ts, subject to the military authority of the United States;
and it was made the duty of the president to assign military
officers, not below the rank of brigadier-general, to command each
of said districts, and to detail a sufficient military force to
enable such officers to perform their duties. The duties of
military commanders were defined as follows, in the 3d section of
the act:

"Sec. 3. _And be it further enacted_, That it shall be the duty of
each officer assigned as aforesaid, to protect all persons in their
rights of person and property, to suppress insurrection, disorder,
and violence, and to punish, or cause to be punished, all
disturbers of the public peace and criminals; and to this end he
may allow local civil tribunals to take jurisdiction of and to try
offenders; or when, in his judgment, it may be necessary for the
trial of offenders, he shall have power to organize military
commissions or tribunals for that purpose; and all interference,
under color of State authority, with the exercise of military
authority under this act shall be null and void."

The act also sets forth the manner in which the people of any one
of the rebel States could form a State constitution, and the terms
on which the State would be fully restored to proper relations with
the Union. The most important provisions are those relating to the
qualifications of voters, and the one requiring the adoption of the
amendment to the constitution proposed by the Thirty-ninth
Congress, known as article fourteen. The right of suffrage is given
to all men of suitable age and residence, without distinction of
race or color, except a limited number who are excluded for
participation in the rebellion.

In pursuance of these acts, the district of Louisiana and Texas
was placed under the command of General Sheridan; Arkansas and
Mississippi under General Ord; Alabama, Georgia, and Florida under
General Pope; North Carolina and South Carolina under General
Sickles; and Virginia under General Schofield. The merits of this
plan are obvious.

1. It places the rebels again under the control of the power which
conquered them, and of the very officers to whom they surrendered.

2. It is well calculated to afford protection to all loyal people,
white or colored, against