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HEAD QUARTERS MILITARY COMMISSIONER - FRANKLIN COUNTY, VA.- Rocky-Mount, September 10th, 1867 To the Civil Authorities of Franklin County. GENTLEMEN: You will agree with me, that at the frequent political meetings which must attend on the approaching election, the strictest order should be enforced. This principle applies equally to all public gatherings, of whatever character; and by the laws of the land, and existing Orders, it is made, first, your duty, and, where you may fail, next mine, to see that the rights of all persons, every where within your jurisdiction, are secured to them, and the peace of the community preserved. You are not in any degree excused from the faithful discharge of your official duties. My province here is to aid, not to supersede you, except in cases of necessity. You will, therefore, find me ever prompt, to either co-operate with and sustain you in properly carrying out the laws, or, otherwise, to exercise the authority imposed upon me, as may be required, in any emergency. By my instructions I am compelled to report to the Commanding General all County Officers who are disloyal to the Government of the United States, or who use their official influence in any manner to hinder, delay, prevent, or obstruct the due ad proper administration of the Acts of Congress; and likewise the malaction, or failure to act when requisite, of any one of them; whereupon they will be removed. Again, in cases of exigency, for the purpose of suppressing disorder and violence, in addition to the troops that may be placed at my disposal, in like manner as a Magistrate I am given command of the entire power of the County; and if any Sheriff, Constable, or other person, al of whom are in such cases commanded to obey and execute my lawful orders, should fail so to do, upon being convicted by a Military Commission, They will be punished by fine and imprisonment according to the nature and degree of the offense.--I earnestly hope, however, that no case will arise calling for any such action. The Necessity for guarding against disorder and violence, at this particular juncture, cannot be overestimated. Upon its coming to the knowledge of a Conservator of the Peace tha a public meeting is to be holden in his immediate neighborhood, he should so arrange as to both attend in person, and see that a sufficient constabulary force be present, for the purpose of preserving order. Under no circumstances should a drunken man be tolerated in, or allowed to address or disturb an assembly: such characters should be at once taken into custody and removed. A meeting held by any political party, has a decided right of protection from interference against all outsiders. If there be present those who do not believe in the principles there advocated, if they do not choose to leave, they must behave themselves. Such person have no possible right to impose themselves upon and annoy others with whom they may chance to differ in opinion. They should recollect, that they too will be sustained in holding any lawful meetings which they may see fit to call. All Speakers, while rightfully addressing any assemblage, should be sedulously defended from undue interruption, and insult. Free speech under the Law, and the right to choose his own course in politics, are fully guaranteed to every one; and any attempt made to intimidate or influence any person whatsoever, either by menaces or other unlawful means, in violation of his own inclination, should, upon its coming to the knowledge of any Official, be promptly taken cognizance of, and the offender either suitably dealt with according to the civil law, or, where that may fail, handed over to the Military Authority. It is believed that by the faithful observance of the above precautions all difficulty may be avoided, and the peace of the community preserved. I am, Gentlemen, Very Respectfully, Your Obedient Servant, WILLIAM F. DE KNIGHT, 1st Lieutenant V. R. C. --Military Commissioner, Franklin County, Virginia TO -- ------------------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------------------------------------- FRANKLIN COUNTY, VA.
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Reopened for Editing 2023-10-28 06:43:38
