Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1873-08-01
THE KUKLUX.
Letter from AttOrney-General Williams
TO Messrs. KershaW, Porter and
Sims, Of South Carolina.
Policy Of the Government in Regard to
Persons Found Guilty Under the
Enforcement Act.

WASHINGTON, July 3l-Attorney-
General Williams hiss written the fol-
lowing letter in answer to some South
Carolina gentlemen, who urge the ku-
klux pardOns:
WAsHINGToN CITY, D. C., July 80, 1873.
Messrs. Porter, Kershaw and Sims:
GENTLEMEN-Your letter of to-day,
intended to elicit from me a public eX-
preston of the policy of the government
in relation to the prosecution of the pris-
Oners under the enforcement act, is re-
ceived. have to say, in answer, that
as indicated in his conversation with
you, the President has communicated to
me what have heretofore understood
to be his wish, that the prisoners accus-
ed and convicted of Offenses under said
act, should be treated with as much lem
iency as possible, without prejudice to
the ends for which it was passed. 1t
must, however, be distinctly understood
that this action by the government is
not prompted by any doubt as to the ne
cessity or validity of said acts, or Of the
justice Of the convictions already had
under them, to prevent and punish high
crimes, but by the belief that the ku-
klux clans have through said convic-
tiOns been almost, if not altogether,
broken up, and that those who were con-
cerned in or sympathized with them
have come to see the folly and wicked
ness and danger Of such organizations
You have been pleased to say to me, and
similar assurances have been given by
others seeking the same object, that ex-
ecutIve clemency at this time in kuklux
cases would tend to remove many causes
of uneasiness and irritation now exist
ing, and conduce generally to the public
peace and tranquility; and the pro-
posed action is taken with refer
ence to such cases with the full
expectation that these assurances will be
verified. You are informed that prosecu-
tions now pending in the courts for vio-
lations of the enforcement acts will be
suspended or discontinued, and instrue-
tions 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 pun
ishment. There are, however, but a
few of such cases within my knowledge.
Persons who have absented themselves
on account Of their completely in kuklux
offenses are at liberty to return, and un-
less their crimes belong within the
above named exceptional cases, they
will not be prosecuted. Many of those
who were sentenced to imprisonment
for such offenses have been already
pardoned, and the cases of the others
are under consideration and will proba-
bly, be disposed of in like manner, keep
ing in view the proper citation between
punishment and the nature of their
guilt. To AVOID any misconception of
these proceedings, it is perhaps neces-
saTy for me to say that all conspiracies
and outrages or violation of these acts,
hereafter committed, like those hereto
fore punished, will be prosecuted with
all possible energy and vigor, and it is
to be understood that the government
does not intend to abandon the said acts,
but to induce, if possible, willing obe-
dience to their reasonable requirements.
Substantially they are intended to pro-
tect the citizens of the United States
In the possession and enjoyment
Of those political and civil rights
guaranteed them by the late
amendments to the constitution, and
the President, whose duty It is to see
that the laws are faithfully executed,
would be recreant to that duty if he did
not so administer the government as to
afford to all citizens equal protection of
its law. have added these suggestions
to the information for which you ask
with the sincere hope that by the exer-
else OF mutual recognition of each 9TH
er's rights by all classes Of people, no
further necessity will arise for their pro-
lection and enforcement under said acts,
through the action of the general gov
eminent. Very respectfully,
GEO. II. WILLIAMS,
Attorney General.