Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1871-12-05
FOR MAYOR
JOHN job SON.
PRESIDENTS MESSAGE.

dry details OF our diplomatic relations
with other nations, branches off to the
national debt, to slavery, to tax and
tariff, etc., ETC., and finally comes to the
main points Of the message-Ku-Klux
and amnesty. 1t will surprise the
reader to be informed that he goes SO
far as to suggest that it is now time to
remove Southern disabilities. We quote
that part of the message which refers to
this subject:
More than six years having elapsed
since the last hostile gun was fired be-
tween the armies then arrayed against
each other, one for the perpetuation and
the other for the, destruction of the Union,
it may well be considered whether it is
not now time that the disabilities i'm
posed by the Fourteenth Amendment
should be removed; that amendment
does not exclude the ballot, but only re-
quires the disability to hold office of
certain classes; when the purity of the
ballot and secure majorities are sure to
elect an officer rejecting the views of
the majority, do not see the advantage
or propriety of excluding men-from Of
fee merely because they were before
the rebellion of standing and charac-
ter sufficient to be elected to positions
requiring them to take an oath to sup
port the Constitution, and admitting to
eligibility those entertaining precisely
the same views, but of less standing in
their communities. 1t may be said that the
former violated an oath, while the latter
did not. The latter did not have it in their
power to do so. II they had taken the
oath, il cannot be doubted they would
have broken it as did the former class.
If there are any great criminals distin-
guished above all others for the part they
took in opposition TO the Government,
they might, in the judgment of Congress,
be excluded from such an amnesty. This
subject is submitted for your careful con-
sideration. The condition of the South
ern States are, unhappily, not such as
all true, patriotic citizens would like to
see-social ostracism for opinions sake,
personal violence or threat toward per
sons entertaining political views opposed
TO those entertained by the majority of
the old citizens, prevents immigration
and the flow of much-needed capital
into the States lately in rebellion. 1t
will be a happy condition of the country
when the old citizens Of these States will
take an interest in public affairs, pro-
mulgate ideas honestly entertained, vote
for men representing their views, and
permit the same freedom Of expression
Of opinion and ballot in those entertain
ing different political convictions.
This arraignment of the Southern
people will 90 all over the civilized
world, and remain forever unrefuted.
He attributes the lack Of Southern emf
grafton to the intolerance of Southern
sentiment, and processes to desire the
time to come when the old citizens will
take an interest in public affairs. Is he so
stupid as not to know that that is just
what they have been for six years strug-
Cling for, but have been confronted and
headed off at every point by his hostile
agents, au army Of carpetbaggers, and
the devil2 The reader will probably
wish to know what the President has to
say concerning the Ku-Klux outrage:
In a portion OF the State of South
Carolina the necessity of the course
pursued will be demonstrated by the re
port of the committee to investigate
Southern outrages. Under the provis-
ions Of the above act, issued a procla-
nation calling the attention Of the peo-
ple of the United States TO the same,
and declaring my reluctance to exercise
any Of the extraordinary powers there
by conferred upon me, except in case Of
necessity, but making known
my purpose to exert such powers when
ever it should become necessary to do
so, for the purpose Of securing TO all
citizens Of the United States the peace
full enjoyment 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 combinations Of the char
acter referred to in this law ex-
listed and were powerful in many
parts of the Southern States, par
in certain counties in the
State Of South Carolina A careful in
vestigation was made, and it was found
that in nine counties of that State such
were active and powerful,
a sufficient portion Of the cit
liens to control the local authority, and
having, among other things, the object
Of depriying the emancipated class of
he substantial benefits of freedom, and
Of prosecuting the free political action
Of those citizens who did not sympathize
With their own views. Among their ope-
-ations we're the frequent scourings of
he country and occasionally assassiRa-
ions, generally perpetrated in the night
~ disguised persons. the victims, in
almost all cases, being citizens Of differ
mt political sentiments from their own,
n free persons who had shown dispo-
ition 10 claim equal rights with other
,itizens. Thousands Of inofensiye and
veil disposed citizens were the
ufferers by this lawless violence.
rbereupon, on the 18th Of October,
s7l. a proclamation. vas issued in
he terms Of the Law, calling upon
be members Of the combinations to
isperse within five days and to deliver
D the uaItuuA VI ALAAAAAA 0A-ANAa " VIZ
United States ali AREA, ammunition,
informs. .disguises aud other means and
IMPLEMENTS used by them for carrying
ut their unlawful purposes. This
aruing. not having been needed, en-
,e 18th Of November another proclams-
on was issued, suspending the hsbeas
orpus in nine counties in that State.
direction was given that within the
ounties SO designated persons supposed {
pon creditable information to be mem
rs of such unlawful combinations ;
lould be arrested By the military forces
/ TIE United States, and delivered to
- marshal. 70 be dealt with according
law. In two Of said eounties-fork
A Spartansburg-many arrests have
so made. At the last accounts the
'rber 81 persons thus arrested vas !
: hund,ad and siJty-eight Several
inbred uhoSs criminsiity vas ascer-
med 70 Be Of an ,.aferior degree we're
leased for the preset these having .