New national era. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1870-1874, 1874-09-10

outrages upon the freedmen. 1t cannot be
taught by belittling thel outrages of the
South, as does the Ns,o York Tribune, with
its cold-blooded disregard Of the right to life
and liberty for the negro. Neither can it be
taught by yielding to the demagogue cry
against the use Of bayonets, and to the
charge of overawing voters in the exercise
Of the elective franchise-the favorte outcry
of rebels and rebel sympathizers whenever
the Administration essays to protect loyal
citizens in their rights.
Fortunate it is for the freedmen and Union
white men that we have a Republican Ad-
ministration with firm President in sympa-
thy with the just amendments to the Consti-
tuition. Through the action of President
Grant-since our last issue-in regard to the
outrages in the South, we feel that the Gov
eminent will enforce the laws which make
all citizens equal as such. The South can be
convinced, it would seem, in no other way
than by the bayOnet that the people of the
United States mean that freedom and equal
ity-not slavery and aristocracy-shall be
the controlling principle in the United States.
1t is necessary for the peace of the nation
that the people of the South become con-
WINGED that it is the deep-seated purpose of
the nation to maintain and uphold Liberty,
cost what it may.
Attorney General Williams returned from
Long Branch on the Sd instant, bringing
with him the following letter from President
Grant to the Secretary of War:
LONG BRANCH, Nd, Sept. 2, 1874.
Gen. ". ". Belknap, Secretary of War:
The recent atrocities in the South, particu-
larly in Louisiana, Alabama, and South Car
olna, 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, mat
tiers must become worse until life and prop
erty there will receive no protection from the
local authorizes, such authority becoming
pOweress. Under such circumstances, it is
the duty of the Government to give all the
aid for the protection of life and civil rights
legally authorized. To this end l wish you
would consult with the Attorney General,
who is we'll informed as to the outrages al
ready committed, and the localities where
the greatest danger lies, and so order 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 At
torney General in accordance with the provi-
sions OF the Enforcement acts. No instruc-
tons 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 hereafter.
(Signed) L. s. GRANT.
Attorney General Williams has forwarded
to all United States Marshals and all United
States District Attorneys in the South the
following circular:
DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE,
WASHINGTON, Sept. 3, 1874.
SIR: Outrages of various descriptions, and
in some cases atrOcOus MURDERS have been
in your district by armed men,
sometimes in disguise, and with the view, it
is believed, of Overawing and intimidating
peaceable and lawabidng citizens, and de-
prving 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 Nher civil rights, and to furnish
passed April 90, 1871, entitled "An act to
enforce the provisions of the fourteenth
to the Constitution of the United
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, make these deeds of yio-
lence and of blood Offenses within the iuris-
dction of the General Government. i con-
slider it my duty, in view of these circum-
stances, to instruct you to proceed, with all |
energy and dispatch, to detect, expose,
arrest, and punish the perpetrators of these |
crimes, and to that end you are to spare no |
United States will be stationed at different |
and convenient points in your district for the |
purpose of giving you all needful aid in the |
of your official duties. You under
stand, of course, that no interference what
ever is hereby intended with any political or |
party action not in violation of law, but pro-
lection to all classes of citizens, white and |
colOred, in the free exercise of the elective |
franchise, and the enjoyment of the other
rights and privileges to which they are emit.
tied under the Constitution and laws as !
citizens of the United States.
The instructions are issued by the author
~ " e"S iCSiuCut, duu VIII the concurrence |
Of the Secretary of War.
Very respectfully,
GEO. II. WILLIAMS,
Attorney General.
Our people in the South may rely upon the |
protection of the Government. Those who
had determined to submit to the exactions |
Of the Ku-Klux Klans or White Leagues
rom fear Of outrage, need fear no longer.
With the defeat of the Republican party will
come the triumph of the Ku-Klux and the
virtual reinstatement of the negro. Every
'olored voter owes for his own peace and
happiness, as well as to the general welfare
If the country, his support to the Republican
'arty at all hazards.
Let the Administration adhere to its de-
ermination to enforce the laws, and Ku-
lux Klans will be taught lesson that can
ut be as salutary as it is necessary.
w. Now is the time for delin-