Marshall County Republican. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1856-1878, 1877-01-18
TIE SOUTH.
Attorney General Taffs Report-The Evil
and the Remedy.

and the Remedy.
The following ia the conclusion Of the an
nual report Of Attorney General Taft, commu-
nicsted TO Congress few days age:
The state OF the country III anticipation OF
the recent Presidential election, has thrown
upon the national Government unusual re-
sponsibihty. Evidence which could not be dis-
credited came to the President and the De
partment Of Justice, showing that intimidation
and violence prevailed in several States to such
an extent as 20 prevent freedom OF opinion,
and that in South Carolina unlawful military
companies known ss "rife clubs were orgsIi-
iz d. and By riding through the country armed,
doing violence 10 peacesble people and men,
scing good citizens who differed with them in
political opinion, they broke up or prevented
sssemblages for political discussion. In view
of the actual and prospective danger OF lswless
violence before and at the election. and in
pursuance of the statute which requires the
Attorney General to exercise general
supervision and direction over the
Att.rreys and Msrshsls Of all the dis
tricts in the United States ss 20 the nf.--<s
OF dscharying their respective duties, c9rn-
muncated to the Msrshsls in these districts
which appeared to be in special danger from
intimidation or fraud the instructions incloeed.
These instructions. heretofore published, are
stringent in their character, and are designed
10 secure voters in the exercise OF their rights.
l am satirfed that the United States Msrshais
and attorneys acting in concert with the Su-
ptrvisors of Election under these distractions
in Now York, Philadelphia, Baltimore, St
Louis, Chi-sgo New Orleans and i'm several
of the Southern States, contributed materially
to the preservation Of peace and to securing TO
citizens freedom in the exercise of the right Of
suffrage. The interest which the people Of
tire United States hsye in the purity OF the
ballot for Federal officers TO be elected by
popular vote, aid the acts OF Congress intend
~ shx. hal 1Ofa for nal car
diJates from fraud, Justified and required the
instrrctions. Such were the demonstrations
of domestic violence in South Carolina a few
weeks before election, 20 defiant and uncontroil-
able by the civil power. that the Governor OF
that State applied, under the constitution, to
the PfeAiGent. stating that be was unable 10
suppress the domestic violence that existed in
the State that armed organizations contrary
to law, known as "riie clubs" continually
roamed over the country doing violence, ard
that they wefe altogether beyond his control,
breaking up the peace OF the STATE and terrify-
ing the citizens. The declaration Of tho Gov
ernor, supported by ample evidence fron othex
sources, left the President no alternative but
to comply with this constitutional demand BY
issuing an appropriate proclamation, and by
ordering to that State such military force as
seemed TO be necessary and was within bis
control. The troops were not intended to in
terfere and did not interfere, with any citi-
zen's right TO vote, but, on the contrary,
their endesvor was TO make 1t safe for citi-
zens to vote according to their political
opinions There is &c suthentic owl
dence that any man has been deprived
of his right to vote, or of his freedom OF
opinion by the presence OF the small
military force in South Carolina. To have re-
fused the aid sought by the Governor TO sup
press domestic violence and insurrection would
have been PAIN denial OF the constitutions
right OF the Governor aud the people OF South |
Carolina The spirit of insurreetion in South !
Caroline, and in somc other States in which !
colored voters are numerous, seemed 70 ce /
founded on sn ldee that tho FIfteeEtl amend |
ment to tile constitution, prohibiting the de- |
privation Of citizens OF their right to vote on |
account OF race, color, or prevors condition OF
ssrvituGe. was blundtr. ard that the people !
Of ito South wero not bound to recognize on 4
saomit to It. but such pretensions. in view CT I
histo,y and under the present ciseu.Es;sheos /
,f the country arc unreasonable. The FIT
eenth amendment 20 the constitution Was
'orcei upon the people Of the Union
~ the insaboriinztion OF tho then
population Of the States
s' hs GdssanmsS ns@ sssn 5se.ms 5sSsn osross
hat the freedom ard civil rights OF tho coloret
itizens of those States could not otherwise be
At the same time with the adoption
II this amendment the political power OF those
'istes was increased to the extent Of two fifths
Il the colored population In other words by
Dore than twenty electoral and more than fifty
congressional votes. so that but for the
ifteenth amendment the party with which
hese States have generally affiliated would
ave been in decided minority In the late
lection instead of approaching, ~ 1t did,
quality with the Republican vote To allow
he Southern States the incroased political
ower implied by extending the right Of suf-
rage to the colored population. and
hen to allow the exercise OF that
ight to be prevented by intimicssion
nd otherwise. is perversion Of the
onstitution. and operates most unjustly tow
I'd other States Of the Union. Without deny-
1g the Inconvenience of having large papu-
stion Of uninteligent voters, IL is enough 70
ny that the colored citizens have under the
ons,itution. clear title to the ballot, Of which
know no fair or even practical way to de-
rive them. II Is the dufy of these who are
lore intelligent TO aid IN putting in operation
system OF popular education which shall
Zach every class In every State. Universal
tucat.on of the voting people, both white and
olored, is essertial to the safety of our re-
ublcan Government. No time should be
'st in furnishing ample opportunities to every
merican citizen, of whatever complexion,
zee, or condition. to acquire sufficient men,
Il and physical training to vote and fight
ith intelligence. Very respectfully, your
bedient servant. ALPHoNso TAFT,
Attorney General.