Semi-weekly Louisianian. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1871-1872, 1871-12-07

hibit gratifying increase in that bra ,cf
of the public service. Ii is the index of tn,
growth of education and Of the prospcrit,
of the people-two elements highly condu
Give to the vigor and stability of republics
with vast territory like onrs. much of il
sparsely populated, but all requiring tn,
services of the mail. Ii is not at present
to be expected that this department can bt
made self-sustainiDg, but a gradual ap
proach to this end Fl ON year to year is con
bdently relied OF, and the day is not fsI
distant when the Postoiiice Department oi
the government will prove a much greater
blessing to the whole people than il
is now. The suggestions OF the Post
master General for improvements in
the department presided over by him
are earnestly recommended TO your special
attention; especially do recon- mend favor.
able consideration of the plan for uniting
the Geographic system of the United States
with the postal system. 1t ia believed that
by such course the cost Of telegrsphing g
could he much reduced, ard the service as
well, If Not better, rendered. 1t would Sc
cure the further advantage of extending 2
! the telegraph through portions OF the cuun-
try where private enterprise will not con-
siruct 1t. mmerce, trade, and, above all.
the Efforts to bring people widely separ-
| stcd n;o community of interest, ars al
ways benefited by a rapid intercoinrnunica-
ton. Education, the grand work of Re-
publican Institutions, is encouraged by in
cressing the facilities to gather speedy
| news from all parts of the country The
desire Ia reap the benefit Of such improve
ments will stimulate education. | refer yon
To the report of the Postmaster General for
full details Of the operations Of last year,
| aud for comparative statements of the result
| with former wears
There has been imposed upon the execu-
! tive branch OF the government the execu-
ton of the act of Congress approved April
70, 1871, and Commonly known az the Su-
| klux Law, in u portion Of the Siste of South
Carolina. The necessity Of the course pur-
sued viii be demonstrated by tha report Of
the committee to investigate southern out
rages. Under the provisions of the above
act issued a proclamation calling the at
| tention of tho people of the United States
to the same, and declaring my reluctance to
exercise any IF the extraordinary powers
thereby conferred upon me, except in case
| of imperative nccessity, but making known
my purpose TO exercise such powers when
ever il should become necessary 10 60 SO,
| for the purpose Of securing all citizens of
the United States the peaceful enjoyment
of the rights guaranteed to them by the
constitution and the laws. After the pass-
| age of this Law information Vas received
\ from time to time that con- binxtions Of the
character referred to in this law existed,
and were powerful in many parts Of the
Southern States, particularly in certain
| counties in the State Of South Carolina.
Careful investigation was made, and it
was ascertained that in nine counties OF
| that State such combinations were active
and powerful, esabrHcing q sufficient pOr-
| zion of ci Ners to control the local author
| ity. snd having. an,ang other things, the
! ot,jsct Of dePriving the emsncipated class
! Of the substsn benefits Of freedom, and
| of preventing the free political Sctiou OF
those citizens who did not syinpsthiEe with
| their own views. Among their operations
| we're frequent scourg1pgs and occasional
\ Assassinations, generally Perpetrst-d at
night by disguised persons, their victims in
alrDost all cases being citiEens Of diR-ren:
| political sentiments from their own, or freed
| parsons who had shown disposition to claim
| equal rights with other citizens. Thousands
| of unoffensive and we'll disposed citizens
we're the sufferers by this lswess violence
ThrreupOn, On the twelfth Of October. 1871.
| proclamation WAS issued, in terms Of tho
| law. calling upon the meinbsrs Of thoss
com binatiuss Ia disperse within five days,
! and 70 deliver to the marshal or military
| officers Of the United States all arms, am
| inunitioD, uniforms, dIsguises, and other
| means and implements used by them for
! carrying out their unlawful purposes This
seventeenth Of October another prOclana-
ZION WAS issued suspending the writ OF
, habeas corpus in hine counties in that State.
Direction was given that within the coun-
ties 40 desgnsted persons supposed, upon
creditable information, to be members of
-uch unlawful combinations should be ar
| rested by the military forces of the United
States and delivered to the marshal, to be
dealt with according to law.
In two of said counties-York and Spar
tsnsburg-msny arrests have been made. At
the last account the number of persons thus
arrested was one hundred and sixty eight.
Several hundred, whose eriminalify was a.
certsInsd to be of an inferior degree, were
| released for the present. These have gen
orally made confessions Of their guilt
Great caution has been exercised in making
these arrests, and Notwithstanding the
large number, it il believed that no inno-
cent person is now in custody. The prison
ers will be held for regular trial in the Judi
cisl tribunals OF the 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
Absconded, and there is good rearou for
suPpOsing that all of such persons have
violated the law. A full report of what
hss been done under this law, will be sub
! mi,ted TO Congress by the Attorney Gener-
AL
In Utah there still remains a remnant of
bxrbarism, repugRant To civilization. to
decency, and to the laws Of the United
Sjates. Territorial officers, however,
have been found who are willing TO perform
heir duty in spirit of equity and sith
due sense Of sustaining the majesty of the
law. Neither po!ygamy nor any other vio-
lstion Of existing statutes will he permitted
within the territory Of the United States.
1t ia not with the religion Of the selfstyled
Saints " that We are now dealing. but With
their practices. They will be protected in
the worship Of Sod according "a the die
tates Of their own cousciences. but they will
| not he pernitted to violate the laws under the
cloak Of religion. 1t iaay he advisable for
Congress to consider what. in the execution
Of the Laws against pelygamy. 10 10 be the
status of plural wives and thsir of
spring. The prspriety Of Congress
passing su enabling set, authorizing the
TsrIiioria. Legislature of Utah TO legiiimize
all children born prior to . TINE fIsd in tAe
act might be justified by its humanity to
these ignorant children. This 10 q suggss-
tiun only, and lot q Recommendations.
The policy pursued toward the Indians
has resulted favorably, 90 far rs car be
judged from the, limited time during which
it has been in operation. Through the ex:
eYtions Of the various societies of Chri.tians
to whom has been intrusted the execution
| OF the policy. and the hoard Of commission
ers authorized by the law of April 10. 1869.
| many tribes Of Indians have been induced
| ~ settle upon reservations, to cultivate the
coil, to perform productive labor Of various
kinds, sad TO partially accept civilisstion.
They are being cared for in such way,
it u hoped, - to induce those
still pursuing their old habits Of
life to embrace the only opportunity who b
10 left them 70 avoid determination.
| l recommend liberal appropriations tJ
carry out the Indian peace policy. not only
because it is humane, Christianlike and
economical, but becsuss it 10 right. l
recommend to your favorable considera