The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1871-12-09

pursued will be demonstrated by the report Of
the committee appointed 10 investigate the
Southern outrage. Under the provisions of the
above act, l issued procla NATION, calling the
attention of the people Of the United States to
the same, and declaring my reluctance to ex-
ercse any Of the extraordinary powers thereby
conferred upon me, except in the case Of an i'm.
perative necessity, but making known my pur-
pose to exercise such powers whenever 1t should
become necessary to do 90 for the purpose of SEE
curing to all citizens Of the United States the
e'cetul enjoy ment OF the rights guaranteed to
them oy the Constitution and the laws
After the passage Of the law information was
received, from time to time, that combinations
OF the character referred to in this law existed.
ano we're powerful 1" many parts OF the South
ern States. particularly in certain counties in
the STATE of South Carolina. Careful invesiga-
tien VS. made, and it was ascertained that in
nine col mites of the State, such combinations
were active and powerful, embracing suficien,
portion OF the citizens to control che local au-
thority, and having, among other things, the 90.
]eot of del irving the emanoipated Glass of the
substsa tial benefits OF freedom and of privilege,
and the fire. political action of those citizens
who did no, sympathize with their own views.
Among thei, operations were frequent scourg.
ings and occasional sssassinations, generally per.
petrated at night by disguised persons, the vic.
TINS in almost all cases, being citizens of differ
ent political sentiments from their own. or free
persons who had shown disposition to claim
equal rights with other citizens Thousands of
inofensive and well.disposed citizens were the
sufferers by this lswless violence. Thereupon,
on the 18th of October, 1871, proclamation was
Issued. in terms of the law, calling upon the
members of the combination to disperse within
five days, aud to deliver to the Marshal or mill.
tary officers of the United States all arms, am.
munitions. uniforms. DISCUSSES, and other means
and implements used by them for Carrying out
their unlawful purposes. This warning not
having been needed, on the 17sh of October An.
other proclamation was issued, suspending the
writ of hdbeas corpus, In nine counties in that
State. Directions was given that in the nine
counties so designated persons supposed, upon
creditable information, to be members of such
unlawful combinations, should be arrested by
the military forces of the United States. AID de.
livsred to the Marshal, to be dealt with accord.
ing to law. In two Of the said counties York
and Spartensburg; many arrests have been made
At last account tho number of persons thus ar
rested was 1862 Several hundred whose Grimm
ality was ascertaned to be of an inferior degree,
were released for the present. These have gene
rally made confessions OF their guilt Great
caution has been exercised in making test arrests
Notwithstanding the large number, it is believed
that no innocent person is now in custody. The
prisoners will be held for regular trial in the
judicial 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 grounds for supposing that all of
such persons have been violating the law A
full report of what has been done under this law
will be submitted to Congress by the Attorney
General.
In Utah there still remains remnant of bar.
barism repugnsnt to civilization, decency and
to tho laws of the United States" Territorial
officers, however, have been found who are will
ing to perform their duty in a spirit of equity,
and with u due sense Of sustaining the majesty
of tho 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 the sei-sty led Saints
that we are now dealing, but their practices.
They will be protected in the worship of God
according to the dictates of their consciences,
but they will not be permitted to violate the
laws under the cloak of religion. 1t may be ad-
visable for Congress to consider what in the ex.
ecution of the law of polygamy. is to be the
status Of the plural wives and their offspring.
The propriety of Congress passing an enlbling
act, authorizing the Territorial Legislature OF
Utah to legitim ,tize all children born prior TO a
time fixed in the act might be justified by its
humanity to these innocent children. This is
a suggestion only, and not a recommendatiou.)
The policy pursued toward the Indians has
resulted favorably, 40 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 intrust.
ed the execution OF the policy, and the Board of
Commissioners authorized by the law of April
10, 1869, many tribes of Indians have been in.
duced to set.le upon reservations, to cultivate
the soil and perform productive labor of varions
Kinds, and to partially accept civilization. They
are being cared for in such IA way, it is hoped, |
AZ to induce those still pursun; their old habits
OF life to embrace the only opportunity which is
left them to avoid extermiuation I recommend
liberal appropr! .tions to carry out the Indian
peace policy, not only because 1t is humane,
Christian.like and economical, but because it is
right recommend to your favora. oousider4-
tien, also, the policy of granting u territorial
government TO the Indians in the Indian Terri.
tory west OF Aransus and Missouri and south IF
hansas. In doing so every right is granted to
the Indians by the tre,ty.
have addressed communication, of which
copy is transmitted herewith, TO the Governors
of New York. Peuu,y lvani,, Ohio, Indiana,
Illinois and Wisconsin, urging upon the Govern.
ment OF those States, respectively, the necessary
action on their part. to carry into effect the OBJ
ject OF the article OF the treaty which contem-
plates the use Of the canals on either side, con-
hec,ed with the navigation OF the lakes and
rivers forming the boundry, in terms of equity,
10y the nhatitan,- of both countries. 1t is hoped
that the Importance of the object. and the bene-
hts TO flow therefrom, will secure the speedy np.
proval aud Legislative sanction OF the States con-
cerned.
l renew tho recommendation for an appropria.
ton for determining the true position of the
49tE parallel of latitude, where it forms tho