Whig and tribune. [volume] (Jackson, Tenn.) 1870-1877, 1874-09-12
DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE,
WASHINGTON. Sent. 9. IA

DIR. OuLra8eS OF various OeScI1p-
tions and in some cases atrocious muir
ders have been committed in your
district by bodies OF armed men,
sometimes in disguise, and with
view, it is believed, of overawing and
intimidating peacable and law-abiding
citizens and depriving them of the
rights guaranteed to them by the con-
stitution and laws of the United States.
Your attention is directed to an act
of congress passed April 9, 1866, en-
titled Gan act to protect all persons
in the United States in their civil
rights and to furnish means for their
vindicatiOn," )" and to another passed
April 20, 1871, entitled, can act to en-
force the provisions of the Fourteenth
amendment to the constitution United
States, and for other purposes" Also
to one passed May 6, 1870, entitled,
can act to enforce the rights Of citi-
zens of the United States TO vote in
the several states of this Union. and
for other purposes" which, and with
their amendments, make these deeds
of violence and blood within the iu-
risdictioH of the general government.
I consider il my duty, in view of
these circumstances, to proceed with
all possible energy and dispatch, to
detect, expose, arrest and punish the
perpetrators of these crimes, and to
that end you are to spare no effort or
necessary expense. Troops of the
United States will be stationed at
different and convenient points IN
your district for the purpose Of Civ
ing YOU all needful aid in the dis
charge of your official duties. You
understand, of course, that no inter
| ference whatever Is hereby intended
with any political or party action not
in violation of law, but protection to
/ all classes of citizens, white and col
Ored, in the free exercise of the cleo
tive franchise and the enjoyment of
other rights and privileges to which
they are entitled under the cOnstitu-
ton and laws as citizens Of the United
States. These instructions are IS
sued by the secretary OF war.
Very respectfully,
GEO. II. WILLIAMS.
The above is addressed to United
States marshals and attorneys, and Is
prepared with the approval and in
dorsement of the president to whom
the substantial points were submitted
/ >
eral to Long Branch.
LETTER FROM THE PRESIDENT.
LONG BRANCH, \. J.
September ID, 1874.
GenI W. W. BEuKASP, Sec Of War.
Recent atrocities in the South, par
ticularIy in Louisiana Alabama and
South Carolina, show a disregard for
I law. civil rights and personal protec-
/ ton that ought not to be tolerated in
anv civilized government. 1t looks
rs if unless speedily checked matters
must become worse until life and pro-
pertv there VIII receive no protection
I from the local authorities until such
authority becomes pOwerless. IN
/ der such circumstances it Is the duty
Of the government 10 give all aid for
protection of life and civil rights le-
/ eallv authorized. To this end wish
I YOU would consult with the attorney
/ general, who Is well informed as to
/ the outrages already committed, and
I the localities where the greatest dam
/ ger lies, and so order troops as to be
available in case OF necessity. All
| proceedings for the protection Of the
/ South viii be under the law depart
ment OF the government and viii be
directed by the encouragement IN ac-
| cordance with the provisions of the
enforcement act. No instructions
need therefore be given troops order
ed into Southern states except rs
they may be transmitted from time tC
time on advice from the attorney.
general, or as circumstances may de
/ termine hereafter.
] ISigned.l Z. 5. GRANT.