Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1876-08-17
The Shame of the Kepublic!-BayO-
net kuIe for the SOuth-The army to
be Used for partiZan Purposes.

The following outrageous order has been Is
'N'' v WV NAVY DEPARTMENT |
WASHINGTON, Aug. Is, 1876.
Gen. W. T Sherman, Commanding Oaite',
States -irmy
SIR: The House of Representatives of the
United States 90 the 10th Instant passed the
following preamble ADD resolution, viz:
Whereas the right oil suffrage prescribed by
the constitutions Of the several States is SUI
ject to the fifreuth amendment of the Corsti.
tuIion of the Uuitcd States, which is as fol-
lows:
PARTICLE XIV.
"Section ]. The right of citizens Of the
United' States to vote shall not BE- denied or
abridged by the United States or by auy State
on account of race, color or previous condition
of serVitudc.
See. :. The Congress shall have power to
enforce this article by appropriate legislation. .
And whereas the exercise OF the right OF sui
frage SO prescribed aud regulated should be
faithfully maintained and observed by the
United States ADD the several States and the
citizens thereof; aud whereas IL is asserted that
the exercise of the right of suffrage is 10 some
of the State, Notwithstanding the efforts OF all
good citizens 10 the contrary, resisted and cou-
trolied by fraud, Intimidation and violence, so
that in such cases the object of the amendment
is defeated; and whereas all cliZ4us, without
distinction OF race, or class, or color, are entl
tied tn the protection conferred by such article !;
therefore
Bet resolved the House Of Representatives,
That all attempts BY force, fraud, terror, lutlu
ldation or otherwise to prevent the free exercise
of the right OF suffrage 10 any State should meet
with certain, coDdign aud effectual punishment,
aud that 10 any case which has heretofore oc
Cured or that may hereafter occur 10 which
violence or murder has been or shall be com
mltted by one race or class upon the other the
prompt prosecution aud punishment Of the
criminal or criminals 10 any court having juris
diction is imperatively demand d, whether she
crime be one punishable by fine or imprison-
ment or one demanding the penalty of death.
The President directs that, 10 accordance
with the spiri, of th, above, you are to hold a
the available force under your command (not
now engaged 10 subdulng the savsges of the
Western froutier) 10 readiness to be used upon
the call or rtquislton of the proper legal au
thorities for protecting all citizens, without dis
tiuction of race, color or political opinions, in
the exercise of the right to vote as guaranteed
by the fifteenth amendment, aud to assist in the
enforcement of certain. coudgn and efectuaI
punishment upon all persons who shall attempt
by force, fraud, terror, intimidation or other
wise to prevent the free exsrcIse ofthe right Of
suffrage as provid by the law of the United
States, and have such force SO distributed as to
be able to render promp assistance 10 the eD
iorcement of the law. Such additional orders
as may be necessary to carry out the purposes
of these instructions will be given from time to
time after consultation with the law officer Of
the Government
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
j. d. CAMERON, Secretary Of War.