The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1871-03-30
President Grant on Southern Affairs.


/ On Thursday last, the President sent the
following message to Congress-. in which legis-
lation is urgently recommended for the purpose
of securing protection to life, liberty and prop
erty, and the enforcement of the law in all parts
of the United States. 1t is thought that this
message will have the effect to prolong the
session of Congress at least one month, and
will doubtless secure some kind of legislation
for the suppression of Ku Klux outragcs and
disorders said to exist in all parts of the South
I A condition of affairs exists in some of the
States of the Union rendering life and proper
ty insecure. and the carrying of the mails and
the collection of the revenue dangerous. The
proof that such a condition of affairs exists in
some localities is now before the Senate. That
the power to correct these evils is beyond the
control of the State authorities / do not doubt;
that the power of the Executive of the United
States acting within the limits of existing
laws, is sufficient for the present emergencies
is not clear; therefore I urgently recommend
such legislation as in the judgment of Con-
gress, shall effectually secure life, liberty and
property, and the enforcement of the law in
all parts of the United States. 1t may be ex-
pedient to provide that such law as shall be
passed in pursuance of this recommendation
shall expire at the end of the next session of
Congress. There is no other subject on which
T would recommend legislation during the
present session.
[Signedl US. GRANT.
The Columbia Union of last Saturday pub
fishes the annexed proclamation of the Presi-
dent concerning the condition of affairs in this
State: ,l.'ss s..
WHEREAS, It is provided in the Constitution
of the United States, that the United States
shall protect every State in this Union, on ap-
plication of the Legislature, or of the Execu-
tive, when the Legislature connot be convened,
against domestic violence; and aohereas, it is
provided in the laws Of the United States, that
in all cases Of insurrection in any State, or of
obstruction to the laws thereof it shall be law
full for the President of the United States OH
application of the Legislature of such State,
or of the Executive, when the Legislature can
not be convened, to call for the militia of any
other State OF States, or to employ such part of
the land and naval force as shall be judged
necessary for the purpose of suppressing such
insurrection, or of causing the laws to be duly
executed; and achereas, have received infor-
nation that combination of armed men, un-
authorized by law, are now disturbing the
peace and safety of the citizens of the State of
South Carolina, and committing acts of vio-
lence in said State, of s. character and to an
extent which renders the powers of the State
and its officers unequal to the task Of protect
ing life and property and securing public order
therin; and aohereds, the Legislature of said
State is not now in session and cannot be con-
yened in time to meet the present emergency,
and the Executive Of the said State has there
fore made application to me for such part OF
the military force of the United States as may
be necessary and adequate to protect said State
and the citizens thereof against the domestic
violence hereinbefore mentioned, and to enforce
the due execution of the laws; md whereas
the laws of the United States require that
whenever it may be necessary, in the judgement
of the President, to use The military force for
the purpose aforesaid, he shall forthwith, by
proclamation, command such insurgents to dis
perse and retire peaceably to their respective
abodes within limited time.
dent Of the United States, do, hereby, com
mand the persons comprising the unlawful
combinations aforesaid, to disperse and retire
| peaceably to their respective abodes within
twenty days from this date.
In witness, whereof, have horeunto set my
hand and caused the seal of the United States
to be affixed.
Done at the city of Washington, this Path
day of March, in the year of our Lord, 1871
and of the Independence of the United States
the nnety-fifth.
(Signed US GRANT.