Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1874-09-19
THE SOUTHERN TROUBLES.
Official Orders by the President OF the
United states and the AttOrney-Gen-
eraI,

United states and the AttOrney-Gen-
eraI.
The following is the letter of the
President of the United States to the
Secretary of War, relative to affairs in
the South "The recent atrocities in
the South, particularly in Louisiana,
Alabama and South Carolina, show
disregard for law, civil rights and per-
sonal 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 pro-
lection from the local authorities, such
authority becoming powerless. 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 1 wish you
would consult with the Attorney-Gen-
eral, who is we'll informed as to the out
RACES already committed and the locali-
ties 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 un-
der the Law Department of the gov
ernment, and will be directed by the
Attorney General, in accordance with
the provisions of the Enforcement acts.
No instructions need therefore be given
the troops ordered into the Southern
States, except as they may be transmit
ted from time to time on advice from
the Attorney-General, or as circum-
stances may determine hereafter"
As a result of conference held at
the United States War Department, the
following order was issued by Attorney
General Williams
Outrages of various descriptions, and
in some cases atrocious murders, have
been committed in your district by
bodies of armed men, sometimes in dis
guise, and with view, it is believed,
of overawing ard intimidating peace
able and law-abiding citizens, and de-
priving 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
can 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 enforce the pro-
visions of the Fourteenth amendment
to the Constitution of the United States,
and for other purposes" Also to one
passed May 80, 1870, entitled can act
to enforce the rights of citizens of the
United States to vote in the several
States of this Union, and for other pur-
poses" which, with these amendments,
make these deeds of violence and blood
offences within the jurisdiction of the
general Government. I consider it my
duty, in view of these circumstances,
to instruct you to proceed with all pos
sible energy and despatch to detect,
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 DIS
charge of your official duties.
You understand, of course, that no
interference whatever is hereby in
tended with any political or party ac-
tion 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 entitled under the Constitu-
tion and laws, as citizens of the United
States.
The instructions are issued by the
authority of the President and with the
concurrence of the Secretary of War.
The above is addressed to United
States Marshals and attorneys, and is
prepared with the approval of the
President, to whom the essential points
were submitted in the recent visit OF
the Attorney General to Long Branch.