Rensselaer Union, Volume 11, Number 5, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 17 October 1878 — Southern Intimidation. [ARTICLE]

Southern Intimidation.

Att’y-Gen. Devens has sent the following letter to the United States Attorneys in Louisiana, Alabama and South Carolina: “ Department of Justice, 1 “Washington, D. 0.. - - “Oci. 3. 1878.) “To Charles E. Mayer, Esq., U. 8. Attorney, Montgomery, Ala.: “Sir— lnformation has been given me of certain outrages alleged to have been committed, and threatened to be committed, in the northern and middle districts of Alabama in connection with the approaching Congressional election. This information is of such character that I deem it proper to call yonr attention to the law of Congress Intended to protect the freedom and purity of such elections; in order that the 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 election franchise is condensed In Chapter 7, Title 70, of the Revised Statutes, and your attention Is especially called to Sec. 5,530, which enacts: ‘lf two or more persons in any State or Territory conspire to prevent by force, intimidation or threat, any citizens who is lawfully entitled to vote from giving his support or advocacy In a legal manner toward or In favor of the election of any lawfully-qualified person as Elector for President or Vice-President, or as Member of Congress of the United States, or to injure any citizen in person or propterty on account of such support Or advocacy, each of such persons shall be punished by a fine not less than 1500 nor more than $5,000, or by Imprisonment, 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 essential to the proper discussion of the merits of citizens who come forward as candidates for Congress. When, therefore, it la Invaded by combinations or conspiracies, by force, Intimidation, or threats, to prevent citizens from giving their support and advocacy to any lawfully-qualified person as a Member of the Congress of the United States, and sufficient evidence of this Is brought to your attention, you will act energetically in bringing those entering into such conspiracies to justice by causing warrants to be issued against them by some firm and impartial United States Commissioner, and by having such parties brought promptly before him to be dealt with according to the law. Such warrants should be made returnable where you or your assistant can attend at the hearing. “On account of the importance of the matter I deem It proper also to add that in such cases you should endeavor to select those whom you are satisfied are the leaders of such conspiracies rather than the mere followers. In no case will you permit any warrants to be wantonly or causelessly Issued. The laws are to be executed firmly, but always fairly and Impartially. You will show this letter to the Marshal if you should have occasion to place warrants in his hands relating to this subject. Verv respectfully, ” Charles Detens, Attorney-GeneraL’ ’