Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1871-12-15

bubSbuullhi DtntNts OI lIeeuOIn ana OF nrtVl
lege, and the free political action OF those
citizens who did not sympathize with theil
own views. Among their operations wer,
frequent scourgings and occasional assassna
tlons, generally perpetrated ut night by dis
gulsed persons, the victims, in almost al
cases, being citizens of different politica
sentiments from their own, or freed persons
who had shown n disposition to claim equa
rights with other citizens. Thousands ol
inoifensiye and we'll disposed citizens were
the sufferers by this lawless violence
Thereupon, on the 18th of October
1871, proclamation was issued, In
terms of the law, calling upon the mem
bers OF the combination to disperse within
five days, and to deliver to the Marshal OF
military officers OF the United States all
arms, ammunitions, uniforms, DISCUSSES, and
other means and implements used by them
for carrying out their unlawful purposes
This warning not having been needed, on the
ith OF October another proclamation was
issued, suspending the privilege Of the writ
OF ha0eds corpus In nine counties in that
state. Direction was given that within the
counties so designated persons supposed
upon credible information, to be members
OF such unlawful combinations should be
arrested by the military forces Of the United
States, and delivered to the Marshal to be
dealt with according to law. In two of the
said counties york and Spartansburg) many
number Of persons thus arrested was 1853.
Several hundred, whose criminality was as
certained to be of an inferior degree were
released for the present. These have gen
orally made confessions Of their guilt Great
caution has been exercised in making these
arrests. Notwithstanding the large number,
1t 10 believed that no innocent person is now
in custody. The prisoners will be held for
regular trial in the judicial tribunals of the
United States. As soon rs 1t appeared that
the authorities 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 been violating the law. A full
report of what has been done under this
law will be submitted to Congress by the At
THE MoRMoNs.
In Utah there still remains a remnant of
barDarism repugnant to civilization to decen-
cy and to the laws OF the United States Ter
ritorial officers, however, have been found
who are willing to perform their
duty in a spirit OF equity, and with n
due sense of sustaining the majesty of the
law. Neither polygamy, nor any other vio-
lation 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 their
practices. They will be protected in the
NOIshlp VI you dctOfulnI TO Int dictates OF
their conscienccs, but they will not be per
mitted to violate the laws under the cloak
OF religion. 1t may be advisable for Con
gress to consider what, in the execution of
the laws against pOlygamy, is to be the sta
tus of the plural wives and their offspring.
The propriety Of Congress passing an en-
abling act, authorizin&sthe Territorial Leg
lslature of Utah to legitimatiZe all children
born prior to time fixed in the act, might
be justified by its humanity to these inno-
cent children. This is a suggestion only,
and not recommendation.
ISDIAN AFFAIRS.
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 ex-
ertions of the various societies ~ Christians
to whom has been entrusted the execution
Of the policy, and the Board of Commits
sioners authorized by the law of April 10,
1863, many tribes of Indians have been in
duced to settle upon reservations, to cultivate
the soil and perform productive labor of va
riOus kinds, and to partially accept civ
ilization. They are being cared for in such
a way, it is hoped, as to induce those still
pursuing their old habits of life to embrace
the only opportunity which is left them to
avoid determination. / recommend liberal
to carry out the Indian peace
policy not only because it is humane, Chris
anu NNOlblhlthi, DuI utCduSC IL Is
right. recommend to your favorable con-
sideration, also, the policy of granting ter
rltorial government to the Indians in the
Indian Territory 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 he the means of collecting
most of the Indians between the Missouri
and Pacific and south of the British Posses
sions, into one Territory or one State, and the
Secretary of the Interior has treated upon
this subject at length and | recommend to
you his suggestions.
THE PUBLIC LANDS.
/ renew my recommendations that the pub
lie lands be regarded as n heritage to our
children, to be disposed of only as required
Tor occupation, and to actual settlers. 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, even in attaining so de-
slrable an object. Educational interests may
well be served by the grant of the proceeds
Of the sale of public lands to settlers. | 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 INTERIOR DEPARTMENT.
The report of the Secretary of the Interior,
submitted with this, will give YOU informa-
ton, 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 Office; and the
Indian Bureau.
AGRICULTURE.
The report of the Commissioner of Agri
culture gives the operations 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. II is i'm the hands of an
able head, with able assistants, all Zealously
devoted to introducing into the agricultural
productions of the nation all useful pro-
ducts adapted to any of the various climates
and soils Of our vast Territories, and to Civ
ing all useful information as to the method
Of cultiyating the plants, cereals, and other
products adapted to particular localities.
Quietly, but surely, the Agricultural Bureau
Is working a great national good, and if lib
orally supported, the more widely its in
tluencc will he extended, and the less de-
pendent we shall be upon products of for
eigu countries.
CONVERSATION OF CERTAIN OFFICIALS.
The subject of compensation to the heads
Of bureaus, and officials holding positions of
and requiring ability and char
lcter to fill properly, is one to which your at
Lention is invited. But few of the officials
receive compensation equal To the respecta-
BILE support Of family, while their duties
are such as to involve millions of interest
In private life, services demand compensa-
tiOn equal to the services rendered. A wise
economy would dictate the same rule i'm the
government service.
ESTIMATES.
have not given the estimates for the sup
port of the government for the ensuing year,
nor Il comparative statement for the year
just passed, and the one just passing, be-
rause all these figures are contained in the
report, or in those presented
directly To Congress These estimates have
my approval.
REMOVAL OF DISABILITIES.
More than six years having elapsed since
the last hostile gun was fired between the
armies then arrnyed against each other, the
one for the perpetuation the other for the
of the Union, it may well be
whether II is not now time that
the disabilities imposed by the Fourteenth
Amendment should be removed. That
does not exclude the ballot, but
only requires the disability to hold office of
certain classes. When the purity of the bal
lot Isl secure, maiorities are sure TO elect
officers rejecting the views Of the majority
do not see the advantage or propriety Of
excluding men from office merely because
they were, before the rebellion, of standing
and character sufficient TO be elected to posi-
tinng ran1frinfr ~, faI- 10