The Milan exchange. (Milan, Gibson County, Tenn.) 1874-1978, 1874-09-03
WE MUST HAVE PEACE.
Gov. Brown 10 the Civil Officers and
People OF Tennessee.

i
without the hearty cooperation of al
civil officers, supported by healthy
public sentiment. Appeals are daily
made TO this office for military assist
ance, or for authority to organize com
panies. The recent atrocities in the
State have engendered a feverish and
unnatural excitement in the public
mind-to such an extent that the law.
full remedies for existing and appre
hended evils are overlooked, in NOR.
bid anxiety to have military protec-
ton.
Tennessee has no military power.
The militia can be called out by the
General Assembly alone, and then
/ only in case of rebellion or invasion.
If past experience may be regarded as
a just criterion, the militia, if called
into service, would tend rather TO
aggravate than to alleviate existing
troubles.
If we would preserve our State gov
eminent and the liberties of our peo-
pie, we must cease to look to military
power to enforce the law and punish
crime. The civil law affords ample
projections to- society, if sheriffs, con
stables, Judicial and ministerial officers
will do their duty. They are elected
by the people, and will do their duty,
if public sentiment will demand it.
The leading men in every community
create and control public sentiment.
The civil officers Of each county
have ample authority, under the law,
both to prevent and punish crime.
BY Section 1888 of the Code of Ten
nessee, The Sheriffis the p'jneipaIcOR-
Sercator Of the peace in his county and
ii is his duty to suppress all afrays,
riots, routs, unlawful assemblies, insur-
rections or other breaches Of the peace,
to do which, he mag Summon to his aid
as many Of the male inhabitants Of the
county as he thinks proper"
BY Section 1891, The judicial and
ministerial officers Of justice in the
State, and the Mayor, Aldermen, Mar
shalS, and police of cities and towns,
are also conscrrt0rs Of the peace, and
required to aid in the prevention and
suppressions Of public otienscs, and for
this purpose, mag act arith al the poma'
Of the Sheriff"
BY section 1899 at is the duty of
all peace officers who know, or have
reasons to suspect, any persons Of be-
ing armed, with the intention of com
hitting a riot or affray, Or Of assault
ing, womding or killing another per-
son, or Of otherwise breaking the peace
to arrest such persons forthwith, and
take him before some Justice of the
Peace"
And by another section, the justice
is required to bind him in bond, with
good security, TO keep the peace or
commit him to Jail. The substance
of which is, that all judges, justices of
Of the peace, sheriiiS, constables, may
ors, aldermen, marshals, and police
officers, Of cities and towns, are con-
SENATORS Of the peace, (the sheriff be-
ing the chief conservatory and they
are bound to prevent any violations Of
law, to preserve the peace, and to ar
rest offenders against the law-and it
is their duty, if not able to do so with
out assistance, to summon as many Of
the male inhabitants Of the county
without regard TO age or occupation)
as they think proper.
Officers or citizens who fail or re-
fuse to perform their respective duties
are guilty of misdemeanors. 1.-THE sher-
if cannot obtain force enough in his
county, TO meet the demands of the
law, it i the duty Of the Governor, on
the application of the sheriff, to send
the necessary force from another coun-
tv. With such ample authority,
coupled with the power to enforce it,
the civil officers are without excuse if
the law is not executed in their cOun-
ties. They are responsible for riots
and jail-breaking, and public sentiment
shoulddemand and require Of them Wig
lance and fidelity i'll the execution Of
their high trusts; and public opinion
should boldly sustain them in their eff
forts to protect society, and uphold the
lawful authority.
If from ignorance, cowardice, or
want of fidelity, a public officer fails
Of doing his duty, let the people,
whose servant he is, turn him out Of
office, Through the means pointed out
by the law, and disgrace him. If the
people of the county. will not sustain
or aid the Officials in their proper ex-
ercise of their authority, let the Off
GERS apply to the Governor, and he
will, ,ritkcpt delay, send them force
enough TO execute the law.
Let me say to the people Of Tennes-
sec. come to the rescue Of the fair
name YOU have heretofore 50 nobly
won for your State. You are now
heralded TO the world as iail-breakers
ard mudercrs, rioters and law break
ers. With few bloody and horrible
exceptions YOU do not deserve it. But
those exceptions arc taken by the
world, as thcrule, and the effect upon
your reputation, if not counteracted,
will prove as disastrous as if the con-
demnation were deserved. Let every
community speak out in just terms Of
Indignation against these outrages,
and create a spirit that will tortify
and sustain your public officials in sup
pressing riots, and in preventing the
commission Of crime. Declare that
every man, white and black, shall re-
ceiye an equal measure Of protection
from the laws strong arm, and that
every offender shall be brought to
speedy punishment. Act promptly
and courageously upon such resolves,
and vour State will once more be an
example of peace and order. Your
homes will be secure from violence.
Your wives and children can rest In
security. There viii exist no longer
animosities Of races. Your jails viii f.