New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1878-10-12
SOUTHERN ELECTIONS.


The Old Purity and Freedom of Elec-
dOns" Cry as an Apology for Federal
Interference-AttOrney General DeVeRs
sends a Circular Letter % soRah Caro-
lima, Alabama and Louisiana.
WASHINGTON, Oct. 8.-Attorney General
Devens has sent the following letter to the
United States attorneys in Louisiana, Ala
bama and South Carolina:
DEPARTMErT OF JUSTICE,
Washington, October 3, 1873.
Charles E. Mayor, Esq, United States Attorney,
Montgomery, Alabama:
Sir-Information has been given me of
certain outrages alleged to have been COM
mitted and threatened to be committed in
the north and middle districts of Alabama
in connection with the approaching con-
eressional elections. This information is
Of such charac ter that deem it proper
to call your attention to the laws of Con-
press intended to protect the freedom and
purity of elections, in order that proper
steps may be taken to bring to justice
those who offend against them, and to
secure to all citizens, without distinction
OF party, while the election is pending,
their Just rights.
The statement of crimes against the
elective franchise is condensed in chapter
\ 7, title 20, Of the Revised Statutes, and
your attention is especially called TO Sec
/ ton $500, which enacts, "if two or more
persons in any State or territory conspires
| to prevent by force, intimidation or threats,
any citizen who is lawfully entitled to
vote from giving his support or advocacy
| in legal manner toward or in favor OF
the election Of any lawfully qualified per-
son as an elector for President or Vice
| President, or member of Congress of the
| United States; to injure any citizen in per-
/ son or property on account OF such sup
port or advocacy each of such persons
shall be punished and fined not less than
$500 nor more than $4,000, or by imprison-
ment with or without hard labor not less
than six months nor more than six years,
or by both such fine and imprisonment.
The enforcement Of this provision Is es-
sential to the proper discussion of the
merits of citizens who come forward af
candidates for Congress, when, therefore,
il is invoked by combinations or conspir'
acies by force, intimidation or threats tc
prevent citizens from giving their support
and advocacy to any lawfully qualified
person as q member of Congress Of th'
United States, and sufficient evidence o
this is brought to your attention, you vii
act energetically in bringing those enter
ing into such conspiracies to justice, b!
causing warrants to be issued agains
them by some firm and impartial Unitet
States Commissioner, and by having sucl
parties brought promptly before him, &
be dealt with according to Law. Sucl
warrant should be made returnable, wher
you or your assistant can attend at th
hearing, on account of the importance o
the matter.
deem proper also to add that in sucI
cases you should endeavor to select thos
who you are satisfied are the leaders G
such conspiracies rather than mere follow
ers. In no case viii you permit any Wal
rants 70 be Wantonly or carelessly issued
The laws are to be executed firmly, bu
always fairly and impaEtially.
You will show this letter TO the maRahA
if you should have occasion to place wal
rants in his hands relating to this subiee
Very respectfully,
CHARLES DEYENS,
Attorney General