Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1871-12-12

they receive, but will endeavor to do so during
the session of Congress, particularly if the
subject should receive your attention.
THE KU-KLUx LAW,
| There has been imposed upon the execu-
tive branch Of the government the execution
OF the act of Congress, approved April goth,
| 1871, aud commonly known as the Ku-Klux
| law.
In portion Of the state OF South Carolina
the necessity of the course pursued will be
demonstrated by the report of the commission
TO investigate southern outrages. Under the
provisions of the above act issued procla-
nation calling the attention of the people of
the United States to the same, ard declaring
my reluctance to exercise any of the extraor-
binary powers thereby conferred upon me,
except in case of imperative necessity, but
making known my purpose to exercise such
powers whenever it should become necessary
to do so for the purpose of securing to all cit
liens OF the United States the peaceful enjoy
ment of The rights guaranteed to them by the
| constitution and the laws.
After the passage of this law, information
was received from time to time that com5ina-
tions of the character referred to in this law
existed and were powerful in many parts Of
the southern states, especially in certain
counties in the state of South Carolina. Care
ful investigation was made, and it was ascer-
tanned that in nine counties of that state such
combinations were active and powerful, en-
bracing a sufficient portion of citizens to con.
troll the local authority, and having, among
other things, the object of deprivingth em0n-
cipated class of the substantial benefits of
freedom aud of the privilege of the free polit :
zeal action of those citizens who did rot SYM
pathze with slavery
Among their Operations were frequent
seourgings and occasional assassinations, gen
orally perpetrated at night by disguised per-
sons, the victims in almost all cases being cit
liens Of different political sentiments from
their own, or free persons who had shown
disposition to claim equal rights with other
citizens. Thousands Of inoffensve and well
disposed citizens were the sufferers By this
lawless violence
Thereupon on the 18th of October, 1871, a
proclamation was issued, in terms of the law,
calling upon the members of the combinations
to dispense within five days, and to deliver to
the Marshal or military of the United States,
all their arms, amunitions, uni forms, DISCUSSES
and other means and implements used by them
for carrying out their unlawful purposes
This warning not having been needed, OH
the 9TH of October another proclamation was
issued suspending the privileges of the writ Of
habeas corpus in nine coueties in that state
Direction was given that within the counties
so designated persons supposed, upon credi-
BILE information, to be members of such un-
lawful combinations should be arrested by the
military forces Of the United States and de-
livered to the Marshal, to be dealt with ac-
c0rding to law.
In two Of the said counties-York and
Sparansburg-many arrests have been made
At last accounts the number of persons thus
MN taA k,.,, 4
Several hundred, whose criminality was as
certained to be Of an inferior degree, were re.
leased for the present These have generally
made confessions of their guilt Great eau
ton has been exercised in making arrest
Notwithstanding the large number, it is be-
lieved that no innocent person is now in Gus
tody.
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 vigor-
GUS measures TO enforce the law, many per-
sons absconded, and there is good ground for
surprising that all 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.
THE MoRMoNs AND PoLYGAMY.
In Utah there still remains a remnant of
barbarlsm, repugnant 10 civilization, deccn-
cy, 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 due sense of
sustaining the rnodesty of the law. Neither
polygamy nor any other violation of the stat
utes will be permitted within the territory Of
the United States. II is not with the religion
of these self-styled saints that we are now
hut nj hal
be protected in the worship of God according
TO the dictates of their conscences, but they
will not be permitted to violate laws under
the cloak of religion.
1t may be advisable for Congress 20 consid-
er what, in the execution of laws against DO
lygamy, is TO be the status ofthe plur al wives
and their ofsprings. Tue propriety Of Con-
gress passing an enabling act authorizing the
territorial legislature of Utah TO legitimze all
children born prior to tine fixed in the act,
might be justified in its humanity TO these in
nocent children. This is suggestion only,
and not recommendation.
THE INDIAN POLICY.
The policy pursued toward the Indians 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 execution of the poll
cy, and the board of commissioners author
lied by the law of April 10th, 1860. many
tribes of Indians have been induced to settle
upon reservations, to cultivate the soil, and
perform productive labor of various kinds,
and to partially accept civilization. They
are being cared for in such a way, il is hop
Ell, as TO induce those still pursuing their old
habits of life to embrace the only opportuni-
IL which is left them to avoid determination
| recommend liberal appropriations TO carry
out the Indian peace policy, not only because
it is human, ChIistian-like End economical,
but because it is perfectly right. recon-
mend to your favorable consideration, the
policy of granting territorial government to
the Indians, in the Indian Territory west of
Arkansas. and Missouri, and south Of Kansas.
In doing so, every right guaranteed 10 the In
dians by treaty should be secured. Such a
course might in time, .be The means of collect
ing most Of the Indians, now between the
Missouri and the Pacific, and south of the
British dominions, into one territory or one
state. The Secretary of the Interior has
treated upon this subject at length, and rec
onmend TO you his suggestions
THE CIVIL SERVICE.
II has been the aim of the administration to
enforce honesty and efficiency in all public
offices. Every public servant. who has vio-
ldteu lHe u usi pihceu IN MIN, mas Deen pro-
ceeded against with all the rigor Of the law.
If bad men have secured places il has been
the fault Of the system established by law and
customs for making appointments or the fault
of those who recommend for government po-
sitions persons not sufficiently well known to
them personally, or who give letters endors-
ing the characters of otfce-seekers without
proper sense of the responsibility which
such course devolves upon them. A civil
service reform which can correct this abuse
is much desired. In mercantile pursuits, the
business man giving letter of recommend
alton 10 friend, TO enable him TO obtain cred
| it from stranger, is regarded as morally
responsible for the integrity of his friend and
his ability to meet his obligations.
A reiornatory Law which would enforce this prin-
cipe against a endorsers Of persons for public places
would ensare great caution in making recommeuda-
lions. salutary lesson has been taught the care
less and dishonest servant in the great number Of
prosecutions and convictions Of the last two years
1t is gratifying TO notice the favorable change which
is taking place throughout the country in bringing TO
/ punishment those who have proved recreant to the
trust conhded ia them, and In eIevHting to public Of
Zee none bat those Who possess the confidence OF hon.
est and vTtuous men, who will always be found 70
comprise the majority OF the community In which
they live. In my message 10 Congress one wear ago
urzently recommended reform in the civil service
/ Of the country. In conformity with that recon-.
meBdation, Congress, In the 9th section Of an act