Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1874-09-04

OSpt' u. he INTERNAL REVENUE EeCeIptb u
day were $l9l,Sl2.
As result of the conference held at the
war department at noon to-day, the following
was issued this afternoon:
Department of Justice,
Washington, d. c., Sept. 8.
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 and with view,
it is believed, of overawing and intimdating
peaceable and law abiding citizens and depriv-
ing them of the rights guaranteed TO them by
the constitution and laws of the United States.
Your attention is directed to an act of Con-
gress passed April 9, 1866, entitled an 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, entitled an Act to enforce the provisions
Of the l4th amendment to the constitution of
the United States and for other purposes, also
to one passed May 30th, 1870, entitled an Act
to enforce the rights of citizens to vote in
the several States of this Union, and for
other purposes which, with their amendments,
make these deeds Of violence and blood an
offence within the jurisdiction of the general
government, | consider it my duty in view
proceed, with all possible energy and de-
spatch, 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 giving
you all needful aid in the discharge of your
official duties. You understand of course
that no interference is intended with any po-
litical or party action, not in violation Of law
but protection to all classes of citizens, white
and colored, in the free exercise of the elect
i've franchise and the enjoyment of the other
rights and privileges to which they are en-
titled, under the constitution and laws as citi-
zens of the United States.
These instructions are issued by the au-
thority of the President and with the concur
renee of the Secretary of War.
Very respectfully, sir,
GEORGE Fl. WILLIAMS,
Attorney Gsnl.
The following letter was received here to.
day
Long Branch, N. j., Sept. 2.
To Gen. W. W. Belknap, Secretaryof
Wharf.-The recent atrocities in the South,
particularly in Louisiana, Alabama, and South
Carolina, show a disregard for law, civil
rights and personal protection that ought not
not to 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 local
authorities; until such authority becomes
powerless. Under such circumstances it is
the duty Of the government to give all the aid
for the protection of life and civil rights le-
gally authorized. To this end / wish you
would consult with the Attorney General who
is well informed as to the outrages already
committed, and the locality where the greatest
danger lies, and so order troops as to be
available in case of necessity. All proceed
ings 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 en-
forcement act. No instructions need there
fore be given troops ordered into the southern
states except as they may be transmitted from
time to time on the advice from the Attorney
General, or as circumstances may determine
hereafter. Yours truly,
(sigaed) U, S. GRANT.