New-York tribune., 1873-08-01
!, W. ID It IVNIENp
j. B. KERsHAw,
q r. NJ. SIMS.
DEPAkTMENT oF JUSTICE

wAsHSGToS D. O. July SO 1sl3. a &.
Messrs. PORTER, KERsHAw and SINS, Washington ID Q.
GENTLEMEN: Your letter Of today intended to elicit
from public expression OF the policy Of the Govern
ment in relation to the prosecutions and prisoners
the Enforcement act, is received have to say in ans
that indicated in his with you, te
President has communicated what have hereto
fore understood 70 De his wish, that the prisoners ac
and convicted OF oenses under said acts should
be treated with much lenity possible, without
prejudice to the ends for which they wercpassf. q
must, however, be strictly understood that this action
by the Government is not prOsSed by doubt aSt6
the necessity 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 KuKux Klans have. through said convictions, been
almost If not altogether broken mp, and that those who
were in sympathized with them have come
to see the folly wckedness and danger Of suclxQSr
izations
You have been pleased to sayto me, and simn>aaqG>
ances been gwen by otherAsekng the same object
that Executive cemeDcy THIS time lin ssSs lnx
cases would tend TO many causes OF uneasness
and irritation existing, and conduce generally TO
the public peace and tranquility, and the proposed
action is taken with reference to such caseswic"th
full expectation that these VIII be verified
You informed that the prosecutions now pend
ing In the courts for violations Of the En-
forcement act will be suspended or diseontln-
ued. and instructions TO this effect have already
been given several dstrctattorneys, but there may
be exceptional OF great aggray walton where the
Government would insist upon conviction and punish
ment There are however. but few Of such cases now
within my knowledge. Persons who have absented
themselves on account Of their completely in KuKlux
oenses are liberty return and unless their crimes
be ong within the above named exceptional cases they
Will not be prosecuted Many Of those sentenced 10 i'm
prisonment for such ofenses have been already par
doned and the cases Of under consideration
and will probably disposed of in like manner keep
ing in view the proper relation between the punishment
and the nature OF their guilt
To avoid any misconcepon Of these proceedings IL Is
perhaps necessary for to say that all conspracies
and outrages or violation Of these acts hereafter COM
mtted like those heretofore punished will be prose-
cuted with all possible energy and ygor and 1t is to be
understood that the Government does not intend to
abandon SAID acts but induce. If possible, willing
oeadence to their reasonable requirements Substan-
tiay they are intended protect citizens OF the United
states in the possession and enjoyment Of those
political and civil rights guaranteed to them By the
late amendments to the Constitution and the President,
whose duty II IL TO see that the laws faithfully
cuted would be recreant that duty II he did not so
administer the Government afford TO all citizens
the equal protection of its laws. have added these
suggestions TO the information for which you ask with
sincere hope that by the exercise Of mutual recogu
fon of each others rights by all OF people, no fur
ther necessity will arise for their protection and enforce
meut under said acs through the action OF the General
Government Very Respectfully,
GEO. II. WILLIAMS, Attorney General.