Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1873-08-01
WASHINGTON.
Letter from the Attorney General.
Policy Of the Government toward the
Ku-Klux Prisoners.

Policy of the Government toward the
Ku-Klux Prisoners.
WASHINGTON, July Gen.
eral Williams has written the following let
ter in answer to the South Carolina gentle
men who urge the KuK-lux pardons:
Washington, July 80, 1S73.-Messrs.
Porter, Kershaw and Sims-Gentlemen
Your letter of to-day, intended to elicit from
me public expression of the policy of the
Govern nent in relation to prosecutions and
prisoners under the enforcement act, is re-
ceived. ] have to say, in snewer, that as
indicated in his conversation with you, the
President has communicated to me what
have heretofore understood to be his wish:
that prisoners accused and convicted of of
fences under said acts should be treated
with as much leniepcy as possible without
prejudice to the ends for which they we're
passed.
1t must however be strictly understood
that this action by the government is not
prompted by any doubt as to the necessity
or validity of said acts or of the justice of
the convictions already under them, to
prevent and punish high crimes, but by be-
lief that Ku-Kluk Klans have, Through said
convictions, been almost, if not altogether
broken up and that those who were con-
cerned in or sympsthizsd with them have
come to see the folly, wickedness, and danger
Of such organizations. You have been
pleased to say to me, and similar assuran-
ces have been given by others seeking the
same object, that executive clemency at
this time In KQklux cases would tend 10
remove many causes of uueasiness and
Il, ,faki ;cfs o.,6
orally to public peace and tranquility, and
proposed that action be taken with refer
erce to such cases, with full ex-
pectation that these assurances will
be verified. You are informed that
prosecutions now pending in the courts fer
violations of the enforcement acts, will be
suspended or discontinued, and instructions
to this effect have already been given to
several District Attorneys; but there may
be exceptional cases of great aggravation,
where the Government would insist upon
conviction and punishment. There are,
however, but few of such cases within my
knowledge. Persons who have absented
themselves on account of their completely in
ku-Klax offences, are at liberty to return,
and unless their crimes belorg within the
above named exceptional cases, they will
not be prosecuted. Many of those sentenced
to imprisonment for such offences have been
already pardoned, and cases OF others are
under consideration and viii probably be
disposed of like manner, keeping in view
a perfect citation between the punishment:
and the nature of their guilt. To avoid any
of ttese proceedings, 1t
is, perhaps, necessary for Inc to
say that all conspIracies and out
RACES, or violation Of these acts,
committed ike those heretofore |
punished will be prosecuted with all posi-.
bic energy and vigor, and it is to be under |
stood that the Government does not in |
tend to abandon said acts, but to induce, if |
possible, willing obedience to their rea-
sonable requirements. Substa ntially they ]
are intended to protect citizens of the !
United States in the possession and enjoy |
ment Of those political and civil rights |
guaranteed them by late amendments of |
he constitution and the President, whose |
1uty it is to see that the laws are faithfully |
executed, would be recreant to that duty if |
be did not so administrator the government |
Is to afford to all citizens equal protection |
II its laws. have adGed these suggestions |
o the information for which you ask, with |
he sincere hope that by the exercise of
mutual recognition of each others rights
)y all classes of people, no further neces-
tty will arise for their protection and en-
orcement under said acts through the ac-
ion of general government. Vey respect
ully, GEO. II. WILLIAMS,
Attorney General.
The Texas Caunafeu Waxez Hot