Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1871-12-05


a combination Of the character referred to
| in this law existed, and were powerful in
| many parts Of the Southern States, particu-
larry in counties in the State of South Car
! olina. Careful investigation was made and it
was ascertained that in many counties of
that State such combinations were active
and powerful, embracing a sufficient portion
Of the citizens to control the local author
| ity, and having among other things the object
| ofdepriving the emancipated class the sub
| stantial benefits of freedom and of liberty,
andthe free political action of those citizens
who did not sympathize with their own
views. Among their operations were fire.
| quent scOurgings and occasional assassina-
tons, generally perpetrated at night by dis
guised persons, the victims in almost all
cases being citizens of different 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 lawless violence.
Thereupon, on the 18th of October, 1871,
a proclamation was issued in the terms Of
the law, calling upon the members Of the
combination to disperse within five days
and to deliver to the marshal or military
officers of the United States all arms, am
munitiOn, 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 privilege Of
the writ of habeas corpus in nine
counties in that State. Direction
was given that within the counties so des-
ignated, persons supposed upon creditable
information TO be members of such unlaw-
full combinations should be arrested by tie
military forces of the United States and de-
liyered to the marshal, to be dealt with ac-
cording to law. In two Of said counties,
York and Spartansburg, many arrests have
been made.
At the last account the number Of per-
sons thus arrested was one hundred and
sixty-eight. Several hundred, whose Grim
inalty was ascertained to be of an inferior
degree were released for the present. These
have generally made confessions of their
guilt. Great caution has been exercised in
making these arrests, and notwithstanding
the large number, it is believed that no in
nocent 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, mBy
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 TN
der this law will be submitted to Congress
by the Attorney General.
MOrmOnism.
In the United States there still remains a
remnant of barbarism repugnant to ciyili-
zatiOn, decency, and to the laws Of the
United States. Territorial officers, how
ever, have been found who are willing to
perform their duty in the 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 territory of the
United States. 1t is not with the
religion of the selfstyled saints
tb9t we are now dealing,
but their practices. They will be protect
ed in the worship of God according to the
dictates of their conscienees, but they viii
not be permitted to violate the laws under
the cloak of religion. 1t may be advisable
for Congress to consider what, in the exc
cution ofthe laws against pOlygamy, is to
be the
Status of Plural Wives
and their offspring. The proprietyof Con-
gress passing an enabling act, authorizing
the territorial Legislature of Utah to legiti-
matize all born prior to time fixed in the
act might be justified by its humanity to
these innocent children. This is sugges-
ton only, and not recommendation.
The Indians.
The policy pursued towards the Indians
has resulted favorably, so far as can be
Judged from the limited time during which
it has been in operation. Through the ex-
ertions of the various societies of Christians,
to whom has been entrusted the execution
of the policy, and the Board Of Commits
siOners authorized by the law of April 10,
1869, many tribes of Indians have been in-
duced to settle on reservations, to cultivate
the soil, and perform productive labor of
various kinds, and to partially accept civil
izatiOn. They are being cared for
in such a way, it is hoped, as
to induce those still pursuing their
old habit of life to embrace the only oppOr-
tunity which is left them to avoid extermi-
nation. recommend liberal appropriations
to carry out the Indian peace policy, not
| only because tits humane, Chistian-like and
tEOBOUllCdl, DuJ DSCduCC IL Is Il2uL.
Indian Territory.
l recommend to your favorable considera-
| ton, also, the policy of granting Territorial
| Government to the Indians of the Indian
| Territory west of Arkansas and Missouri,
| and south of Kansas. In doing 50 every
| right guaranteed to Indians by treaty
| should be secured. Such a course might be
| the means of collecting most of tire Indians
| now between the Missouri and Pacific and
| south of the British Possessions into one
| Territory or one State. The Secretary of
| the Interior has treated upon this subject at
! length, and recommend to you bis sugges-
| tions.
The Public Lands.
| | renew my recommendations that the
! public lands be regarded as a heritage TO our
! children, to be disposed OF only as required
| for occupation and to actual ettlers. Those
| already granted have been in great part dis
| posed of in such way as to secure access
to the balance by the hardy settler who may
| wish to avail himself of them, but caution
| should be exercised in attaining so desirable
an object. The educational interest may
well be served by the grant of the proceeds
| of sale of public lands to settlers. l do not
! wish to be understood as recommending in
| the least degree a curtailment Of what is
| being done by the general government for
! the encouragement of education.
The Census, etc.
The report of the Secretary of the In
| terror, submitted with this, will give you
| information collected and prepared for
| publication in regard to the census taken
during the year 1870, the operations Of the
| Bureau of Education for the year, the
| Patent Office, the Pension Office, the Land
kOffice and the Indian Bureau.
The Agricultural Bureau.
| The report of the Commissioner Of Agri-
! cultures gives the operation of his depart
ment for the year. As agriculture is the
groundwork of our prosperity, too much
| Importance cannot be attached to the labors
! of this department. 1t is in the hands of
an able head, with able assistants, all zeal
| ously devoted to introducing into the agi-
cultural productions of the nation all useful
| products adapted to any of the various
climates and soils of our vast territory, and
to giving all useful information as to the
method of cultivation Of plants, cereals or
other products adapted to particular lOcali-
ties. Quietly but surely the Agricultural
Bureau is working a great national good,
and if literally supported, the more widely
its influence viii be extended and the less
dependent we shall be upon the products of