The Cairo bulletin. [volume] (Cairo, Ill.) 1872-1878, 1876-08-22
ANTI-BAYONET RESOLUTIONS.
Adopted by the People of Cairo on
saturday Night.

The following resolutions presented by
Mr.. John II. Oberly, to the public meet
ing, held in this city on Saturday night,
were unanimously adopted, and were Or
dered to be printed in the BULLETIN,
Chicago TD.oo, st. Louis Times and Re
publican, and the Argus-Jornal:
WHEREAS, Hon. j. ID. Cameron, secre-
tary of war, has. by order of the Presi-
dent Of the United States, directed Gen.
W. r. Sherman, commanding the army,
to hold all the available force not now
engaged in Indian warfare. in readiness
to be used, upon call of the authorities OF
the government, in protecting citizens in
the exercise OF the right to vote, and to
assist in the execution OF certain con-
dign and cffectual punishment upon all
persons who shall attempt by force, fraud,
terror. intimidation or otherwise TO pre-
vent the free exercise of the right of SUIT
frage, and to have such force distributed
and stationed so as to be able to render
prompt assistance i'm the enforcement of
the laws; and
WHEREAS, This order was intende!.
and is so understood bv the country, to
be threat of military interference in the
political canvass now in progress in such
States as are apparently determined to not
endorse the present administration of the
government at the approaching national
electiOn-a threat to be followed by the
act OF interference and the suppression OF
the popular will by the use OF the bayo-
nets OF the army: and
WHEREAS, There is no existing condi-
ton OF affairs in any State TO call for the
PRONUNCIATION of such an order, or to even
excuse il, the laws being in full force and
effect in each State, with the courts open
aud uninfluenced By fear or swayed by
corruption; and
WHEREAS, This attempt OF the execu-
tive TO intimidate citizens in the free eX-
ercise of their right TO enjoy freedom of
speech and suffrage, to awe them into ac-
quiescence in the existing condition of
public affairs by threat 10 use the
sword of the republic. is dangerous
precedent, and is an act injurious to the
prosperity of the country, since it alarms
its industrial, merchantile and other inter-
ests by creating fear of impending poll
teal CONFUSION il not OF actual civil war:
Therefore, we, the Democrats and
other patriotic citizens OF Cairo, hereby
resolve as follows:
Resolred, That we heartily endorse the
preambles and resolution adopted BY
the Democrats of the house of represent
tatiyes of the United States, on the 10th
instant; and now, reaffirming them in
substance. declare
The right of suffrage, as prescribed by
the Fifteenth amendment TO the const-
tuition of the United States, should be
maintained by he federal government
and governments of the states, and should
be sacredly respected by the people
thereof;
All citizens, without distinction of
race, class, or color should be protected
by law in the exercise of this right
All attempts by force, fraud, terror,
tree exercise of the right of suffrage in
any state, should he meet with certain
cOndign and effectual punishment;
In any cases in which violence or MUIR
der NAV be committed IN any attempt TO
intimidate or prevent, or illegally OBJ
struct. any citizen or citizens, white or
black, in The exercise of the right of stuff
rage, the prompt prosecution and pun
ishment of the criminal or criminals in a
court having jurisdiction of the ofiense,
whether it be punishable by fine, impris-
onment or death. is imperatively de-
manded.
Resolved. That we deprecate the act of
the administration in seizing upon the
tact OF the adoption of these preambles
and resolution by the Democratic ma
jority of the house Of representatives, as
a pretext tor ordering the army to be
distributed in such states as the admin
istration may desire to control at the ap-
approaching presidential election; and
we hereby denOunce this act as uncalled
tor by the condition of public affairs in
any part of the country, and as a men
ace OF our liberties that should attract
the attention and receive the condemna-
ton of the people of the republic.
In justification Of this resolution let
facts speak with no uncertain voice:
Laws have been enacted, and are In