ, and exec ute the wrts of the evil magis-
trates
Some of the complaints that have reached the
Commanding Genera! apply to colored voters of
the two States. and to sections where they have
the numerical ascrndency. 1othem it is proper
to say that the elective franchise conferred upon
then. by l.w. carries with it no authority to re-
stract Others in the free exercise of that right ;
and that while it is their duty not to regard
threats ,r intnlidati as to themselves. any
con-binati' ns to prevent by force, intimidation
or threats the free exei else of this right by
othess will be unlawful. and VIII subject the OF
tenders to the penalties prescribed by law and by
military orders. They counselled to exercise
the right of voting in a quiet and orderly man
ner, giving offence to one; and after casting
their votes, not to linrer about the polling Places
but to return quietly to their homes and to their
customary avoeatnns.
Commanding Officers will give as wide circu-
iatidn as possible to this order within the limits
of their commands
By order of Bvt. Maj. Gen. Candy.
LOUIS Y. CAZIARC, Aide de- Camp
HEADQUARTERS % MILITARY DISTRICT }