The Fremont weekly journal. [volume] (Fremont, Sandusky County, Ohio) 1867-1877, 1871-12-08

of the people of the United States to
the same and declaring my reluc-
tance to exercise any of the extraor-
dinary powers thereby conferred up
on men, except in case of imperative
necessity, but making known my
purpose to exercise such power
whenever it should become necessary
to do so, for the purpose of securing
to all citizens of the United States
the peaceful enjoyment Of the rights
guaranteed to them by the constitu-
ton and the laws.
After the passage of this law in
formation was received, from time
to time, that combinations of the
character referred to in its provisions
existed and were powerful in many
parts of the Southern States, partic-
ularly in certain counties in the State
of South Carolina. Careful investi-
cation was made and it was ascer-
tanned that in nine counties of that
State such combinations were active
and powerful, embracing a sufficient
portion of the citizens to control the
local authority; and having, among
other things object Of depriving
the emancipated class Of the sub
stantial benefits Of freedom and of
preventing free political action of
those citizens whodid not sympathize
with their own views. Among their
operations, were frequent scourgings
and occasional assassinations, gener-
ally perpetrated at night by disguised
persons, the victims in almost all
cases being citizens of different po-
litical sentiments from their own, or
free persons who had shown a dispo-
position to claim equal rights with
other citizens. Thousands of in
offensive and well disposed citizens
were the sufferers by this lawless vi
olence.
Thereupon, on the 18th Of Octo-
Der, 1871, a proclamation was issued
in the terms Of the law, calling upon
the members of such combinations
to disperse within five days, and to
deliver to the marshal or military
officers of the United States all arms
ammunitions, uniforms, disguises
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 priv
ilege of the writ of habeaS corpus in
nine counties. In that, direction
was given that within the counties
so designated, persons supposed, up
on creditable information, to be
members of such unlawful combina-
tions should be arrested by the mil
itary 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
tansburg,) many arrests have been
made, At the last account, the
number of persons thus arrested was
168. Several hundred, whose Grim
inality was ascertained to be of an
inferior degree, were released for
the present. These have generally
mady confessions of their guilt.
Great caution has been exercised
in making test arrests; and notwith-
standing the large number, it is be-
lieved no innocent person is now
in custody. The prisoners will be
held for regular trial before judicial
tribunals of the United States. As
soon as it appeared that the authori-
ties of the United States were about
to take vigorous measures to enforce
the law, many persons absconded,
and there is good ground for sup
posing 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.
PoLYGA1Y.
In Utah there still remains rem
nsnt of barbarism, repugnant to civ
ilization, decency and to the laws of
the United States, Territorial Off
GERS, however, have been found, who
are willing to perform their duty in
a spirit of equity and with a due
sense of sustaining the majesty Of
the law. Neither polygamy nor any
other violation of existing statutes,
will be permitted within the terrto-
ry of the United States. 1t is not
with the religion Of the self-styled
Saints" that we are now dealing;
but their practices. They will be
protected in the worship of God ac-
cording to the dictates of their con-
sciences, but they will not be per-
mitted to violate the laws under the
cloak of religion. 1t may be advis-
able for Congress to consider what, |
in the execution of laws against |
polygamy, is to be the status of |
plural wives and their offspring. The |
propriety of Congress passing an en-
abling act, authorizing the Terrific
rial Legislature of Utah to legitimat- |
ize all born prior to time fixed in
the act, might be justified by its
humanity TO those innocent children.
This is a suggestion only, and not a
recommendation.
THE INDIAN POLICY.
The policy pursued toward the In
dians has resulted faYorably, 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 Chris
tians to whom has been intrusted 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 reservations to culti-
vate the soil and perform productive
labor of various kinds, and partially
to accept civilization. They are
being cared for in such way, it is
hoped, as to induce those still pur-
suing the old habits of life to en-
brace the only opportunity which is
left them to avoid extermination. l
liberal appropriations to
carry out the Indian peace policy
not only because il is humane Chris