The Van Buren press., 1875-01-19
Are the Rights of Persons Respected In
Arkansas

There seems to be determination, on
the part of Gov Garldand TO protect the
people of the state, regardless of party,
in the exercise Of all their rights, and sc
cure them in their peaceful possession
In answer to card published in the
Little Rock Republican, signed BY TWEEN
ty or thirty men, who declare that for the
last ten years they have carried their lives
in their hands, so many have been the
threats made against them, and SO grea
the perils by which they have been sur
rounded, he has issued the proclamation
which we publish below, and which will
be heartily endorsed by every good citi,
z9n of our state If the lires of any Of
the citizens of Arkansas are endangered
in any way, let the parties go before prop.
er authorities, in order that the persons
thus endangered may be protected, and
the one endangeripg be panished. Let
this matter be thoroughly sifted, that the
truth may be brought to light, and our
state restored to perfect peace.
EXECUTIVE OFFICE LITTLE Rock ARK,
January Ia, $50.
To the Honorable President OF the Senate and the
members thereof:
GEM LEMEN observe in yesterdays Re
publican Il communication signed by many
persons, in which great fears OF personal sale
"a nu tpl hV the siUnpr. a Ibp a irlp
So strongly indeed. that they say they carry
their lives in their hands =" While it is true
the signers of this paper walk the streets AN
attend to their daily calling like other peopl'
and apparently with as much sense of scouri
ty as myself yet they may entertain fears
based upon facts not known to me or any 9TH
er officer connected with this government. Ii
there is terrori>m or amy denial OF right to
any person in this state under this govern
ment. or it there is any white league in this
state. or any similar or kindred organization.
do not know it. But to ascertain this def.
nitely. and assure protection to those who say
they do believe these things. have requested
the prosecuting attorney of this circuit to
have these persons brought before the grand
jury now in session. to testify fully about
them. with the intention, if there l. power III
this government, to break up all such organ
ization, and to punish all parties belonging
to them, as well As all parties who may threat
en- or try to alarm citizens of the state, or to
deprive them of any ght. The prosecuting
attorney has assured me he will at once al
ford every facility to those persons who be
lieve this state OF affairs exists TO appear be-
fore the grand jury, and establish it; and if
it does he will spare no pains or effort tosup-
press it, and to bring to immediate and Sc
we're Punishment those who are concerned in
it.
call your attention to these matters that
you may consider what iegi,lction l. ncccssa,
ry to secure the end indicated here.
If the act of March 18th, 1863, in relation
to" kt-kluX" which is still law Is not broad
enough. would advise that it be 50 amended,
changed. or modified, rs to meet the necessi-
lies Of the case. The most stringent law you
can pass to suppress and put an end to all such
evils IL they exist will meet with my ready
and unqualified endorsements
Under the liberal just and fair constitution
we now have, we want no man IN the state To
bc afraid, or to carry hissitf' ~ his hand but
all must be free aud unembarassed, that they
may remain In the land, and do well and
prosper.
Your immediate attention Is earnestly call
ed to this matter.
Very respectfully.
A. II GARLAND, Governor.