The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1871-12-12

1t should become necessary to 60 so foT
the purpose Of securing to all citizens OF
the United States the pe,ccIul enjoyment
Of the rights guaranteed them by the
Constitution aud the Ia,
After the passage Of is law, informa-
ton was received from me to time, that
combinations of the chartcr referred to
in this law existed AMI 50 re powerful in
many parts Of the Southern States, par.
ticularly in certain limits Of the State of
South Carolina. A careful investigation
was made and it was ascorlained that in
nine counties of ihat State such combina-
lions were active and powerful, embrace
ing sufficient portion Of the citizens to
control the local authority the object
being, among other things, to deprive the
emancipated class Of the substantial bene-
fits of freedom, and preventing the free
political action Of those citizens who did
not sympathizc with their own views
Among their operations were frequent
scourgings and occasional assassinations
generally perpctratcd at night by disguis-
ed persons, the victims in almost all cases
being citizens of different political scnti-
ments from their own, freed persons, who
had shown a disposition to claim equal
rights with other persons. Thousands Of
inoffensive and well disposed citizens
were the sufferers by this lawless violence
Thereupon, on the 10Th Of October, 1871,
proclamation was issued in the terms
Of the law calling upon the members of
those combinations to dispense within five
days and to deliver TO the Marshal or
military officers Of the United States all
arms, ammunition, uniforms, DISCUSSES,
and other means and implements used by
them for carrying out their unlawful
purposes. This warning not having been
needed, on the 18th Of October another
proclamation was issued suspending the
writ Of habeas corpus in nine counties in
the State. Direction was given that
within the counties so designated, persons
supposed upon respectable information to
be members of such unlawful combina-
ton, should be arrested by the military
forces Of the United States and delivered
to the Marshal, to be dealt with accord
ing to law. In two of said counties,
York and Spartansburg, many arrests
have been made. At the last account
the number OF persons thus arrested were
16S. Several hundred, whose crimmin-
atty was ascertaincd to be of an inferior
degree, were released for the present.
These have generally made confessions Of
their guilt. Caution has been exercised
in making these arrests,and notwithstand-
ing 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 Unit
cd States. As it appeared that The au-
thorities of the United States were about
to take vigorous measures to enforce the
law, many persons absconded, and there
is good ground for supposing that all of
such persons have violated 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 barbarsm rcpugnant to civilization, to
decency and to the laws of the United
States. Territorial officers, however, have
been found who were willing to perform
their duty in spirit of equity and with
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 the self-stylcd saints that we are now
dealing, but with their practices. They
will be protected in the worship Of God
according to the dictates Of theiE. .ceasoio
violate the laws under the cloak of relg.
ion.
STATUS OF PLURAL WIVES AND THEIR GILL;
DREN.
1t may be advisable for Congress to
consider what, in the execution of the
laws against ploygamy, is to be the status
OF plural wives and their offspring. The
propriety Of Congress passing an enabling
act, authorizing the Territorial Legisla-
turc of Utah to legitimatize all children
born prior to a fixed time in the act,
might be justified by its humanity to these
innocent children This is a suggestion
only, and not recommendation.
The policy pursued towards the Indi-
ans has resulted favorably, so far as can
be judged from the limited time during
which it has been in operation Through
the cxertions Of the various societies of
Christians, to whom has been entrusted
the execution of the policy, and the Board
of Commissioners authorized by the law
of April 10, 1869, many tribes of Indians
have been induced to settle upon reserva-
tons, to cultivate the soil, to perform
productive labor of various kinds, and to
partially accept civilization. They are
being kindly cared for in such way that
it is hoped to induce those still pursuing
their old habits Of life to embrace the
only opportunity which is left them to
avoid determination. recommend liberal
appropriations to carry out the Indian
peace policy, not only because it is hu-
name, Chrstianlike and economical, but
because it is right. recommend to
your favorable consideration, also, the
policy of granting territorial govern
ment to the Indians in the Indian Terri
tory west of Arkansas and Missouri, and
south Of Kansas. In doing so every
right guaranteed to the Indians by treaty
should be secured. Such a course might
in time be the means Of collecting most
Of the Indians between the Missouri and
the Pacific, and of the British Posses
sions, into one Territory or one State.
The Secretary of the Interior has treated
upon this subject at length, and | COM
mend to you his suggestions.
l renew my recommendation that the
public lands be regarded as heritage to
our children to be disposed of only as re-
quired for occupation and to actual set
tiers. Those already granted have been
in great part disposed Of in such way
as to secure access to the balance by the
ha Nd catalan xyhn ,,..l 10 n LIZ.