The Opelousas journal. [volume] (Opelousas, La.) 1868-1878, 1871-12-16

within five days, and to deliver to
the Marshal or military officers of
the United States, all arms, ammu-
milton, uniforms, disguises, and
other means and implements used
by them for carrying out their un-
lawful purposes. This warning not
having been needed, on the 18th of
October another proclamation was
issued suspeHding the privileges of
the writ of habeas corpus in nine
counties in that State. Direction was
given that within the counties so de-
signated, persons supposed upon
creditable information to be men,
bers of such unlawful combinations,
should be arrested by the military
forces of the United States and de-
livered to the Marshal to be dealt
with according to law. In two of
said counties, York and Spartan
burg, many arrests have been made.
At the last account, the number of
persons thus arrested was one hun
dred and sixty-eight. Several hun.
dred, whose criminality was ascer-
tanned to be of an inferior degree,
were released for the present. These
have generally made confessions of
their guilt. Great caution has been
exercised in making these arrests,
and Notwithstanding the large num-
Der, it is believed that no innocent
person is now in custody; the prison.
ers will be held for regular trial in
the judicial tribunal of tho United
States. AS soon as it appeared that
the authorities of the United States
were about to take vigorous measures
to enforce the law many persons alb
seconded, and there is good ground
for supposing that all of such per-
sons have violated the law. A full
report of what has been done under
the law will be submitted to Con-
gress by the Attorney General.
UTAH.
In Utah there still remains rem
nant of barbarism repugnant to civil
lization, to decency, and to the laws
of the United States. Territorial
officers, however, have been found
who are willing to perform their duty
in spirit of equity, and with a due
sense of sustaining the majesty of
the law. Neither polygamy nor any
other violation of existing statutes
will be permitted within the territory
of the United States.
1t is not with the religion of these
self-styled saints that we are now
dealing, but with their practices.
They will be protected in the wor-
ship of God according to the die
tates of their consciences, but they
will not be permitted to violate the
laws under the cloak of religion. It
may be advisable for Congress to
consider what in the execution of the
laws against polygamy is to be the
status of the plural wives and their
offspring. The propriety Of Congress
passing an enabling act, authorizing
The territorial Legislature Of Utah to
legitimize all children born prior to @
time fixed in the act might be justi-
fed by its humanity to these igno-
rant children. This is a suggestion
only, and not a recommendation.
| THE INDIANS.
i The policy pursued toward the In.
dians has resulted favorably, so far
as can be judged from the limited
time during which it has been in
operation. Through the exertions of
the various societies of Christians, to
whom has been entrusted the execu-
ton of the policy of the Board of
Commissioners authorized by the law
Of April 10, 1869, many tribes of
Indians have been induced to settle
upon reservations to cultivate the
soil, to perform productive labor of
various kinds and to partially accept
civilization. They are being cared
for in such way, it is hoped, as to
induce those still pursuing their old
habits of life to embrace the only op.
portunity which is left them to avoid
determination. I recommend liberal
appropriation to carry out the In.
dian peace policy, not only because
it is humane, christianlike and eco-
nomical, but because it is right.
I recommend to your favorable
consideration also the policy of
granting a territorial government to
the Indians in the Indian Territory
west of Arkansas and Missouri, and
south of Kansas. I'm doing so, every
right guaranteed to the Indians by
treaty should be secured. Such O.
course might in time be the means of
collecting most of the Indians now
between the Missouri and the Paci.
fic, south of the British Possessions,
into one Territory or one State. Sc.
cretary of the Interior has treated
? upon this subject at length, and /
commend to you his suggestions.
PUBLIC LANDS. ..>
I renew my recommendation that
the public lands be regarded as a
heritage to our children, to be dis
posed of only as required for occupa-
ton and to actual settlers. Those al
: ready granted have been in great
part disposed Of in such a way
, as to secure access to the ba-
lance by the hardy settler who
may wish to avail himself of them,
; but caution should be exercised
even in attaining so desirabl an
J object. Educational interest may
) well be served by the grant OF