New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1873-08-01
DEPARTMENT or yusrICR. I
WASHINGTON Il & INIv Il ~,

DEPARTMENT OF SCs7ICR,
Washington, b. c., July 81, 1873.
Messrs. Porter Kershaw and Sims, Washington:
GENTLEMEN-Your letter OF yesterday, in
tended to elicit from me public expression
Of the policy of the government il relation
to the prosecutions and prisoners uI-
der the enforcement acts. il received.
/ have to say in answer. as indicated in
the conversation with you, the President
has communicated to me what / have here
tofOre understood to be his wish, that the
persons accused and convicted of Ofienses
under the said acts should be treated with as
much lenity as possible, without prejudice
to the ends for which they were passed. 1t
must. however, be distinctly understood that
this action by government is not prompted
by any doubt as to the necessity or validity
Of said acts, or Of the necessity and justice
of the convictions already had under them
to prevent and punish high crimes, but by
the belief that the kU-Klu1 klars have.
through the said convictions, been broken
up. and that those who were concerned in
or sympa:hiZed with them 70 come to see
the folly, wickedness and Ga1 geI Of such
organizations.
You have been pleased TO say 10 ne, and
similar assurances have been given by
others seeking the same object, that execu-
tive clemency at this time in ku-Klux
cases would tend to remove may causes
OF uneasiress and irritation now existing.
and conduct generally to the public peace
and tranquility; and the proposed action IS
taken in reference to such cases with the
full expectation that these assurances viii
be verified. You are informed that the
prosecutions low pending IN the courts for
violations Of the enforcement act will be
suspended or discontinued, and instructions
TO that effect have already been given to
covoroI licfrirA hy,Y tcr
may be exceptional cases of great aggrava-
ton where the government will insist upon
conviction and punishment. There are,
however, but few. such cases row within My
knowledge.
Persons who have absented themselves
on account Of their completely. or supposed
completely in the Ku-klux otenses, are at
liberty to return, and, unless their crimes
being within the above named exceptional
cases, will not be prosecuted. Many Of
those sentenced to imprisonment for such
otfenses have been already pa1doned and
the cases of the others are under colsiGera-
ton, and they will probably be discharged
in like manner, keeping IN view the proper
relation between their punishment and the
nature of their guilt.
To avoid any misconstruction Of these
proceedings it is. perhaps. necessary for
me to say that all ccnspirscies and out
RACES iu violation Of said acts hereafter
committed will be prosecuted with al pos
siole energy and vigor; and it is 20 be un-
derstood that the government does not in
tend to abandon the said acts, bat induce.
if possible, wiling obedience TO their
reasonable requirements. Substantially,
they are intended to protect citizens Of
the United States in the possession
and enjoyment of their political and
civil rights guaranteed to them by the
late amendments 20 the constitution, and
the President, whose duty it is 10 see that
the laws are faithfully executed. would he
recreant to that duty il he did no. SO ao
minister the government as to afford to al
citizens the equal protection Of its laws.
l have added these suggestions 70 the n
formation for which you ask with sincere
hope that they may lead to an exercise OF a
mutua! recognition Of each others rights by
all classes Of the people. and that no fur
ther necessity will arise Toy their protec-
ton and enforcement under SAID az IS
through the aid OF the government.
Very respectfully.
GEORGE II. WILLIAMS
Attorney General.