The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1874-09-06

! leCCGl
| was received here to-day: =
LONG BRANCH, Sept 2, IS74.-Gen. w. H.
Belknap, Secretary of War: The recent atroci
| ties in the South, particularly in Louisiana,
| for the law, civil rights and personal protec-
! tion that ought not to be tolerated in any
civilized government.
| 1t looks as if unless speedily checked matters
! must become worse, until life and property
| there will receive no protection from the local
| au thorities
| Under such circumstances it is the duty of
the Government to give all the aid for the pro-
| lection of life ard civil rights. Legally au-
thorized to this end wish ysu would consult
with the Attorney General, who is fully in
formed as to the ontrages already commtt cd,
and the location where the Greatest danger lies,
and SO order troops as to be available cases
of necessity.
All proceedings for the protection of the
South will be uuder the Law Department of
the Government, and be directed by the At
torney General in accordance with the pro-
visions of the enforcement acts.
No instructions need therefore be given the
troops ordered into the Southern States. except
they may be transmitted from time to time,
on advice from the Attorney General, or ~
circumstances may determine hereafter. Yonrs
truly,
Tsigued u s. GRANT
Washington, Sept. 3.--As a result of the con-
ference held at the War Department this
morning, between Secretaries Brstow and
Belkuap and Attorney General Williams the
two o'clock to United States Attorneys and
Marshals. 1t has the approval of the President,
the substantial parts of the same having been
comm nicated to him during an interview
with the Attorney General at Long Branch:
DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE,
Washington, u. c., Sept. }, 1874. :
ST-Ontrages of various descriptions and in
some cases atrocious murders, have been COM
mtted in your district by bodies of armed men,
sometimes in disguise, and with the view, it is
of overawiug and intimidation of
peaceful and law-abidiDg citizens, and depriv- |
ing them of the rights guaranteed to them by |
the Constitution and laws of the United States |
Your attention is directed to an act of Congress |
passed April 9, 1866, entitled an act to Protect |
all persons in the United States in their civil
rights, and to furnish means for their vindica-
tion to another passed April 20, 1870, entitled
an act to enforce the provisions of the four
teeth amendment to the Constitution of the
United States, and for other purposes also, to
one passed May 80, 1870, entitled an act to
enforce the right of citiSens of the United
States to vote in the several Ststee of this
Union, aud for other purposes, which, with
their amendments, make these deeds OF vio-
ence and blood offences within the Jurisdiction
Of the General Government.
/ consider it my duty, in View of these cir
,umst9nces, 10 instruct You TO proceed with all
possible energy aud dispatch, to detect, ex-
pose, arrest aud punish the perpetrators OF
,bese crimes, and to that end yOn are to spare
10 effort or necessary expense. Troops of the
United States will he stationed at different and
,onvenient points In your district for the pur-
,ose of giving all needful aid in the discharge
# your officials duties. "
You understand, of course, that no interior
nee whatever is hereby intended with any
'olitical or party action, not in action of law,
tut protection to all classes of oitizcDs. whito
nd colored, in the free exercise of the elective
franchise, aud the enjoyment of the other
lights and privileges 70 which they are entS .
led under the Constitution SDd laws "a citizens
{ the United States.
These instructions are Issued by the au-
hority Of the President, and with the conour- {
enee of the Secretary Of War. Ia
Very respectfully,
GEo, n. WILLIAMS,
nAA,..-.l.-. .L.n..s..ai