The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1876-08-29
The Order TO Place the south I'm.
der Military Control.

The OrderiO Place the south I'm
q der Military Control.
q WAsHlNaroN, August l6 -Secfetary
Cameron has written the following letter
to Gen Sherman:
WAR DEpARrAENr, WASHINGTON Crrr,)
- August Is, 1875 81
To Gen. w. T. Sherman, Commanding U. s.
Army: ~:
SIR: The House of Representatives
of the United States, on the 10th inst,
passed tine Following preamble and reso ]
lutibn .syiz c Ilf .3
"WHEREAs.. The right Of suffrage pre-
scribed by the Constitution Of the seye !,
raj States is subject to the XVIII Amend
ment Of the Constitution OF the United-
States, whichlis as iolhotss re / -
"ARrICLE XV-SEcrroN 1.-The right
of cilizens of. the United States to vote
shall not he denied or abridged by the
United States, or by any State, on ac.
count of race, color, or previous condi-
! ton Of servi,ude 1essi7 80 -n' -
..sEc q The Congress shall have
power owe to enforce this article art BY appro
AND. WHEREAS, The right Of suffrage
so prescribed and regulated should be
faithfully maintained and observed by
tthe United States. and the several States,
ami the ci,izAns thereof; and "
I, WnEREAs, It is asserted that the sex,
ercise OF the right or suffrage is; in some
tof the States, notwithstanding the efforts
of oil good citizens TO the contrary, sre.
sisted and controlled BY fraud, intimida:
I tious and violence, so that in such cases
ftheI object. of the amendment is defeated. ;
land, .,...',sg, 80,
!. WHEREAS, All citizens without dis.
) tinction Of race or class or color, are en-
titled TO the protection conferred, BY such
Iarticle therefore, e,,sdo, s-rs -
j Beikresolced BY the House of gRepre
seatatiUes. That all attempts by, force,
fraud, terror, intimidation, or Otherwise,
to prevent the free exercise ,of, the right
Of suffrage in, any State should, meet
with certain, condign, and effeetpal pun,
ishment;;, and that in any case which has
heretofore occurred or may occur here.
after, in which violence or murder has
been or shall be committed by one race
or, class upon lheu other; the prompt
prosecution and punishment of the Grim
insl, or criminals, in any court having
jurisdiction, is imperatively demanded
whether the crime be one punishable BY
i fine or imprisonment, OF one demanding
1 the penalty Of death. Z 7s'ae 9 aaTs9
J. The President directs that in accord.
anee with the spirit Of the above you are
! to hold all the available force under
your command not now engaged in sub
DUNG the savages on the western from
tier in readiness to be used upon the cal
or reqaisitien. Of the proper legal au'
thorties fo- protecting all citizens, with
out distinction Of race, color, or politi
) cal opinion, In the exercise OF the right
|, to vote, ss guaranteed by theo Fifteenth
Amendment, and to assist in ithe en-.
forcement of "certain, condign, .and ef-
, fectual punishment upon al persons
who shall "attempt by force, ffauf,;ter
,lror, intimidation, or otherwise to pre-
vent the free exercise Of the right o.
suffrage" as provided by the Law of the
United States, and. have such force SC
distributed and stationed as TO be able
to render prompt assistance in the. en-
forcement Of the law, Such additional
orders as may be necessary to carry out
these Instructions will be given to You
from time to time after consultations with
the law officers Of the Government
i Very respectfully, your ohedient ser.
want, 49,, T j. D CAMERoN,
] - Secretary Of War.