The Findlay Jeffersonian. [volume] (Findlay, Hancock County, Ohio) 1870-1881, 1876-08-25
RIGHT OF SUFFRAGE.
Letter of Secretary Cameron to General shers..
WAsHINGToN. Aug. 16.-Secretary
Cameron has written the following let
ter to (ranarsI Sherman


WASHINGTON. Aug. 16.-Secretary
Cameron has written the following let
ter to General Sherman:
WAR DEPARTMENT,
WASHINGTON CITY, Aug. 1G, 1876. {
To General W. T. Sherman, ConmaadeT
Of the United States Army;
Sir: The House oi Representatives
OF the United States on the 10th inst
passed the following preamble and res
oiution, viz:
WHEREAS, The right OF suffrage pre-
scribed by the Constitutions OF the
several States Is subject 10 the Fif-
teenth amendment of the Constitution
OF the United States. which i ~ fol
lows:
ARTICLE XVI.-SECrIoN :. Tie
night Of a citizen of the United St'-t,
To vote shall not be denied or abridged
by any State on account OF race,
color or previous condition of s"rvi
tude
SEC. ?. The Congress shal! iEre
power 20 enforce this article by apprO-
pirate legislation.
AND WHEREAS. The right OF suffrage
SO prescribed and regulated should be
faithfully maintained and observed by
the United States and .is several
States AID the citizens thereof. and
WHEREAS, L ! asserted that the eX
ercise of the right OF sul!rl-,,. Is Iii some
OF the States, notwithstanding tii,, ,.f-
forts OF all good cit;zrus 10 the. co4tra-
~, resisted and ru:,trniir.t hv fraud,
intimidation. and v'nlruc.'. 50 tiin: IL
such cases the OH ct OF The amend
ment is defeated; and
WHEREAS, All citizens, without dis
tinction OF race, or class, or color, are
entitled TO the protection conferred by
such article therefore, be it
ReSOtued, by the House Of Represent
atives, That all attempts by force,
fraud, terror, intimidation, or other
wise to prevent the free exercise OF tire
right Of suffrage in any State should
meet with certain, condign, and effect
i've punishment, and that in any case
which has heretofore occurred, or that
may thereafter occur, in which ciu-
lence or murder has been or shall be
committed by one class or race upon
the other. the prompt prosecution and
Eu1llsiilUtilI Ol llic CIIilibhi Ut Ctitii-
mails III any court having jurisdiction is
imperatively demanded, whether the
crime be one punishable hy fine or i'm
pri5onment. or one demanding the
penalty of death.
Tie President directs that in accord
ance with the spirit of the above you
are to hold all available force under
your command, not now engaged in
subduing the savages of the Western
frontier, in readiness TO be used upon
call or requisition of the proper legal
authorities, for protecting all citizens
without distinction of race, color, or
political opinion i'll the exercise Cf the
right TO vote as guaranteed by the Fif-
teenth amendment. aud to assist in the
enforcement of certain, cOEd!gu. and
effectual punishment upon al. persons
who shall attempt 10y force. fraud, ter
ror, intimidation. or otherwise, 20 PIE
vent the free exercise rf tile right If
suffrage as provided by the law of the
United States, and to have siIcii force
so distributed and stationed a. tn b,-
able 10 render prompt assistance in the
enforcement of the law Such addi-
tiOnal orders as may be necessary 10
carry out the purpose of these instruc-
tions will be given to you from time to
time after consultation with the law
officers of the Government
Very respectfully, your obediemt servant,
j. ID. CAMERON.
Secretary of War