The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1874-09-04
The Condition Of Affairs In the south
Consultation or Cabinet Officers,

The Condition Of Affairs In the South
(; Consultation or Cabinet Officers,
WAsHfsGroN, Septembe Attorney
General Williams returned to Washington
from Long Branch this morning. Secretary
Belknap has also returned, and a eonsulta-
ton Ewas Eeld.at the War Department to-day
between s.thet .Attorney.G General, Secretary
BeIknaE,. and Secretary Bristow. The con
ference, it Is understood, J, had reference to the
condition of affairs in the South. Senator
Chandler, who is here, arrived at tie War
DepartmentSdari decentralization and was
id attendance. - 10. Z t,. I'm - 2,a
Whatth the results oF. j this meeting are can.
not be definitely ascertained at this hour.
but it il iatimated by excellent authority
that immediate official action Of an import
ant character will be taken. lax ir3I
i Senator West is also here, and had an in
teryiew with the Secretary Of War,this mora;
ing u Ys.h g,iAg a+31 iiuZKM III ]
It is reported, though without official au-
thority, that the Attorne General will to-
day,issue instructions, to the ID nited States
niarsbals In the South TO summon a. posse
ecosaitdtus TO assist in qnslling all violations
pfthe public peace, such as it is alleged have
recently occurred in many portions Of the
south, and that in the event Of their failure
to prevent attractions Of the peace, troops
will be called on to preserve order.
letter FROM THE PRESIDENT on TReisBBJEcT.
| WAsHlSGroN, D. G.. September 3d.-The
following letter was received here to-day: :
!! &c Iona Branch, ~. III, September Q, 1874.
General w. w. Belkuap, Secretary of War:
The recent atrocities in the South, particu-
larigin Louisiana, Alabama; and South Ca
rolina, show disregard for. law, civil rights,
and personal protection that ought MOTTO be
tolerated in. any civilized Government, 1t
looks as jf.unless speedily checked matters
must become worse until life and property
there viii receive no projection from the 10 ::
cal authorities until such authority becomes
poWerless. f,f IL
"Under such circumstances it is the duty
OF the Government to give all Tie aid lfor'the
protection of life and civil rights legally au-
thorized to this end. wish on would con-
suit withthe Attorney. General, who is well
informed as to the ottrages already commit
ted and the localities: where the greatest dan.
ger lies, and so order troops as to be availa.
ble in cases Of necessity. All proceedings
for the protection of the South will be under
the Law Department of the Government,
and will be directed by che Attorney Gene
raj in accordance with the provisions iof
the enforcement acts. No Instructions need
therefore be given the troops ordered Tito
the southern States except Us they may be
transmitted from time to time on advice from
the Attorney- General, or as. circumstances
may determine hereafter, a.u.- t'..,,slrt
~ a,"Yours truly, .' &. ~. S GRAST.','.@.
-. LATER - RESULT OF TIE CONFERENCE. = :
AS result of the conference held at the
War Department this morning between
Secretaries Bristow, Belknap, and Attor,
ney-GeneraI Williams, the following circular
was, issued, this afternoon !at2 O'clock to
United States attorneys and marshals. 1t has
the approval of the President, the substan.
tial parts Of the same having been communi-
Gated to- him during an interview with the
Attorney. General at Long RraHch:
department of Justice, Washington, Sep
TENDER 8, iS74.-Sir: Outrages OF various
descriptions, and in some cases atroclons
murders, haze been committed in your dis
triet by BODIES Of armed men, sometimes 10
disguise, and with, the view, It is beiieVed,
Of overawing and intimidating. peaceaole
and law.abiding citizens and depriviDg them
Of the rights guaranteed 70 them by the Con-
stitution and laws of the United States.Y Your
u
passed April 8, 1866, entitled can act to pro-
teet ali persons in the United States in their
civil rights, and to furnish means for their
Yindication;' and to another passed April
20, 1870, entitled San act to enforce
the provisions of the fourteenth amend
ment to the Constitution Of the Uni
led States and for other purposes
also to one passed May 80, 1870, entitled IAN
act to enforce the right of citizens OF the
United States to vote in the several States
Of this Union, and for other purposes,
which. with their amendments, made these
deeds of violence and blood offences within
the jurisdiction of the General Government.
/ consider it my duty in view of these cir
cnmstances to instruct you to proceed win
ALI possible esergy and dispatch TO detect,
expose, arrest, and punish the perpetrators
OF these crimes, and TO that end you are 70
spare no effortor necessary expense. Troops
iof the United States will be stationed at dill
3ferent and Convenient points in your distrlct
for the purpose of giving all needful aid IN
| the discharge of your official. duty. ~ gu
of course, that no interference
whatever is hereby intended with any pc.
IiliticaI or party action not In violation Of law
|Eb,1t protection toall classes Of citizens, white
land colored, in the full exercise Of the cleo
tive franchise and the enjoyment Of the thel
rights and privileges to which they are emu
IIt,ed under the Constitution and laws as, GEL
lEzans of the United States. These iastrlc
lStions3 are issued by the authority OF tns
President and with the concurrence OF th'
tSeereGary Of War. SIS. E. IS s53s !.
g Very respectfully, 4
q. ssgs g GEoRGE III. WILLIAMS,
| 81 Attorney General