Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1870-10-16
THELAW mUST RE0REvRD

in the number of people coming TO settle
here, IN spite of the strong commercial
attractions of the place. -,
THE LAW MUST BE 0BEYED.
i. Tennessee, the worst oppressed and the
frat freed of ali ihe reconstructed States,
owes it TO herself to set an example of
good order and obedience to law. n KuE
Klux has been the stock.in.trade of Radi.
Gals, North and South, for two or three
years past. In another place we. give, !
with appropriate explanations and COM
ments, what two leading Radical papers
in New York say upon reports they re-
ceive from other Southern States upon
this subject. r, We have no sort of doubt
the Times is right in its Interpretation
of these reports. We thank il for its
honesty and admire its candor. There is
perhaps basis for these reports the, tn
6avae seeks to make so much of. Masked
men do ride in those States. They do in
Tennessee. We have undoubted evidence
that in several counties in Middle Tennessee
disguised men have appeared In violation
of law. In Jackson, Montgomery, Ham
llton and other counties in the last few
weeks these prowlers, we are credibly in
formed, have committed outrages, for
which there is neither necessity mo-" ex-
cuse. The people are not responsible for
them. They are local, respect not color,
and war alike upon white and black.
They should be suppressed. Hereto we
append the law which is now. in force
upon this subject passed by the still
existing Legislature. Under it any citi-
zen whose premises are invaded by night
providers in disguise is justified in shoot
ing and killing them. The law declares
them in the act of committing felony,
and acquits of crime any one who, in
such case, takes their lives. We trust, il
there are any persons in this State who
deliberately violate this just law they may
meet proper fate. L
We may here state that we do not be-
lieve that there is any active general
organization of marauders in this State.
ANY demonstrations of the kind are local
and exceptional-notk known to the people,
and are enemies to their peace and well7
being. Each neighborbood where they
appear should organize against them, and
through the officers of the law enforce
the law. A very few examples would
put an end to it, whether intended by
malevolents to crafty personal luminosity,
OF by Radicals for political purposes.
The following is the law, and we would
suggest that .he Governor offer a general
and standing reward to the amount therein
authorized, for the apprehension of those
violating it:
An act to Preserve the Public Peace.
Section l. Be it enacted by the General
Assembly of the State of Tennessee, That,
If any person or persons, masked or In
disguise, shall prowl, or travel, or ride,
or walk through the country or towns of
this State, to the disturbance of the peace
or to the alarming of the citizens of any
portion of this State, on conviction there
of shall be fined not less than one hundred
dollars nor more than five hundred dol
lars, end imprisoned in the county Jail of
The county wherein convicted at the dis
cretiOn of the jury trying the case.
Sec. 2. Be it further enacted, That If
Any persons, disguised or in mask, by day |
ii by night, shall enter upon the premises |
IF another OF demand entrance or admits
lion into the house or enclosure of any |
;itizen of this State, it shall be considered
1rima facie, that his or their intention is
o commit felony, and such demandshsu
De deemed an assault with an intent to |
commit felony; and the person or per
ons so offending, shall, upon conviction,
De punished by imprisonment in the Pen |
Tertiary not less than ten years nor more
han twenty years. ,..-..-
Sec. 8. Be it further enacted, That, if
my person or persons, so proving, |
travelling, riding or walking through the |
owns or country of this State, masked or |
Il disguise, shall, or may assault another
With deadly weapon, he, or they, shall
De deemed guilty of an assault with intent |
o commit murder in the first degree, and, |
IN conviction thereof, shall suffer death |
ly hanging: Provided, the ju-y trying |
he cause may substitute Imprisonment in |
he Penitentisry for period of not LEES
han ten years nor more than twenty one
Iears. -... .......
Sec. (. Be it further enacted, That it
hall be the duty of the several Judges of |
he Circuit and Criminal Courts of this i
State to give this act in charge TO the
grand juTies at each term of said court.
Sec. ). Be it further enacted, That the |
Tand juries of this State shall have full /
)ower to compel the attendance of wit
,esses when evertheyor any of their body
nay suspect violation of any Of the pro-
yisions of this act ... ,. |
Sec. 6. Be it further enacted, That the
Governor of the State is hereby author
zed TO offer reward Of $3.50 for the
apprehension and delivery to the Sheriff
u Jailer of any county in this State any
person who may be guilty of violation
If the second or third sections of this
Ict. .....
Sec 7. Be it further enacted, That this
Ict shall take effect from and after its |
passage. w. ON. PERKINS,
Speaker of the House of Representatives.
d. B. THOMAS,
Speaker of the Senate.
Passed Jan. 80, 1870.