The weekly clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1863-1882, 1874-09-10
TIE PRESIDENT INTERPRETERS IA
PUT DOWN THE MODS.
HIS LETTER no THE sECRE-
TARY OF WAR
The Attorney General'. Insaruc.
tiOms.

WASHINGTON, d. G. Sept. g.
The following letter was received here to
day
Gen. y. ". Belkuap, Secretary of War.
Recent atrocities in the South, partieu
ly in Louisiana, Alabama and SoutE
Carolina, show disregard for law. civil
rights, and personal protection 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
authorities until such authority becomes
powerless. Under such circumstances
it Is the duty of the Government to give
all aid for the protection of life and civil
| rights legally authorized To this end.
l wish you would consult the Attorney
General, who is well informed as to the
outrages already committed, and the
localities where the greatest danger lies.
and so order the troops as to be available
IN case of necessity. All proceedings for
the protection of the South will be under
the Law Department of the Government.
and will be directed by the Attorney
General in accordance with the provisions
OF the enforcement act. No instructions
need therefore be given the troops ordered
into the Southern States except as they
may be transmitted from time TO time on
advice from the Attorney General, or
as circumstances may determine hereaf-
ter:
(Sighed) U. S. GRANT.
ATTORNEY GENERAL WILLIAMS TO UNI
TED STATES MARsHALs AT THE SOUTH
WASHINGTON, Sept. 3.-As the result
OF the conference held at the War Depart
ment at noon to-day, the following was
issued this afternoon
DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE,
WAsHINGTON, Sept. 8. 1874
SIR: Outrages of various descriptions,
and, IN some cases, atrocious murders,
have been committed in your district by
bodies of armed men, sometimes in
disguise, but with view, it is believed,
Of overawing intimidating peaceable and
law-abiding citizens, and depriving them
of rights granted to them by the COnstitu-
ton and laws of the United States.
Your attention is directed to an act Of
Congress, passed A pril 9, 1866, entitled
An act to protect all persons in the
United States in their civil rights and to
furnish means for their vindicaton," and
to another, passed April 20, 1871, entitled
AN act to enforce the provisions of the
Fourteenth Amendment to the Constitu-
ton of the United States and for other
purposes; also to one passed May
6, 1870, entitled can act to en-
force the rights of citizens Of the United
States to vote in the several States of this
Union, and for other purposes which,
with their amendments, make deeds of
violence and bioodshed within the
Jurisdiction of the General Government.
| consider it my duty, in view Of these
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 efforts or necessary expense
The troops of the United States will be
stationed at different points in your
district, for the purpose of giving YOU all |
needful aid in the discharge of your
official duties. You understand, of |
that no Interference whatever is |
hereby intended with any political or
party action not in violation OF law, but |
protection of all classes Of citizens, white
and colored, in the free exercise of the |
elective franchise and the enjoyment Of |
other rights and privileges to which they
are entitled under the Constitution and |
laws of the United States. These |
are by authority of the
President. and with the concurrence of
the Secretary of War.
Very respectfully,
GEORGE IT. WILLIAMS,
Attorney General.
The above is addressed to the United |
States Marshals and Attorneys, and is |
prepared with the Endorsement of the
President