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diff --git a/.gitattributes b/.gitattributes new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6833f05 --- /dev/null +++ b/.gitattributes @@ -0,0 +1,3 @@ +* text=auto +*.txt text +*.md text diff --git a/35579-8.txt b/35579-8.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..1f7b068 --- /dev/null +++ b/35579-8.txt @@ -0,0 +1,4918 @@ +The Project Gutenberg EBook of The Nation's Peril, by Anonymous + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: The Nation's Peril + Twelve Years' Experience in the South + +Author: Anonymous + +Release Date: March 15, 2011 [EBook #35579] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE NATION'S PERIL *** + + + + +Produced by Bryan Ness and the Online Distributed +Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net (This file was +produced from images generously made available by The +Internet Archive.) + + + + + + + + + + THE NATION'S PERIL. + + TWELVE YEARS' EXPERIENCE IN THE SOUTH. + + THEN AND NOW. + + THE KU KLUX KLAN + + A COMPLETE EXPOSITION OF THE ORDER: + + ITS PURPOSE, PLANS, OPERATIONS, SOCIAL AND + POLITICAL SIGNIFICANCE + + THE NATION'S SALVATION. + + + WHEREFORE SAY UNTO THE CHILDREN OF ISRAEL, + I AM THE LORD, AND I WILL BRING YOU OUT FROM + UNDER THE BURDENS OF THE EGYPTIANS, AND I WILL + RID YOU OUT OF THEIR BONDAGE, AND I WILL REDEEM + YOU WITH A STRETCHED-OUT ARM, AND WITH GREAT + JUDGMENTS.--_Exodus_, VI, 6. + + + NEW YORK: + PUBLISHED BY THE FRIENDS OF THE COMPILER. + 1872. + + + + + Entered, according to Act of Congress, in the year + one thousand eight hundred and seventy-two, by + E. A. IRELAND, + In the Office of the Librarian of Congress, at Washington. + + + + +INTRODUCTORY. + + +The facts contained in the succeeding pages, have been compiled from +authenticated sources, and with especial reference to their truthfulness. + +That portion derived from the diary of a gentleman, twelve years a +resident of the South, was not originally intended for public circulation; +but this, with a variety of other matter obtained from official records, +formed the basis of a lecture delivered at Tremont Temple, in the city of +Boston, on the evening of March 27th, 1872, and excited a great degree of +interest among the people to learn more of the subject-matter treated +upon. + +Communications relating thereto came in from all parts of the country, and +it was decided by the friends of the compiler to present all the facts in +convenient form for general circulation, as the best means of complying +with this demand. + +They are here given with such additions to the original matter, as will +enable the general reader more fully to comprehend the origin, rise and +progress of the various orders of the Ku Klux Klans, their social and +political significance, and their general bearing upon the welfare of the +nation at large. + +The thrilling stories of outrage and crime herein narrated, are +authenticated beyond the power of refutation. + +"Against all such crimes, as well as against incompetency and corruption +in office, the power of an intelligent public sentiment and of the courts +of justice should be invoked and united; and appealing for patience and +forbearance in the North, while time and these powers are doing their +work, let us also appeal to the good sense of Southern men, if they +sincerely desire to accomplish political reforms through a change in the +negro vote. If their theory is true that he votes solidly now with the +republican party, and is kept there by his ignorance and by deception, all +that is necessary to keep him there is to keep up by their countenance, +the Ku Klux Organization. Having the rights of a citizen and a voter, +neither of those rights can be abrogated by whipping him. If his political +opinions are erroneous, he will not take kindly to the opposite creed when +its apostles come to inflict the scourge upon himself, and outrage upon +his wife and children. If he is ignorant, he will not be educated by +burning his school houses and exiling his teachers. If he is wicked, he +will not be made better by banishing to Liberia his religious teachers. If +the resuscitation of the State is desired by his labor, neither will be +secured by a persecution which depopulates townships, and prevents the +introduction of new labor and of capital." + +That these pages may be received in the same spirit of charity and kindly +feeling in which they have been penned, is the sincere and earnest wish of + +THE COMPILER. + + + + +THE NATION'S PERIL. + + +The transition of the social status of the colored classes in the South, +from a condition of abject servitude to one of the most enlarged freedom, +crowned with that dearest of all rights to the heart of the freeman, the +elective franchise, although gradual, and attended with difficulties that +have seemed at times almost insurmountable, goes steadily forward, under +the hand of a beneficent and all seeing God, who watcheth alike over the +just and the unjust, enjoining upon them, in return for his goodness, a +strict observance of his commands towards one another. + +Human progress in this country, during the past ten years, has taken giant +strides, although met by obstacles of a character so formidable as to +impose a most extraordinary task upon those engaged in the great work of +social reform and the establishment of the rights of all to civil, +religious and political liberty, as guaranteed by the Constitution. The +spirit of the age is reformatory. Religion, politics, art and the sciences +have ever been the subjects of reformation and progression, and by these +have been lifted from comparative darkness in the past to the broad fields +of light in the more intelligent present. In the grand plan of an all-wise +Creator, nothing has been allowed to permanently obstruct the onward march +of the races and nations of the earth; and for the accomplishment of this +glorious purpose, no sacrifice, it appears, has been deemed too great that +would aid in its fulfillment. The travail and labor of nations, the +desolation and destruction of whole communities, and in some instances the +entire annihilation of races of men, have been the penalties demanded and +paid for their long persistence in the ways of sin and wickedness. + +The American Republic has been no exception to the imperative rule. It +bore within its folds the crime and curse of slavery, a foul and corroding +ulcer that could only be burned out and destroyed by the terrible +visitations of fire and the sword, and in the eradication of which all the +wisdom of the nation's greatest counselors, all the terrible enginery of +modern warfare, and the skill and persistence of the chosen leaders of the +people were to be brought into requisition. A fierce and sanguinary +contest of four years' duration ended, under the hand of God, in the grand +triumph of the right; but the war of the rebellion left the South in a +state of social disintegration, in which the leading spirits who had +fomented the internecine contest assumed to control the masses, and +perpetuate under another form, and accomplish by other means, that which +had been lost to them in the surrender and disorganization of their +armies. + +The condition of the South, during the past twelve years, is vividly +illustrated in a series of letters written by Mr. Justin Knight, a +gentleman of undoubted integrity, a resident of the South during the +period referred to, and which are here given in a narrative form for the +better convenience of the reader. Speaking of himself and the peculiar +circumstances that brought him to the Southern States, Mr. Knight says: + +"Born in close proximity to the metropolis of New England, where I +received the advantages of a collegiate education, and the religious +instruction of parents who, without bigotry, were opposed to every +species of wrong, I early conceived a desire to enter upon the ministry, +which I did in 1857, almost immediately after the close of my collegiate +life. + +My constitution, at no time robust, was entirely inadequate to the labors +imposed upon me by the duties of this new position. My health continued +gradually to give way until the winter of 1859, when my physician decided +that a change of climate was essentially necessary to my well-being, and +under his advice I proceeded to Charleston, S. C., and took up my +residence with a married sister, then living there in affluent +circumstances. + +At this peculiar epoch in the history of the country the political +atmosphere of the South was literally pestilential. Under the manipulation +of skillful, but unscrupulous leaders, whole communities had become imbued +with a spirit hostile to the governing powers. They were led to believe +that the time for argument had past, and that nothing was now left them, +but to make a demand for what they were pleased to consider their inherent +rights;--that of keeping their fellow men in bondage--and if this were +refused, to declare themselves for war. The portentious clouds of the +impending crisis continued gathering thick and fast, and it required no +prophet's eye to discern, or voice to foretell that they must soon burst +upon the country in a deluge that could only be stayed by an enormous +waste of blood and treasure. + +A sojourn of nearly eighteen months among the southern people, and the +facilities afforded me from the position occupied by my sister's family, +gave me an unusual opportunity to observe the passing pageant of events. +The masses had been gradually worked over to the interests of the more +intelligent leaders, until reason and argument ceased further to influence +them. They seemed wholly given up to the one idea of slavery, or war, and +they had been led to believe that the first demonstration of organized +resistance to the regularly constituted powers, would bring the North at +their feet in abject supplication for peace. I was anxious to know how the +defiant and belligerent attitude that was being assumed would be received +in the land of my birth, and as my health had sufficiently improved to +warrant my again returning there, I did so at the earliest opportunity, +only to realize that the people of the North were buckling on their armor, +with the deep seated purpose of going forth to battle for the right. + +There was a significance in all "this busy note of preparation," that I +could fully understand and appreciate. I had seen enough to convince me +that nothing but the severest chastisement, administered by the hands of +the Lord through the instrumentality of his chosen people, could bring our +misguided brethren of the South to a just and proper sense of their duty +to God and their fellow-men. They had long "eaten of the bread of +wickedness; and drank the wine of violence," and they had utterly +forgotten that "righteousness exalteth a nation; but sin is a reproach to +any people." + +An opportunity was speedily afforded me to accompany a regiment to the +field as chaplain, and I soon found myself marching southward with a body +of noble men who had been foremost in responding to the call of President +Lincoln, to defend the Union and preserve the integrity of the nation. The +incidents of the four years of bloody strife that ensued, need not be +alluded to here. They were passed by me, in the midst of danger, offering +consolation to the dying, caring tenderly for the dead, when circumstances +permitted, and coming out of all, through the hand of God, unscathed. + +The results aimed at upon the part of the ruling powers, seemed to have +been accomplished. The Proclamation of Emancipation had gone forth from +the executive head of the nation, and solid rows of glittering steel had +followed it up, and compelled its enforcement. The foulest blot upon the +pages of our history as a Republic had been erased, and its down-trodden +children liberated from a thraldom more humiliating in design, and wicked +in purpose, than that which yoked the children of Israel under the hands +of the Egyptian task masters. In them the promise of the Great Jehovah had +been verified: "Wherefore:--say unto the Children of Israel, I am the +Lord, and I will bring you out from under the burden of the Egyptians." +The right had been vindicated; the shock of contending armies was over, +and the nation waited patiently to see in what condition the contest had +left the conquered. + +It is my purpose, in these pages, to give the exact facts, "nothing +extenuate, nor set down aught in malice." I shall endeavor neither to +exaggerate the history, or conceal the truth. I am aware that the +revelations which follow are so terrible in their nature as to almost pass +the bounds of belief; that the agonizing scenes herein depicted, and which +have been the results of the same demoniac spirit which actuated and +prolonged the war, had they been told as occurring among the semi-barbaric +nations in the uttermost parts of the earth, might be the more readily +received by my countrymen as truthful relations; but which, transpiring at +our own doors, within the sound and under the shadow of the Gospel, appear +like the mythical creations of a distorted imagination rather than actual +revelations from real life. + +In the interest of all progress, and for the sake of God and humanity, I +would it were so; but the contrary is the fact. Hundreds of living +witnesses stand ready to verify the statements under oath. Scores of the +unoffending skeletons of gibbeted negroes and whites attest the solemn +truth. The exact localities, the names and residences of the victims, the +hour and day, the month and year of their murderous whipping and +ignominious death, are given with a fidelity that challenges +contradiction, and forms an array of evidence at once incontrovertable and +overwhelming. + +The ever changing current of events again called me to the South. My +sister's family had been almost destroyed by the death of her husband, who +had cast his fortunes with the cause of the rebellion and had paid the +penalty with his life, and it was necessary I should aid her in adjusting +the affairs of the estate which had been left in a very unsettled +condition, and required much time to properly arrange. I was glad of the +opportunity thus afforded me to observe the effects of the struggle that +had just closed; and prepared my mind to take a calm and dispassionate +view of the situation, as became a seeker for the truth who was desirous +of arriving at the hidden springs underlying the social crust, with a view +to the remedy of the impending evil, if such could be found. I believed in +the integrity of the great mass of the people, and could see that they had +been deceived and led on to destruction by the ingenious plans of men, +skilled in human diplomacy, and having a profound knowledge of the +character of the people whom they designed to move for their own wicked +purposes. + +The spirits of these leaders chafed under the bitter disappointment of +defeat. It was apparent they would continue to foster seditions, organize +conspiracies against the powers that be, and use every effort to fan into +life the dying embers of the "lost cause." These men controlled certain +portions of the local press, and either threw obstacles in the way of the +dissemination of proper and just principles, or used the power in their +hands to sow the seeds of dissention broadcast throughout the States so +lately in insurrection. + +All the misery that had accrued from the war, the families that had been +sundered; the blood of loved ones that had watered the various +battle-fields of the South, and the bones of beloved kindred that lay +whitening there; the numerous sacrifices of wealth, family, and social +position that had been made, the property lost and destroyed; the general +stagnation and prostration of business, and the feeling of dread and +insecurity that followed, were all attributed to the rule of the +republican North. + +There were mutterings of revenge and breathings of threats and slaughter +against the race that had just been raised up out of bondage. Slavery, the +former bane and curse of this country, was already dead. Its putrid +carcass was no longer of the material things of earth, but its ghostly +spirit still stalked abroad among its mourners to keep alive the memory of +its wicked example in the minds of those who, born and reared in the folds +of its garments, and nurtured at its breast, could not cast aside their +early prejudices and banish from their hearts, its former evil influences. +They no longer remembered that "the way of the Lord is strength to the +upright," and that "destruction shall be to the workers of iniquity." +Thousands of misguided and misdirected men cherished in their bosoms a +spirit of animosity toward those who had aided with their blood and money +in the liberation of the slave; and it was this very spirit of hatred +which had in a manner demoralized the South and created a feeling of +uncertainty and insecurity among men of capital, that proved a serious +barrier to their investing in our railroads and factories, and the +improvement of our lands; and, as a natural sequence, retarded our social +and financial progress. + +Society at this time was divided into several classes. Many who were +disposed to accept and abide by the new order of things, dared not express +their real sentiments from fear of social and political ostracism. Men of +intelligence and education, but who had allowed the thirst for power and +political preferment to absorb and swallow up the promptings of their +better nature, had begun the process of gaining over to their interests +the very worst elements in the social circle beneath them, with a view to +carrying out their unholy designs. This class in turn, and under the +management of the more intelligent, intimidated still another class and +compelled them to join in a crusade that had for its objects the most +infamous ends ever attempted to be gained by men. A complete connection +had thus been formed, reaching from the unscrupulous leaders, to the +masses, and embracing in its chain every class of society needed for the +success of the general plan. + +The standard bearers of the devil himself, coming direct from the lowest +depths of the infernal regions, with seething vials of wrath and an +earnest intention to do the bidding of their master, could scarcely have +set on foot a conspiracy more damnable than this. Men, women and children +were to be included in the portending storm, religion and human decency +were to be outraged, the law of the land and its administrators defied, +and justice scoffed at in the pillory. The ordinary safe-guards to the +social well being of the community were to be swept away whenever they +became inimical to the designs and objects of the unholy alliance thus +formed. Men were to be banded together and bound by oaths that ignored all +others and made these supreme. Where the life or liberty of one of the +brotherhood was in jeopardy, he was to be saved at all hazards. Perjury +and subornation of perjury were to over-ride courts of justice and render +abortive, any attempt to bring these lawless bands to punishment through +their instrumentality. Nothing was to be too sacred for the vandal hands +of these marauders who, under the guidance of the more intelligent +leaders, were to go abroad like a consuming flame, until the land, that +God had made pre-eminently beautiful for the abode of peace and +contentment, had been smitten with a scourge of fire and blood, and their +own wicked purposes had been accomplished. It seemed as if the voice of +the Lord had again spoken through the prophet Ezekiel, "say to the forest +of the South, hear the word of the Lord. Thus saith the Lord God: Behold I +will kindle a fire in thee, and it shall devour every green tree in thee, +and every dry tree; the flame shall not be quenched, and all faces from +the South to the North shall be burned therein." + +It was to be a dual struggle. The colored races were to be subjugated or +destroyed; and the humane efforts of the Government and the Administration +to restore peace and harmony, and commercial prosperity, and to give to +the citizens, of every creed and color, free and equal rights was +everywhere to be opposed, that the experiment of reconstruction might +become a hissing and a by-word, and go forth to the world an ignominious +failure. + +The masses were kept in utter ignorance of these designs. They were in a +state bordering upon absolute frenzy at the losses they had incurred from +the fratricidal war that had left them bankrupt as individuals and +communities, and with the peculiar anxiety that seems to pervade the +hearts of all men, to endeavor to find some reasonable excuse for sins +committed, they accepted the theories that had been so ingeniously +prepared, and so carefully put before them, and became, like the clay in +the hands of the potter, ready to be fashioned in any manner of form that +might be decided upon by their wicked counselors. + +There was an oppressive and an ominous calm in the atmosphere of the South +at this time (1866) that foreboded no good. Men viewed each other with +distrust. Those who seemed well-disposed at first, and who had been +casting about themselves and gathering up the fragments, with a view to +renewing their peaceful pursuits, suddenly abandoned their labors. Rumors +of outrages upon persons and property, vague at first and without apparent +authenticity, began to fill the air. Bands of armed and disguised men were +said to be travelling the highways, burning the dwellings, and robbing and +murdering inoffensive citizens under the most revolting circumstances. The +scriptural command to "devise not evil against thy neighbor, seeing he +dwelleth securely by thee," had seemingly become obsolete among the +people. It was evident that the mysterious order, the existence of which +had so long been hinted at, had begun its fearful work, and under the then +complexion of affairs in the nation at large, none could divine the end. + +The death of President Lincoln had left the Executive, in this the hour of +the nation's great peril, in the hands of one from whom the disorganizing +elements of the South had much to hope. The hand of justice was for the +time being paralyzed, and the occasion seemed most opportune for the +conspirators to perfect their terrible organization, and set in motion the +secret machinery by which it was hoped to accomplish their base purposes. + +It was evident from such facts as could be gathered relative to these +outrages, that there was a distinction as to the classes of people who +were the sufferers. The negroes were, of course, the objects upon which +the wrath of the new order was vented; but there were numerous instances, +as will be observed in the succeeding pages, where whites were scourged +and murdered as well. The fact that certain citizens, who had committed no +offense against the laws, were selected from the various communities, and +subjected to the grossest indignities, led to inquiry as to the causes +that had brought these inflictions upon them. + +It was ascertained that, in the preponderance of cases, warnings had been +sent to the victims demanding that they must retract their political +faith, cease to side with radicals, and abandon their interest in the +negro, or they must leave the country; failing in this, they were to be +scourged to death. + +Negroes who approached the ballot-box to exercise the newly conferred +right of suffrage were watched as to how they voted, and warned that they +must not vote the "radical ticket." If they paid no heed to this warning, +and were detected in the independent exercise of the right of suffrage, +they received a visitation; their houses were pillaged, the persons of +their women violated, their children scattered, and themselves hung, shot +or whipped to death. The reader, in perusing the chapter of authenticated +outrages that follows will agree with the writer that there is no +exaggeration of language here, nor need of any. Nothing is stated that has +not been put to the severest test of truth; and nowhere are these +incidents recorded, in which the living witnesses have not been found, and +the facts obtained from them. + +I was long in believing that such deeds, worthy alone of the incarnate +fiend himself, could be perpetrated in a civilized community. I made all +possible allowance for the political and social situation. I determined to +know whereof I affirmed, and resolved that when I obtained this knowledge, +I would give the information to the country. I was as free from political +bias as it was possible for a man to be who felt it to be a part of the +duty he owed to society to exercise the elective franchise. I had never +mingled in politics, but had uniformly cast my vote with either political +party which I deemed had the best interests of the nation, and the welfare +and advancement of the people, at heart, and could not bring my mind to +believe, at first, that there was a deep political significance +underlying this movement, and that it had its ramifications from State to +State, all leading to one great center, with one common head who, in the +interest of any political party, governed and directed the dreadful +machine, and that it meant nothing less than the subversion of the popular +government. + +The facts and figures gradually undeceived me. I could see that there was +a mysterious something at work that had closed men's mouths most +effectually, and that disaffection, consternation and terror gained ground +daily. Even, my brethren of the pulpit, with whom I was associated in the +different places I visited, were affected to such a degree that they no +longer dared to preach the free sentiments of their hearts. + +No one but an actual resident of the South, at this time, can form +anything like an adequate idea of the reign of terror, that this condition +of affairs had inaugurated during the succeeding two years and more, of +President Johnson's administration. Everywhere throughout the South that I +travelled, the hydra headed monster met me. I tried to believe in all +charity that the movement sprung from the ignorant and uneducated masses +who saw, or thought they saw, the origin and cause of all their +misfortunes in the negro, and the liberal minded whites of the South who +had countenanced and urged his enfranchisement in the interest of human +progress; but the facts were everywhere against the theory. + +It was evident that a formidable organization, the result of intelligent +men counseling together, and devising wicked plans for the accomplishment +of wicked purposes, existed in all the Southern States; that it had its +ritual, its oaths, its signs, tokens and passwords, its constitution, +by-laws and governing rules, its edicts, warnings, disguises, secret modes +of communication, intelligent concert of action, and all framed and +planned in a manner that showed the authors to be men of education and +superior minds. In North and South Carolina, in Georgia, Alabama and +Tennessee, in Florida, Mississippi and Kentucky, Arkansas, Louisiana and +Texas, it existed in a greater or less degree, and its advent was +everywhere marked with the most brutal outrages. + +The intelligence of these wrongs was not spread from one community to +another by the newspapers. These, when not in the interest of the order +itself, were intimidated into silence. When the outrages were so flagrant +as to compel some show of attention, such as necessitated the action of a +coroner, juries were selected, the members of which were members of this +mysterious order, and the verdict usually was that the victim came to his +death by injuries inflicted by himself or by negroes. + +The disaffection spread daily. The seeds of the order, and their fruits +everywhere manifested, were sown in the courts and grand juries. Under +such a condition of affairs there was no longer security for life or +property. The idea of obtaining justice for any of the wrongs perpetrated, +passed out of the minds of the sufferers entirely. The effect was +generally demoralizing. Official incompetency and corruption aided rather +than stemmed the rushing torrent that was bearing this section of the +Republic to anarchy and financial ruin. + +A large class of persons not heretofore alluded to, but who formed a very +important part of society, looked on without apparent interest. These were +men of wealth and education, who neither sought to justify the wrongs +being done, or made any attempt to oppose them, but by their very silence +gave a tacit consent to the wicked plans of the conspirators. They were a +class "who rejoice to do evil and delight in the forwardness of the +wicked." + +A system arose exactly in counterpart with that of the old Spanish +Inquisition. Personal hatred toward a citizen, black or white, was +sufficient warrant for reporting his name and residence to the members of +the order as a "radical republican" and a "negro worshiper," and he was +forthwith warned to leave the place on penalty of being whipped, or +suffering a worse fate. Hundreds of young men with whom the writer has +conferred, pointed to men of maturer age, property holders and men of +influence, and confessed that they had been induced to enter the general +conspiracy, because they were told these men were at its head and after +joining it learned that they had not been deceived in this respect, and +yet they found the order so arranged that they could discover nothing, and +were allowed to know nothing, of its workings, beyond the circle to which +they had been admitted, and however revolting the practices of their +associates were to them, the oath they had taken, and the feeling of +terror inspired by the initiation and the penalty attached to recanting +members, compelled them to continue their allegiance, and acquiesce and +aid in the outrages. + +Even the women seemed to have caught the general infection, and sought to +justify the dreadful events transpiring about them upon the ground that +this was the only way in which the rights and liberties of the South could +be preserved. + +That men holding high official positions, and moving in the most +respectable circles, organized these outrages, selected the victims and +accompanied the rabble in the execution of their designs, is indisputable. +Inoffensive women seeing their husbands, fathers, and brothers torn from +their sides and scourged in their presence, became infuriated at the +indecent spectacle, and in their agonized frenzy, rushed upon the +assailants and wrenched off the masks behind which they skulked, only to +behold the faces of men who, up to that hour, they had deemed the ones to +whom, from their superior intelligence, they should have looked for +counsel. + +Traveling from place to place and directing the general movement, were men +who had held positions as generals in the armies of the rebellion. +Disappointed political tricksters aiming to elevate to power a party whom +they claimed had been in sympathy with the rebel cause North and South; +and determined to do this though the land of their birth should go to +ruin. Anarchy and confusion usurp the places of law and order, and the +blood of the outraged ones reach up to heaven in cries for vengence. + +These men overlooked the fact that they were setting in motion a power +that was destined to pass from their control, and make them as a people of +whom it was written: "I will even give them unto the hand of their +enemies, and into the hand of them that seek their life; and their dead +bodies shall be as meat unto the fowls of the heaven, and to the beasts of +the earth." They desired to heed no note of warning regarding the future +so that the ends of the present were accomplished; and under their +guidance, lust and rapine and murder stalked abroad, and the land seemed +to be wholly given up to the machinations of the evil one and the +unbridled license of his chosen servants. + +Nowhere upon the dial plate of the nineteenth century did the index finger +of the hand of God point with such unerring and terrible certainty. It +seemed as if the Lord had spoken once more as he spake in the days of the +Prophet Isaiah: + +"What could have been done more to my vineyard, that I have not done in +it? Wherefore, when I looked that it should bring forth grapes, brought it +forth wild grapes? And now go to. I will tell you what I will do to my +vineyard. I will take away the hedge thereof, and it shall be eaten up; +and break down the walls thereof, and it shall be trodden down. And I will +lay it waste; it shall not be pruned nor digged; but there shall come up +briers and thorns * * * for the vineyard of the Lord of hosts is the house +of Israel, and the men of Judah his pleasant plant; and he looked for +judgment, but behold oppression; for righteousness, but behold a cry." + +Good men bowed their heads in anguish. They had lifted their eyes to the +far North, from whence should come their help, and they had looked in +vain. The body corporate was too fatally diseased to cure itself +Rottenness and corruption hung upon its borders, and were slowly sapping +the foundations of its life. Its energies were prostrated, its internal +recuperative power destroyed. Help must come from without; and the earnest +prayers of the devoted and doomed went up to the throne of God in +heartfelt supplication, that wisdom might dwell in the hearts of the +counsellors to whom the destinies of the nation had been confided; but it +seemed as if the heavens were as adamant that could not be pierced, and +that no answer would be vouchsafed to the sincere appeal." + +Such was the situation at the close of President Johnson's term of office, +and the elevation of General Grant to the presidential chair. It remained +to be seen whether the incoming administration would turn the deaf ear to +the suffering and disorganized South as its predecessor had done, or +whether, under the guidance of its new Executive head, order should be +brought out of chaos, the crooked paths made straight, and the prophecy +fulfilled: "Behold, I will redeem them with an outstretched arm." + +The recitals that follow give answer to this query more conclusively than +the most elaborate of arguments. They show, from statistics gathered under +the most favorable circumstances by the writer in person, the existence of +a numerous and formidable organization of armed men, working in secret, +disguising themselves beyond all hope of recognition, committing +depredations upon persons and property, frequently resulting in the total +destruction of both, and instituting the most bitter and inhuman +persecutions, for opinion's sake, that ever disgraced the history of a +nation. + +The facts are beyond all hope of successful denial. They are born out by +the records of the local and federal courts, by the testimony of the +surviving sufferers and by the voluntary confession of recanting members +of the organization. + +A full expose of the order, its origin and secrets, its designs and +purposes, its operations and results, are related with an unswerving +fidelity to the truth, and with all charity to the people with whom it had +its rise, and among whom, by the grace of God, and under the firm but +humane course pursued by the present administration in the enforcement of +the law, and the establishment of the right, it must have its fall. The +information came to the knowledge of the writer through those who had been +active members of the order, and who had abandoned it the moment the +strong arm of the Government had been felt in the vigorous enforcement of +the laws, through its secret agents, thus rendering it safe for them to do +so. + +The revelations that follow, speak in tones that must reverberate +throughout the length and breadth of the continent, and are submitted as +terrible evidences of the fearful condition to which communities may be +reduced, when, ignoring the cardinal principles of right and justice, they +abandon themselves to the control of unscrupulous men, whose overweening +ambition destroy every other sentiment, and who esteem no measures too +vile or inhuman that will lead to the accomplishment of their own base +ends. + + + + +ORDERS OF THE KU KLUX KLANS. + +THE CONSTITUTIONAL UNION GUARDS.--KNIGHTS OF THE WHITE CAMELIA.--ORDER OF +INVISIBLE EMPIRE.--THE WHITE BROTHERHOOD.--UNION AND YOUNG MEN'S +DEMOCRACY. + + +ORIGIN, ORGANIZATION, INITIATION, OATHS, OBJECTS AND OPERATIONS. + + _He discovereth deep things out of darkness; + And bringeth out to light the shadow of death._ + JOB. XII., 22. + +In the early part of 1866, or nearly a year after the close of the war of +the rebellion, there was organized in the Southern States, a secret order, +known as the "Constitutional Union Guards," having a constitution, +by-laws, oaths of allegiance, modes of recognition and approach, and a +ritual, all of which were legendary and unwritten. Its places of meetings +were styled Camps. Its officers were: a "Commander," "South Commander," +"Grand Commander," "Chief of Dominion," and "Grand Cyclops," or supreme +head of the order. + +The Commander is the chief officer of a local Camp. He issues the call +for, and presides over, all its meetings. Initiates members; administers +the oath; invests them with the signs, grips, and passwords necessary in +making themselves known as members of the Order; and imparts to them the +signal code of sounds by which they are governed in their excursions, and +at times when, for obvious reasons, it is not expedient to utter words of +command. + +The South Commander is, to all appearances, a lay member of the Camp. His +power, however, when he chooses to exercise it, is superior to that of the +Commander. He is an officer without apparent function, and yet it is a +portion of the oath attached to the second, or supreme degree, that he +shall be obeyed in preference to any other known or constituted authority. +He can prorogue the Camp, or dissolve it altogether, whenever he deems +fit, and is amenable to no one inside of the Camp of which he is a member. + +The office of this functionary is not an elective one. Whenever a Camp is +formed, the authority under which it works assigns to it a South +Commander, and he is the only person through whom communications can be +received from, or made to, that authority. All the doings of the Camp, the +number and names of its members, the warnings issued, the persons visited, +and all other proceedings, are carefully noted by the South Commander, and +reported by him to the Grand Commander of the District in which the Camp +is located, and he is the only member of the Camp who has knowledge of +that officer. The South Commander is not permitted to know any Grand +Commander save the one to whom he reports, nor does he know to whom his +superior is amenable. + +The Grand Commander has charge of a District comprising a certain number +of Camps (usually seven), from the South Commanders of which he receives +reports as above stated. It is his duty to condense these reports into +cypher, which he transmits to the officer above him, known as the Chief of +Dominion, and from whom he receives the general instructions and orders to +be transmitted to the various Camps of his District through the South +Commander. He in turn is not permitted to know any Chief of Dominion save +the one to whom he reports; and, like his inferiors, is in utter ignorance +as to whom his superior is amenable. + +The Chief of Dominion has charge of all the operations of the Order in +some State assigned to his care. He receives reports from the Grand +Commanders thereof; and transmits the same to the "Grand Cyclops," or +supreme head of the Order, and President ex-officio of the "Supreme Grand +Council." This Supreme Grand Council is composed of the Chiefs of +Dominions, and from them emanate the instructions which, being decided +upon in the conclave of the Council, are promulgated to the rank and file +through the Grand Commanders, South Commanders, and Commanders of Camps. + +By this peculiar system of organization the moving spirits of the Order +are conversant with all that transpires below them, while their own +identity is carefully concealed from the masses whom they design to move +for their own vile purposes. The objects of the Order are somewhat +covertly set forth in the oaths administered to the members, but previous +to this time the grand designs intended to be accomplished were known only +to the members of the Supreme Grand Council. The initiation is comprised +in two degrees, the first or probationary degree being intended to test +the members, and the second or supreme degree for those of the first who +have been found worthy of advancement. The signs, grips, &c., are the same +in both degrees, with the exception of one test word, and a supplementary +ritual hereafter to be explained. + + +ORDER OF INITIATION. + +FIRST, OR PROBATIONARY DEGREE. + +The first or probationary degree of the Order is intended for the masses. +The candidate for initiation is selected, so far as possible, with +reference to his political proclivities, if he has any. He must be known +to the member proposing him to be opposed to the Radical party; to be or +to have been in sympathy with the cause of the rebellion; to be opposed to +the elevation of the negro to a social and political equality with the +whites; and to have a hatred of negro worshipers, carpet-baggers, and +scallawags, as those terms are interpreted in the Order. + +These points being satisfactorily settled, he is notified to proceed to a +secluded place on a designated night. There he is met by three Conductors, +who blindfold and lead him to the vicinity of the Camp, which, in order +the more effectually to guard against surprise, rarely assembles twice in +the same place. On the way he and his Conductors are encountered by a +guard or sentinel, who challenges the party with: + + "Who comes here?" + + His Conductors reply: "A friend." + + The guard asks: "A friend to what?" + + He is answered: "My country." + +The candidate is then allowed to pass into the Camp, and is conducted to +the center of the assembled members, when the following oath is +administered to him by the Commander: + + INITIATORY OATH. + + "You solemnly swear, in the presence of Almighty God and these + witnesses, that you will never reveal the secrets that are about to + be imparted to you, and that you will be true to the principles of + this brotherhood and its members; that you are not now a member of + the Grand Army of the Republic, the Red String Order, the Union + League, Heroes of America, or any other organization whose aim and + intention is to destroy the rights of the South, or to elevate the + negro to a political equality with yourself; and that you will never + assist at the initiation into this Order of any member of the Grand + Army of the Republic, the Red String Order, the Union League, Heroes + of America, or any one holding Radical views or opinions. You + furthermore swear that you will oppose all Radicals and negroes in + all of their political designs, and that, should any Radical or negro + impose on or abuse or injure any member of this brotherhood, you will + assist in punishing him in any manner the Camp may direct; and you + furthermore swear that you will never reveal any of the orders, acts, + or edicts of this brotherhood, and that you will obey all calls and + summonses from the Chief of your Camp or brotherhood, should it be in + your power to do so; and that, should any member of the brotherhood + or his family be in jeopardy, you will inform them of their danger, + and go to their assistance. You further swear that you will never + give the word of distress unless you are in great need of assistance; + and should you hear it given by any brother, you will go to his or + their assistance; and should any member of this brotherhood reveal + any of its secrets, acts, orders, or edicts, you will assist in + punishing him in any way the Camp may direct or approve, so help you + God." + +During the administration of this oath, the members surround the initiate, +dressed in long, white gowns, high, conical shaped, white hats, and their +faces shrouded in white masks. At the conclusion of the oath, the +candidate is made to kiss the book. The bandage is then removed from his +eyes. The Commander approaches, and proceeds to instruct him in the + + +SIGNS, GRIPS, AND PASSWORD. + +Signs of recognition and approach: + +_First._--Strike the fingers of the right hand briskly upon the hair over +the right ear, bringing the hand forward and partially around the ear, as +if describing a half moon. + +_Answer._--Same sign made with left hand over left ear. + +_Second._--Thrust the right hand into the pant's pocket, with the +exception of the thumb, at the same time bringing the right heel into the +hollow of the left foot. + +_Answer._--Same sign with the left hand, bringing the left heel into the +hollow of the right foot. + +As a farther precaution search is made by the hailing party as if for a +pin in the right lappel of the coat. + +_Answer._--A similar search in the left lappel of the coat. + +The GRIP is given by placing the forefinger on the pulse of the person you +shake hands with. + +_Countersign._--If halted by a camp or picket on the public highway at +night, the following colloquy ensues: + +"Who comes there?" + +"A friend!" + +"A friend of what?" + +"My country!" + +"What country?" + +"I, S, A, Y." (Repeating each letter slowly.) + +"N, O, T, H, I, N, G." (Repeating each letter slowly.) + +"The word?" + +"Retribution!" + +These countersigns are issued every three months. The one here given was +in vogue at the time of the discovery of the order. + +A member of any order of the Ku Klux Klan of the first or probationary +degree, in distress, and requiring speedy aid, will use a word signal, or +cry of distress: "SHILOH!" + +In expeditions conducted under direction of the Commander, or any of the +brethren detailed by him to act as head, a code of signals by sounds, made +with whistles, is used, in order that the members may not be recognized by +their voices. + + +DIVISIONS OF THE ORDER. + +There are several divisions of the order of the KU KLUX KLANS, all working +under the same ritual and oaths, and having the same signs, grips, +passwords, modes of approach, and general conduct of raids and midnight +excursions. These are known under the names of "Knights of the White +Camelia," "The Invisible Empire," "The White Brotherhood," "The Unknown +Multitude," "The Union and Young Men's Democracy." All work in disguise, +with the exception of the latter, who work openly as well as in disguise, +and are all under the instructions of the "Grand Cyclops" and the Supreme +Grand Council. They all have one and the same object, which is as plainly +set forth in the oath as it well can be in an obligation of that +character. + +The difference in names and styles has been adopted for a two-fold +purpose. First, to conceal the origin, object, and design of the order, +and its founders and directors; secondly, to conceal its extent and +numbers, and make it appear a mere local affair that has cropped out in +different places without reference to any organized combination with one +grand center. + +The workings of the Klans over all the Southern country show more +conclusively than any amount of subterfuge on the part of the leaders, +that one common tie binds them all; that one common interest actuates +them; that one common end is to be accomplished. The oath differs slightly +in phraseology in different localities, to accommodate the varied +circumstances under which it is administered, and with a view to greater +concealment--the words "Unknown Multitude," "Invisible Empire," and "White +Brotherhood" being substituted in North and South Carolina; the words +"Union and Young Men's Democracy," in Georgia and Mississippi; and the +words "Knights of the White Camelia," in Louisiana and Texas and other +States. + + +THE SECOND OR SUPREME DEGREE. + +This degree differs from the first or probationary degree in the fact that +those upon whom it is conferred are of the better class of the masses, and +take upon themselves a more binding oath, administered under circumstances +intended to be more impressive in character. The candidate for this degree +is brought blind-folded into the center of the Camp, and caused to kneel +at an altar erected for the occasion, his right hand placed upon a Bible, +and his left upon a human skull. The Commander then says: + +"Brethren, _must_ it be done?" + +The members respond, "_It must!_" and this in a tone intended to strike +terror to the heart of the novitiate. + +The candidate, of course, has no knowledge of what is meant by the ominous +"_Must it be done?_" and there is a mournful groaning in the response "_It +must!_" indicating that a terrible experience awaits him, which the +Brotherhood would gladly spare him if they could. + +A death-like silence ensues for a few moments, which seem ages to the +candidate, and affords ample opportunity for his imagination to picture +the unheard-of horrors through which he may possibly be called to pass. +The silence is finally broken by the Commander, who says: + +"BRETHREN, this brother _now_ kneels at the altar of our faith, and asks +to be bound to our fortunes by the more solemn and mysterious provisions +of our Order. Fortunately for him in this hour of peril, he has been found +worthy, and in commemoration of his being made one of the great 'Unknown +Multitude,' I again ask, '_Must it be done?_'" + +The brethren, in solemn tones, again respond, "_It must!_" + +The Commander then says, in a stentorian tone of voice, "_Let the blood of +the traitor be spilled: bring the victim forth._" + +The members here make a rustling noise, to resemble a struggle, a heavy +blow is struck upon some appropriate substance, and a few drops of blood +are trickled over the hand of the initiate that rests upon the skull. The +brethren then surround him with knives and pistols presented in a circle +about his head and neck, when the Commander then says: + +"Must I swear him by the oath that shall forever bind, and never be +broken?" + +The brethren, placing their hands upon their left breasts, respond +sepulchrally as before, "_Swear him!_" + +The Commander now addresses the candidate as follows: + +"_My Brother_, kneeling at the solemn altar of our faith, as one who +desires that no government but the white man's shall live in this country; +and as one who will fight to the death all schisms, and factions, and +parties, coming from whatsoever source they may, which have for their +design the elevation of the negro to an equality with the white man, I am +now about to administer to you the oath of this, the supreme degree, of +our Order--that oath which shall forever bind, and never be broken; at the +same time informing you that this oath, being taken in a cause which has +for its object the deliverance of your country and the land of your birth +from the rule of the negro-worshiper and the fanatic, is paramount to +every other oath which you have taken, or may hereafter take, outside of +this Order. You will now repeat after me, pronouncing your name in full, +and your words aloud, on pain of instant death: + + _Oath of the Second or Supreme Degree._ + + "I, A. B., in the presence of Almighty God, and these my friends here + assembled, kneeling at this altar, with my right hand upon the holy + Bible, and my left washed in the blood of a traitor, and resting upon + the skull of his brother in iniquity, and being fully impressed with + the sacredness of this act, do solemnly swear that I will uphold and + defend the Constitution of the United States, as it was handed down + by our forefathers, in its original purity; that I will reject and + oppose the principles of the Radical party in all its forms, and + forever maintain and contend that intelligent white men shall govern + this country. And I furthermore swear that I will bear true faith and + allegiance to the Order of the Constitutional Union Guards, and will + never make known, by sign, word, or deed, any of its secrets now + about to be, or that may hereafter be confided to me; that I will + obey all its precepts, mandates, orders, instructions, and directions + issued through the Commander, and aid and assist the brethren in + carrying out and enforcing the same; and that I will keep secret, + even unto death, the plans and movements of this society. I + furthermore swear to obey the South Commander in the Camp, in + preference to any known law, precept, or authority whatever, and to + defend the brethren, if need be, with the sacrifice of my life. I + swear that the enemies of the white man's race, and the white man's + government, and the friends of negro equality shall be my enemies, + and that I will uphold and defend the white man's government against + all comers, whether in the name of Radicals, Negro-worshipers, + Carpet-baggers, Scallawags, or spies in the land. I swear to forever + oppose the social and political elevation of the negro to an equality + with the whites, and that I will come at every hour of the moon to + execute the trust confided to me by the Commander and the brethren. I + furthermore swear that, in case of our being interrupted in the + establishment of the principles for which we are contending, that I + will regard no oath that will convict one of the members of this + Order, but under all circumstances will stand by the Order in blood + and death. I furthermore swear that I will not give the signal cry of + distress, only when in real distress, and that I will yield my life, + if necessary, in aid of a brother giving the double cry of this + degree. Lastly, I swear by this Bible, and this skull, and this + blood, that should I ever prove unfaithful in any particular to the + obligation I have now assumed, I hope to meet with the fearful and + just penalty of the traitor, which is _death_, DEATH, DEATH, at the + hands of the brethren. So help me God." + +The candidate having kissed the book, the bandage is removed from his +eyes. He sees before him a human skull upon one side of the Bible, and a +small chalice or cup filled with blood upon the other. The brethren are +all disguised in long black gowns, covering them completely from neck to +heels. Black masks and black conical shaped hats of enormous height, +decorated with representations of death's head and cross bones, complete +the costume. + +Some of the members bear pine torches, which throw a wierd and unearthly +glare upon the unholy scene, and render it a fit counterpart to the abode +of the demons who seem to have instigated the proceedings. When the +bandage is removed, these torches are swung violently to and fro, and the +brethren simultaneously utter a loud cry. + +The candidate is now informed that the signs, grips, and passwords of the +preceding degree are used in this, with the exception that the signal cry +of distress in this is composed of two words: "SHILOH, AVALANCHE." + + + + +OPERATIONS OF THE KU KLUX KLAN. + +AN AUTHENTICATED ACCOUNT OF OUTRAGES COMMITTED IN THE SOUTH.--THE +PERPETRATORS AND THEIR VICTIMS. + + +THE MURDER OF EDWARD THOMPSON. + +From the close of the war, up to the fall of 1870, there resided in +Lowndes county, Georgia, an exceedingly intelligent colored man, named +Edward Thompson. He was noted for his piety, and the peculiar influence he +exerted over the members of his race who resided in Lowndes county, and +Hamilton county, Florida; and being thoroughly imbued with Republican +principles, lost no opportunity in disseminating them among those of his +race with whom he associated. Through his exertion, and by the force of +his example, the negroes voted the ticket of the Republican party at every +election, always seeking his advice before going to the polls to deposit +their ballots. + +Thompson's case was brought before the Camp of Hamilton county, +Florida--at that time, presided over by one Elihu Horn, Commander of the +Camp--as one requiring energetic action upon the part of the Order. A +warning was issued to Thompson, the import of which could hardly be +mistaken. The following is a verbatim copy of the same taken from the +original. + + "K. K. K. + + "_His Supreme Highness of Hamilton to Edward Thompson._ + + "His Supreme and Mighty Highness has heard of your seditious + practices in leading others astray, and encouraging them in + opposition to the white man's government. Time is given you to repent + and submit as your fathers have done. Now this is to warn you, and + all such as you, on pain of punishment and death, to abandon your + vicious harangues, and abide by our orders. The moon is yet bright; + it may turn to blood. + + "By order, + "K. K. K." + +Thompson paid no heed to this warning, but continued to pursue the even +tenor of his way. He had resided so long in the place, and been so +favorably known there, both among the whites and blacks, that he scouted +the idea that this meant anything more than a threat intended to +intimidate him, and he continued exerting his influence in the Republican +cause with his brethren, as had been his custom. Several warnings were +subsequently sent to him with no better effect, and it was finally decided +in the solemn conclave of the Camp, that he should receive the long +threatened "visitation." + +On the 19th of September, 1870, Thompson retired to his bed between nine +and ten o'clock, as was his usual custom. His family consisted of his wife +and two children, all of whom occupied the same sleeping apartment. +Between eleven and twelve o'clock they were aroused from their slumbers by +the door being broken in with a tremendous crash, and before Thompson had +time to collect himself, he was rudely seized and dragged from his bed by +a number of men, armed and disguised, two of whom fired their revolvers +into the roof of the cabin, as a menace, and assured Thompson they would +turn the weapons upon him, if he offered the slightest resistance. His +wife and children were also dragged from their beds, being at the same +time severely struck by some members of the band, and told to remain +quiet. + +"In the name of the Lord, what is this?" asked Thompson, as soon as he +could command his voice. + +The response was a blow upon the head from the butt of a pistol, delivered +with a brutality that convinced him that he was in the hands of those to +whose hearts mercy was a stranger. He was then told to ask no questions, +and make no noise, but to dress himself and go with the band. + +His wife was subjected to the most revolting indecencies. The last garment +that covered her nakedness was wrenched from her person and torn into +shreds, leaving her utterly exposed to the malicious and lecherous eyes of +the intruders. She was then told "to get her rags on," and go with the +party. The children terrified at seeing their parents thus brutally +assailed, uttered the most piercing screams, but were ordered to remain +behind and not leave the house, or they would be killed. The band started +out with their captives in the direction of the house of John and Samuel +Hogan, two white men who were known to be Republicans, and had thus +rendered themselves obnoxious to the Camp. They compelled the Hogans to +accompany them, and started for the woods, nearly a mile from Thompson's +house. + +One Micajah Amerson, a colored man living near the scene of this outrage, +hearing the report of the fire arms, arose, and dressed himself, and +taking a shot gun, started for his son's house on the Joseph Howell +plantation. Amerson was just in time to meet the band having Thompson and +his wife and the two Hogans in custody, and was at once seized and +compelled to go with the party. Amerson seems to be the only one of the +captives able or willing to give an intelligent account of what +subsequently transpired, which he did to the writer as follows: + +"I saw the company in the road, and knew they were the Ku Klux from their +disguises. I saw it was no use to try and get away from them, and one of +them told me to go along, at the same time striking me with a club. Edward +Thompson and his wife (colored), and John and Samuel Hogan, two white men, +were with them. Thompson said nothing but his wife moaned all the way on +the road to the woods. We went about a quarter of a mile into the woods, +and were then ordered to halt. When the halt was made, one of the band +gave a peculiar whistle, which was answered almost directly by a similar +sound. This proved to be the signal for the appearance of a party who was +addressed as the Captain, and who at once took charge of the proceedings. + +"I and the two white men were ordered to sit down, a pistol being placed +at our heads to enforce obedience. The colored man (Thompson) was then +told to strip himself naked. This he commenced very reluctantly to do, +begging for mercy, and asking what he was going to be whipped for. The +members of the band seemed to be enraged at this, and taking out their +knives, commenced cutting his clothes off, wounding him in several places. +The Captain then struck him a powerful blow with a gun, shattering the +stock and knocking Thompson senseless. + +"No one paid any attention to him as he lay upon the ground,--the Captain +and two or three of the band holding a consultation. The Captain then +asked for the "executioners." Two men came forward and said: "Where are +the warrants?" At this another of the party produced two long leather +straps, and handing them to the two men, said: "Here they are." + +"These two then commenced to beat Thompson and his wife in a dreadful +manner. The punishment on the wife was brief though cruel. That upon +Thompson was continued until the "executioner" was thoroughly exhausted. +He then handed the strap to another member of the band, who renewed the +assault with great fury. Thompson, at first, made no exclamations, but on +being struck in the more delicate parts of his body, screeched fearfully. +He was brought to his feet several times while the punishment was being +inflicted, only to be knocked down by the strap, and kicked by those who +were standing around him. The members of the band laughed at his agony and +said to the executioners: "Give it to the damned radical; learn the son of +a b...h to keep his piety and politics to himself; we'll teach him how to +lead the niggers." + +"Thompson finally ceased to scream. His body was a mass of blood, and he +appeared to be unconscious long before the beating was through with. I +thought he must be dead, but dared not say anything. When the executioners +had ceased, he lay perfectly still. One of the members said: "The d....d +skunk is playing possum." He then jumped at Thompson, kicked him several +times in the side and back with great violence, and turning him over, +ground his boot heel in his face. He lay for a long time unconscious, and +was several times raised to his feet, but could not stand. His wife +continued to pray during a portion of the time, asking God to bring her +husband to life, and begging the Captain to spare him for the sake of his +family, and let her try and get him home. + +"The Captain finally said, she might do what she liked. It was easy to see +that Thompson could not live, but some of the band were not satisfied. +One of them called out: + +"'Captain Smart, can I shoot the dirty radical?' to which the Captain +replied: + +"'No! the black son of a b....h is dead enough.' The Captain then said to +me and the two white men: + +"'Now, you take this for a warning, and if we ever hear of you divulging +anything about this, you may expect the same treatment.' + +"The white men and myself were then taken to the road, where we were met +by another party, also in disguise, making about forty in all. I was then +told to go to the Joseph Howell plantation, and remain there two hours, or +the rest of the band would take me and put me up the spout. + +"I done as directed, and returned to my own house about 6 o'clock in the +morning; I then went over to Thompson's house, and found him dead. How he +came there, I do not know; I heard that his wife got him home, and that he +was not entirely dead, when he got there." + +In addition to the testimony of Amerson, as to the terrible details of +this brutal murder, we have that of Mrs. Thompson and the two Hogans. Dr. +Mapp, a physician residing near Thompson, was called to see him, and at +the earnest entreaty of the wife dressed his wounds, although he saw that +the poor victim could not live possibly. He was literally beaten to a +jelly. One of his eyes had been forced completely out of its socket, and +he was otherwise almost totally unrecognizable. + +Elihu Horn, _alias_ Capt. Smart, was known at the time as a respectable +member of society in Hamilton county, Fla., and a leader in the democratic +ranks in that vicinity, and violently opposed to the present +administration. He was determined that no one should preach what he was +pleased to term "the heresy of radicalism" in that county, and live, and +his threat was fully carried out upon the body of the unfortunate +Thompson. + +In the light of such an outrage, can any one, of whatever creed or faith, +question the policy of the suspension of the writ of habeas corpus and the +proclamation of martial law in such a community, or doubt the wisdom of +the executive head of the nation, in his efforts to suppress the unlawful +assemblages, who aspired to hold the life and liberty of our citizens in +the hollow of their hands, and annihilate the hopes of newly-made freemen, +by imposing upon them a bondage infinitely worse than that from which the +nation, through the blood of her sons, had but so recently released them? + + +BRUTAL WHIPPING OF A WHITE MAN FOR OPINION'S SAKE. + +Shortly after the outrage which resulted in the death of Edward Thompson, +a Mr. Driggers, residing in the county of Echols, and not far from where +Thompson had been murdered, received a warning from the Ku Klux Klan, that +he must change his political opinions, or leave the State. + +Mr. Driggers was a prominent republican, and had made no secret of his +political faith. He had freely expressed his opinions in that regard +whenever he desired to do so, and had steadily voted the republican, or +what was known to the Ku Klux as the radical, ticket. He was generally +esteemed among his fellows, and especially among the colored people, in +whose welfare he took a great interest, and this latter fact was deemed an +offense not to be tolerated by the defenders of the white man's +government. + +Warning after warning was sent to him, and he was thus duly reminded, +that, unless he recanted, the fate of Thompson would surely be his; but, +he still regarded the matter as merely an idle threat, and time passed on +until the night of the 25th of August, 1871, when a party of five men, +armed, and disguised in black gowns and masks, visited his residence. + +Mr. Driggers at once divined the object of this visitation, and was +expostulating with the leader, when he was quickly overpowered and +stripped in the presence of his family, and beaten with straps similar to +those used upon Thompson. + +He was dreadfully punished about the head, face, and back, and was +informed by the Klan, that for the present they would accord him the mercy +to live, but, unless he left the county, they would return and kill him, +and destroy his property. + +From similar outrages that had been perpetrated in the vicinity, Mr. +Driggers was fully satisfied that this threat would be carried out to the +letter. He was familiar with the brutal details of Thompson's death, and +was now convinced that the members of this terrible brotherhood would +respect neither color, social standing, or respectability, and at once +made hasty preparations, and abandoned his once happy home to become a +wanderer. The visitation upon him was made solely for political reasons. +He was a man that stood above reproach in the community, and no person +could be found in Echol county that could impugn his character as a man, a +gentleman, and an upright citizen. It was not contended that he had +committed any other offense than that of being a radical republican, who, +being too obstinate to change his politics, must be whipped into +renouncing a faith that he could not be argued out of. + +Is it any wonder that men who substitute brute force for argument, should +so strenuously object to the efforts of the executive officers to enforce +the law and bring order out of the chaos, into which their wild and +licentious acts have plunged the respective communities in which they +live? Thinking men will say "nay," and will ask and demand that the policy +now being pursued by the administration shall be continued until the +supremacy of the law is fully established, and men of all shades of color +and political faith may "sit under their own vine and fig tree, with none +to molest or make them afraid." + +Allen Wicker, William Smith, Butcher Smith, James King, and Lewis Kinsey, +all residents of Echol county, Ga., and members of the Camp that had +decided that Mr. Drigger must surrender his political opinions, leave his +home, or die, were the persons upon whom the officers of the United States +Secret Service fastened the guilt of this outrage. + + +AN APPALLING TRAGEDY. + +TERRIBLE DEATH OF A WHITE MAN IN WILKINSON COUNTY, GEORGIA. + +One of the most appalling tragedies ever resulting from the free +expression of political opinions, was that enacted at Irwinton, Wilkinson +county, Georgia, on the night of the 31st of August, 1871. + +For more than a year previous to this date, a white man, familiarly known +throughout the county as Sheriff Deason, had taken a very active part in +politics, having espoused the republican cause, as one might say, in the +very den of the lion himself, and standing almost alone, in what he +considered a contest for the right. + +Deason was a large, powerfully built, and muscular man, inured to hardship +from his youth, resolute in his purpose, tenacious of his principles, and +ready under all circumstances to expound them, whenever it seemed good to +him to do so. He was a man whose good nature was proverbial. He delighted +to get into the country grocery, and there, surrounded by an admiring +audience of colored men, and such of the whites as sympathized with him, +although secretly, express his opinion, that the principles of the +republican party were the only ones upon which a righteous government +could be founded, and which would eventually bring the ship of State +safely to a secure anchorage. + +Among his hearers were many of those who had sworn to uphold the "white +man's government," and who believed that Deason's arguments were +calculated to damage their labors in this respect, but, bold as they were, +when in bands of twenty, armed and disguised, they assailed defenseless +men and helpless women, they dare not single handed to make even so much +as an utterance against his outspoken logic, and they writhed and twisted +under it in silence. They comprehended, however, that seeds were being +sown that would take root in the minds of thinking men, and produce +results which they did not desire to see accomplished. + +A formal presentation of Deason's case was made to the Irwinton Camp of +the C. U. G., to which Order, at that time, two-thirds of the white +population of Wilkinson county belonged. As was usual in such cases, it +was decided to issue a warning to the intended victim, which was forthwith +done. Deason replied to it by pasting the warning upon the door of his +house, where it remained an ever present witness to the contempt in which +he held its authors, until it was washed away by the fall rains. + +This was regarded as an act of defiance upon Deason's part, that could not +be overlooked. To add to this, he continued uttering his political views +with the same freedom as before, and it was resolved that he must be +stopped. This, however, was easier said than done; Deason was known to be +thoroughly armed, a man of undoubted courage, and a terrible opponent +when thoroughly aroused, although very quietly disposed when left to +himself. + +The Camp saw they had a serious subject to deal with, and for nearly a +year after the first warning, he was little less than a thorn in their +side. His example worked steadily upon thinking minds, and it was evident +that he must be put out of the way, as the only measure whereby the spread +of the peculiar political principles advocated by him could be stayed. + +A final warning was sent to him, the substance of which was, that he "must +leave the country, change his politics, or make up his mind to become +Buzzard Bait." In the Conclave of the Klan, when this warning was directed +to be issued, it was announced that this was positively the last +opportunity that would be given Deason to repent of his ways, and that in +the event of its failure to bring him to a change of his views, or his +location, the full penalty attached to the "negro worshiper" would be +enforced. This, however, had no more effect than the previous warnings, +and his death was resolved upon. + +On the night of the 31st of August, 1871, twenty-five of the Klan who had +been selected by the Commander, armed and disguised themselves for the +purpose, and proceeded to Deason's house on the outskirts of the place. +Deason had retired for the night, having carefully locked and barred his +doors and windows as usual. It was about midnight when he was aroused by a +heavy knock at his door. He arose from his bed and requested to know who +was there. The reply was a demand for him to come out and surrender +himself to the Klan. + +Deason responded to this with a defiant remark, telling them if they +wanted him, they must come and take him. The band then commenced battering +at the door, when Deason, placing his gun at a loop-hole which he had +previously prepared, discharged both barrels. It appears, however, from +some great misfortune to him, that neither of the shots produced any +damaging effect upon the assailing party. The band were somewhat +disconcerted at this, however, and withdrew a short distance from the +house and held a consultation. + +At the time of this visitation, Deason's wife was away upon a visit, and +the only other person in the house was a colored woman who was a servant +in the family. She had already arisen and expressed her determination to +assist Deason in the fight, to the extent of her ability. The latter had +reloaded his gun and had just set it down when a sudden rushing noise, as +of men running, drew his attention, and in a second afterwards, the door +was crushed in by a joist, which the band, using as a battering ram, had +forced against it. + +The Klan poured in at once, and in full force. A terrible hand to hand +fight ensued. Deason fought with great desperation, as did the colored +woman. One after another of the Klan were stretched out upon the floor of +the cabin, but the odds were too great, and Deason's immense strength +became exhausted under his tremendous exertions and the loss of blood +which he sustained. He finally sank down pierced with over-twenty bullet +and knife wounds, and died fighting to the last in the maintenance of the +principles he had so long and so earnestly advocated. + +The woman was soon dispatched, and the Klan then retired, taking their +wounded with them. Deason's mutilated body was found the next morning on +the floor of the room in which he had met his dreadful fate, while that of +the woman was found doubled up in one corner of the apartment, as if she +had been thrown there like a bundle of worthless rags. The frontal bone of +the dead man's head had been broken, and the base of his skull crushed +in, apparently by a club. The body had been shot and stabbed in more than +twenty different places, and presented a most revolting spectacle. + +The facts of the double murder soon spread abroad, and were reported to a +Mr. Bush, coroner of Irwinton, and that gentleman, being a member of the +Camp that had ordered Deason's death, empanelled a jury of his +fellow-brethren, and, according to his own confession, made since that +time, went through the form of an inquest, the result of which was a +verdict that the man Deason and the colored woman had met their death at +the hands of certain _colored_ persons, to the jury unknown. + +The death of this noble martyr to the cause of truth, effected important +changes. There were signs of dissatisfaction among some portions of the +community, to whom the details of the awful tragedy had become known, and +it was necessary that some measures should be taken to appease the feeling +of indignation that was beginning to gain ground. + +The Grand Jury of the county was summoned to sit for the purpose of taking +some measures to suppress crime. Every member of the jury was a member of +the C. U. G., or Ku Klux Klan. Their first step was to issue an address to +the people of the county, stating that evidence had been brought before +them to show that certain negroes had been guilty of gross outrages in the +county, which all good men should deprecate, and calling upon the citizens +to look out for the evil doers. This had but little effect, however, other +than to confirm the few well-meaning ones in their former belief that +Wilkinson county was in the hands of men who would leave no measures +unturned, to drive out of it, every one known to differ from them +politically. + +Deason is not the first nor the last in the long procession of +illustrious martyrs who, in all ages of the world have forfeited their +lives in the maintenance of their principles. Unlettered, uncouth, +uncultivated in life, resolute and unyielding even in death, he stands +recorded upon the pages of this brief history, a noble and brilliant +example of the lineal descendants of those who came from the shores of a +distant continent, more than an hundred years ago, to seek that freedom of +thought, that civil and religious liberty that had been denied them at +home. + +Many such as he, now live and suffer in the deluded and misguided land of +his birth, and like him, have for years carried their lives in their +hands, for opinion's sake. In the good Providence of an all-seeing +God--who has indeed imbued the present heads of the nation with the wisdom +necessary to appreciate the situation, and devise the appropriate +remedy--light begins to appear in the dark places, verifying the saying +that, "sooner or later, insulted virtue avenges itself on states as well +as on private individuals." + + +THE MURDER OF BRINTON PORTER. + +While the Grand Jury were holding their sessions as previously stated, and +only a short time after Deason's death, a band of twenty armed and +disguised men rode into Irwinton and murdered one Brinton Porter, an +intelligent citizen whose offense consisted like Deason's in his having +disseminated Republican principles and voted the Republican ticket. + +Porter had received a warning similar to that sent to Deason, but had said +nothing about it, even to the members of his own family. After receiving +the warning he had neither openly expressed his radical views, nor made +recantation of his political faith, but as he had not left the country, as +the warning stated he must do, his doom was pronounced in the conclave of +the Camp, and it was ordered that he should die. + +On the 8th of September, 1871, after concluding the business of the day, +and taking tea with his family, Mr. Porter left the family table, and, +taking a chair, went out to his door stoop. His only child, a daughter of +tender years, accompanied him and sat at his feet. He saw the band of +disguised men approaching the house, and deeming himself in danger, +immediately arose and was in the act of entering the house when he fell +across the threshold pierced by half a dozen bullets, which had been +discharged at him by the Klan. The child escaped unhurt. The Klan seeing +they had accomplished their purpose, wheeled around and with derisive +yells passed out of the town at a sharp trot. + +The agony of Porter's family beggars description. A wife widowed, and a +child orphaned in a moment, because their natural protector had assumed +the right guaranteed to him by the Constitution and the laws, to exercise +the elective franchise according to his own opinion, and the dictates of +his own conscience. Can one believe, that in the civilization of the 19th +century, and upon the American continent, the boasted refuge for the +down-trodden, and the oppressed of all nations, such a scene as that above +related could be enacted in the broad light of day, and the whole +community not rise up against it? Alas, for the degradation to which +political bigotry and a disregard of law, reduces a people, it is only too +true. + +The data upon which this truthful narration of the murder of Brinton +Porter is founded, is a matter of record in the archives of the +Government. The facts can neither be gainsaid nor palliated. It is to be +hoped that the firm policy of the present administration may bring the +people of the community in which Porter lived to such a sense of the great +injustice done among them, that they will rally to aid the Government, in +bursting the bands thrown about them by the subtletry of their own +unprincipled leaders, and stand shoulder to shoulder with those who are +doing all that human wisdom can devise to restore order and harmony, and +promote prosperity and happiness among the people. + + +EXTERMINATING THE NEGRO RACE. + +_Fiendish Designs of the Ku Klux of Wilkinson County._ + +THE EMASCULATION OF HENRY LOWTHER. + +In some parts of Wilkinson County, there seemed to be a disposition to +destroy every member of the colored race who should be found voting the +radical ticket. + +It was contended that scourgings and general maltreatment had not produced +satisfactory results; and, on the other hand, blood was accumulating on +the heads of the Klan, too fast even for their blunted consciences. Still +the war must go on in some way, and something must be done to destroy the +little leaven that bid fair to "leaven the whole lump." The subject was +discussed in the conclave of the Camp, and it was finally decided that a +more effectual way could be devised to accomplish the extermination of the +colored race than either by whipping or murder. This was the fiendish +resolve to castrate every negro who was guilty of radical proclivities, +and who voted the radical ticket, a design worthy alone of the men who +originated it. + +In that county, and at that particular time, there were many colored men +known as Republicans; and an opportunity was speedily afforded the Klan, +to carry out this terrible species of cruelty; a greater crime against +nature than all the others since it looked to the entire destruction of +the species. + +There had been, for sometime previous to September, 1871, a colored man in +Wilkinson County, by the name of Henry Lowther. This person was favorably +known among the negroes of the county, and expended a good deal of his +leisure time in going from place to place, and talking Republican +sentiments to members of his race, and urging them to vote the Republican +ticket, as the only means of maintaining their right to freedom. + +Previous to the dreadful visitation which subsequently came upon him, he +had voted the Republican ticket upon two occasions, and had expressed his +intentions to continue on in his political course in the future. + +This had roused the indignation of the Ku Klux Camp at Irwinton beyond +measure. A meeting of the Klan was called in which the edict was +promulgated, that since Lowther would not abandon the propagation of his +political opinions, he should be deprived of the power to propagate his +race, and further, that he should receive no "warning" in the matter, but +be proceeded against summarily, and "at once" was the time fixed for this +outrage. Lowther had been followed all the day previous, and just after +dusk was seized and thrown into a carriage, and driven rapidly away to the +woods near Irwinton, by four men armed and disguised. While in the +carriage, he was told that if he moved or made any resistance, his life +would pay the forfeit; but that, otherwise, it would be spared. + +Upon arriving at the woods, he was taken out of the carriage, and found +himself in the midst of nearly one hundred persons. Notwithstanding the +promise made by his first captors, he supposed his time had arrived and +begged for his life. He was then told that he would not be killed, if he +did not make too much resistance; that he had been preaching too much +politics, and they intended to fix all the d--d radical breeders in the +country; and had made up their minds to begin on him. Lowther did not +fully comprehend them at first, but soon learned the awful significance +of the words. + +His arms were then firmly pinioned, and he was thrown upon the ground +where he was tightly held by several of the band, and castrated in a most +rude and brutal manner, begging piteously and writhing under the pains +inflicted by his tormentors. After the operation had been performed, he +was unpinioned and asked if he knew the residence of any doctors and on +his replying that he did, he was told to go for one as he valued his life; +and further, that if he ever voted the radical ticket again, or influenced +any one else to do so, he should suffer death. Although shockingly +mutilated and bleeding from the dreadful manner in which he had been +treated, Lowther started to find a physician. Three different surgeons +were applied to before he found one sufficiently humane to afford him +assistance in dressing his wounds. + +It was several weeks before the unfortunate negro was in a condition to +walk about. The facts coming to the ears of the officers of the U. S. +secret service, they made diligent search for Lowther, whom they learned +dared not complain of his treatment for fear of death; and having found +and assured him of protection, he made affidavit to the facts as above set +forth, affirming that, with other parties who instigated and consummated +this outrage, were Eli Cummings, the Mayor of Irwinton, Lewis Peacock, +then Sheriff of Wilkinson County, and others of equal prominence. Shall it +be said after this that only the ignorant and uninfluential whites are +engaged in the gross outrages charged upon the Southern community? and +that there is no need there of the rigorous enforcement of the laws to +secure to the well-meaning citizen, black and white, the security for life +and property denied them under the rule of the lawless mob? + + + + +OUTRAGES BY THE KU KLUX KLAN. + +PERSECUTION OF THE FURGUSON FAMILY FOR OPINION'S SAKE.--AGED WOMEN AND +YOUNG GIRLS STRIPPED NAKED, AND BRUTALLY WHIPPED.--AN AWFUL HISTORY. + + _For whereas my father put a heavy yoke upon you, + I will put more to your yoke: + My father chastised you with whips, + But I will chastise you with scorpions._ + II CHRONICLES, X, 11. + + +The terrible narration that here ensues shows more conclusively, perhaps, +than any that has preceded it, the extent of the moral degradation to +which the community in which it was enacted was so surely and steadily +drifting. It would seem that the authors of the outrage had forgotten that +they were born of mothers, who had nursed them tenderly in infancy, or +that there were any longer left in the bosoms of women those feelings of +virtue and modesty usually ascribed to and found in the sex, and the +writer will here premise that the facts herein contained, dreadful though +they are in their disgusting details, have been verified beyond cavil or +the hope of questioning. + +Just previous to the breaking out of the rebellion, Dennis Furguson, an +intelligent and hard-working white man, resided with his family in Chatham +county, North Carolina. The family consisted of himself, his wife +Catherine, a daughter, Susan J. Furguson, and three sons, John, Henry and +Daniel. The head of the household was one of the few devoted Unionists who +were thoroughly opposed to the principles then being disseminated by those +who were endeavoring to plunge the country into a civil war, and exerted +all his influence to avoid the great catastrophe. + +Mr. Furguson was known as being favorable to the Republicans, and had +voted in the interest of the principles of the party of that name, +whenever opportunity had offered. He had educated his children in a love +of the Union, and taught them the blessings of civil and religious liberty +with their evening prayers, and had succeeded in imbuing them with his own +opinions to such an extent that the family became noted throughout Chatham +county as Unionists and Radicals. + +At the breaking out of the war, Furguson determined to remain a +non-combatant, seeking as far as possible not to render himself obnoxious +to his neighbors, but resolving at the same time to maintain a neutral +position. In this, however, he was doomed to a bitter disappointment, +being conscripted into the rebel army and sent to the front. He was taken +prisoner at Fort Caswell, N. C., and was sent to Elmira, N. Y., where he +died, never having seen his family from the night he was so rudely torn +from their embrace, and compelled to serve in the army of the rebellion. + +Neither this great calamity, nor the numerous other hardships suffered by +this family for opinion's sake, could shake their firm adherence to the +Union cause. The daughter was a beautiful girl, of great natural +intelligence, but who had been wholly without the advantages of an +education. She was attached to her father with a rare devotion, and +believed it to be a filial duty, which she owed to his memory, to continue +to enunciate the principles in which he had so thoroughly instructed her. +His conscription had strengthened rather than weakened these sentiments, +and she publicly spoke of his death as chargeable to the wicked designs of +the men who had endeavored to overturn and destroy the country. + +At the time of the organization of the first Camp of the "Constitutional +Union Guards," or Ku Klux Klan, in Chatham county, Susan Furguson was in +her eighteenth year. Her case was the first one brought to the +consideration of the Camp; but no special action was taken thereon until +it was observed that the sons were following in the footsteps of the +father, and were advocating the same principles of Unionism and +Republicanism that he had taught them. They also learned that Miss +Furguson lost no opportunity to express her convictions to the colored +people with whom she came in contact, and in their eyes her course became +intolerable. + +During the October of 1870, the case of the Furguson family was again +brought before the Camp as a flagrant violation of the principles of the +white man's government, and it was resolved that an example should be made +of them. A warning was sent to the family to renounce their political +faith, and cease the promulgation of their opinions, or leave the country. +To this, and subsequent warnings of a similar character, no attention was +paid, and an edict was finally issued by the Commander of the Camp, to +have some, if not all the members of the family, scourged. + +On the night of the 10th of November, 1870, the Furgusons retired to bed +at about 10 o'clock. The family was then composed of the widow, Mrs. +Catherine Furguson, the daughter Susan, and the three sons. Between eleven +and twelve o'clock, the attention of the daughter was called to a noise +outside the house, resembling the tramp of horses' feet, and the running +of men. In a moment afterwards, a voice shouted, "Open the door." The +daughter arose hastily, threw a wrapper over her person, and went to the +door and asked, "Who is there?" + +The response to this was another command, delivered in more peremptory +tones than at first--"Open the door!" and on her refusing to comply +therewith, the frail structure was broken in, and a man, disguised beyond +all hope of recognition, sprang into the apartment, confronting the girl +with a most terrible oath. + +In the dim glare of the candle which Miss Furguson had lighted, and now +held above her head, this hideous looking object presented an appearance +well calculated to terrify a stouter heart. A long black gown hung over +his person to his knees, and his legs were encased in huge army boots, +ornamented with a brace of iron spurs. Over his face was a black mask, +with apertures for the eyes, nose, and mouth, and around these were drawn +ghastly circles of white and red, rendering the face of the figure +exceedingly repulsive. On his breast was the representation of a human +skull worked in white, on a black ground, and surrounded with grotesque +figures worked in red. His head was surmounted with a high conical-shaped +black hat, on which were curious figures worked in white, and edged with +red and yellow. + +He commenced his interrogations by asking Miss Furguson if she had ever +seen a KU KLUX; to which the brave girl replied she never had, nor did she +wish to, unless it were more comely than he. This seemed to enrage him, +and turning to the door, he shouted, "Come in!" A horde of twenty men, +similarly disguised, rushed into the room, and the indecent orgies +commenced. + +The mother and the three brothers had remained in bed, at the earnest +request of the sister, but were speedily dragged from their resting place. +Daniel was the first one assailed. His night clothes were torn from him in +myriads of pieces, leaving him in an entirely nude state. He was then +thrown down upon the floor, and stretched out at full length; four of the +band seizing and holding him fast while two others came forward and +administered to him upwards of an hundred lashes on the naked person, +drawing the blood at every blow, and raising the quivering flesh in great +ridges upon his back and limbs. The boy fainted under the terrible +punishment, and was then thrown aside to make room for his brothers, Henry +and John, who were each castigated in an equally severe manner. + +John Furguson, who was more delicate than his brothers, uttered such +piercing shrieks, as the heavy gum switches descended upon his back and +loins, that his sister became almost insane. In her terrible agony she +sprang upon the leader, and before she could be prevented, tore off his +mask, and, to her horror and amazement, disclosed the face of Richard +Taylor, one of her nearest neighbors, to whom she had often, since the +death of her father, gone for advice and counsel. Taylor threw her rudely +to the floor and replaced his mask as quickly as possible. The girl was +severely stunned by the fall, but as soon as she recovered, cried out, "I +know you, Dick Taylor, and I will have you punished for what you have done +this night." + +Taylor immediately discharged his revolver at her, but, in the dim light +shed over the room by the candle, and the excitement of the moment, shot +wide of the object. He then exclaimed, with an oath, "If you move again, I +will kill you dead; and if I ever hear of your telling anybody of this +affair, we will come back and kill you all." + +Turning to Mrs. Furguson, he said, "Now, you take your folks and leave +this country. If you are not gone in ten days, we will be here again and +you shall all die." + +During the entire time of this whipping the three sons, two of them men +grown, were completely naked, and when the mother and daughter sought to +avert their heads from the shameful spectacle, they were ordered to turn +them back again on pain of instant death, the command being enforced with +pistols presented at their heads, by the hands of men whom they now felt +assured would not hesitate to use them if ordered. + +Having issued the edict for the family to leave the country or suffer +death, the gallant defenders of the "white man's government" and the +protectors of the "white man's race" departed. + +For more than three weeks succeeding this visitation, the Furguson +brothers were confined to their beds, and the mother and daughter nursed +their wounds, and labored for their support with untiring energy. During +these three weeks Susan Furguson had spread the news of the outrage to all +parts of Chatham County, characterizing the attack upon them as brutal and +savage--a crime that, if left unpunished by men, would surely be punished +by the hand of the Lord. She applied to the Justices of the Peace for +relief, stated that she recognized Dick Taylor, and George and Joseph +Blaylock, citizens of the place, as being present on the night of the +assault, and participating therein, and would make her affidavit to the +facts, and support it with undeniable testimony. + +She was everywhere laughed to scorn. The few who sympathized with her and +her family, dared not give expression to their thoughts for fear of a +similar fate. Chatham County was in the hands of the Ku Klux; a reign of +terror had been inaugurated there; the mob had made laws for themselves, +and justice was not to be had. + + +AN AGED WOMAN WHIPPED UPON HER NAKED PERSON. + +On the fourth week after the visitation above recorded, and just when the +Furguson brothers had about recovered from the effects of the brutal +whipping, and were able to attend to their ordinary duties, the family +were subjected to a second raid, far more revolting and indecent in its +character than the first, and such as the sensitive mind naturally recoils +from the contemplation of. The details are given here with a strict +adherence to the truth, all the facts herein set forth having been +personally verified to the writer by the sufferers themselves. + +On the night of the 11th of December, 1870, Susan Furguson, and a young +man named Eli Phillips, who had long known, and loved, and sympathized +with her, were sitting before the fire in the room which had been the +scene of the former outrage; the other members of the family, with the +exception of John Furguson, had retired to bed. + +Mrs. Furguson, the mother, was in very delicate health, caused by the +shock produced by the visitation of the Klan four weeks previous, and the +labor consequent upon nursing and caring for her sons. One of the +brothers, Daniel, lay stricken with a fever that had prostrated him two +days before, and was in an almost helpless condition. + +About ten o'clock in the evening, the doors upon both sides of the house +were broken in simultaneously, without previous warning, and a band of +men, armed and disguised as before, and much larger in numbers, rushed +into the room, uttering the most demoniac yells. A portion of the number +proceeded directly to the bed where the mother was lying, terror-stricken +and paralyzed from fear at their approach, and after first charging her +with having exposed their former visit, dragged her from the bed and threw +her violently to the floor. They then stood her up, and ordered her to +remove her night dress and chemise. This she refused to do, pointing to +her gray hairs and imploring mercy in the name of God, and for the sake of +the mothers who had borne them. + +Her appeals were made in vain. At the order of the Commander, the members +commenced tearing off the only garments that concealed her nakedness, and +this with the most shocking brutality. The daughter, maddened by the +sight, rushed upon the assailants, but was anticipated by other members of +the band, with whom she had a severe struggle, displacing the masks of +four of them enough to enable her to recognize their faces. + +She was quickly overpowered, and then beheld her mother completely naked, +her brother John bleeding profusely from the blow of a club, and her +brother Henry and the young man Phillips firmly secured. + +The mother was then thrown upon the floor and there securely held, while +two of the band beat her with twisted sticks, administering upwards of one +hundred blows upon various parts of her person, and bandying the most +obscene remarks and jests in relation to her. The daughter plead for her +mother most eloquently, she informed them that she was in delicate health, +and might die under the punishment, but this had no effect upon the +executioners. The interest of the "white man's race" was at stake, and +they had sworn to uphold the "white man's government," and would not stay +their hands. + +Having chastised the mother until there seemed but little life left, they +commanded John and Henry, and the young man Phillips, to remove their +clothes, and upon their refusing to do so, tore them off until not a +vestige was left upon their persons. They were then whipped one after +another, with great severity, the beating of John being so terrible that +his life was despaired of for several days afterwards. The bed upon which +the helpless and fever-stricken Daniel lay, was knocked down from under +him, and his already infirm body bruised and lacerated without stint. It +was indeed "a chastisement with scorpions;" but the most indecent +spectacle was reserved to the last. + + +OUTRAGE UPON A YOUNG GIRL. + +SHE IS WHIPPED IN A NUDE STATE IN THE PRESENCE OF THIRTY MEN. + +The girl Susan, whose bravery and devotion to her family should have +challenged the admiration of these lawless marauders, instead of drawing +upon her their contempt, was next ordered to disrobe. Overwhelmed and +confused at the merest thought, even, of such indignity, she could hardly +command herself sufficiently to speak her denials; as soon as she did, she +utterly refused to comply with the order. + +The more lecherous and brutal of the band sprang upon and threw her to the +floor, with no more regard for her person than if she had been a brute, +whom they were leading to slaughter. They stretched her out at full +length, and took her measure, as an intimation that they were going to dig +her grave. + +"We will put her and her radical lies where she can't enjoy their good +company, without further trouble," said one. This was responded to by +another, who, with a coarse oath, ejaculated, "Six foot under ground makes +a good place for solitary confinement, by ----." + +The work of "taking the measure" having been completed, Miss Furguson, +already suffering from the indelicate treatment she had received, was then +allowed to rise, and again ordered to divest herself of her clothes. "Is +it possible," she asked, "that you will submit _me_ to such an outrage?" +She had never conceived it possible these men, depraved as they were, +would really carry out a threat against which her whole nature revolted. +The reply was a sardonic laugh. The band had learned where the punishment +would sting the most, and they meant to apply it and spare not. + +For the first time in all her hated experience with these desperate men, +she faltered and felt her courage failing her. To the high-toned and +sensitive spirit of this brave and beautiful girl, there was something in +this contemplated exposure of her person far more torturing than any +number of lashes, however mercilessly inflicted. Death itself were a +thousand times preferable, and, for the first moment in all her life, she +felt like supplicating for mercy. Her hands dropped nervously and +motionless at her side, and the stout-hearted heroine of the previous +hour, stood in the presence of her persecutors almost stricken dumb with +shame and confusion. + +There was no sympathy in the glaring eyes that peered with lustful and +revengeful fires from behind the hideous masks of their tormentors; no +sentiment of pity, no hope, no help. She was given but little time to +decide. They fell upon her like hungry wolves famishing for their prey, +tearing one garment off after another, she resisting with all the strength +she could command, and entreating them to take her life, if they must, but +to spare her this last indignity. + +Neither her piteous appeals nor her stubborn resistance availed her, and +she lay upon the hard floor at last, naked as when born into the world, +ashamed, degraded, broken in spirit, and her maidenly feelings outraged +beyond any power of description. Four of the defenders of the "white man's +race" seized her limbs and arms; stretched them to their fullest tension, +and placing their knees thereon, held her brutally and forcibly to the +floor. Her punishment was to be terrible. + +The "executioners" were called, and five of the band came forward. +"Number one!" shouted the leader, and a stalwart member of the Klan that +had sworn to uphold the "white man's government," raising his knotted +strap in the air, brought it down upon the naked person of the helpless +girl with the terrible force of his muscular arm, cutting through the +delicate white skin and causing the blood to spurt at every stroke. He +administered thirty lashes, and was succeeded by "number two" and "number +three," until, as the witnesses state, one hundred and fifty lashes had +been administered, and her shoulders, loins, and limbs, were literally cut +into mince meat. + +Her screams had ceased, and her unoffending body lay still and motionless +long before the punishment had ended. There was something in her young +heart far beyond the dread cruelty of this infliction, and she inwardly +prayed to God for death, to end her mental and bodily suffering. Lying +under this great mountain of sorrow and shame, she heeded not the rude and +obscene observations of her tormentors; and the unconsciousness produced +by the punishment, soon placed her beyond the power to listen to them. + +Leaving her as one dead, and issuing the edict that if the family did not +leave the country, it would be "_death!_ DEATH! DEATH!" to all, the band +departed. + +Thousands of honest hearts of all shades of political opinions, upon +perusing this truthful narration, will feel to wish that they could have +been present with power at this time to have utterly destroyed this band +of midnight raiders; but, let them remember the words of holy writ, +"Vengeance is mine, saith the Lord, I will repay".... "Neither their +silver nor their gold shall be able to deliver them in the day of the +Lord's wrath: but the whole land shall be devoured by the fire of his +jealousy, for he shall make even a speedy riddance of all them that dwell +in the land." + +It was an hour after the departure of the band, before any of the party +exhibited evidences of life or animation. Henry Furguson, and the young +man Phillips, were the first to come to a realizing consciousness of the +awful scenes through which they had just passed. Wounded and bleeding as +they were, they felt the necessity for immediate action. The mother and +daughter still lay upon the floor, naked, lacerated and motionless. John +Furguson had fainted from the loss of blood he had sustained, and was +still unconscious, while Daniel was lying amid the debris of the bed, +groaning in the agony of the fever, and the wounds upon his body. + +Hastily gathering up the dresses of the women, and throwing them over +their nude bodies, the young men lifted them tenderly to the bed, and gave +them such attention as they felt able to bestow. The remaining members of +the family were cared for as well as the circumstances permitted. Not a +doctor could be had in the vicinity, who was not in sympathy with the +Klan, and not a neighbor came to their assistance, although fully aware of +their distressed condition. The neglect of the neighbors was in no way +attributable to their indifference or their inhumanity. It was one of the +legitimate results of the feeling of terror that then pervaded the +community. A show of sympathy towards these unfortunates, they feared, +would place them under the ban, and subject them to a visitation, and they +dared not incur the risk. + +In ten days another warning came to the Furgusons, that they must leave +the country within twenty-four hours, or the penalty of death would surely +be inflicted. They knew this warning must be heeded, and with broken +hearts and crushed spirits, they crawled out into the woods, under cover +of the darkness, and secreted themselves as they best could. + +In an interview held with the writer, subsequent to this last outrage, +Miss Furguson stated that the weather, at this time, was cold and +disagreeable, sometimes frosting and sometimes raining; that they had to +lie out without a shelter, and suffered with the cold and hunger, +sometimes going twenty-four hours without food. Occasionally the neighbors +gave them something to eat, and finally the unfortunate wanderers sold to +them the right to what furniture they had left behind in the house, and +thus procured something upon which to subsist. + +She stated further, that they were in the woods nearly a month, and that +as soon as they were able to travel they left the vicinity and procured a +home with a Mr. Dixon, on the lower edge of Chatham county. + +An affidavit, based upon the statements of this young lady, was made +before the Hon. A. W. Schaffer, U. S. Commissioner at Raleigh, N. C., on +the 8th day of September, 1871. It charged the men, recognized by this +girl, as being present and concerned in the outrages above related. +Warrants were issued, and the officers of the U. S. Secret Service went to +Chatham county and arrested the parties and brought them before the +Commissioner. The more wealthy and influential members of the Klan rallied +to their rescue, became their bondsmen, and they were released to await +trial. + +Miss Furguson's description of the dreadful indignities to which she and +the other members of the family were subjected, was of the most graphic +and thrilling character, and aroused the sympathies of many who heard it. + +The defenders of the "white man's government" were alone amazed and +enraged at the persistency and courage of this young girl of the "white +man's race," and they determined to ferret her out and punish her again. +In this they were successful, although for greater safety, the family had +broken up, and the mother and daughter had secreted themselves, as they +supposed, beyond the knowledge of their persecutors. + +On the night of the 20th of September, 1871, three men, armed and +disguised, and who had been detailed by the Camp for the purpose, appeared +suddenly before the miserable hut in which these unfortunates had taken +refuge. An entrance was easily effected, and the women were told that +their doom was sealed, and they were to be whipped to death. + +These three protectors of the "white man's race," then fell upon the +women, beating them brutally. Susan recognized one of them, by his voice, +as a man named Jesse Dixon, whom she knew. The moment she called his name, +the three ran away, leaving their victims, who passed the remnant of the +night in the woods. + +On the following day, the mother and daughter made their way to Raleigh, +where fresh complaints were entered, and the Secret Service officers, +armed with warrants, went out and succeeded in capturing two of the +murderous assailants, who were brought in and held for trial. Mrs. +Furguson and her daughter were then retained in the city as witnesses, at +the expense of the government, and to protect them from further outrages. + +Susan J. Furguson, the heroine of the terrible experiences above related, +is now twenty-one years of age. She is a girl of commanding presence, is +endowed with a powerful constitution, great energy and force of character, +and an indomitable spirit. Her P. O. address is "Snow Camp Foundry, +Chatham Co., N. C.," where herself and other members of the family can be +found, in verification of the facts above related. + +There are few narrations in the annals of "persecutions for opinion's +sake," more shocking in their inhuman details than the foregoing; +certainly, none that cry with a louder and more earnest voice to the +government, and the right-minded people of the country, for help for +those who have been the subjects thereof. + +No amount of retributive justice can erase one solitary scar from the +knout-welted bodies of the Furgusons, or remove from their spirits the +dreadful memory of their disgrace; but to those who went forth to battle +in the days of "The Nation's Peril," who stood shoulder to shoulder amid +the roar of cannon, and, in vindication of the right, successfully +withstood the shock of rebellious armies, it must ever remain a matter of +profound gratification that the victories _then_ achieved in the field are +_now_ being perpetuated in such a firm and vigorous enforcement of the +laws as will have a tendency to make them substantial ones in the +repression of any and all such outrages in the future. + + +GEORGE W. ASHBURN. + +SHOT TO DEATH FOR OPINION'S SAKE. + +The shocking murder of this gentleman is still fresh in the minds of most +readers of the daily journals, North and South. Mr. Ashburn was a sterling +patriot, who entertained radical opinions, and through his fluency and +ability, as well as his outspoken friendliness towards the colored race, +had gained their confidence and support alike, with that of the Republican +whites of the vicinity. + +He was a member of the Constitutional Convention of Georgia which met at +Columbus, in the winter of 1867-8, and during his stay there, was refused +admittance as a guest at the principal hotels of the place on account of +the political prejudice existing against him. He occupied private rooms +upon one of the main streets of the city, where he lived in an +unostentatious and unpretending manner. + +He was a man of extraordinary natural talents, a good speaker, of fair +educational qualifications, and a most earnest defender and supporter of +true Republican principles. On all occasions, and wherever he appeared, to +discuss the political situation of the trying times he moved in, he spoke +his sentiments unreservedly. He was far from ever having been a huckster +or trickster in politics, but he was fearless and able, and his enemies +doomed him! + +At midnight, on the 31st day of March, 1868, a band of about forty men, +who were armed and thoroughly disguised, made their appearance in an open +lot of ground near his residence, and just opposite his private quarters. +He had gone to bed in his room, and the door was just closed, when a +summons from without called the servant, who opened it, and the Klan burst +into the hall. Mr. Ashburn heard the noise, sprang out of bed, struck a +light, and opened the door of his sleeping apartment. He did not fear +death at the hands of these intruders, but he was alarmed at the rude +demonstrations they made, and demanded to know what was their purpose. + +With an oath and a brief exclamation of unwarrantable abuse, the foremost +members of the Klan immediately fired upon and shot him down in his tracks +like a dog. A white and colored woman in the house recognized three or +four of the leading assailants, whom they subsequently identified, and +these were among the first residents of the city of Columbus. The names of +these parties, whose identity was sworn to, and who were afterwards placed +on trial, are as follows: + +Elisha J. Kirksey, Columbus C. Bedell, James W. Barber, William A. Duke, +Robert Hudson, William D. Chipley, Alva C. Roper, James L. Wiggins, Robert +A. Wood, Henry Hennis, Herbert W. Blair, and Milton Malone. + +The morning after the assassination, a coroner's jury was summoned, and, +as was usual in such cases, the verdict of these men--who were all members +of the Ku Klux Klan--was, that Mr. Ashburn came to his death "from wounds +received from parties to the jury unknown." The local authorities made a +faint show of investigating the matter, but really did nothing towards +actually ferreting out and bringing to justice the murderers. + +This outrage was so revolting in its inception and consummation, that the +military authorities considered it right that they should undertake to do +what the local police and citizens of Columbus had apparently been so +indifferent in performing. + +In the then condition of affairs nobody dared to appear against the +suspected parties, and consequently witnesses could not be had in the +ordinary way. + +At this juncture General Geo. G. Meade, then in command of the Military +Department there--for the State of Georgia was at this time under martial +law--telegraphed to Gen. Grant, in Washington, that he desired the +services of a competent and able detective to assist in bringing the +guilty parties to justice. A second dispatch was sent by Gen. Meade, +requesting that Col. H. C. Whitley, of the United States Internal Revenue +service (then absent under Department orders in Kansas), should be +directed to report to him in person for the duty indicated. In pursuance +of this request Col. Whitley went to Columbus and commenced his labors, +which resulted in the arrest of the parties above named. + +A military commission was at once convened to try the accused. The +witnesses for the Government gave their testimony in a straightforward +manner, their evidence being fully corroborated by that of the people in +the house where the deed had been consummated, and the conviction of the +parties seemed inevitable. + +The citizens of Columbus raised a hue and cry; the local newspapers +sharply criticized the proceedings; a furore of excitement was engendered; +the ablest legal counsel to be had for the defence, with Alexander H. +Stephens at the head, were engaged, and large sums of money were expended +in behalf of the prisoners. + +All parties were astounded, however, at the evidence which was produced +against the accused. Its preparation showed a skill and ingenuity such as +had never before been exhibited in working up a case before the courts of +the district, and it was necessary that some measures should be devised to +save the participants in the fearful tragedy from their justly merited +punishment. + +This could only be accomplished in one way--by the adoption of the 14th +Amendment to the Constitution of the United States, it being a clause in +the law that, upon the adoption of this amendment by the legislature of +any State, all cases of civilians pending before military tribunals +organized in said State, should be taken cognizance of by the civil courts +therein. + +The Democratic members of the Georgia Legislature were between two fires; +the 14th Amendment was a bitter pill, but the necks of their confreres +were in danger, and they were compelled to vote solid with the +Republicans, and thus end the proceedings before the military tribunal. By +this means, the trials of the Ashburn murderers were taken out of the +hands of the military authorities, the prisoners put under bail, the +witnesses compelled to flee for their lives, and there the matter rests. + +To the unobserving mind the murder of George W. Ashburn would seem totally +unavenged; but to him who sees in every great event the hand of an +over-ruling Providence, evolving good from evil, a different conclusion +must be arrived at. In his life, he fought manfully for the establishment +of civil rights, and the political equality of the oppressed race of which +he was the chosen champion. In his death that result was consummated, in +the State of Georgia, sooner perhaps by years than it would otherwise have +been without this sacrifice. "Wherever a few great minds have made a stand +against violence and fraud in the cause of liberty and reason," there +shall we find just such sacrifices as this, and there, too, "in the +eternal fitness of things" and the onward march of law and the +establishment of order, shall we find the triumphal vindication of those +principles for which the republic has labored and travailed, and George W. +Ashburn died. + + +A THRILLING NARRATIVE. + +DESPERATE ENCOUNTER AND DEFEAT OF A BAND OF KU KLUX. + +As an instance of what the courage of one man can do in a righteous cause, +against a multitude of those who are actuated by wicked and unlawful +motives, the case of Mr. J. K. Halliday, a resident of Jackson County, +near Jefferson, Ga., is perhaps one of the most extraordinary on record. + +Mr. Halliday is a native of Jackson County, Ga., where he has always lived +and done business. He was opposed to secession and rebellion from the +first; was continually counselling peaceful measures, and openly avowed +himself a Unionist. During the war, he utterly refused to take up arms +against the Government, and being a man of great influence and large +means, was enabled to avoid conscription into the rebel ranks. + +He was a thriving business man, the proprietor of two plantations and a +mill, and kept a large number of hands engaged at work. After the close of +the rebellion and as a measure of concession to the turbulent spirits by +whom he was surrounded, he employed white men to do his labor. + +Mr. Halliday soon found, to his inconvenient cost, that these men demanded +exorbitant wages; that they were indisposed to perform a fair day's work, +sometimes not working at all, and then but for a half day, but always +charging him for full time--and he finally became disgusted with, and +discharged them altogether. This was sufficient to bring him into contempt +with the Klan, who charged him with being a "negro lover," as well as a +Union sympathizer, and an open-mouthed Radical. + +Threats of his assassination and the destruction of his mill and other +buildings were freely uttered. He was formally "warned" by the K. K. K.'s, +that he must change his course, politically, or he would certainly suffer +death. Halliday's reply to this threat and warning was simply to proceed +to Jefferson, and procure some of the best modern weapons, for defense, +that he could find. With these he returned to his dwelling, awaited +results, pursuing his usual course, advocating such political principles +as he please, and employing colored men as before. + +During the spring of 1871, at a meeting of the Ku Klux Camp of Jefferson +County, it was solemnly resolved that Halliday should be killed, and his +property destroyed. The night for the "visitation" was duly decided on; +and through an anonymous note this information was conveyed to Halliday, +the writer begging him as he valued his life, to leave the place, and thus +save himself. + +To less resolute men this would have appeared a serious matter, but upon +Halliday the threatened danger had an entirely different effect. It nerved +rather than weakened his brave spirit, and he resolved to "stick." He was +a man full six feet in stature, and well proportioned; he had been long +accustomed to out-of-door life, and was considered one of the most +powerful men, physically, in the county; he knew his strength, and relying +upon that and an unswerving faith in God, he determined to defend himself +and his family to the last. + +On the night of the anticipated visit, he placed his wife and his two +children in the upper room of the house, and barricaded the passage way +leading thereto, as best he could. + +Mrs. Halliday well knew the desperate character and murderous designs of +the Klan. She clung to her husband, to whom she was devotedly attached, +and expressed her fears as he passed down the stairway, that she would +never see him again, alive! To this Mr. Halliday responded: + +"You forget that the GREAT MASTER is with me! Trust HIM as _I_ do," and +kissing her and the little ones, he descended to the ground floor, where +he intended to remain and await the advent of the party. + +Some of the more faithful of the negroes observing the unusual care with +which Mr. H. adjusted the fastenings upon the doors and shutters, that +night, hinted to him that they "reck'nd he 'spected trouble," and they +would like to be near him. + +"No," said he, "go to your own places and don't come out; if they come in +here, I had rather be alone, for then I can shoot and cut at random and be +sure not to hit any of my own friends. Every man I strike will surely be +one who ought to be stricken." + +Mr. Halliday was armed with two rifles, two revolvers, and a long bowie +knife. Shortly before midnight, the Klan made their appearance in front of +the house, to the number of about twenty. Halliday saw them through a +small half-moon shaped aperture at the top of the shutter. + +They were all masked, and appeared each to wear a long rubber cape, +falling from the shoulders to the waist. They came straight to the door, +and, without saying a word, commenced to batter it in. The door gave way +in a few moments, and as they rushed in, Halliday discharged his firearms +with such fatal effect, that three of the Klan dropped dead upon the +floor. + +The room was intensely dark, and a desperate fight ensued, in which the +assailants more frequently encountered each other than the victim for whom +they were in search. + +Halliday was finally grappled by one of the foremost of the party. He +speedily freed himself through his superior strength and the prompt use of +his bowie knife, thrusting it into his assailant's bowels, and throwing +him violently back on to the crowd. The wounded man exclaimed: + +"He's got a knife! I'm murdered!" + +This caused a panic among the marauders, and the entire crowd left the +house, taking their dead and wounded with them. After making certain that +all of their own number were out, they discharged their firearms through +the open doorway, and beat a retreat, taking a circuitous route, to avoid +being traced by the blood that oozed from the wounds of several of the +number, two of whom died soon after reaching their homes, thus making five +in all who had paid the forfeit of their lives in the unholy cause. + +During all the time of this desperate encounter, the feelings of the +wretched wife and frightened children in the upper room, may only be +imagined. The father and husband, single handed, fighting against a horde +of ruffians bent upon his murder; their own fate depending upon his, and +not daring to cry out lest they should be discovered, and thus bring +destruction upon their own heads, their situation was agonizing in the +extreme. + +Mrs. Halliday did not forget the last words of her husband, so full of the +strong faith that characterized the man: "_You forget that the Great +Master is with me. Trust Him as I do!_" And sinking upon her knees, she +poured her spirit out in silent and earnest prayer to God for help. + +The dead calm that had ensued after the uproarious tumult of the firearms, +and the fierce struggle of the combatants in the room below, alarmed Mrs. +Halliday more than all else. Whether her husband had been overpowered at +last and taken away, or had been left dead upon the floor, with some of +the murderous crew watching to see who would come for the body, she knew +not. Possibly he might be lying there alone, wounded and insensible, with +the life-blood ebbing away, and no friendly hand to stay the crimson tide, +and the thought was terrible and agonizing. + +An hour went by. An hour into which years of misery were crowded to the +forlorn woman, and yet no sound of life, no ray of light gleaming through +the impenetrable darkness, to relieve the awful gloom and suspense, or +give her one faint shadow of hope. + +Halliday was indeed lying there, exhausted and unconscious from the +numerous wounds and contusions he had received. In his right hand he still +held the bowie knife firmly grasped, as if awaiting the further onslaught +of the foe, while his left was clenched with the determination of his iron +will. The cool wind blowing off the mill-stream and coming in through the +open doorway, aroused him at length to consciousness. + +The remembrance of the fight, his successful resistance, the retreat of +the assailing party, and, above all, his wife and children, saved--and by +his own right arm!--came back to his recollection and nerved him to +action. He roused himself from his lethargy, and groping his way to the +stairs, he called out: + +"Are you there, mother! and our darlings!" + +Who shall tell the feelings of that wife-mother's heart, bowed in its +terrible anguish, and now so suddenly raised to the highest pinnacle of +happiness as she responded, "Here! and safe, thank God, and our husband +and father." + +Who shall describe the music that will compare, in Halliday's bosom, to +the pattering feet of his darlings, as they rushed to meet his strong and +loving embraces, and shouted, "Papa, papa!" amid their fast falling tears. + +Halliday's wounds, though not fatal, were still serious enough to alarm +his wife, and as early in the morning as she dared, she sent one of the +negroes for a doctor; but it appeared that every doctor in the vicinity +was busy with patients who had been "taken suddenly ill during the night." + +One of these was the only son of a widow, the nearest neighbor to the +Hallidays. He had received a "severe fall" the night previous, they said, +upon a sharp instrument that had pierced his bowels and caused his death. +This proved to be the man Halliday had cut. Five funerals attested the +energy and strength of the hero's arm, and the dead bodies of the victims +remained as lasting "warnings" to the "defenders of the white man's +government," and that it was not always wise to attack the members of the +"white man's race." + +It is almost needless to add that Mr. Halliday was left free from that +time forth to pursue his own course, politically and otherwise as he +deemed best, and that his persecutors came to realize with him that "the +race is not always to the swift, nor the battle to the strong," and that +in the struggle of the right for supremacy over the wrong, "God and one +constitute a majority." + + +SLAUGHTER OF AN UNITED STATES OFFICIAL. + +John Springfield, a Deputy United States Marshal, residing in St. Clair +County, Alabama, had drawn upon himself the odium of the Ku Klux of that +county by accepting a position under the United States Government, the +duties of which he endeavored faithfully to discharge. + +He had been approached on several occasions by members of the Klan, who +had made propositions to him to pervert his office, and shield certain +parties who were engaged in the illicit distillation of whiskey; but had +utterly refused to listen to any of these overtures, and was bold enough +to proclaim the fact that he should use his best endeavors to bring to +punishment the violators of the law wherever he found them. + +The customary warning was sent to this intrepid officer, informing him +that "St. Clair County was getting hot for him," but that if he kept on in +his course he would "be sent to a hotter place in a hurry." + +He was somewhat alarmed at this threat and moved about with great caution, +but was unremitting in his attention to his duties until the spring of +1871, when the Klan decided that he must be stopped. An edict was issued, +sealing Springfield's doom, and the second night thereafter he was +followed by three members of the Klan, disguised in black gowns and with +their faces blackened, and was shot dead within a few feet of his house. + +This murder was charged upon the negroes, and up to the present writing, +the instigators and perpetrators have escaped punishment. + + +THE ASSAULT UPON ASA THOMPSON. + +_Singular Conduct of the Klan._ + +In the latter part of the year 1870, there resided in Clinch County, +Georgia, a gentleman by the name of Asa Thompson, who, although a +Southerner by birth and education, was an outspoken Radical Unionist, and +had directly identified himself with the Republican party. + +In his intercourse with the people he was frank and free in the expression +of his sentiments, and always exercised the right of suffrage, conducting +himself in an orderly and acceptable manner, at all times, as a good +citizen should do. He was proprietor of a thrifty plantation, upon which +he employed a large number of hands, and stood well generally in the +community. + +These essential requisites to a good citizen were altogether insufficient, +in the eyes of the Ku Klux Klan in that vicinity, to balance the bad +points (in their esteem) which characterized him, inasmuch as he was a +Radical in principle. This fault was considered good cause for forwarding +to Thompson a sharp "warning" from the camp, which was sent him in the +customary form, and he was ordered to restrain himself in the utterance of +his Radicalism, or quit the country. + +If he failed to obey, then he would receive a visitation from the K. K. +K.'s, and that meant death. To this notice he gave no attention, but +laughed at the threat and awaited events. A second warning was then sent +him, couched in the following terms:-- + + "One of three things will happen to you, very shortly. You will leave + the country, so that we can never find you--change your politics--or + be turned into Buzzard Bait. + + K. K. K." + +To this expressive, but not over polite missive, Thompson returned a +somewhat defiant reply, proceeded at once to fortify his cotton +gin-house, in which he remained at night, and dared the Klan to come for +him. + +During the month of September, 1871, matters had assumed such a position +in this man's case, that the Klan felt that Thompson must be annihilated, +or the "reign of terror," which they had inaugurated in the county, would +be broken--and a reaction take place among the people, inimical to +themselves. + +Numbers of the band were accordingly detailed by the Commander of the Camp +of Clinch County, to put Thompson out of the way. They were headed by +Shimmie Timmerson, formerly sheriff of that county; a man notable for his +unusual brute force and personal resolution. + +The Klan approached Thompson's gin-house on the night of the assault, +cautiously, and as they supposed, unobserved. Each one of them was well +armed, and disguised in black gowns, masks and hats. + +Thompson, who had been constantly on the watch, discovered them upon their +first appearance. He relied upon the solid door of the gin-house, which he +supposed would withstand a much heavier shock than it did. It gave way +upon the first assault, which was made with a heavy piece of timber, +battered against it by the assailants; and which shivered it to splinters. + +As the door crashed in, Thompson opened such a rapid fire upon the +marauders, as to lead them to suppose that the gin-house was full of armed +men. This belief had been strengthened, from the fact that its only +occupant shouted simultaneously with the discharge of his weapons: "Give +it to 'em, boys! Don't spare a man." + +Timmerman (the ex-sheriff), who led this gang, fell at the first fire, +seriously though not mortally wounded. Several others of the party bit the +dust, and the entire band at once beat an ignominous retreat--bearing +with them their wounded; and leaving their single-handed and brave +opponent master of the situation. + +The most singular and unexpected result of this was, that the band were so +thoroughly chagrined at their failure, that they had a quarrel among +themselves after leaving the place, and charged their defeat upon +Timmerman, who led the van--and whom they adjudged guilty of death on the +spot, on the ground that their defeat was due to his bad management. + +This sentence would actually have been executed upon him, but for the +interposition of some of the Klan, who declared their belief that +Timmerman could not recover from the wounds he had already received, and +that he might as well be left to die in the woods; that they did not think +he was a traitor, and hence ought not to suffer a traitor's doom. + +The ex-sheriff was greatly weakened from the loss of blood, caused by +these wounds, and was so thoroughly panic-stricken at the idea that he +might possibly be murdered by his associates, that he swooned, and his +body was carried nearly a mile into the wood, where his "brethren" of the +Camp threw it down, and left him. + +On the following day Mrs. Timmerman, having missed her husband, employed a +gang of negroes to go in search of him. The hunt was successful, and the +wounded man was removed to his house; where, after the most careful +nursing, he was partially restored to health, but was so badly crippled as +to be unable ever again to perform manual labor. + +The treachery and inhumanity of these men towards one of their own number +so enraged Timmerman that he declared himself ready to expose their whole +operations, their modes of working, and their secrets; and it was from him +and Mr. Thompson that the writer obtained the facts, as herein set forth. +This raid ended the operations of the Clinch County Ku Klux Klan, for +sometime, so far as the influential whites were concerned. + +Outrages upon negroes were continued, however, but with less severity--the +subsequent vigorous action of the Government in enforcing the laws, in +other parts of the country, being felt to some degree in that place. + + +BRUTAL WHIPPING OF WOMEN. + +The outrages committed by members of the Klans, upon both individuals and +property, in the county of Chatham, and in Moore county, N. C., were so +numerous and oppressive, during the spring of 1871, and finally became so +brutal in their character as to occasion the direst consternation among +the whole negro population, as well as among such of the whites as dared +to exercise the right of suffrage in accordance with their own +convictions, which were not in accord with the tenets maintained by the Ku +Klux or democracy of the place. + +About this period, the more intelligent of the colored people were in the +habit of gathering together at stated times, for consultation in company +with the friendly whites, as to the course it was deemed best for them to +pursue for the protection and security of their lives. + +A favorite place for holding these meetings, was at the dwelling of Mrs. +Sallie Gilmore--a woman then residing with her family in Moore county. + +These frequent assemblages were soon brought to the notice of the Camp in +Moore county, and it was decided that such an example should be made of +the parties as would deter others from pursuing a similar course; and +compel these to abandon their radical views, or quit the country. + +The house occupied by Mrs. Gilmore, was rather of the better class, and +Mrs. G. was known as an intelligent woman, who, in her sympathy with the +colored race, was anxious for the day when the rights and privileges +guaranteed them by the Constitution and the laws, could be enjoyed without +molestation. + +The opinions and teachings of Mrs. Gilmore becoming known, the heresy was +sufficient for the Klan to commence a crusade upon her and her family, and +an edict was issued that she, and all the others found upon her premises, +should be scourged. + +Thirty men of the Klan were, accordingly, detailed to carry out the order, +and the "visitation" was fixed for the night of April 15th, 1871. The Klan +were disguised, as usual, and were under the leadership of Roderick J. +Bryan, a prominent citizen of Moore county, who was violently opposed to +Republican principles. They met and organized in a field about a mile from +Mrs. Gilmore's house, where they held a counsel, and finally completed +arrangements for making the proposed raid. + +Saturday night (the night in question) was the favorite time when the +negroes met there, but, on this particular evening there chanced to be but +three present, besides Mrs. Gilmore, her son and daughter, and a young +woman named Mary Godfrey. + +For greater security, no lights were used when these meetings were held, +and when the Klan arrived, the place was found to be entirely darkened. +The doors were at once broken in, and Murkerson McLane, one of the +negroes, taking advantage of the darkness, crept through the doorway +stealthily, and darted towards the woods; but he was observed by some of +the Klan, who pursued and soon came up with him. + +They had fired upon him as he ran, and when overtaken, he had sank down +exhausted, and begged hard for his life. Roderick Bryan and Garner Watson +replied to his earnest supplications for life by discharging their +revolvers at him a second time. Both shots took effect. McLane gave a +spasmodic leap into the air, and dropped motionless by the roadside. +Supposing him dead the band left him there, where he lingered through the +night in great agony, and died next morning. + +Having murdered McLane, his pursuers returned to Mrs. Gilmore's house, +where the rest of their party were awaiting them before commencing their +inhuman indecencies. A light had been struck, and Mrs. Gilmore, her son +and daughter, the negroes, and Mary Godfrey, were found fastened to the +bed, in the most indecent positions. The negroes were first released, and +were fearfully beaten with clubs and twisted switches, until they became +utterly unconscious, when they were rudely dragged to the doorway, and +their bleeding bodies tumbled, unceremoniously, into the mud. + +Mrs. Gilmore's son and daughter were then stripped of their clothing and +compelled, in this condition, to _dance_, for the edification of their +tormentors; the music of this wretched exhibition being provided by the +switches in the hands of the Klan, who applied them to the naked bodies of +their victims with terrible severity, mocking them wickedly, meantime, as +they were forced through the unwilling and miserable antics they +performed! + +The son was entirely nude, but the daughter was allowed to retain her +chemise. Both became exhausted, and sank down under the terrible +punishment inflicted upon them, and the vigorous switching kept up, failed +to revive them into further action. The attentions of the Klan were then +directed towards Mrs. Gilmore. + +One of the band said, "Let's make the old she radical dance now!" + +"We can do better than that," said another; "we can lick the d-- +nigger-loving blood out of her." + +Mrs. Gilmore, now upwards of fifty years old, was then seized and thrown +violently upon the floor. Her clothes were drawn up over her head, and the +cotton under garments covering her limbs were rudely torn off, exposing +her naked person to the demons in human form who surrounded her. The +switches were then applied with all the vigor of which the executioners +were capable. The old lady uttered a few heart-rending shrieks, but +speedily fainted, and continued unconscious during the remainder of the +infliction. + +The punishment of the young woman, Mary Godfrey, was reserved to the last. +She was stripped of every thread of clothing, and was thus compelled to +experience the shame of indecent exposure, added to her other tortures. +During the process of scourging this young woman the vilest and most +obscene epithets were bandied about by the Klan, and she was subjected to +many other indignities. + +She sank under the treatment at last, and lie upon the floor, her life +apparently extinct. Cold water was dashed over the faces and bodies of +these unfortunate women, who, by this means, were rallied sufficiently to +render them conscious enough to listen to the final edict of the Klan, +which was, "To cease indulging in and promulgating their heresies, from +that hour forward, and abandon the country, on pain of certain death!" +With this admonition the defenders of the white man's government left the +house. + +Of a truth, "all cruelty springs from wickedness." But the weakness which +could prompt the brutality--exhibited in such cases as those above +recorded--is utterly inexcusable in any being wearing the shape of man. + +The brutal whipping of these inoffensive women, and the murder of the +negro McLane, add one more to the many evidences of the degradation to +which the members of the Ku Klux Klan had reduced themselves, in their +endeavors to crush out freedom of thought and expression, and compel +adherence to their own peculiar tenets. Thank God, and the wisdom that now +guides and controls the destinies of the nation, these dark hours of the +Republic, fruitful with scenes like those described above, are passing +away. A gleam of light appears in the horizon, as a glad harbinger of the +dawn that shall usher in the day when + + "All crimes shall cease, and ancient fraud shall fail; + Returning justice lift aloft her scale; + Peace o'er the world her olive wand extend, + And white robed innocence from heaven descend." + + +MISCELLANEOUS OUTRAGES. + +WHIPPING OF STANFORD AND NASH. + +On the night of the 16th of June, 1871, two negroes, named John Stanford +and Edward Nash, were proceeding to their homes, near Oltewah, Hamilton +County, Tennessee, when they were met in the road by some fifteen men +armed and disguised, who ordered them to stop. They were then interrogated +by the leader of the band as to why they had voted the Radical ticket at +the previous election. Stanford replied that they had done it because it +was right. One of the band said: + +"There's a sting in that ticket, and you may as well have the whole of +it," at the same time striking at Stanford with a wooden club. + +The latter is a very powerful negro, and having some spirit, resented the +attempted injury, dodged the blow, and instantly seizing his assailant, +threw him heavily to the earth. Nash showed fight also, but being a much +weaker man, was soon overpowered and pinioned fast. Several of the band +seized Stanford, who, from his superior strength, dashed them one side, +and darted away, followed by half a dozen of the Klan. + +As he ran, he managed to pick up a piece of board in the road with which +he turned on his pursuers with the intention of defending himself, when a +well-directed shot struck his elbow, shattering the bone, and compelling +him to drop the board, and again attempt to save himself by flight. A +second shot struck him in the ankle, and impeded his further progress. His +pursuers again came up with and secured him, and conveyed him back to +where Nash was pleading for his life. + +A council was held by the Klan, in which it was decided that the negroes +should be severely whipped, and if ever known to again vote the radical +ticket, they should die. + +Stanford was tied to a tree, his immense strength still being feared by +the band, and was beaten until entirely insensible. Nash received a +similar castigation. Both the negroes were then untied and placed across +the driveway of the road so that a wagon in passing would be likely to run +over them, unless they should in the mean time become conscious, and get +out of the way. + +In his desperate struggle with the band, Stanford had displaced one of the +masks, which enabled him to recognize a man named Goal Martin, who lived +in the vicinity. Upon the statement of these negroes, and from evidence +furnished by other corroborating circumstances, several of the members of +the band committing these outrages were arrested and brought to +appropriate punishment. + + +OUTRAGE UPON WILLIAM FLETCHER. + +On the night of the 23d of November, 1871, there assembled in the woods +near Cross Plains, Alabama, a band of men armed and disguised as the White +Brotherhood. Their persons were enveloped in long white gowns, white masks +covered their faces, high white conical hats surmounted their heads, their +hands were encased in white gloves, and white stockings were drawn over +and completely covered their boots. + +The object of this gathering was the punishment of one William Fletcher, a +white Unionist and Radical, who had the temerity to vote the Republican +ticket, advocate the supremacy of the Government, and aid the officers +thereof in the enforcement of the laws. These were crimes in the eyes of +the Ku Klux Klan sufficient to warrant their taking the offender in hand. +The customary warning was not sent in this case, but a friendly hand +penned a note to Fletcher, informing him of the danger, but this, +unfortunately, never reached him. + +At the time of the assembling of the band, as above stated, the "Night +Hawks"[1] of the Camp came up with the intelligence that Fletcher was then +in a grocery store kept by a man named Flanders, and that it would be +better to decoy him out of there, and get him on the road towards the +woods, where he could be the more easily mastered. + +Fletcher was a cool, resolute and brave man, was supposed to be well +armed, and the members of the Klan knew that unless some strategy was used +with him, some of their number must suffer the consequences. One of the +Klan, named N. G. Scott, was accordingly detailed to decoy Fletcher away. +Scott removed his disguise, and started for the store, followed at a +convenient distance by several members of the band. He was successful in +his undertaking, and in about twenty minutes he and his intended victim +were walking down the road, in the direction of the ambuscade. + +In a moment more, the Klan sprang upon and overpowered Fletcher. Pistols +were presented at his head, threatenings of death were made if he uttered +a cry; a towel was tied tightly across his eyes as a bandage, and he was +led away to the woods on the north side of Cross Plains. Upon reaching the +woods, his coat and vest were removed, and he was stood up with his face +pressed hard against a tree. His arms were drawn around the trunk of the +tree, and tied together, and his legs were firmly secured by ropes. + +John Yeateman, who had charge of the proceedings of the Klan that night, +then stepped forward, and told Fletcher to say his prayers, as he had but +a short time to live; that it had first been the intention to give him a +whipping and let him go, but that they had now decided to whip him to +death. + +Fletcher replied by asking if there was no mercy to be accorded him, and +inquired to know for what he was to be killed. The only answer to this was +that they never gave mercy to the "infernal radicals, who wanted niggers +to rule the country." This remark was followed by his shirt being torn +completely off his back. + +Meantime the "executioners," who had gone for the "rods," returned, and +upon the order of their leader fell to their work, cutting the back of the +poor victim most dreadfully, and causing him to lose all his stoicism at +last, and shriek from the effects of the blows. The "executioners" +becoming exhausted, Yeateman himself seized a knife, and cutting away the +garments that encased Fletcher's lower limbs, took a "rod," and commenced +beating him about the loins with great ferocity. + +Fletcher fainted under the punishment, and as his screams had ceased, +Yeateman desisted, remarking, "There's one Radical vote less, by ----." + +The band continued consulting together for some time, when, Fletcher being +heard to groan, one of the Klan, named James Bierd, said: "He ain't +finished yet; I reckon he'd better have the whole of it." + +Yeateman then approached the miserable victim, and having succeeded in +arousing him to consciousness, asked: "Have you anything to say before you +die?" + +Fletcher responded faintly, saying: "Write to my mother, Mrs. William +Fletcher, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada, and say how and why I died." In a +moment afterwards he asked: "Is there no chance to live?" + +The band consulted together again, when Yeateman said: "There is just one +chance for you, and that is that you agree to leave the State in three +hours, and never come back." + +Fletcher gladly gave the required promise. He was then untied, and two of +the band supporting him upon either side, led him to the railroad track. +The bandage was then taken from his eyes, and he was told he must walk on, +and that if he looked back, he would be shot. A row of revolvers pointed +at him gave evidence that he was not being trifled with, and summoning all +the resolution and strength which he could command, he slowly hobbled +away. + +William Fletcher is no mythical creation. He lives to-day, a scarred and +maimed monument of the demoniac brutality that instigated his scourging +for opinion's sake; his property destroyed, his health ruined for life, +his spirit crushed and broken. The naturally indignant reader will ask if +justice has overtaken the miscreants who committed this outrage, and will +be gratified to know that it has; and that the principal offenders have +felt the weight of the strong arm of the law, now being vigorously +enforced throughout the South against the execrable Klan to which they +belonged, and in whose interest, and that of bigotry and persecution, they +committed this dreadful outrage. + + +A SIGNIFICANT CONVERSATION. + +The preceding stories of wrongs and outrages committed by the Ku Klux +Klan, and those that follow, serve in a degree to show the extent to which +persecutions for opinion's sake were carried. It was the intention of the +leaders to intimidate the masses, that further opposition to the +principles promulgated by the Ku Klux Klan, or Southern Democracy, should +cease altogether. They were wiley enough to see, however, that silence, +while it may often give assent, can rarely be construed as an endorsement +of that which is utterly repugnant to the human heart. + +Hence, plans were adopted for the dissemination of principles in violent +antagonism to the Government and the Administration. It was not only +hinted at that a change of Administration would effect the ends desired by +the Ku Klux Orders; but it was openly declared by the bolder ones that +such an event would give the South more than it had ever hoped to obtain, +even had the war been a success to them instead of to the nation at large. + +As an illustration of the feeling of some of these leaders, who were men +of property and influence, and owned plantations in the interior, the +following conversation is given. This conversation actually occurred upon +the Moore plantation, situated upon the Tuscaloosa and Lexington Turnpike. + +Moore had been a most uncompromising rebel, and was one of the first to +join the Ku Klux Camp in his vicinity. He was continually haranguing his +laborers in the interest of Ku Kluxism and democracy, cursing the +Government and the Administration, and swearing death to all who upheld +them. One of his hands, whom he had but recently employed (September, +1871), said to him: + +"What shall we do to break up this cursed Government, and have things as +we want them?" + +Moore replied: "There is a movement on foot all over the South that will +drive every d----d Yankee out of it before long, and give us things all +our own way." + +"Good," said the laborer, "I'd like to know the programme, and get posted +in that thing; I'd take a big hand in it!" + +Moore being now convinced that he had the right kind of a tool for the +intended work, then said: + +"We've got the right thing now to fix all the niggers and Yankees with +that don't go as we want them to; we don't care a d---- for the general +government. It can go to ----, where it ought to. They may pass an hundred +more Ku Klux bills, and it won't do them a bit of good. The Ku Klux are +resting just now; but they are not asleep. They have got the niggers and +radicals in pretty good train, so they don't dare say anything. All we +want is a Democratic President, and that must come sure the next election, +and then we can run things to suit ourselves." + +If Mr. Moore ever sees this faithful transcript of his disloyal speech, +delivered upon his own plantation, on the 12th of September, 1871, he may +begin to get some idea that the farm hands by whom he was surrounded were +not all as badly poisoned with hatred to the radicals as he was, and that +one of them at least had the temerity to treasure up and repeat the above +conversation. It is here produced as an evidence of the sentiments that +pervaded the minds of the leaders; and to set all doubt at rest as to its +authenticity, it may be added that it is a matter of record, to be seen +and read of all men. + + +OUTRAGE UPON PERSONS IN TEXAS. + +As an evidence that neither color or nationality formed any protection +against the evil machinations of the Ku Klux Klan, the case of Henry +Kaufmann, a well-to-do German residing in Bell County, Texas, may be +cited. + +Kaufmann had come to this country after the war of the Rebellion, and, +having some means and an extensive knowledge as a stock raiser, made his +way South, finally locating in Texas, as the place best adapted for the +business of raising stock, which was one he intended to pursue. His family +consisted of his wife and two children, a boy and girl, aged respectively +nine and eleven years. + +Texas at this time was the scene of many outrages, but the good-natured +German was for a long time unable to comprehend their significance. Like +most of his countrymen, he entertained republican sentiments; they were +the sentiments of his heart, while at home, in the land of his fathers, +and he had supposed, that in America, the asylum of the oppressed of all +nations, he would find them in all their purity, upheld and expressed +without fear, and honored by all. + +In this respect, he was doomed to bitter disappointment. The nearest +neighbor to Kaufmann, was a man named McPherson, originally from the +North, but who had for some years resided in Texas, and was a +thorough-going Unionist. He did not hesitate, even among all the tumult +and disorder, by which he was surrounded, to express his union sentiments, +and had been repeatedly warned by the Ku Klux that he must change his +course. + +As he paid no heed to these threats, he received a visitation during the +Spring of 1871, which utterly ruined him, and from which he escaped with +his life, only by the aid of Kaufmann. It appears that the Klan having +beat McPherson almost to death, gave him twenty-four hours in which to +leave the country, threatening to kill him if he did not do so. Suffering +terribly from the dreadful scourging, McPherson was just able to get as +far as Kaufmann's house, where he sought protection until such time as he +might be able to travel and get away from the place. + +The good-natured German, filled with the humane instincts, natural to his +people, at once took the refugee into his house, and cared for him for +several days, without dreaming that he would incur the displeasure of +anyone for such an act. He nursed McPherson tenderly for some four days, +when the latter, dreading that the Klan might discover, and destroy, not +only him, but his generous benefactor, left the house at night, and +removed himself as far as possible from his persecutors. + +The fact of his having been harbored by Kaufmann, became known to the +Klan, however, by some means, and they forthwith classed the latter as a +radical. On the third night after McPherson's departure, about eight +o'clock in the evening, the unsuspecting German was sitting with his wife +and children before a log-fire--as the weather was still chilly--when the +door was unceremoniously burst in and a score of the Klan filled the room. + +Kaufmann was rudely seized and a demand made upon him to know what he had +done with that d--d radical McPherson. + +To this he made reply that he "didn't know such mans." Upon this, one of +the band struck him a severe blow, telling him they meant to learn him not +to interfere with their business. Mrs. Kaufmann implored them in broken +English, not to hurt her husband; he had done nothing, and they had made a +mistake. + +"He's done enough," said Butch Williams, the leader of the crowd, "You +can't make any mistake on these dutchmen, they are all d--d radicals +anyhow. Its born in 'em, but by ---- they shan't spit it out here." + +Kaufmann was then securely pinioned and whipped until he became +unconscious. When the castigation was ended, the leader turning to Mrs. +Kaufmann, and pointing to the bruised and bleeding body of her husband, as +it lie upon the floor, said:-- + +"Now if that dirty, dutch scallawag ever comes to himself, you tell him to +sell out and get away from here, or we'll be the death of the whole of you +and burn the house over your heads. We'll give him just ten days to do it +in." + +Kaufmann did revive at last, and when he learned the dread message which +the Klan had left behind, saw with sorrow that he must relinquish his +pleasant home, and become a wanderer; but the necessities of the case +admitted of no other course. His property was disposed of at a ruinous +sacrifice, and with his wife and little ones, he made his way to Illinois, +where he now is. + +It would seem that the nationality of Kaufmann, and his probable ignorance +of what constituted an offence in the eyes of the Ku Klux, should have +saved him from this terrible visitation, so fraught with physical +chastisement and financial ruin; but to the vision of men who regarded no +law, who only saw the attainment of their despicable ends, through fraud +and violence, he appeared a "radical by nature."--One, who being a German, +must necessarily be a Republican, and hence they could make no mistake in +scourging him. + + +A SLAVE'S FORMER EXPERIENCE REVIVED. + +In the month of May, 1871, an intelligent mulatto--in whose veins flowed +the blood of some ardent advocate of the _white_ man's race, +unquestionably judging from his light color--whose name was William +Washington, resided in a small shanty or cabin, about two miles and a-half +from Tuscaloosa, Alabama. Washington had been a slave in the early part of +his life, and was one of those unfortunates who chafed under the abuses +and the yoke that held him in servitude to a "master." + +He was high-spirited, and had learned to read and write before the +Emancipation Proclamation had given him freedom, to act upon his own +volition, untrammelled by his nominal "owner." Upon becoming a freeman, he +left Montgomery County, Ala., near which place he had been reared, and +settled in the vicinity of Tuscaloosa. + +He was quiet in his deportment, orderly and well disposed. He had given +general satisfaction to all who had employed him. But in the early part of +the year 1870, it began to be observed that Washington was actively +exerting an influence over the negroes in the vicinity, to such an extent +as to cause the Ku Klux Camp organized under Philip J. Brady, as Commander +to take the alarm. + +The mulatto Washington was charged with being a Republican, of the radical +sort, with presuming to teach the negroes to read, (shocking offence?) and +of instructing them in Northern principles. This wouldn't answer, surely. +And so William was "warned" by the Camp that he must cease this kind of +practice, and leave the country at once. + +He paid no heed to this warning, and a second one came, notifying him that +unless he departed within the succeeding thirty days, he should suffer +death--for "though the moon was then bright, it would turn to blood--K. +K. K." Instead of seeing this fearful summons in the light it was intended +he should, the mulatto industriously circulated the story that he went +well armed always, and was ready to die, if he must, in defence of his +principles. But that "he wouldn't run away--no how." + +Matters went on thus for nearly a year. On the night of the 15th of May, +1871, Washington shut and barred his cabin door, as was his custom upon +retiring, placed his gun and a single barrelled pistol by his bedside, and +turned in, to sleep. About eleven o'clock, he was suddenly awaked by a +thumping upon the closed shutter of the only window in the hut, and upon +inquiring who was there, he recognized the voice of a friendly negro, +outside, who answered-- + +"Day's a pow'r o' men a comin' up der road, yender--an' yer muss look out +for yar se'f Wash'n't'n, dass a fack." + +This timely and kindly warning from his friend was very gratefully +listened to by Washington, who replied that his informer must try to get +help to him, if possible. And quickly dressing himself, the former slave +awaited the assault which he now anticipated, from the look of affairs +outside, so near his hut. + +The mounted band rode up very soon afterwards, and having been refused +admittance, some of them dashed in the door. Washington was a powerful +man, well built and very muscular--while his self-possession was always +remarkable, when in peril. The interior of the shanty being quite dark, he +crouched down in one corner, and fired upon his assailants with the pistol +first and then immediately discharged the gun. Both shots took effect, and +two of the Klan fell heavily to the floor. + +Clubbing his musket, he then desperately rushed upon the enemy, +determined, if he must die, that he would sell his life as dearly as +possible; but the odds were altogether too heavy against him. The +gun-stock in his brawny hands, was shattered at the first blow struck by +his powerful arm, and then the band sprang forward and secured him, though +not without a furious struggle. He was at once taken out of the cabin, a +rope was placed about his neck, and thrown over the projecting limb of the +nearest convenient tree, from which his body was quickly dangling, a +lifeless corpse. They hung him without accusation, judge or jury, until he +was dead, dead, dead--in accordance with the terms of the bitter oath of +the Ku Klux Klan, whose victims are doomed "for opinion's sake!" + +One of the gang had been mortally wounded by Washington's first shots, and +died on the following day. Two others had been seriously hurt, and one of +them was crippled for life. The body of Washington was left hanging +beneath the tree for several days after this conflict, and until the +negroes in the neighborhood gathered courage sufficient to cut it down, +and give it decent burial; which they did at night, secretly and +mournfully, for their late friend's sudden and violent death, proved an +affliction indeed to the poor creatures, towards whom he had been so kind +and clever an instructor and companion. + +And thus this poor negro paid the penalty of his offence in being a +radical, and like many a one before him who had been similarly sacrificed, +"his soul goes marching on." + + +SCOURGING RADICAL TEACHERS AND BANISHING MINISTERS OF THE GOSPEL. + +Judging from information gathered from the most available sources, it +appears that all measures, whether of a political, a religious or +educational character, looking to the elevation of the negro, were +strenuously opposed by the Ku Klux Klans, as they had sworn they should +be. + +The education of the negro was regarded as an especial heresy, not to be +tolerated under any circumstances. It was an offence second in magnitude +only to that of his voting the Radical ticket, and the face of the Klan +was set against it with a resolution that made it a dangerous avocation +for any one to engage in. School houses, erected for the purpose of +teaching colored children, were burned to the ground, and the teachers +scourged, banished or whipped to death. + +The testimony of Col. A. P. Huggins, formerly of the Union Army, and +subsequently of Monroe County, Mississippi, is pertinent to the point. +Col. Huggins, is known as a brave and gallant officer, a man of great +physical and moral courage, and of unquestioned veracity. During the month +of May, 1870, he became County Superintendent of Schools, for Monroe +County, and on the 8th of March following, went into the interior, some +eight or ten miles from Aberdeen, the County seat, on business connected +with the School Department. He was at this time an Assistant Assessor of +Internal Revenue, and improved the opportunity to make several assessments +of revenue in the vicinity, staying, by invitation, at the house of a Mr. +Ross. + +On the night of the day after his arrival at the house of Mr. Ross, (the +9th of March) a band of the Ku Klux, armed and disguised, and numbering +about one hundred and twenty, came to the house and compelled Col. Huggins +to come out. The chief of the Klan then informed him that they had come to +warn him that he must quit the country within ten days that it had been +decreed in the camp that he should first be warned, that the warning +should be enforced by whipping, and if that did not produce the desired +effect, he should be killed by the Klan, and if circumstances were such +that he could not be killed by the Klan in a body, then they were sworn +to assassinate him publicly or privately. + +Col. Huggins asked them what his offense consisted of, and was answered by +the chief, who said:--"You are collecting obnoxious taxes from Southern +Gentlemen, to keep damned old Radicals in office. Now I want you to +understand that no laws can be enforced in this country, that we do not +make ourselves. We don't like your Radical ways, and we want you to +understand it." + +Col. Huggins then asked them if their operations were against the Radical +party, and the Chief replied that they were; that they had stood the +radicals just as long as they intended to, and they meant to banish or +kill every one of them. The Chief then said, "will you leave the country +in ten days." The Colonel replied that he would leave the country when he +got ready, and not before. He was then taken about a quarter of a mile +from the residence of Mr. Ross, where they halted. He was then ordered to +take off his coat, which he refused to do, and it was removed by force. + +Twenty-five lashes were then given Col. Huggins, when he was asked if he +would leave the country. To this he replied that he would not, that now +that they had commenced, they might go on as far as they pleased, as he +had just as soon die, as take what he had already received. The whipping +was resumed. Col. Huggins remembered hearing the executioners count the +number of lashes up to seventy-five, when he fainted. The Klan left him in +charge of Mr. Ross, and rode away. The main reason assigned for the +punishment of Col. Huggins was that he was a Radical and in favor of +educating the negroes. + +The case of Cornelius McBride, a young Scotchman who taught a colored +school near Sparta, Chickasaw County, is one of unusual cruelty. Being +teacher of a colored school, McBride was classed as a Radical, and beside +this, he had come from the North. He was accordingly doomed by the Klan +for a visitation. + +Between twelve and one o'clock of the Thursday night of the last week in +March, 1870, a number of the Klan came to his house, and presenting rifles +through the window, ordered McBride to come out. He asked what was wanted, +when one of them replied, "come out you d--d yankee." McBride saw that +nothing less than taking his life was intended, and determined to make an +effort to escape. He gave a sudden spring through the window, landing +directly between the two men who were pointing their rifles, dashed past +them and ran to the house of a colored man whom he knew, and where he +thought he could get a gun. While he was running, the members of the Klan +commenced firing upon him, ordering him to stop, or they would blow his +brains out. None of the shots took effect upon him, and he entered the +cabin, but before he could get the gun, of which he was in search, the +Klan were upon him and secured him. + +McBride was then taken about a mile away from the place, having nothing on +but his night dress. This was rudely torn from his person, and the +executioners were about to commence their work, when he asked them what he +was to be whipped for. The leader said, "you want to make the niggers +equal to a white man. This is a white man's country." + +The whipping was then commenced with black gum switches, that stung the +flesh and raised it in great ridges at every blow. The torture was so +great that the poor victim begged them in God's name to kill him at once +and put him out of misery. The leader said "shooting is too good for this +fellow, we'll hang him when we get through whipping him." Another one +said, "Do you want to be shot?" To which McBride replied, "Yes, I can't +stand this torture, it is horrible." He then partially raised himself +upon his knees and determined to make one more effort for his life. +Standing directly in front of him was one of the Klan, the only one who +stood directly in his way, if he should attempt to run. + +Stung by the terrible pain of the switch, McBride sprang to his feet, +dealt the man in the front of him a tremendous blow, and darting past him +scaled a fence, and ran across the open field. The Klan discharged their +fire-arms after him, but in a few moments gave up the pursuit. McBride +reached the house of a Mr. Walser, and there found protection through the +remainder of the night. + +Other teachers of colored schools received similar visitations, and +colored schools were burned there and in the adjoining counties. + +The crusade against Ministers of the Gospel who preached to the freedmen, +was then commenced. The Rev. John Avery, of Winston County, was notified +that he must appear at a meeting of the Ku Klux; that he must join in with +the Klan, and cease his interest in free schools, and upon his refusal, +his house was burned over his head. Mr. Avery was a southern man, and a +pastor in the Methodist Episcopal Church. + +Rev. Mr. Galloway, a Congregationalist Minister, of Monroe County, was in +the habit occasionally of preaching to the freedmen. During April, 1870, a +band of the Ku Klux called upon him at night, and notified him that he +must not preach to these people. He continued doing so, however, and +received a second warning, accompanied by an intimation, which he did not +dare disregard, and he was compelled to relinquish his good work, on pain +of banishment or death. + +The Rev. Mr. McLachlin, a Methodist Episcopal Preacher, of Oktibbeha +County, received various warnings to the same effect, but persisted in his +course until he was finally driven from that county, and dared not return +to it. + +Scores of similar cases might be cited, all of which are matters of public +record, but those above given, serve to show, that the Order of the Ku +Klux Klan, is inimical to religion and education, as well as to the +politics of those differing with them in their avowed opposition to +Republicanism, and their adherence to the Democratic party. These gallant +defenders of the white man's race were determined that no Government but +the white man's should live in the country, and these results they hoped +to obtain through the banishment, scourging and killing of negroes, +Radicals and Republicans, by which means also, with the aid of their +sympathizers at the North, they expected to have a Democratic +Administration. + + +WARNINGS AND EDICTS OF THE KLAN. + +It would seem to have been the design of the leaders of the Ku Klux Klans, +in issuing their warnings, to play as much as possible upon the +superstitions of the people. These documents were written in a disguised +hand, sometimes in coarse language, and contained sentiments intended to +inspire terror in the minds of the recipients. + +They were usually bordered with designs, representing daggers piercing +bleeding hearts, death's heads and cross bones, and various grotesque +devices. Some of them had a spice of grim humor, which, although fun to +the Klan who issued these missives, meant banishment, scourging or death +to those who received them. Specimens of these, the originals of which +fell into the hands of the United States Officials during their attempts +to break up the Ku Klux organization are here given _verbatim et +literatim_. + +Five persons residing in White County, Georgia, having made themselves +politically obnoxious to the Klan, received the following:-- + + "READ THE CONTENTS, K. K. K. + + O ye, horsemen of Manassas. Bounce, ye dead men that is now living on + earth. We are the men that I am talking about. We are of K. K. K. Now + Sandy Holcumb, Green Holcumb, Daniel McCollum, and E. Dickson, your + days are numbered. We shot the old Belt weather[2] a little too low. + We aimed to shoot him through the heart; and if you don't all get + away from this country very soon, your Radical hearts will be shot + out of you, and we had just as leave shoot you as for you to get + away. + + K. K. K." + +The parties named in the above warning did not leave, as the United States +Officials came into the county about that time and arrested nearly one +hundred members of the Camp from which the document was issued. + +At Irwington, Ga., the colored people determined upon holding a +"protracted meeting," and colored preachers assembled there from all +quarters. The meetings are described as having been most orderly, but they +were deemed inimical to the interests of the Ku Klux, and the following +warning was issued and posted near the place of meeting. + + "K. K. K. + + The devil is getting up a new team, and wants some nigger preachers + to work in the lead. If you stay here until we come again, the devil + will be certain to have his team completed. + + K. K. K." + +The consternation of the freedmen was so great upon the receipt of the +above warning that not a colored preacher dared to show himself in the +vicinity for months afterwards. + +The Klan oppressed everyone not members of or in sympathy with their +organization, and sought to over-ride all law and equity, upon the +principle that might made right. To this end they issued warnings to +business men who had come into their vicinity from the North, and who were +disposed to invest capital and establish trade, but who were not of the +right stripe politically--and this meant who were not sound Democrats. +Numerous instances of this kind are on record. + +Two enterprising business men--Messrs. Gottschalk and Hughes--purchased a +mill property in Atalla, Ala., belonging to one J. B. Spitzer, and made +their arrangements to get out lumber. Messrs. Gottschalk and Hughes were +under suspicion of not sympathizing with the Klan, politically, and a +pretence was made that Mr. Spitzer, from whom they had purchased the saw +mill, was indebted to persons, whom the new firm were politely requested +to accept as their creditors. This they refused to do, and the following +warning was sent them. + + "DEN OF THE GREAT GRAND HIGH CYCLOPS OF ETOWAH COUNTY, ALA. + + To Messrs. Gottschalk & Hughes: + + His royal highness, your great, grand high worthy master, notices + with much pleasure that you have purchased and become the owners of + the saw mill, lately owned by Mr. J. B. Spitzer. He understands very + well, everything connected with that mill transaction, and it is his + great pleasure that you call on the creditors of J. B. Spitzer in the + morning, and approve of the debts of Mr. Spitzer. He wishes an + answer to-night what you will do in the matter. + + By order of his royal highness, + _The Great grand Cyclops of Etowah County, Ala._" + +Messrs. Gottschalk & Hughes paid no heed to this missive, and on the night +of the 13th of November, 1871, the Klan assembled and set fire to the +mill, destroying it entirely, and compelling its new proprietors to leave +the place. + +Mr. William Gober, residing in Dade County, Georgia, was an avowed +Unionist and Republican. He was active in politics and expressed his +sentiments with great freedom, and was consequently classed by the Ku Klux +as a carpet-bagger and a scallawag, and warned to leave the country, in +the following terms:-- + + "DEATH. K. K. K. DEATH. + + Take heed for the pale horse is coming. His step is terrible; + lightning is in his nostrils. He looks for a rider. Now this is to + warn you William Gober, that carpet-baggers and scallawags cannot + live in this country. If you are not gone in ten days, we shall come + to you, and the pale horse shall have his rider. + + By order. K. K. K." + +Mr Gober smiled at this document, but the sequel shew that it meant +something more than a threat. At midnight on the 13th of September, 1871, +his house was surrounded by about twenty of the Klan, armed and disguised. +He was then dragged out and whipped with great severity. Previous to the +infliction of the punishment he fought desperately with his assailants, +and succeeded in displacing several of their masks, and recognizing them. + +He was left for dead by the Klan, but recovered his consciousness, and +secretly made his way to Atlanta, where he made an affidavit, upon which +six of the parties were arrested and held for trial. + +Thousands of warnings, similar to the above, many of them obscene and +blasphemous, were sent to as many persons in various parts of the South. + +One more is herewith appended, as showing one of the extremes to which the +Ku Klux went in their crusade against Radicals. It was found hanging to a +small dagger, stuck into one of the doors of the University, at +Tuscaloosa, Ala., with several others of similar import, addressed to some +of the students of the University, and read as follows:-- + + "K. K. K. + + STUDENT'S UNIVERSITY. + + DAVID SMITH.--You have received one notice from us and this shall be + our last. You, nor no other d--d son of a d--d Radical traitor, shall + stay at our University. Leave here in less than ten days, for in that + time we will visit the place, and it will not be well for you to be + found out there. The State is ours and so shall the University be. + Written by the Secretary. + + By order of the Klan." + + +THE MURDER OF WM. C. LUKE AND FIVE NEGROES. + +One of the most brutal outrages to be found, even among the dark and +bloody records of the Ku Klux Klan, was enacted on the night of the 10th +of April, 1870, at the village of Cross Plains, near Paytona, Ala. The +details of this occurrence here given, have been collated from various +sources, a portion of them having been obtained from eye witnesses to the +affair. + +William C. Luke, a Canadian by birth, and a gentleman of education, had +come to Paytona, and taken charge of the day school there. He was a +prominent worker in the cause of religion, entertained and advocated +Republican principles and took an earnest interest in the welfare of the +colored people, by whom he was surrounded. This drew down upon him the +malice of the Klan, and he was doomed to death. Luke had preached to the +negroes at times, and had taken occasion in his sermons to express his +opinion that negroes were now entitled to the same rights and privileges +under the Constitution of the United States as the whites. + +This course could not be tolerated by the K. K. K., and they only awaited +a favorable opportunity for carrying out the Edict of the Camp. + +On the 10th of April, Mr. Luke had preached at Paytona, and on the evening +of that day had returned to Cross Plains. He was there informed that the +Ku Klux had determined to come for him that night, and at once returned to +Paytona, accompanied by several negroes, who seemed fearful that he might +meet with violence. Up to ten o'clock nothing had transpired to cause +alarm, and Mr. Luke retired. + +Between twelve and one o'clock he was aroused from his slumbers by three +armed and disguised men, who informed him there had been a fracas in the +village of Cross Plains, about which it was thought he knew something, and +he was requested to go with them to the latter place. He signified his +willingness to do so, dressed himself and went out with the party. Upon +getting out of the house he was surprised at seeing a large number of men +similarly disguised, and who had in custody the five negroes who had +accompanied him to Paytona. + +One of the negroes named Jacob Moore, endeavored to break loose from his +captors, and had a severe fight with them. Being a very powerful man he +succeeded in breaking away and run down the road. The Klan fired several +shots after him, two of which took effect, and he dropped by the road +side. Mr. Luke and the remaining negroes were then taken to the northern +border of Paytona, on the Cross Plains line, where the band halted. The +intended victim was now convinced that his death was meditated, and he +said to the leader of the Klan, one Clem Reid, "Am I about to die." + +"Yes, you have preached your d--d heresies long enough," was the answer. +"If you've got any prayers to say, you had better be about it." + +Mr. Luke replied calmly, "I am not afraid to die, nor for such a cause. It +is hard to die in such a way." + +Leave having been granted him to pray he uttered a most fervent appeal to +God, soliciting mercy for himself and the negroes, and forgiveness for +those who were persecuting them and him for righteousness and opinion's +sake. His prayers were rudely cut short, a rope was placed about his neck, +the end thrown over the limb of a tree and his body suspended in the air. +The four negroes were next dispatched. + +John Goff, an eye witness to the proceedings states that the Klan tried to +hang two of the negroes, named Cæsar Fredericks and William Hall, at once, +but not being able to make the bodies balance, Pat Craig, a member of the +Klan, shot Fredericks in the mouth, while Clay Keith murdered Hall in a +similar manner. The other negroes were then hung singly, their bodies +being drawn up slowly to increase their torture. + +The defenders of the "white man's race" then separated, fully satisfied +with having performed one more service in support of the "White Man's +Government." This outrage was so flagrant that the farce of an +investigation was gone through with, and the suspected parties arrested. +An examination resulted in their being discharged. The witnesses were all +members of the Ku Klux Klan, and had sworn to regard no oath that would +injure one of the brotherhood, and the murderers of William C. Luke still +go unwhipt of justice. And these are the people who talk of their rights, +of the oppression of Radical rule, of their determination to establish a +Democratic Administration. + + +PROSCRIPTION. + +It seemed to be the intent of the orders of the Ku Klux Klan everywhere +throughout the South, to impress upon the people, the fallacy of +attempting to entertain any opinion inimical to those put forth by the +Klan. The attacks of the Klan were first directed to such of the people as +were bold enough to declare themselves unionists and republicans. +Scourging, banishment or murder were the measures adopted to enforce +silence, and these terrible agents proved fully potent to accomplish the +end. + +This enforced silence, however, appeared to be dangerous, and was +certainly more ominous to the order, than the freest utterances of the +most radical views. "Those not with the order, must certainly be against +it," said the leaders, and a new crusade was forthwith inaugurated. The +object of the new movement was to compel every able-bodied white man to +join the Order and become bound to it by oaths, administered in the Camp. + +Notices were accordingly issued by the respective Chiefs of Dominion from +every Camp, requiring the presence of parties, for initiation into the +Order. When these were not heeded, they were followed by warnings. If the +parties were still refractory, then they received a visitation. + +The two first cases arising under this new arrangement, were those of +Paul Myers and John Chapman, of Jefferson County, Ala. These gentlemen +were joint proprietors of a small store, and while inwardly opposed to the +principles of the Ku Klux, had outwardly conducted themselves in such a +manner as to give no cause of offence to the Klan. They were surprised in +common with many others, upon receiving a notice to appear for initiation +into the Jefferson County Camp of the K. K., and they resolutely refused +to comply with the request. + +They were then warned, that they would be "Ku Kluxed" if they did not +come, and the threat was carried out, both of them being severely whipped, +and their store pillaged. A second warning was sent to them, and this was +succeeded by a second visitation, more terrible than the first. They were +so badly beaten at this time, that their lives were despaired of, and as +soon as they were able, they closed their store and left the place. + +They then placed themselves in communication with the United States +Officials, and under their advice returned, signified their willingness to +join the order, and did so. By this means they were enabled to arrive at +the names of parties engaged in various raids, and obtain all information +necessary to the arrest and conviction of the leaders. This was one of the +first steps that led to the breaking up of the Klan in Jefferson County. + +Messrs. Myers and Chapman managed to impart information to the United +States Officers, upon which several of the prominent members of the order +were arrested and lodged in jail, and the visitations ceased. + +In White County, Georgia, Mr. William Carson received a notice from the Ku +Klux of that County, that he must join the order. Carson was the head of +an intelligent family, a Republican in principle, but who avoided +expressing his opinions as much as possible. + +He paid no heed to the notices and warnings sent him, but pursued the even +tenor of his way, remaining home as much of the time as his business would +admit, and being especially careful about going abroad at night. + +During November, 1871, he received the long promised visitation. The +evening meal was through with, the early evening prayers of the children +had been said, the latter were about retiring, when a number of the Klan, +armed, mounted and disguised dashed up to the door. + +Mr. Carson opened the door and mildly asked to know the object of their +visit. The reply was a rifle shot, which was immediately followed by a +second, and Mr. Carson fell dead across the door step. The Klan +disappeared as suddenly as they had come. The grief stricken family raised +up the inanimate form of the beloved husband and father, only to realize +that the voice which had so long been the comfort and consolation of the +little household would never be heard by them again. + +This in a christian land! Within the sound of the sabbath bells, and +almost under the shadow of the sanctuary of the living God. A christian +gentleman refusing to bind himself with those who had sworn to overthrow +the Government, and scourge and kill the negro and the radical; shot down +within his own door, in sight of his wife and little ones, because, +forsooth, he had the temerity to think and act, politically, as his +conscience seemed to dictate. + +Thinking men throughout the nation will stand for many years to come with +William Carson, on the spot where he met his awful and untimely fate, and +they will stand there in the power of consolidated right, beating back the +onslaughts of the powers of darkness, and raising a monument to the +justice of that course, which by the vigorous action of the nation's +counsellors, and under the provident rule of a beneficent God, is fast +being established on a solid foundation. + + +SHOCKING FATE OF A QUADROON FAMILY. + +Gaston County, N. C., in the lower part of that State, adjoins York +County, South Carolina, the State line dividing these two districts. In +the north-easterly part of Gaston County, in the outskirts of Hoylestown, +there came to live a family of mulatto people--or quadroons--in 1870, who +were refugees from oppression, brutality and abuse of the Ku Klux Klan in +Moore County, N. C., whence they had been banished after the husband had +been shockingly scourged, and the lives of himself, wife, and three +children threatened, unless he left Moore County within a fortnight from +the night he was whipped. + +At the earnest entreaties of his wife, who feared the next threatened +visitation of the Klan, her husband consented to quit the place he had +dwelt in some years, but where he had rendered himself obnoxious to the +Democratic party around him, through his persistent advocacy of Republican +sentiments, which he promulgated among his own race, causing them to cast +their votes for the Radical ticket. And for this offence he was terribly +whipped and ruthlessly driven from his home. + +The name of this family was Noye, Aleck and Elfie, the father and mother +had both been slaves, belonging originally to the Noye estate, in Moore +County. Aleck was an ingenious fellow, and his brother Felix, had, twenty +years previously, invented a peculiar reclining chair for the use of +invalids; which to this day is manufactured largely in New England, upon +the identical principle, originated by Felix, for which his old master +took out a patent, and from the royalty of which he has realized a fortune +first and last. + +Aleck was a first rate mechanic and earned a good living. After the war, +when he became free to exercise his natural talent for his own benefit, +and had the right to vote, he became an ardent Radical, and proved a +damaging subject among his brethren in the estimation of the Southern +Democrats. + +He was a brave fellow, and only at the urgent solicitation of Elfie, did +he decide to quit his former residence, after the scourging above alluded +to. But he went to Gaston County, found occupation readily and pursued his +labor faithfully. The old love of "freedom of opinion" went with him, and +his zeal for his colored fellow brethren soon cropped out, in his new +location. He was "warned" to leave Hoylestown, just as he had been +compelled by the mandate of the Klan to flee from Moore County, but +refused to go. + +On the night of February 7, 1871, Aleck was sitting with his family before +the fire in his little cabin, after a hard day's work; and the children +were about the room, one of the little girls being at the moment beside +his knee. The mother was busy getting the homely evening meal ready, and +was just in the act of removing from before the glowing fire the pone and +hoe cakes for supper, when the door of the hut flew open, suddenly, a +musket shot rang out, and _she_ fell head-foremost in upon the blazing +logs, with a bullet through her brain! + +Aleck sprang from his stool, caught his wife in his arms, and drew her out +of the flames upon the floor. She never spoke from that instant, and, amid +the screams of the terrified children, Aleck found himself in the gripe of +two or three disguised ruffians, who entered in advance of half a dozen +others of the Klan, who quickly pinioned him, and informed him that "his +time had come." + +His wife, whom he tenderly loved, lay dead before his startled and +dumfounded gaze, and he could not command himself to speak for a moment. +Then he commenced to struggle with the brutes, the screams of his little +ones bringing him back to himself. "What is this for," he exclaimed. "Come +along!" was the sharp reply of the leader of the gang, "You're played out, +and now you're _our_ meat!" And they swiftly bore the wretched father out +of the hut, and away from his slaughtered wife and horrified crying babes. + +Aleck was taken to the woods, half a mile distant, where the gang tore and +cut his clothes off of him, and then proceeded to flay him, in accordance +with the decision of the Camp in that county; the members of which had +first been put upon his track by members of the Moore County Klan. Upon +this second visitation, the edict was to "whip the nigger to death." And +they did the bidding of their leader, as the sequel proved, to the letter. +He was cut and slashed, and beaten until the breath of life was almost +gone out of his poor defenceless body, and then their victim was hurled +into the chapparal, and left to the night wolves of the forest to devour. + +It sometimes occurs that our strength increases in proportion to the +strain that is imposed upon it. Wounds and rough hardship enure the +sturdy, and provoke their courage, oftentimes, and there is a natural +instinct in the heart of man, which, under the severest trials and abuses, +steels his very nerves _not_ to yield to the heaviest blows of calamity or +adversity--mental or physical. + +Aleck was brave-hearted to a fault. He was likewise physically courageous, +and could bear the worst kind of punishment, ordinarily, without +flinching. He was now vanquished, for hours he lay like one who had "given +up the ghost," beyond conjecture. Still he did not die until the following +night. He was providentially discovered by some negroes, in the woods, +taken to his cabin, and brought to consciousness. + +Before he expired he told his dreadful story to four witnesses, who gave +it in substance to the United States authorities, as we have now stated +the details; but unfortunately--on account of the disguises of his +heartless tormenters and murderers--he could give no description that +pointed to the personal identity of the offenders. + +He learned that his wife was dead, before his own lamp of life went out, +and simply asking of the colored friends who gathered about his +death-bed-side, that the humble pair might be laid in the same grave, poor +Aleck Noye sank to his final rest, and yielded up his spirit to the God +who gave it. The children were taken away by some of the poor neighbors +who esteemed the quadroon family for their virtues, and universal kindness +towards them, and thus closed another awful tragedy in North Carolina--of +which over six hundred came under the knowledge of the United States +District Attorney, in a single county, (not all of them fatal, to be +sure), and which have been duly reported by him, officially, within a +comparatively limited period, since the close of the war. + +Is there no "combination of purpose or design" in all these instances of +wrong? Does there exist "no organization among these men" for evil? And +have these terrible doings no "political significance" as is asserted in +the minority Report of the Congressional Committee upon the Ku Klux Klan +outrages? In the face of this accumulated, overwhelming, damning +evidence--will _any_ one believe that the Honorable gentlemen (who have +put forth this paper in opposition to the majority Report of that +Committee), are not themselves convinced that all this is true; and that +not one half of the shocking story of the infamy of this wretched Klan has +been told? + +Will it be impressed upon the minds of the public of this enlighted +nation, North or South, through any sophistry, argument or theorising, +that all these living witnesses and victims are liars, and perjurors? Have +not these events occurred? And if so, what is the _cause_ of the wrong +doing? It happens, unfortunately, for the "Union Democracy," who flout at +these accounts of the doings of the Klans, that none _but_ Radicals or +negroes are assailed. And also that _never_ has a Radical been found +associating with these Ku Klux midnight marauders and, butchers, in an +attack upon one of their victims! Is there "no political significance" in +this fact? + +It is simply idle to propose such a fallacious and utterly groundless +doctrine. The fact is patent, and the matter is clear as that the sun +shines over the earth at mid-day--to the mind of every intelligent being +who can see or read--that the opponents of the Republican party, in the +guise of Ku Klux Klans, supported unblushingly by the "Union Democracy" of +the country, and their Democratic allies, are the combined movers, +operators, sustainers and abettors of this crusade, and that their first +and last and continuous aim and hope is to weaken or destroy the Radical +sentiment in the land. + +Thus far, however, thanks be to God! the American people have not been +deceived by the theories or the assertions of those who would tear down +the fabric of our wholesome Republican Government. And far distant be the +day when such attempts to overturn that government may succeed. "There is +a right way for us and for our children, and the hand of God is upon all +them for good, that seek him; but his wrath is against all them that +forsake him."... And it is written, that "he who shunneth iniquity and +oppression, and followeth after righteousness, alone findeth life, +righteousness and honor." + + + + +THEN AND NOW. + +THE NATION'S SALVATION! + + +The outrages narrated in the preceding pages are ample for the purposes of +this work, in giving such authenticated facts as show the existence of a +deep-seated conspiracy against law, and the well-being of society. + +They have been selected at random, from hundreds of similar instances that +have come under the personal observation of the writer, and that bear with +them the same irrefutable evidences of the truth, and serve to enable the +general reader to comprehend the awful scenes that have been enacted in +various parts of the South since the close of the war of the Rebellion. + +In the light of these outrages, and the positive manner in which the +responsibility of their authorship has been fixed upon those who had +determined to ride into power, even though fraud and violence were +necessary to that end, who shall say that the unfortunate South has not +suffered vastly more from its pretended friends than from those whom, by +corrupt means, its people had been led to suppose were their worst +enemies. + +Under the pernicious rule of Andrew Johnson, the disturbing elements of +the South gathered renewed hope for the final success of the ambitious +aspirations which had been dissipated by a long and bloody war. That +which had been lost to them through the unswerving integrity of our great +captains in the field, they thought would be secured through the treason +of the traitor in the Cabinet, and they marshalled their forces with that +end in view, and initiated a reign of terror, such as had hitherto been +unknown even in the darkest hours of adversity within the history of the +Republic. + +The accession of General Grant to the presidency, caused a halt in this +wild and mad career, and there was a momentary lull in the operations of +the conspirators. It remained to be seen whether one, coming so fresh from +the people--a plain and unassuming man, although laden with honors second +to that of no military chieftain of ancient or modern time--would be +indifferent to the cry for help which was coming up from all parts of the +then famished land, and fail to apply the appropriate remedy, or whether +he would appreciate the true situation of affairs there, and would be able +to say to the disturbing elements of the South, in language which they +could not well mistake: LET US HAVE PEACE. + +Time, which gives the just solution to the most intricate of social and +political problems, has informed the nation that it had not long to remain +in doubt. The results thus far attained, show the elaboration of a plan, +conceived in wisdom, founded upon reason and righteousness, and prosecuted +with an even regard for the rights of all, that has commended itself to +civilization everywhere. + +The writer has taken especial pains to ascertain, from persons well versed +in the political situation at this juncture, the policy to be pursued by +this Administration, and the wisdom of which seems to have been amply +verified by what followed. The plan to be adopted, they state, was decided +upon only after the most mature deliberations into which the counsels of +the best minds of the country were called. It was necessary that the +condition of affairs in the South should be arrived at with an accuracy +that would place the information sought to be obtained beyond all doubt as +to its genuineness and reliability, as the only means by which such an +intelligent and comprehensive understanding of the evil could be obtained +as would enable President Grant to inforce the laws applicable to the +case, or, in the absence of such, to recommend to Congress the enactment +of those commensurate with the magnitude of the subject. This was +accordingly done. + +Agents for the work were selected, with no reference whatever to their +political principles. They were placed under the general charge of a +competent officer, in whose judgment great confidence was reposed, and +were instructed to get at the facts regardless of political bias. + +Each one of these agents supposed that he had been sent on a special +mission to ascertain if a certain condition of affairs, said to exist in a +certain locality, did so exist, and had not the remotest idea that several +others had been sent on similar missions to sections of the Southern +country remote from his field of operations. + +The evidence of the existence of an armed organization, pernicious in its +policy and its tendencies, and looking to the disruption of society and +the compelling of the adoption of political principles obnoxious to the +people upon whom they were attempted to be forced, came in from all +quarters. The reports differed in minor details, but had a general +correspondence that was remarkable. + +Some of these agents--and to whom the writer is indebted for many of the +facts herein contained--stated that all strangers in the localities +visited by them were looked upon with the greatest suspicion, and they +soon learned that the security of their lives depended largely upon the +enunciation of principles according with the Democracy; that the word +democrat was the _open sesame_ to the confidence of the leading spirits in +the various communities through which they passed; that Democracy in the +South meant rebellion, and that Ku Kluxism meant both, and they governed +themselves accordingly. + +To attain the object, and get the most comprehensive view possible of the +condition of the people, these men, for the time being, were "Democrats," +and "Rebels," and would gladly be "Ku Klux." By adroit and skillful +management they procured themselves to be initiated into the various +orders of the K. K. K., and were enabled thus to discover the numbers, +resources, operations, designs, and ultimate purposes of the same. The +names and residences of the victims, the outrages committed by the Klan, +were also obtained, until an array was presented that almost challenged +belief. + +The information was full, thorough, and reliable. It left no longer room +for doubt. Action--vigorous and energetic action--based upon laws enacted +with special reference to the evil to be met, must be had. The suffering +sons and daughters of the South demanded it; the cause of human justice +and human freedom demanded it; the enforcement of the rights of the +recently emancipated bondmen demanded it; and in the interest of law and +order everywhere throughout the land, there came a demand for the adoption +of such measures as would save the people of the South from themselves, +and thus verify the scriptural saying: + + "And it shall come to pass, that like as I have watched over them to + pluck up, and to break down, and to destroy, and to afflict, so will + I watch over them to build and to plant, saith the Lord." + +It was evident that if they were left to their own devices, the people +must fall into complete anarchy and ruin. Urgent as were these demands, +nothing could be done hastily. The salvation of a people and the well +being of a nation was in the balance, and the most profound and mature +deliberation was necessary at every step. + +It was wisely deemed by the Executive that a continuation of the policy +adopted by him at the outset of his official career with regard to all +sections of the country would apply to this, viz., the judicious +enforcement of appropriate laws, enacted with special reference to the +existing emergency. This was considered a measure which, while it could +give no just grounds of offense to _any_, would afford the most available +means for securing the rights of _all_, and attaining the desired end. +There must be no halting by the wayside. The noblest and best blood of the +nation had been expended for a purpose not yet accomplished. Nothing save +the complete restoration of order, the harmonization of conflicting +elements, and the vindication of the rights of _all_ to their own +individual opinion, and the expression of the same through the ballot-box, +as their conscience might dictate, could be in any manner commensurate +with this great sacrifice. + +The words of a just and righteous God to a suffering people must be +redeemed: "And thou shalt be secure, because there is hope; yea, thou +shalt dig about thee and thou shalt take thy rest in safety; also thou +shalt lie down, and none shall make thee afraid." + +On the 23d of March, 1871, President Grant sent to Congress a message, in +which he touched delicately but unmistakably upon this subject, as +follows: + +_"A condition of affairs now exists in some of the States of the Union +rendering life and property insecure, and the carrying of the mails and +the collection of the revenue dangerous. The proof that such a condition +of affairs exists in some localities is now before the Senate. That the +power to correct these evils is beyond the control of State authorities, I +do not doubt. That the power of the Executive of the United States, acting +within the limits of existing laws, is sufficient for present emergencies +is not clear."_ + +It was further suggested that such legislation should be had as would +secure life, liberty, and property in all parts of the United States; and +in pursuance of this recommendation, an act was passed by Congress, and +approved April 20th, 1871, entitled, "An Act to enforce the provisions of +the fourteenth amendment to the Constitution of the United States, and for +other purposes." + +This was a blow under which the various orders of the Ku Klux Klans reeled +and staggered like quivering aspens. The leaders of these Klans had so +long disregarded law as to come to think, apparently, that they were no +longer amenable to it, and might be a law unto themselves. They predicted +that any attempt to interfere with them would lead to results in +comparison with which the scenes enacted during the war of the rebellion +would sink to insignificance; but, as the results have thus far shown, +they had reckoned without their host. + +They sought to stand upon something like tenable ground and to fortify +their position before the world, by arguments that were worn threadbare +long before the war of the Rebellion, and they failed most signally. Their +fallacious reasonings were impotent to justify their acts, and they +neither enlisted the sympathies, nor gained the support of those to whom +they appealed. + +The march of progressive republicanism, irresistible in the force of its +teachings, and the spread of the God-like principles of truth, justice, +and equality among men, without distinction of race or color, which had +_then_ encountered the fiercest obstruction within the power of the +slaveocracy to throw in its way, _now_ swept over the country, uprooting +the tyrannical oligarchy of the South, tearing asunder the flimsy veil +behind which the great wrongs done to the bondmen were sought to be hid, +and destined, in its onward course, to remove every vestige of those +pernicious principles so inimical to sound doctrine and the stability of +governments. + +The results produced by the spread of these principles, and the +enforcement of the laws based thereon, can hardly be estimated. Taking the +condition of the Southern States both before and after the war-- + + +THEN AND NOW-- + +and we have an array of facts in support of these principles, surpassing +all theories and arguments. + +THEN, only white male citizens, twenty-one years of age and over, were +voters. + +NOW, _all_ male citizens of twenty-one years and over, having the +necessary qualifications of residence, etc., have the right of suffrage. + +THEN, voting was _viva voce_. + +NOW, it is by ballot. + +THEN, there was no registry of voters. + +NOW, all electors are required to register before voting. + +THEN, "returning officers," and those issuing commissions, were bound by +the arithmetical results of the polls, and were required to give the +commission or certificate of election to the person having the highest +number of votes. + +NOW, there are boards of canvassers who are required not only to count the +returns, but to pass upon questions of violence and fraud, and to exclude +returns from precincts where they find the elections to have been +controlled by such means. + +THEN, the basis of representation was property, or property and slaves, or +slaves by enumerating three-fifths of all. + +NOW, it is all the _inhabitants_ of the land. + +THEN, white male citizens, and, in some localities, property holders only, +were eligible to office. + +NOW, _all_ male citizens, save the few under disabilities by the +Constitution of the United States, are eligible. + +Coming down to a later period in the history of the country, from the time +when the death of the lamented Lincoln had left the Republic in the hands +of its worst enemies, to the presidential election in 1868, and what is +the situation? + +THEN, the leaders had succeeded in ripening the people for a revolution +against law and order, if that were necessary for the maintenance of +issues, differing in character, but similar in design and spirit, to those +sought to be gained by the war of the rebellion. + +THEN, a reign of terror had been inaugurated in the community which +compelled the tacit acquiescence of those who, desiring to express their +opinions, were denied the right through the fear of social and political +ostracism and physical violence. + +THEN, the Government was in the hands of Andrew Johnson, and the hopes of +good and just men everywhere, in all sections of the country, of arriving +at a peaceful solution of the difficulties through reconstruction, were +blasted, and gave no signs of verification in fruition. + +THEN, the same spirit was rampant that plunged the country into a +sanguinary war, and did not hesitate to express itself in a determined +resistance to the new order of things produced by that war. + +THEN, men embraced and kissed their wives and children at night, as if +leaving them for a far-off journey, not knowing, when they lay down, +whether they should awake to peaceful sunlight or to a cabin strewn with +the bodies of the loved ones. + +THEN had begun the first fruits of the great judgments through which the +people were eventually to pass, and by which alone, it appeared they could +be redeemed. + +AND NOW CAME THE PROMISE of a new order of things. The political situation +of the country had changed. The reins of government passed into the hands +of men of whom much was expected. Three years have intervened. The false +issues that had been raised among the masses are _now_ being swept away. +The disorganizing elements are tottering to a fall, and those who had +fostered them are seeking to excuse and palliate their course. + +They complain that the civil government of the Southern States had passed +into the hands of carpet-baggers, who had been forced upon them, who were +engaged in plundering the people, encouraging the negroes to pillage and +destroy the property of the country, and placing them in positions where +they could rule over white men. + +But this was not in any manner the real trouble. The same oppressive +spirit that actuated these men during the days when slavery was a +recognized institution among them, still obtained. Neither the men of the +South nor the sojourners from the North were allowed in those days to +freely express their opinions, if those opinions chanced to be in +opposition to slavery. + +What was treason _then_ against the social and political rights of these +would-be-masters of a race, is treason _now_ in their minds; for they have +not yet learned to tolerate the free expression of sentiments in such +exact antipodes to their early educational training. + +To preach the principles of republicanism, to advocate the education of +the negro, to urge his right to the elective franchise, were deemed +seditious practices, and were opposed _then_ just as they are _now_; there +is simply a difference in the mode by which this opposition is manifested. + +THEN, it was by argument, supported by local and Federal legislation. + +NOW, it is by violence, and the subversion of all law. + +THEN the North reasoned and counselled with the South; endeavored to show +them the great wrongs done to the bondman, and that the nation could not +prosper under the terrible curse of slavery. + +NOW the strong arm of the Government is put forth to compel a respect for +the rights accorded to _all_ under the law; a situation which, it appears, +nothing but the determined front presented by the Administration will lead +the people of the South finally to accept. + +The efforts of the wicked leaders to misguide the masses are persistent. +Many right-minded people of the South are misled by the false statements +put forth by those who should, and do know, better, and the pernicious +results of whose influence time and the dissemination of truthful +intelligence can alone eradicate. + +In many instances Republicans have been elected to office, and these are +the so-called carpet-baggers. In some localities negroes and mulattoes +have been elevated to places of power and trust, and, for this, the people +of the South are largely indebted to their own willful neglect. + +The Joint Select Committee to inquire into the condition of affairs in the +late insurrectionary States, allude to this subject in the following +language: + +"The refusal of a large portion of the wealthy and educated men to +discharge their duties as citizens, has brought upon them the same +consequences which are being suffered in Northern cities and communities +from the neglect of their business and educated men to participate in all +the movements of the people which make up self-government. The citizen in +either section who refuses or neglects from any motive to take his part in +self-government, has learned that he must now suffer and help to repair +the evils of bad government. The newly-made voters of the South at the +close of the war, it is testified, were kindly disposed toward their +former masters. The feeling between them, even yet, seems to be one of +confidence in all other than their political relations. The refusal of +their former masters to participate in political reconstruction +necessarily left the negroes to be influenced by others. Many of them were +elected to office and entered it with honest intentions to do their duty, +but were unfitted for its discharge. Through their instrumentality, many +unworthy white men, having obtained their confidence, also procured public +positions. In legislative bodies, this mixture of ignorant but honest men +with better educated knaves, gave opportunity for corruption, and this +opportunity has developed a state of demoralization on this subject which +may and does account for many of the wrongs of which the people justly +complain." + +Had the evil ended simply in a neglect upon the part of leading citizens +to discharge their duties as such, the remedy might have the more speedily +been applied. But the views of these men were to be carried far beyond a +mere declination to take part in the political reconstruction. They +determined that others should not do it and live at peace. Threats and +violence were brought into requisition to intimidate and prevent the well +meaning from using their efforts to render the political situation such +that society could improve rather than be retarded under it. + +Evidences of the wide-spread defection are not wanting. That the various +orders of the Ku Klux Klans, were guided by men of intelligence, is amply +shown these pages; and the fact is corroborated by testimony taken before +the Investigating Committee above referred to. + +One of the witnesses before this Committee was Gen. N. B. Forrest, of +Tennessee, late of the rebel army, and to whom a vast array of +circumstances pointed as being the GRAND CYCLOPS of the Ku Klux Orders. +The fact that he was in receipt of from fifty to one hundred letters per +day from all parts of the South upon the subjects of the Order; that he +was present in person in districts of the South where its members were +placed upon trial; that he had the general conduct and management of +affairs at such trials, hovering near the courts, though not appearing in +them; that when asked if he had taken any steps in organizing the Order, +he made reply that he did not think he was compelled to answer any +question that would implicate him in anything; that when asked if he knew +the names of any members of the Order, he declined to answer, and finally +said he could only recollect one name, and that was Jones; these, and +numerous other circumstances which the investigations have developed, but +which a want of space forbids reciting here, lead to the inevitable +conclusion that Gen. Forrest was at the head of the Order. + +Some care has been taken to arrive at this fact, as it is evident that a +man of enlarged experience and liberal education, as General Forrest is +known to be, would draw about him men of equal caliber, thus +substantiating the assertions that the operations of the Ku Klux Klans +were guided by men of intelligence, education, and influence, who had been +violent secessionists, who had rebelled against the Government, and who +were determined to thwart all its endeavors to restore peace and harmony +to the distracted country. + +General Terry, commanding military district of Georgia, makes report as +early as August, 1869, to the Secretary of War, in which he says: + +"There can be no doubt of the existence of numerous insurrectionary +organizations, known as the Ku Klux Klans, who shielded by their +disguises, by the secrecy of their movements, and by the terror which they +inspire, perpetrate crimes with impunity. There is great reason to believe +that in some cases _the local magistrates are in sympathy with the members +of these organizations_." + +General Terry's testimony is borne out by that of the United States +officials and secret agents and the evidence of recanting members of the +order. The cases of Harry Lowther, Ex-sheriff Deason, Susan J. Furguson, +Edward Thompson, and hosts of others, show men to have been engaged in +these murderous outrages, who were leading lights in the various +communities in which they lived. It is not therefore true, as has been +attempted to be made out by the Democratic party, that it is the rabble +only who are engaged in the treasonable movement. + +It is not contended here that all the Democrats of the South are Ku Klux, +but it has been most conclusively shown that all the Ku Klux are +Democrats, and that they are sworn to oppose the spread of Republican +principles. They are determined to rule, and to rule with a rod of iron. +They have settled in their minds that "no government but the white man's +shall live in this country, and that they will forever oppose the +political elevation of the negro to an equality with the whites." + +The report of the above committee, alluding to this condition of affairs, +very justly says: + +"The facts demonstrate that it requires the strong arm of the Government +to protect its citizens in the enjoyment of their rights, to keep the +peace, and prevent this threatened--rather to say this initiated--war of +races, until the experiment which it has inaugurated, and which many +Southern men pronounce now, and many more have sworn shall be made a +failure, can be determined in peace. The race so recently emancipated, +against which banishment or serfdom is thus decreed, but which has been +clothed by the Government with the rights and responsibilities of +citizenship, ought not to be, and we feel assured will not be left +hereafter without protection against the hostilities and sufferings it has +endured in the past, as long as the legal and constitutional powers of the +Government are adequate to afford it. Communities suffering such evils, +and influenced by such extreme feelings, may be slow to learn that relief +can come only from a ready obedience to and support of constituted +authority." + +That communities in some portions of the South are still suffering from +the evils herein referred to is an established fact, and the testimony is +not confined to the cloud of witnesses herein cited. The existence of the +Orders of Ku Klux Klans, and the allegations of the outrages perpetrated +by its members, have been proven before courts of justice. The most +learned advocates employed to defend these criminals have not attempted to +deny it. + +No less a legal light than the Hon. Reverdy Johnson, of counsel, who +appeared, to defend persons charged with the commission of crimes similar +to those narrated in the foregoing pages, has admitted it. The trials in +which Mr. Johnson appeared as such counsel were had before the November +(1871) term of the United States Circuit Court, at Columbia, S. C. + +On the sixteenth day of the proceedings, the evidence for the Government +having closed, Mr. Johnson made his opening for the defense; and although +standing before the court as the legal defender of the members of one of +the most terrible organizations known to modern times, he was compelled, +in justice to human decency, and in acknowledgment of the truth of the +statements presented to the court by the United States Attorney, to use +the following language in his address to the jury: + +"I have listened with unmixed horror to some of the testimony which has +been brought before you. The outrages proved are shocking to humanity; +they admit of neither excuse or justification; they violate every +obligation which law and nature impose upon them; they show that the +parties engaged were brutes, insensible to the obligations of humanity and +religion. The day will come, however, if it has not already arrived, when +they will deeply lament it. Even if justice shall not overtake them, there +is one tribunal from which there is no escape. It is their own +judgment--that tribunal which sits in the breast of every living man--that +small, still voice that thrills through the heart, the soul of the mind, +and as it speaks gives happiness or torture--the voice of conscience--the +voice of God. + +"If it has not already spoken to them in tones which have startled them to +the enormity of their conduct, I trust, in the mercy of heaven, that that +voice will so speak as to make them penitent, and that, trusting in the +dispensations of heaven--whose justice is dispensed with mercy--when they +shall be brought before the bar of their great Tribunal, so to speak, that +incomprehensible Tribunal, there will be found in the fact of their +penitence, or in their previous lives, some grounds upon which God may +say: PARDON." + + +THE STATISTICS, + +as to the number of those who have been the victims of outrages +perpetrated by the Ku Klux Klans, are necessarily meagre. + +Many of them are recorded alone in the blood of the unoffending victims; +thousands of mouths that could speak the unwelcome truth, have been +sealed, and are sealed to-day, through fear, and dare not make the +terrible revelations; but sufficient have come to light to afford an +approximate idea of the extent to which the pernicious designs of the +Order have been carried. + +With all the figures before us, and with a desire to keep within, rather +than exceed the bounds, the awful truth must be confessed, that _not less +than twenty-three thousand persons_, black and white, have been scourged, +banished, or murdered by the Ku Klux Klans, since the close of the +Rebellion: an average of more than two thousand in each of the States +lately in insurrection. + +Great care has been had in arriving at these figures. All the available +sources of information have been exhausted by research, and the facts +obtained have been in a manner borne out by collateral evidence, tending +to confirm the accuracy of the statement. + +The committee appointed by the Legislature of Tennessee (special session +of 1868), to investigate the subject, reported to that body, that: + +"The murders and outrages perpetrated in many counties in Middle and West +Tennessee, during the past few months (1868), have been so numerous and of +such an aggravated character, as to almost baffle investigation. The +terror inspired by the secret organizations, known as the Ku Klux Klans is +so great, that the officers of the law are powerless to execute its +provisions. Your Committee believe that, during the last six months, _the +murders alone_, to say nothing of other outrages, would average _one a +day_, or one for every twenty-four hours." + +Gen. Reynolds, as commander of the Fifth Military District--comprising the +State of Texas--in his report to the Secretary of War, 1868-9, says: + +"Armed organizations, generally known as Ku Klux Klans, exist in many +parts of Texas but are most numerous, bold, and aggressive east of the +Trinity River. The precise object of the organization in this State, seems +to be to disarm, rob, and in many cases, murder Union men and negroes. +_The murder of negroes is so common as to render it impossible to keep +accurate account of them._" + +Gen. O. O. Howard, reporting to the Secretary of War (1868-9), says, of +the State of Arkansas: + +"Lawlessness, violence, and ruffianism, have prevailed to an alarming +extent. Ku Klux Klans, disguised by night, have burned the dwellings and +shed the blood of unoffending freemen." + +In the Louisiana contested election cases (1868), the terrible extent to +which these outrages were carried, was shown by most conclusive evidence. +One of the members of the Committee selected to take testimony in those +cases, says: + +"The testimony shows that over _two thousand persons_ were killed, +wounded, and otherwise injured in that State, within a few weeks prior to +the presidential election; that half of the State was overrun by violence; +that midnight raids, secret murders and open riots, kept the people in +constant terror until the Republicans surrendered all claims, and then the +election was carried by the Democracy." + +Referring to the well-authenticated massacre by the Ku Klux, at the parish +of St. Landry, in 1868, the report says: + +"Here (St. Landry) occurred one of the bloodiest riots on record, in which +_the Ku Klux killed and wounded over two hundred Republicans in two days_. +A pile of twenty-five bodies of the victims was found half buried in the +woods. The Ku Klux captured the masses, marked them with badges of red +flannel, enrolled them in clubs, marched them to the polls, and made them +vote the Democratic ticket." + +It is estimated that, in North and South Carolina, not less than five +thousand were scourged and killed, while more than that number were +compelled to flee for their lives. In Florida and Georgia, the outrages +were not so numerous, but they were marked with greater atrocity and +brutality. + +In further consideration of this question, the numbers and extent of the +various orders of the Ku Klux Klan, may be taken as a partial guide. The +testimony of Gen. N. B. Forrest is pertinent to the point. His position as +GRAND CYCLOPS of the Order, lends to his testimony the probability of +truth which it would not otherwise possess; and when it is considered that +he gave it with the greatest reluctance, one readily arrives at the +conclusion that his figures are by no means exaggerated. According to the +statements made by Gen. Forrest, the Order numbered not less than _five +hundred and fifty thousand men_. According to his estimate, there were +_forty thousand Ku Klux in the State of Tennessee_ alone, and he believed +the organization still stronger in other States. + +Here, then, we have a vast array of men banded together with the secret +purpose of banishing from the country, or scourging and murdering all who +differed from them politically. In view of the numbers and extent of this +organization, and the positive evidence of the fearful work of its +members, the statement that twenty-three thousand persons have suffered +scourging and death at their hands, may be considered under, rather than +over, the real numbers. + +In North Carolina alone, eighteen hundred members of the Order stand +indicted for their participation in outrages upon persons and property. + +In South Carolina, the number reaches over seven hundred. Florida, +Alabama, Tennessee, Louisiana, Texas, and other States, swells the +aggregate to more than five thousand, and the investigations upon which +these indictments have been procured, disclose a condition of affairs, +which, it is difficult to conceive, could exist in a civilized +community;--much less in a Republic, noted among the nations of the earth +for its liberality, its progression, its enlarged freedom, the security of +life, liberty, property, and the equal rights of all. + +THE EXISTENCE OF THE EVILS herein enumerated is placed beyond all doubt +and cavil. In the light of the recorded and corroborated facts, the nation +will demand to know:-- + + _First._ How far the present administrators of the Government have + fulfilled the duties and responsibilities confided to them by the + people? + + _Second._ What has been done to remedy the evils that have made life + in Southern communities intolerable and unsafe? + + _Third._ What steps are necessary to prevent a recurrence of these + evils in the future? + +Happily the first two questions have been amply answered in the acts of +the administration. + +A careful study of the necessities of the case, the enactment of +appropriate laws, applicable thereto, and their vigorous, but humane +enforcement, constitute a plan, the successful elaboration of which gives +answer to the third question, of "how a recurrence of these evils may be +prevented in the future." + +To those who may have entertained the idea, that the work of restoring +order and securing to _all_ the citizens equal rights, nothing can be more +comprehensive than the language of the committee of investigation. In +alluding to this point, the report says:-- + + "Looking to the modes provided by law for the redress of all + grievance--the fact that Southern communities do not yield ready + obedience at once, should not deter the friends of good government in + both sections of the country, from hoping and working for that end. + + "The strong feeling which led to rebellion and sustained brave men, + however, mistaken in resisting the Government which demanded their + submission to its authority; the sincerity of whose belief was + attested by their enormous sacrifice of life and treasure, this + feeling cannot be expected to subside at once, nor in years. It + required full forty years to develop disaffection into sedition, and + sedition into treason. Should we not be patient if in less than ten, + we have a fair prospect of seeing so many who were armed enemies, + becoming obedient citizens?" + +DURING THE THREE BRIEF YEARS in which the present administration has held +sway over the destinies of the nation, what has been accomplished? Upon +its accession to power, the people of the South were struggling under +political disabilities, and a consequent social condition that had +detached them from the onward march of civilization, and was hurrying them +back to anarchy and ruin. They had become morose, bigoted, violent. + +The law of revenge had usurped that of order. They writhed under the +results of the war and the downfall of their cherished institutions, and +they had sworn that what could not be gained by a war upon the nation at +large, should be had by a local war of extermination upon the--to +them--offensive portions of the races, black and white, that opposed, or +would not coincide with them. + +It was a delicate question; but the wisdom of the newly chosen leaders of +the nation have been equal to the emergency, and, to-day, light begins to +dawn in the dark places; the supremacy of the law is being established, +and by a continuation of the same wise and humane policy in the future, +the people of _all_ the States may abundantly hope for the restoration of +peace and harmony in the South, where, but so recently, all was chaos and +confusion. + +In view of what has thus far been said, I call upon my countrymen, +everywhere, not to be deceived as to the real issues of the hour. + + + + +ADDENDA. + + +A retrospective glance at the field of American politics during the past +twelve years discloses several significant facts worthy of especial +attention. + +The most casual observer cannot fail to have been impressed with the fact +that there has been a growing disposition in the minds of the people to +make the welfare of the Country and not the advancement of party, the +issue, in the struggle for political supremacy. + +The political opinions of the masses are based upon foundations materially +different from those usually accorded them by the would-be leaders, who +attempt to form opinions for, and force the same upon the people. + +There is a spirit in politics that rises superior to party clap-trap and +unhealthy journalism, and which determines the problem of government with +far greater accuracy than any amount of machinery designed for the +accomplishment of any special end. + +Political organizations live or die by their _acts_ and not by their +_machinery_. Without that spirit that seeks the greatest good of the +greatest number, they inevitably go to decay and final dissolution. With +that spirit they rise to the grandeur of well ordered governments. +Principles may be outraged and promises disregarded for a time but the end +must come sooner or later, and re-action in such cases usually means +annihilation. + +During the past twelve years the principles and promises of the two great +political parties of the United States--the Republican and the +Democrat--have been more severely tried and tested than at any similar +period of time since the foundation of the Republic. Upon the maintenance +of certain principles and the fulfilment of certain promises, either party +have based their claims to the confidence of the American people. It +matters but little how seductive these principles may appear in their +enunciation, or how glowing the promises for future good, one must judge +of them, and the people will judge of them as they have been illustrated +in the acts of either party to whom the reins of Government have been +confided. + +Given that both parties announce that they have the interests of the whole +people at heart, then the results that have accrued from the accession of +either to power must be the standard by which their principles must be +measured, and their good or bad faith established. These results give rise +to momentous questions. They lead thinking men to ask, if within the +Democratic ranks, slavery has not always found its ablest advocates. + +If it was not the Democratic party that formed a compact and coalition +with the slave holders of the South, with the understanding that if +slavery could be maintained, slave holders would help to keep the +Democrats in power. + +Was it not through the supineness of a Democratic Administration that the +rebellion was engendered and the fortifications and other property in the +Southern States belonging to the Government allowed to pass unquestioned +into the hands of its sworn enemies? + +Was it not to the Democratic party that the South looked for assistance in +deed and word to carry on a war aiming at the destruction of the Union? + +Did not the South rest its hope in the Democratic party to oppose every +measure taken by the loyal North in defence of the Government and the +salvation of the Union? + +Did not the Democratic party in the interest of their brethren in the +South, resist the draft in the North, thus causing the bloody riots of +'63? + +Was it not the Democratic party that opposed emancipation, the policy of +reconstruction, universal freedom and universal suffrage? + +Did not the weakness and vacillation of a Democratic Administration plunge +the country into a contest by which hundreds of thousands of citizens were +slain upon the field of battle, their widows and orphans left to the +charities of the Republic, and the nation saddled with an enormous debt? + +Is it not the Democratic party which has striven for years, and which is +still struggling, to maintain itself in power through its Tammany +organization at the North, and its Ku Klux organization at the South; the +one stealing the money of the people to sustain the other in scourging +them? + +Is it not upon the success of the Democratic party that the Ku Klux Klans +base their hopes for the future? And do they not expect, through the aid +of their Democratic allies to rescind the present Ku Klux laws, and +thereafter to scourge and kill radicals and negroes with impunity? + +Is it not to the Democratic party that the leaders of the Ku Klux Klans +look for help and shelter from the consequences of the numerous outrages +perpetrated by them in the Southern States? + +Was it not a Democratic Administration that bequeathed to the country, +foreign complications of a delicate nature, the foreshadowings of +internecine war, a depleted Treasury, an impaired credit, a general +feeling of insecurity in business and financial circles, and an almost +dismembered Nation? + +Has it not been for years the record of the Democratic party that it has +conspired against humanity and justice, aided to rivet the fetters of the +slave, sown the seeds of demoralization in politics, and by its cringing +subserviency to the slaveocracy of the South aimed a blow at the National +life? + +Is the Democratic party sincere in its profession to accept in good faith +the thirteenth, fourteenth and fifteenth amendments to the Constitution, +while strenuously objecting to all laws designed for the enforcement of +the provisions of those amendments? + +Does the Democratic party hope to blind the people by its shallow pretence +of a new departure from the principles advocated by it since its +organization? + +Do the old Democratic party ring-masters expect to mislead the people by a +mere visionary reconstruction of Tammany, and can they hope to erase the +foul stains upon their party linen to such an extent as to have them +accepted as pure and unspotted garments? + +These are some of the questions at present mooted in the silent heart of +the Nation. They are the questions of the hour and upon them the people of +the whole country are called to decide, as to which of the two great +political parties the future welfare of the Republic may be confided with +the greatest safety. + +In making this decision the minds of the people naturally revert to the +records of the Republican party as manifested through its administration +of the Government, its vindication of its professed principles, its +fulfilment of its promises for the redemption of the nation. And what is +that record? + +Upon its accession to power in 1861 the Republican party found the country +upon the verge of a civil war. Some of the nation's strongholds were +already in the hands of the traitors, and the incompetency and weakness of +its predecessor were everywhere apparent. Never in all its history had +such an opportunity been presented it to redeem the pledges it had made +in the interests of human justice and human freedom. True to its loyal +instincts it rose to the dignity and the grandeur of the occasion. + +It at once instituted the most vigorous measures for the National defence. + +By it the most wicked rebellion ever organized among men was put down. + +Through the Republican party the integrity of the Union was preserved, and +its place maintained among the nations of the earth as one of the leading +powers. + +By it financial measures were inaugurated and carried out that have +brought unparalleled prosperity to the country. + +By it the credit of the nation has become firmly established at home and +abroad. + +Through its labors in the cause of human freedom the bondmen have become +emancipated and assume equal rights with freemen. + +By a wise administration in its foreign relations the country is at peace +with all nations, and the citizens of the American Republic traveling in +foreign climes are honored and respected. + +By a vigorous enforcement of the laws, criminals of every degree, in all +sections of the country, have been brought to justice. + +By it bands of deadly assassins, skulking at midnight behind hideous +disguises, and warring upon innocent women and children have been +suppressed and broken up. And by it they have been compelled to answer for +their numerous crimes. + +Through the unwearied efforts of the Republican party Universal Suffrage +has become a law of the Nation, freedom of speech and freedom of opinion +everywhere vindicated throughout the land, and the right to exercise the +elective franchise as their consciences might dictate, guaranteed to all. + +By it the States lately in insurrection have been reconstructed upon a +prosperous basis, and brought back into the folds of the Union. + +By it the public lands have been opened to settlers; manufactures +stimulated through the establishment of a judicious tariff, and labor +dignified and made prosperous through an enhanced remuneration for +services performed, and a reduction in the hours of toil. + + * * * * * + +These are but a few only of the acts of the Republican party. They are +based upon principles through the consummation of which the Government has +been administered with more than ordinary honor and integrity. Principles +that have given birth and sustenance to an administration in which every +appearance of evil has been scrutinized, every unworthy public servant +ferreted out and punished, every effort put forth to prevent frauds upon +the Revenue and the Treasury. + +An Administration in which the most trivial charges made against it by the +most personally bitter and partizan newspapers have been probed to the +bottom. + +An Administration in which every law upon the Statute books has been +enforced with the whole power of the Government. + +An Administration by which the rights of the laboring classes have been +maintained; the status of the newly emancipated citizens defined and +enforced; the dignity of the flag and the honor of the nation everywhere +upheld. + +An Administration whose Chief Executive was, in the dark hours of civil +war, "the hope of America and of Liberty." + +A Chief Executive who resolutely set his face against the enemy upon the +field of battle until victory crowned our banners. Under whose wise and +skillful leadership might and right joined hands in solid union, and the +Nation drew the long and refreshing breath of freedom. + +A Chief Executive whom the nation sought out as its chosen leader, General +Grant, the hero of Vicksburg--the Wilderness--Richmond. By his bravery in +the Camp and his sagacity in the Cabinet the fires of liberty burn bright +and unextinguishable. + +By his stern and uncompromising adherence to the interests of the whole +people, unbounded prosperity rests upon the country. + +By the extraordinary financial policy of his administration the public +debt has been reduced three hundred millions of dollars; the people +relieved of a burden of taxation amounting to nearly one hundred millions +of dollars annually, gold brought from 133 to 109, and the public credit +restored. + +Under his administration every loyal soldier of the war of the Rebellion +who served ninety days in the Union Army acquires the right to a homestead +upon the public lands, or if dead the right reverts to his heirs. + +These are some of the truthful remembrances that come back to the minds of +the people, and they cast about them in vain for any measure which General +Grant has ever enforced against the will of the masses, for any act to +lessen their faith in his personal purity and official integrity, for one +solitary principle of the party that elevated him to power, which he has +not vindicated, for one single promise which he has not fulfiled. + +To General Grant, the hero of the war of the rebellion, who wrested +victory from doubtful battle fields, who stood unflinchingly at his post +in the darkest days of the nation's history, the people turn instinctively +as the standard bearer in the coming political contest. + +By his utter self abnegation and his preference for the welfare of the +masses rather than the political aggrandisement of a few leaders, he has +acquired the most malevolent partizan opposition ever encountered by any +Chief Magistrate of the Nation. + +By the strong voices of the people reverberating over the country, and by +the more recent utterances from the granite hills of New Hampshire, the +thrifty valleys of Connecticut, the loyal voters of Rhode Island, his +policy is endorsed and his future political status insured. + + + + +FOOTNOTES: + +[1] The Night Hawk is an attache of the Ku Klux Camp, whose business it is +to scour about, and locate the victims upon whom visitations are ordered +to be made. + +[2] Alluding to the shooting of a Mr. Cason a few days before. + + + + +Transcriber's Notes: + +Passages in italics are indicated by _italics_. + +Punctuation has been corrected without note. + +The following misprints have been corrected: + "transspires" corrected to "transpires" (page 24) + "Deacon's" corrected to "Deason's" (page 44) + "of of" corrected to "of" (page 47) + "straighforward" corrected to "straightforward" (page 67) + "rise rise" corrected to "rise" (page 138) + +Other than the corrections listed above, inconsistencies in spelling and +hyphenation have been retained from the original. + + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Nation's Peril, by Anonymous + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE NATION'S PERIL *** + +***** This file should be named 35579-8.txt or 35579-8.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + https://www.gutenberg.org/3/5/5/7/35579/ + +Produced by Bryan Ness and the Online Distributed +Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net (This file was +produced from images generously made available by The +Internet Archive.) + + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: The Nation's Peril + Twelve Years' Experience in the South + +Author: Anonymous + +Release Date: March 15, 2011 [EBook #35579] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE NATION'S PERIL *** + + + + +Produced by Bryan Ness and the Online Distributed +Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net (This file was +produced from images generously made available by The +Internet Archive.) + + + + + + +</pre> + + + +<p class="center"><span class="huge"><span class="smcap">The Nation’s Peril.</span></span></p> +<p class="center"><br /><span class="big">TWELVE YEARS’ EXPERIENCE IN THE SOUTH.</span></p> +<p class="center"><br /><span class="huge">THEN AND NOW.</span></p> +<p class="center"><br /><span class="giant"><span class="smcap">The Ku Klux Klan</span></span></p> +<p class="center"><br /><span class="huge">A COMPLETE EXPOSITION OF THE ORDER:</span></p> +<p class="center"><br /><span class="big">ITS PURPOSE, PLANS, OPERATIONS, SOCIAL<br />AND POLITICAL SIGNIFICANCE</span></p> +<p class="center"><br /><span class="huge"><span class="smcap">The Nation’s Salvation.</span></span></p> +<p> </p> +<p class="note"><span class="smcap">Wherefore say unto the Children of Israel, I am the Lord, and I will bring you out from +under the burdens of the Egyptians, and I will rid you out of their bondage, and I will redeem +you with a stretched-out arm, and with great judgments.</span>—<i>Exodus</i>, VI, 6.</p> +<p> </p> +<p class="center">NEW YORK:<br /><span class="smcap">Published by the Friends of the Compiler.</span><br />1872.</p> + + +<p> </p><p> </p> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_2" id="Page_2">[Pg 2]</a></span></p> +<p class="center">Entered, according to Act of Congress, in the year one thousand eight hundred and seventy-two, by<br /> +E. A. IRELAND,<br />In the Office of the Librarian of Congress, at Washington.</p> + + +<p> </p><p> </p> +<hr style="width: 50%;" /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_3" id="Page_3">[Pg 3]</a></span></p> +<p class="center"><span class="huge">INTRODUCTORY.</span></p> + +<p><br />The facts contained in the succeeding pages, have been compiled from +authenticated sources, and with especial reference to their truthfulness.</p> + +<p>That portion derived from the diary of a gentleman, twelve years a +resident of the South, was not originally intended for public circulation; +but this, with a variety of other matter obtained from official records, +formed the basis of a lecture delivered at Tremont Temple, in the city of +Boston, on the evening of March 27th, 1872, and excited a great degree of +interest among the people to learn more of the subject-matter treated +upon.</p> + +<p>Communications relating thereto came in from all parts of the country, and +it was decided by the friends of the compiler to present all the facts in +convenient form for general circulation, as the best means of complying +with this demand.</p> + +<p>They are here given with such additions to the original matter, as will +enable the general reader more fully to comprehend the origin, rise and +progress of the various orders of the Ku Klux Klans, their social and +political significance, and their general bearing upon the welfare of the +nation at large.</p> + +<p>The thrilling stories of outrage and crime herein narrated, are +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_4" id="Page_4">[Pg 4]</a></span>authenticated beyond the power of refutation.</p> + +<p>“Against all such crimes, as well as against incompetency and corruption +in office, the power of an intelligent public sentiment and of the courts +of justice should be invoked and united; and appealing for patience and +forbearance in the North, while time and these powers are doing their +work, let us also appeal to the good sense of Southern men, if they +sincerely desire to accomplish political reforms through a change in the +negro vote. If their theory is true that he votes solidly now with the +republican party, and is kept there by his ignorance and by deception, all +that is necessary to keep him there is to keep up by their countenance, +the Ku Klux Organization. Having the rights of a citizen and a voter, +neither of those rights can be abrogated by whipping him. If his political +opinions are erroneous, he will not take kindly to the opposite creed when +its apostles come to inflict the scourge upon himself, and outrage upon +his wife and children. If he is ignorant, he will not be educated by +burning his school houses and exiling his teachers. If he is wicked, he +will not be made better by banishing to Liberia his religious teachers. If +the resuscitation of the State is desired by his labor, neither will be +secured by a persecution which depopulates townships, and prevents the +introduction of new labor and of capital.”</p> + +<p>That these pages may be received in the same spirit of charity and kindly +feeling in which they have been penned, is the sincere and earnest wish of</p> + +<p class="right">THE COMPILER.</p> + + + +<p> </p><p> </p> +<hr style="width: 50%;" /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_5" id="Page_5">[Pg 5]</a></span></p> +<p class="center"><span class="huge">THE NATION’S PERIL.</span></p> + +<p><br />The transition of the social status of the colored classes in the South, +from a condition of abject servitude to one of the most enlarged freedom, +crowned with that dearest of all rights to the heart of the freeman, the +elective franchise, although gradual, and attended with difficulties that +have seemed at times almost insurmountable, goes steadily forward, under +the hand of a beneficent and all seeing God, who watcheth alike over the +just and the unjust, enjoining upon them, in return for his goodness, a +strict observance of his commands towards one another.</p> + +<p>Human progress in this country, during the past ten years, has taken giant +strides, although met by obstacles of a character so formidable as to +impose a most extraordinary task upon those engaged in the great work of +social reform and the establishment of the rights of all to civil, +religious and political liberty, as guaranteed by the Constitution. The +spirit of the age is reformatory. Religion, politics, art and the sciences +have ever been the subjects of reformation and progression, and by these +have been lifted from comparative darkness in the past to the broad fields +of light in the more intelligent present. In the grand plan of an all-wise +Creator, nothing has been allowed to permanently obstruct the onward march +of the races<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_6" id="Page_6">[Pg 6]</a></span> and nations of the earth; and for the accomplishment of this +glorious purpose, no sacrifice, it appears, has been deemed too great that +would aid in its fulfillment. The travail and labor of nations, the +desolation and destruction of whole communities, and in some instances the +entire annihilation of races of men, have been the penalties demanded and +paid for their long persistence in the ways of sin and wickedness.</p> + +<p>The American Republic has been no exception to the imperative rule. It +bore within its folds the crime and curse of slavery, a foul and corroding +ulcer that could only be burned out and destroyed by the terrible +visitations of fire and the sword, and in the eradication of which all the +wisdom of the nation’s greatest counselors, all the terrible enginery of +modern warfare, and the skill and persistence of the chosen leaders of the +people were to be brought into requisition. A fierce and sanguinary +contest of four years’ duration ended, under the hand of God, in the grand +triumph of the right; but the war of the rebellion left the South in a +state of social disintegration, in which the leading spirits who had +fomented the internecine contest assumed to control the masses, and +perpetuate under another form, and accomplish by other means, that which +had been lost to them in the surrender and disorganization of their +armies.</p> + +<p>The condition of the South, during the past twelve years, is vividly +illustrated in a series of letters written by Mr. Justin Knight, a +gentleman of undoubted integrity, a resident of the South during the +period referred to, and which are here given in a narrative form for the +better convenience of the reader. Speaking of himself and the peculiar +circumstances that brought him to the Southern States, Mr. Knight says:</p> + +<p>“Born in close proximity to the metropolis of New England, where I +received the advantages of a collegiate education, and the religious +instruction of parents<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_7" id="Page_7">[Pg 7]</a></span> who, without bigotry, were opposed to every +species of wrong, I early conceived a desire to enter upon the ministry, +which I did in 1857, almost immediately after the close of my collegiate +life.</p> + +<p>My constitution, at no time robust, was entirely inadequate to the labors +imposed upon me by the duties of this new position. My health continued +gradually to give way until the winter of 1859, when my physician decided +that a change of climate was essentially necessary to my well-being, and +under his advice I proceeded to Charleston, S. C., and took up my +residence with a married sister, then living there in affluent +circumstances.</p> + +<p>At this peculiar epoch in the history of the country the political +atmosphere of the South was literally pestilential. Under the manipulation +of skillful, but unscrupulous leaders, whole communities had become imbued +with a spirit hostile to the governing powers. They were led to believe +that the time for argument had past, and that nothing was now left them, +but to make a demand for what they were pleased to consider their inherent +rights;—that of keeping their fellow men in bondage—and if this were +refused, to declare themselves for war. The portentious clouds of the +impending crisis continued gathering thick and fast, and it required no +prophet’s eye to discern, or voice to foretell that they must soon burst +upon the country in a deluge that could only be stayed by an enormous +waste of blood and treasure.</p> + +<p>A sojourn of nearly eighteen months among the southern people, and the +facilities afforded me from the position occupied by my sister’s family, +gave me an unusual opportunity to observe the passing pageant of events. +The masses had been gradually worked over to the interests of the more +intelligent leaders, until reason and argument ceased further to influence +them. They seemed wholly given up to the one idea of slavery,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_8" id="Page_8">[Pg 8]</a></span> or war, and +they had been led to believe that the first demonstration of organized +resistance to the regularly constituted powers, would bring the North at +their feet in abject supplication for peace. I was anxious to know how the +defiant and belligerent attitude that was being assumed would be received +in the land of my birth, and as my health had sufficiently improved to +warrant my again returning there, I did so at the earliest opportunity, +only to realize that the people of the North were buckling on their armor, +with the deep seated purpose of going forth to battle for the right.</p> + +<p>There was a significance in all “this busy note of preparation,” that I +could fully understand and appreciate. I had seen enough to convince me +that nothing but the severest chastisement, administered by the hands of +the Lord through the instrumentality of his chosen people, could bring our +misguided brethren of the South to a just and proper sense of their duty +to God and their fellow-men. They had long “eaten of the bread of +wickedness; and drank the wine of violence,” and they had utterly +forgotten that “righteousness exalteth a nation; but sin is a reproach to +any people.”</p> + +<p>An opportunity was speedily afforded me to accompany a regiment to the +field as chaplain, and I soon found myself marching southward with a body +of noble men who had been foremost in responding to the call of President +Lincoln, to defend the Union and preserve the integrity of the nation. The +incidents of the four years of bloody strife that ensued, need not be +alluded to here. They were passed by me, in the midst of danger, offering +consolation to the dying, caring tenderly for the dead, when circumstances +permitted, and coming out of all, through the hand of God, unscathed.</p> + +<p>The results aimed at upon the part of the ruling powers, seemed to have +been accomplished. The<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_9" id="Page_9">[Pg 9]</a></span> Proclamation of Emancipation had gone forth from +the executive head of the nation, and solid rows of glittering steel had +followed it up, and compelled its enforcement. The foulest blot upon the +pages of our history as a Republic had been erased, and its down-trodden +children liberated from a thraldom more humiliating in design, and wicked +in purpose, than that which yoked the children of Israel under the hands +of the Egyptian task masters. In them the promise of the Great Jehovah had +been verified: “Wherefore:—say unto the Children of Israel, I am the +Lord, and I will bring you out from under the burden of the Egyptians.” +The right had been vindicated; the shock of contending armies was over, +and the nation waited patiently to see in what condition the contest had +left the conquered.</p> + +<p>It is my purpose, in these pages, to give the exact facts, “nothing +extenuate, nor set down aught in malice.” I shall endeavor neither to +exaggerate the history, or conceal the truth. I am aware that the +revelations which follow are so terrible in their nature as to almost pass +the bounds of belief; that the agonizing scenes herein depicted, and which +have been the results of the same demoniac spirit which actuated and +prolonged the war, had they been told as occurring among the semi-barbaric +nations in the uttermost parts of the earth, might be the more readily +received by my countrymen as truthful relations; but which, transpiring at +our own doors, within the sound and under the shadow of the Gospel, appear +like the mythical creations of a distorted imagination rather than actual +revelations from real life.</p> + +<p>In the interest of all progress, and for the sake of God and humanity, I +would it were so; but the contrary is the fact. Hundreds of living +witnesses stand ready to verify the statements under oath. Scores of the +unoffending skeletons of gibbeted negroes and whites <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_10" id="Page_10">[Pg 10]</a></span>attest the solemn +truth. The exact localities, the names and residences of the victims, the +hour and day, the month and year of their murderous whipping and +ignominious death, are given with a fidelity that challenges +contradiction, and forms an array of evidence at once incontrovertable and +overwhelming.</p> + +<p>The ever changing current of events again called me to the South. My +sister’s family had been almost destroyed by the death of her husband, who +had cast his fortunes with the cause of the rebellion and had paid the +penalty with his life, and it was necessary I should aid her in adjusting +the affairs of the estate which had been left in a very unsettled +condition, and required much time to properly arrange. I was glad of the +opportunity thus afforded me to observe the effects of the struggle that +had just closed; and prepared my mind to take a calm and dispassionate +view of the situation, as became a seeker for the truth who was desirous +of arriving at the hidden springs underlying the social crust, with a view +to the remedy of the impending evil, if such could be found. I believed in +the integrity of the great mass of the people, and could see that they had +been deceived and led on to destruction by the ingenious plans of men, +skilled in human diplomacy, and having a profound knowledge of the +character of the people whom they designed to move for their own wicked +purposes.</p> + +<p>The spirits of these leaders chafed under the bitter disappointment of +defeat. It was apparent they would continue to foster seditions, organize +conspiracies against the powers that be, and use every effort to fan into +life the dying embers of the “lost cause.” These men controlled certain +portions of the local press, and either threw obstacles in the way of the +dissemination of proper and just principles, or used the power in their +hands to sow the seeds of dissention broadcast throughout the States so +lately in insurrection.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_11" id="Page_11">[Pg 11]</a></span>All the misery that had accrued from the war, the families that had been +sundered; the blood of loved ones that had watered the various +battle-fields of the South, and the bones of beloved kindred that lay +whitening there; the numerous sacrifices of wealth, family, and social +position that had been made, the property lost and destroyed; the general +stagnation and prostration of business, and the feeling of dread and +insecurity that followed, were all attributed to the rule of the +republican North.</p> + +<p>There were mutterings of revenge and breathings of threats and slaughter +against the race that had just been raised up out of bondage. Slavery, the +former bane and curse of this country, was already dead. Its putrid +carcass was no longer of the material things of earth, but its ghostly +spirit still stalked abroad among its mourners to keep alive the memory of +its wicked example in the minds of those who, born and reared in the folds +of its garments, and nurtured at its breast, could not cast aside their +early prejudices and banish from their hearts, its former evil influences. +They no longer remembered that “the way of the Lord is strength to the +upright,” and that “destruction shall be to the workers of iniquity.” +Thousands of misguided and misdirected men cherished in their bosoms a +spirit of animosity toward those who had aided with their blood and money +in the liberation of the slave; and it was this very spirit of hatred +which had in a manner demoralized the South and created a feeling of +uncertainty and insecurity among men of capital, that proved a serious +barrier to their investing in our railroads and factories, and the +improvement of our lands; and, as a natural sequence, retarded our social +and financial progress.</p> + +<p>Society at this time was divided into several classes. Many who were +disposed to accept and abide by the new order of things, dared not express +their real <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_12" id="Page_12">[Pg 12]</a></span>sentiments from fear of social and political ostracism. Men of +intelligence and education, but who had allowed the thirst for power and +political preferment to absorb and swallow up the promptings of their +better nature, had begun the process of gaining over to their interests +the very worst elements in the social circle beneath them, with a view to +carrying out their unholy designs. This class in turn, and under the +management of the more intelligent, intimidated still another class and +compelled them to join in a crusade that had for its objects the most +infamous ends ever attempted to be gained by men. A complete connection +had thus been formed, reaching from the unscrupulous leaders, to the +masses, and embracing in its chain every class of society needed for the +success of the general plan.</p> + +<p>The standard bearers of the devil himself, coming direct from the lowest +depths of the infernal regions, with seething vials of wrath and an +earnest intention to do the bidding of their master, could scarcely have +set on foot a conspiracy more damnable than this. Men, women and children +were to be included in the portending storm, religion and human decency +were to be outraged, the law of the land and its administrators defied, +and justice scoffed at in the pillory. The ordinary safe-guards to the +social well being of the community were to be swept away whenever they +became inimical to the designs and objects of the unholy alliance thus +formed. Men were to be banded together and bound by oaths that ignored all +others and made these supreme. Where the life or liberty of one of the +brotherhood was in jeopardy, he was to be saved at all hazards. Perjury +and subornation of perjury were to over-ride courts of justice and render +abortive, any attempt to bring these lawless bands to punishment through +their instrumentality. Nothing was to be too sacred for the vandal hands +of these marauders who, under the guidance of the more intelligent +leaders, were<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_13" id="Page_13">[Pg 13]</a></span> to go abroad like a consuming flame, until the land, that +God had made pre-eminently beautiful for the abode of peace and +contentment, had been smitten with a scourge of fire and blood, and their +own wicked purposes had been accomplished. It seemed as if the voice of +the Lord had again spoken through the prophet Ezekiel, “say to the forest +of the South, hear the word of the Lord. Thus saith the Lord God: Behold I +will kindle a fire in thee, and it shall devour every green tree in thee, +and every dry tree; the flame shall not be quenched, and all faces from +the South to the North shall be burned therein.”</p> + +<p>It was to be a dual struggle. The colored races were to be subjugated or +destroyed; and the humane efforts of the Government and the Administration +to restore peace and harmony, and commercial prosperity, and to give to +the citizens, of every creed and color, free and equal rights was +everywhere to be opposed, that the experiment of reconstruction might +become a hissing and a by-word, and go forth to the world an ignominious +failure.</p> + +<p>The masses were kept in utter ignorance of these designs. They were in a +state bordering upon absolute frenzy at the losses they had incurred from +the fratricidal war that had left them bankrupt as individuals and +communities, and with the peculiar anxiety that seems to pervade the +hearts of all men, to endeavor to find some reasonable excuse for sins +committed, they accepted the theories that had been so ingeniously +prepared, and so carefully put before them, and became, like the clay in +the hands of the potter, ready to be fashioned in any manner of form that +might be decided upon by their wicked counselors.</p> + +<p>There was an oppressive and an ominous calm in the atmosphere of the South +at this time (1866) that foreboded no good. Men viewed each other with +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_14" id="Page_14">[Pg 14]</a></span>distrust. Those who seemed well-disposed at first, and who had been +casting about themselves and gathering up the fragments, with a view to +renewing their peaceful pursuits, suddenly abandoned their labors. Rumors +of outrages upon persons and property, vague at first and without apparent +authenticity, began to fill the air. Bands of armed and disguised men were +said to be travelling the highways, burning the dwellings, and robbing and +murdering inoffensive citizens under the most revolting circumstances. The +scriptural command to “devise not evil against thy neighbor, seeing he +dwelleth securely by thee,” had seemingly become obsolete among the +people. It was evident that the mysterious order, the existence of which +had so long been hinted at, had begun its fearful work, and under the then +complexion of affairs in the nation at large, none could divine the end.</p> + +<p>The death of President Lincoln had left the Executive, in this the hour of +the nation’s great peril, in the hands of one from whom the disorganizing +elements of the South had much to hope. The hand of justice was for the +time being paralyzed, and the occasion seemed most opportune for the +conspirators to perfect their terrible organization, and set in motion the +secret machinery by which it was hoped to accomplish their base purposes.</p> + +<p>It was evident from such facts as could be gathered relative to these +outrages, that there was a distinction as to the classes of people who +were the sufferers. The negroes were, of course, the objects upon which +the wrath of the new order was vented; but there were numerous instances, +as will be observed in the succeeding pages, where whites were scourged +and murdered as well. The fact that certain citizens, who had committed no +offense against the laws, were selected from the various communities, and +subjected to the grossest indignities, led to inquiry as to the causes +that had brought these inflictions upon them.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_15" id="Page_15">[Pg 15]</a></span>It was ascertained that, in the preponderance of cases, warnings had been +sent to the victims demanding that they must retract their political +faith, cease to side with radicals, and abandon their interest in the +negro, or they must leave the country; failing in this, they were to be +scourged to death.</p> + +<p>Negroes who approached the ballot-box to exercise the newly conferred +right of suffrage were watched as to how they voted, and warned that they +must not vote the “radical ticket.” If they paid no heed to this warning, +and were detected in the independent exercise of the right of suffrage, +they received a visitation; their houses were pillaged, the persons of +their women violated, their children scattered, and themselves hung, shot +or whipped to death. The reader, in perusing the chapter of authenticated +outrages that follows will agree with the writer that there is no +exaggeration of language here, nor need of any. Nothing is stated that has +not been put to the severest test of truth; and nowhere are these +incidents recorded, in which the living witnesses have not been found, and +the facts obtained from them.</p> + +<p>I was long in believing that such deeds, worthy alone of the incarnate +fiend himself, could be perpetrated in a civilized community. I made all +possible allowance for the political and social situation. I determined to +know whereof I affirmed, and resolved that when I obtained this knowledge, +I would give the information to the country. I was as free from political +bias as it was possible for a man to be who felt it to be a part of the +duty he owed to society to exercise the elective franchise. I had never +mingled in politics, but had uniformly cast my vote with either political +party which I deemed had the best interests of the nation, and the welfare +and advancement of the people, at heart, and could not bring my mind to +believe, at first, that there was a deep political significance +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_16" id="Page_16">[Pg 16]</a></span>underlying this movement, and that it had its ramifications from State to +State, all leading to one great center, with one common head who, in the +interest of any political party, governed and directed the dreadful +machine, and that it meant nothing less than the subversion of the popular +government.</p> + +<p>The facts and figures gradually undeceived me. I could see that there was +a mysterious something at work that had closed men’s mouths most +effectually, and that disaffection, consternation and terror gained ground +daily. Even, my brethren of the pulpit, with whom I was associated in the +different places I visited, were affected to such a degree that they no +longer dared to preach the free sentiments of their hearts.</p> + +<p>No one but an actual resident of the South, at this time, can form +anything like an adequate idea of the reign of terror, that this condition +of affairs had inaugurated during the succeeding two years and more, of +President Johnson’s administration. Everywhere throughout the South that I +travelled, the hydra headed monster met me. I tried to believe in all +charity that the movement sprung from the ignorant and uneducated masses +who saw, or thought they saw, the origin and cause of all their +misfortunes in the negro, and the liberal minded whites of the South who +had countenanced and urged his enfranchisement in the interest of human +progress; but the facts were everywhere against the theory.</p> + +<p>It was evident that a formidable organization, the result of intelligent +men counseling together, and devising wicked plans for the accomplishment +of wicked purposes, existed in all the Southern States; that it had its +ritual, its oaths, its signs, tokens and passwords, its constitution, +by-laws and governing rules, its edicts, warnings, disguises, secret modes +of communication, intelligent concert of action, and all framed and +planned in a manner that showed the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_17" id="Page_17">[Pg 17]</a></span> authors to be men of education and +superior minds. In North and South Carolina, in Georgia, Alabama and +Tennessee, in Florida, Mississippi and Kentucky, Arkansas, Louisiana and +Texas, it existed in a greater or less degree, and its advent was +everywhere marked with the most brutal outrages.</p> + +<p>The intelligence of these wrongs was not spread from one community to +another by the newspapers. These, when not in the interest of the order +itself, were intimidated into silence. When the outrages were so flagrant +as to compel some show of attention, such as necessitated the action of a +coroner, juries were selected, the members of which were members of this +mysterious order, and the verdict usually was that the victim came to his +death by injuries inflicted by himself or by negroes.</p> + +<p>The disaffection spread daily. The seeds of the order, and their fruits +everywhere manifested, were sown in the courts and grand juries. Under +such a condition of affairs there was no longer security for life or +property. The idea of obtaining justice for any of the wrongs perpetrated, +passed out of the minds of the sufferers entirely. The effect was +generally demoralizing. Official incompetency and corruption aided rather +than stemmed the rushing torrent that was bearing this section of the +Republic to anarchy and financial ruin.</p> + +<p>A large class of persons not heretofore alluded to, but who formed a very +important part of society, looked on without apparent interest. These were +men of wealth and education, who neither sought to justify the wrongs +being done, or made any attempt to oppose them, but by their very silence +gave a tacit consent to the wicked plans of the conspirators. They were a +class “who rejoice to do evil and delight in the forwardness of the +wicked.”</p> + +<p>A system arose exactly in counterpart with that of<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_18" id="Page_18">[Pg 18]</a></span> the old Spanish +Inquisition. Personal hatred toward a citizen, black or white, was +sufficient warrant for reporting his name and residence to the members of +the order as a “radical republican” and a “negro worshiper,” and he was +forthwith warned to leave the place on penalty of being whipped, or +suffering a worse fate. Hundreds of young men with whom the writer has +conferred, pointed to men of maturer age, property holders and men of +influence, and confessed that they had been induced to enter the general +conspiracy, because they were told these men were at its head and after +joining it learned that they had not been deceived in this respect, and +yet they found the order so arranged that they could discover nothing, and +were allowed to know nothing, of its workings, beyond the circle to which +they had been admitted, and however revolting the practices of their +associates were to them, the oath they had taken, and the feeling of +terror inspired by the initiation and the penalty attached to recanting +members, compelled them to continue their allegiance, and acquiesce and +aid in the outrages.</p> + +<p>Even the women seemed to have caught the general infection, and sought to +justify the dreadful events transpiring about them upon the ground that +this was the only way in which the rights and liberties of the South could +be preserved.</p> + +<p>That men holding high official positions, and moving in the most +respectable circles, organized these outrages, selected the victims and +accompanied the rabble in the execution of their designs, is indisputable. +Inoffensive women seeing their husbands, fathers, and brothers torn from +their sides and scourged in their presence, became infuriated at the +indecent spectacle, and in their agonized frenzy, rushed upon the +assailants and wrenched off the masks behind which they skulked, only to +behold the faces of men who, up to that hour, they had deemed the ones to +whom, from<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_19" id="Page_19">[Pg 19]</a></span> their superior intelligence, they should have looked for +counsel.</p> + +<p>Traveling from place to place and directing the general movement, were men +who had held positions as generals in the armies of the rebellion. +Disappointed political tricksters aiming to elevate to power a party whom +they claimed had been in sympathy with the rebel cause North and South; +and determined to do this though the land of their birth should go to +ruin. Anarchy and confusion usurp the places of law and order, and the +blood of the outraged ones reach up to heaven in cries for vengence.</p> + +<p>These men overlooked the fact that they were setting in motion a power +that was destined to pass from their control, and make them as a people of +whom it was written: “I will even give them unto the hand of their +enemies, and into the hand of them that seek their life; and their dead +bodies shall be as meat unto the fowls of the heaven, and to the beasts of +the earth.” They desired to heed no note of warning regarding the future +so that the ends of the present were accomplished; and under their +guidance, lust and rapine and murder stalked abroad, and the land seemed +to be wholly given up to the machinations of the evil one and the +unbridled license of his chosen servants.</p> + +<p>Nowhere upon the dial plate of the nineteenth century did the index finger +of the hand of God point with such unerring and terrible certainty. It +seemed as if the Lord had spoken once more as he spake in the days of the +Prophet Isaiah:</p> + +<p>“What could have been done more to my vineyard, that I have not done in +it? Wherefore, when I looked that it should bring forth grapes, brought it +forth wild grapes? And now go to. I will tell you what I will do to my +vineyard. I will take away the hedge thereof, and it shall be eaten up; +and break down the walls thereof, and it shall be trodden down. And I will +lay<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_20" id="Page_20">[Pg 20]</a></span> it waste; it shall not be pruned nor digged; but there shall come up +briers and thorns * * * for the vineyard of the Lord of hosts is the house +of Israel, and the men of Judah his pleasant plant; and he looked for +judgment, but behold oppression; for righteousness, but behold a cry.”</p> + +<p>Good men bowed their heads in anguish. They had lifted their eyes to the +far North, from whence should come their help, and they had looked in +vain. The body corporate was too fatally diseased to cure itself +Rottenness and corruption hung upon its borders, and were slowly sapping +the foundations of its life. Its energies were prostrated, its internal +recuperative power destroyed. Help must come from without; and the earnest +prayers of the devoted and doomed went up to the throne of God in +heartfelt supplication, that wisdom might dwell in the hearts of the +counsellors to whom the destinies of the nation had been confided; but it +seemed as if the heavens were as adamant that could not be pierced, and +that no answer would be vouchsafed to the sincere appeal.”</p> + +<p>Such was the situation at the close of President Johnson’s term of office, +and the elevation of General Grant to the presidential chair. It remained +to be seen whether the incoming administration would turn the deaf ear to +the suffering and disorganized South as its predecessor had done, or +whether, under the guidance of its new Executive head, order should be +brought out of chaos, the crooked paths made straight, and the prophecy +fulfilled: “Behold, I will redeem them with an outstretched arm.”</p> + +<p>The recitals that follow give answer to this query more conclusively than +the most elaborate of arguments. They show, from statistics gathered under +the most favorable circumstances by the writer in person, the existence of +a numerous and formidable organization of armed men, working in secret, +disguising <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_21" id="Page_21">[Pg 21]</a></span>themselves beyond all hope of recognition, committing +depredations upon persons and property, frequently resulting in the total +destruction of both, and instituting the most bitter and inhuman +persecutions, for opinion’s sake, that ever disgraced the history of a +nation.</p> + +<p>The facts are beyond all hope of successful denial. They are born out by +the records of the local and federal courts, by the testimony of the +surviving sufferers and by the voluntary confession of recanting members +of the organization.</p> + +<p>A full expose of the order, its origin and secrets, its designs and +purposes, its operations and results, are related with an unswerving +fidelity to the truth, and with all charity to the people with whom it had +its rise, and among whom, by the grace of God, and under the firm but +humane course pursued by the present administration in the enforcement of +the law, and the establishment of the right, it must have its fall. The +information came to the knowledge of the writer through those who had been +active members of the order, and who had abandoned it the moment the +strong arm of the Government had been felt in the vigorous enforcement of +the laws, through its secret agents, thus rendering it safe for them to do +so.</p> + +<p>The revelations that follow, speak in tones that must reverberate +throughout the length and breadth of the continent, and are submitted as +terrible evidences of the fearful condition to which communities may be +reduced, when, ignoring the cardinal principles of right and justice, they +abandon themselves to the control of unscrupulous men, whose overweening +ambition destroy every other sentiment, and who esteem no measures too +vile or inhuman that will lead to the accomplishment of their own base +ends.</p> + + +<p> </p><p> </p> +<hr style="width: 50%;" /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_22" id="Page_22">[Pg 22]</a></span></p> +<p class="center"><span class="huge">ORDERS</span><br />OF THE<br /><span class="giant">KU KLUX KLANS.</span></p> + +<p class="note"><span class="smcap">The Constitutional Union Guards.—Knights of the White Camelia.—Order of +Invisible Empire.—The White Brotherhood.—Union and Young Men’s Democracy.</span></p> + +<p class="center"><br />ORIGIN, ORGANIZATION, INITIATION, OATHS, OBJECTS AND OPERATIONS.</p> + +<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="5" summary="table"> +<tr><td><i>He discovereth deep things out of darkness;<br /> +And bringeth out to light the shadow of death.</i><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 12em;"><span class="smcap">Job.</span> XII., 22.</span></td></tr></table> + +<p>In the early part of 1866, or nearly a year after the close of the war of +the rebellion, there was organized in the Southern States, a secret order, +known as the “Constitutional Union Guards,” having a constitution, +by-laws, oaths of allegiance, modes of recognition and approach, and a +ritual, all of which were legendary and unwritten. Its places of meetings +were styled Camps. Its officers were: a “Commander,” “South Commander,” +“Grand Commander,” “Chief of Dominion,” and “Grand Cyclops,” or supreme +head of the order.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_23" id="Page_23">[Pg 23]</a></span>The Commander is the chief officer of a local Camp. He issues the call +for, and presides over, all its meetings. Initiates members; administers +the oath; invests them with the signs, grips, and passwords necessary in +making themselves known as members of the Order; and imparts to them the +signal code of sounds by which they are governed in their excursions, and +at times when, for obvious reasons, it is not expedient to utter words of +command.</p> + +<p>The South Commander is, to all appearances, a lay member of the Camp. His +power, however, when he chooses to exercise it, is superior to that of the +Commander. He is an officer without apparent function, and yet it is a +portion of the oath attached to the second, or supreme degree, that he +shall be obeyed in preference to any other known or constituted authority. +He can prorogue the Camp, or dissolve it altogether, whenever he deems +fit, and is amenable to no one inside of the Camp of which he is a member.</p> + +<p>The office of this functionary is not an elective one. Whenever a Camp is +formed, the authority under which it works assigns to it a South +Commander, and he is the only person through whom communications can be +received from, or made to, that authority. All the doings of the Camp, the +number and names of its members, the warnings issued, the persons visited, +and all other proceedings, are carefully noted by the South Commander, and +reported by him to the Grand Commander of the District in which the Camp +is located, and he is the only member of the Camp who has knowledge of +that officer. The South Commander is not permitted to know any Grand +Commander save the one to whom he reports, nor does he know to whom his +superior is amenable.</p> + +<p>The Grand Commander has charge of a District comprising a certain number +of Camps (usually seven), from the South Commanders of which he receives +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_24" id="Page_24">[Pg 24]</a></span>reports as above stated. It is his duty to condense these reports into +cypher, which he transmits to the officer above him, known as the Chief of +Dominion, and from whom he receives the general instructions and orders to +be transmitted to the various Camps of his District through the South +Commander. He in turn is not permitted to know any Chief of Dominion save +the one to whom he reports; and, like his inferiors, is in utter ignorance +as to whom his superior is amenable.</p> + +<p>The Chief of Dominion has charge of all the operations of the Order in +some State assigned to his care. He receives reports from the Grand +Commanders thereof; and transmits the same to the “Grand Cyclops,” or +supreme head of the Order, and President ex-officio of the “Supreme Grand +Council.” This Supreme Grand Council is composed of the Chiefs of +Dominions, and from them emanate the instructions which, being decided +upon in the conclave of the Council, are promulgated to the rank and file +through the Grand Commanders, South Commanders, and Commanders of Camps.</p> + +<p>By this peculiar system of organization the moving spirits of the Order +are conversant with all that <ins class="correction" title="original: transspires">transpires</ins> below them, while their own +identity is carefully concealed from the masses whom they design to move +for their own vile purposes. The objects of the Order are somewhat +covertly set forth in the oaths administered to the members, but previous +to this time the grand designs intended to be accomplished were known only +to the members of the Supreme Grand Council. The initiation is comprised +in two degrees, the first or probationary degree being intended to test +the members, and the second or supreme degree for those of the first who +have been found worthy of advancement. The signs, grips, &c., are the same +in both degrees, with the exception of one test word, and a supplementary +ritual hereafter to be explained.</p> + +<p><br /><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_25" id="Page_25">[Pg 25]</a></span></p> +<p class="center">ORDER OF INITIATION.</p> +<p class="center">FIRST, OR PROBATIONARY DEGREE.</p> + +<p>The first or probationary degree of the Order is intended for the masses. +The candidate for initiation is selected, so far as possible, with +reference to his political proclivities, if he has any. He must be known +to the member proposing him to be opposed to the Radical party; to be or +to have been in sympathy with the cause of the rebellion; to be opposed to +the elevation of the negro to a social and political equality with the +whites; and to have a hatred of negro worshipers, carpet-baggers, and +scallawags, as those terms are interpreted in the Order.</p> + +<p>These points being satisfactorily settled, he is notified to proceed to a +secluded place on a designated night. There he is met by three Conductors, +who blindfold and lead him to the vicinity of the Camp, which, in order +the more effectually to guard against surprise, rarely assembles twice in +the same place. On the way he and his Conductors are encountered by a +guard or sentinel, who challenges the party with:</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>“Who comes here?”</p> + +<p>His Conductors reply: “A friend.”</p> + +<p>The guard asks: “A friend to what?”</p> + +<p>He is answered: “My country.”</p></div> + +<p>The candidate is then allowed to pass into the Camp, and is conducted to +the center of the assembled members, when the following oath is +administered to him by the Commander:</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p class="center"><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_26" id="Page_26">[Pg 26]</a></span>INITIATORY OATH.</p> + +<p>“You solemnly swear, in the presence of Almighty God and these +witnesses, that you will never reveal the secrets that are about to +be imparted to you, and that you will be true to the principles of +this brotherhood and its members; that you are not now a member of +the Grand Army of the Republic, the Red String Order, the Union +League, Heroes of America, or any other organization whose aim and +intention is to destroy the rights of the South, or to elevate the +negro to a political equality with yourself; and that you will never +assist at the initiation into this Order of any member of the Grand +Army of the Republic, the Red String Order, the Union League, Heroes +of America, or any one holding Radical views or opinions. You +furthermore swear that you will oppose all Radicals and negroes in +all of their political designs, and that, should any Radical or negro +impose on or abuse or injure any member of this brotherhood, you will +assist in punishing him in any manner the Camp may direct; and you +furthermore swear that you will never reveal any of the orders, acts, +or edicts of this brotherhood, and that you will obey all calls and +summonses from the Chief of your Camp or brotherhood, should it be in +your power to do so; and that, should any member of the brotherhood +or his family be in jeopardy, you will inform them of their danger, +and go to their assistance. You further swear that you will never +give the word of distress unless you are in great need of assistance; +and should you hear it given by any brother, you will go to his or +their assistance; and should any member of this brotherhood reveal +any of its secrets, acts, orders, or edicts, you will assist in +punishing him in any way the Camp may direct or approve, so help you +God.”</p></div> + +<p>During the administration of this oath, the members surround the initiate, +dressed in long, white gowns, high, conical shaped, white hats, and their +faces shrouded in white masks. At the conclusion of the oath, the +candidate is made to kiss the book. The bandage is then<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_27" id="Page_27">[Pg 27]</a></span> removed from his +eyes. The Commander approaches, and proceeds to instruct him in the</p> + + +<p class="center"><br />SIGNS, GRIPS, AND PASSWORD.</p> + +<p>Signs of recognition and approach:</p> + +<p><i>First.</i>—Strike the fingers of the right hand briskly upon the hair over +the right ear, bringing the hand forward and partially around the ear, as +if describing a half moon.</p> + +<p><i>Answer.</i>—Same sign made with left hand over left ear.</p> + +<p><i>Second.</i>—Thrust the right hand into the pant’s pocket, with the +exception of the thumb, at the same time bringing the right heel into the +hollow of the left foot.</p> + +<p><i>Answer.</i>—Same sign with the left hand, bringing the left heel into the +hollow of the right foot.</p> + +<p>As a farther precaution search is made by the hailing party as if for a +pin in the right lappel of the coat.</p> + +<p><i>Answer.</i>—A similar search in the left lappel of the coat.</p> + +<p>The <span class="smcap">Grip</span> is given by placing the forefinger on the pulse of the person you +shake hands with.</p> + +<p><i>Countersign.</i>—If halted by a camp or picket on the public highway at +night, the following colloquy ensues:</p> + +<p>“Who comes there?”</p> + +<p>“A friend!”</p> + +<p>“A friend of what?”</p> + +<p>“My country!”</p> + +<p>“What country?”</p> + +<p>“I, S, A, Y.” (Repeating each letter slowly.)</p> + +<p>“N, O, T, H, I, N, G.” (Repeating each letter slowly.)</p> + +<p>“The word?”</p> + +<p>“Retribution!”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_28" id="Page_28">[Pg 28]</a></span>These countersigns are issued every three months. The one here given was +in vogue at the time of the discovery of the order.</p> + +<p>A member of any order of the Ku Klux Klan of the first or probationary +degree, in distress, and requiring speedy aid, will use a word signal, or +cry of distress: “<span class="smcap">Shiloh!</span>”</p> + +<p>In expeditions conducted under direction of the Commander, or any of the +brethren detailed by him to act as head, a code of signals by sounds, made +with whistles, is used, in order that the members may not be recognized by +their voices.</p> + + +<p class="center"><br />DIVISIONS OF THE ORDER.</p> + +<p>There are several divisions of the order of the <span class="smcap">Ku Klux Klans</span>, all working +under the same ritual and oaths, and having the same signs, grips, +passwords, modes of approach, and general conduct of raids and midnight +excursions. These are known under the names of “Knights of the White +Camelia,” “The Invisible Empire,” “The White Brotherhood,” “The Unknown +Multitude,” “The Union and Young Men’s Democracy.” All work in disguise, +with the exception of the latter, who work openly as well as in disguise, +and are all under the instructions of the “Grand Cyclops” and the Supreme +Grand Council. They all have one and the same object, which is as plainly +set forth in the oath as it well can be in an obligation of that +character.</p> + +<p>The difference in names and styles has been adopted for a two-fold +purpose. First, to conceal the origin, object, and design of the order, +and its founders and directors; secondly, to conceal its extent and +numbers, and make it appear a mere local affair that has cropped out in +different places without reference to any organized combination with one +grand center.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_29" id="Page_29">[Pg 29]</a></span>The workings of the Klans over all the Southern country show more +conclusively than any amount of subterfuge on the part of the leaders, +that one common tie binds them all; that one common interest actuates +them; that one common end is to be accomplished. The oath differs slightly +in phraseology in different localities, to accommodate the varied +circumstances under which it is administered, and with a view to greater +concealment—the words “Unknown Multitude,” “Invisible Empire,” and “White +Brotherhood” being substituted in North and South Carolina; the words +“Union and Young Men’s Democracy,” in Georgia and Mississippi; and the +words “Knights of the White Camelia,” in Louisiana and Texas and other +States.</p> + + +<p class="center"><br />THE SECOND OR SUPREME DEGREE.</p> + +<p>This degree differs from the first or probationary degree in the fact that +those upon whom it is conferred are of the better class of the masses, and +take upon themselves a more binding oath, administered under circumstances +intended to be more impressive in character. The candidate for this degree +is brought blind-folded into the center of the Camp, and caused to kneel +at an altar erected for the occasion, his right hand placed upon a Bible, +and his left upon a human skull. The Commander then says:</p> + +<p>“Brethren, <i>must</i> it be done?”</p> + +<p>The members respond, “<i>It must!</i>” and this in a tone intended to strike +terror to the heart of the novitiate.</p> + +<p>The candidate, of course, has no knowledge of what is meant by the ominous +“<i>Must it be done?</i>” and there is a mournful groaning in the response “<i>It +must!</i>” indicating that a terrible experience awaits him, which the +Brotherhood would gladly spare him if they could.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_30" id="Page_30">[Pg 30]</a></span>A death-like silence ensues for a few moments, which seem ages to the +candidate, and affords ample opportunity for his imagination to picture +the unheard-of horrors through which he may possibly be called to pass. +The silence is finally broken by the Commander, who says:</p> + +<p>“<span class="smcap">Brethren</span>, this brother <i>now</i> kneels at the altar of our faith, and asks +to be bound to our fortunes by the more solemn and mysterious provisions +of our Order. Fortunately for him in this hour of peril, he has been found +worthy, and in commemoration of his being made one of the great ‘Unknown +Multitude,’ I again ask, ‘<i>Must it be done?</i>’”</p> + +<p>The brethren, in solemn tones, again respond, “<i>It must!</i>”</p> + +<p>The Commander then says, in a stentorian tone of voice, “<i>Let the blood of +the traitor be spilled: bring the victim forth.</i>”</p> + +<p>The members here make a rustling noise, to resemble a struggle, a heavy +blow is struck upon some appropriate substance, and a few drops of blood +are trickled over the hand of the initiate that rests upon the skull. The +brethren then surround him with knives and pistols presented in a circle +about his head and neck, when the Commander then says:</p> + +<p>“Must I swear him by the oath that shall forever bind, and never be +broken?”</p> + +<p>The brethren, placing their hands upon their left breasts, respond +sepulchrally as before, “<i>Swear him!</i>”</p> + +<p>The Commander now addresses the candidate as follows:</p> + +<p>“<i>My Brother</i>, kneeling at the solemn altar of our faith, as one who +desires that no government but the white man’s shall live in this country; +and as one who will fight to the death all schisms, and factions, and +parties, coming from whatsoever source they may, which have for their +design the elevation of the negro to an<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_31" id="Page_31">[Pg 31]</a></span> equality with the white man, I am +now about to administer to you the oath of this, the supreme degree, of +our Order—that oath which shall forever bind, and never be broken; at the +same time informing you that this oath, being taken in a cause which has +for its object the deliverance of your country and the land of your birth +from the rule of the negro-worshiper and the fanatic, is paramount to +every other oath which you have taken, or may hereafter take, outside of +this Order. You will now repeat after me, pronouncing your name in full, +and your words aloud, on pain of instant death:</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p class="center"><i>Oath of the Second or Supreme Degree.</i></p> + +<p>“I, A. B., in the presence of Almighty God, and these my friends here +assembled, kneeling at this altar, with my right hand upon the holy +Bible, and my left washed in the blood of a traitor, and resting upon +the skull of his brother in iniquity, and being fully impressed with +the sacredness of this act, do solemnly swear that I will uphold and +defend the Constitution of the United States, as it was handed down +by our forefathers, in its original purity; that I will reject and +oppose the principles of the Radical party in all its forms, and +forever maintain and contend that intelligent white men shall govern +this country. And I furthermore swear that I will bear true faith and +allegiance to the Order of the Constitutional Union Guards, and will +never make known, by sign, word, or deed, any of its secrets now +about to be, or that may hereafter be confided to me; that I will +obey all its precepts, mandates, orders, instructions, and directions +issued through the Commander, and aid and assist the brethren in +carrying out and enforcing the same; and that I will keep secret, +even unto death, the plans and movements of this society. I +furthermore swear to obey the South Commander in the Camp, in +preference to any known law, precept, or authority whatever, and to +defend the brethren, if need be, with the sacrifice of my life. I +swear that the enemies of the white man’s race, and the white man’s +government, and the friends of negro equality shall be my enemies, +and that I will uphold and defend the white man’s government against +all comers, whether in the name of Radicals,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_32" id="Page_32">[Pg 32]</a></span> Negro-worshipers, +Carpet-baggers, Scallawags, or spies in the land. I swear to forever +oppose the social and political elevation of the negro to an equality +with the whites, and that I will come at every hour of the moon to +execute the trust confided to me by the Commander and the brethren. I +furthermore swear that, in case of our being interrupted in the +establishment of the principles for which we are contending, that I +will regard no oath that will convict one of the members of this +Order, but under all circumstances will stand by the Order in blood +and death. I furthermore swear that I will not give the signal cry of +distress, only when in real distress, and that I will yield my life, +if necessary, in aid of a brother giving the double cry of this +degree. Lastly, I swear by this Bible, and this skull, and this +blood, that should I ever prove unfaithful in any particular to the +obligation I have now assumed, I hope to meet with the fearful and +just penalty of the traitor, which is <i>death</i>, <span class="smcaplc">DEATH</span>, DEATH, at the +hands of the brethren. So help me God.”</p></div> + +<p>The candidate having kissed the book, the bandage is removed from his +eyes. He sees before him a human skull upon one side of the Bible, and a +small chalice or cup filled with blood upon the other. The brethren are +all disguised in long black gowns, covering them completely from neck to +heels. Black masks and black conical shaped hats of enormous height, +decorated with representations of death’s head and cross bones, complete +the costume.</p> + +<p>Some of the members bear pine torches, which throw a wierd and unearthly +glare upon the unholy scene, and render it a fit counterpart to the abode +of the demons who seem to have instigated the proceedings. When the +bandage is removed, these torches are swung violently to and fro, and the +brethren simultaneously utter a loud cry.</p> + +<p>The candidate is now informed that the signs, grips, and passwords of the +preceding degree are used in this, with the exception that the signal cry +of distress in this is composed of two words: ”<span class="smcap">Shiloh, Avalanche</span>.”</p> + + +<p> </p><p> </p> +<hr style="width: 50%;" /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_33" id="Page_33">[Pg 33]</a></span></p> +<p class="center"><span class="huge">OPERATIONS</span><br />OF THE<br /><span class="giant">KU KLUX KLAN.</span></p> + +<p class="note"><span class="smcap">An Authenticated Account of Outrages Committed in the South.—The Perpetrators and their Victims.</span></p> + +<p class="center"><br />THE MURDER OF EDWARD THOMPSON.</p> + +<p>From the close of the war, up to the fall of 1870, there resided in +Lowndes county, Georgia, an exceedingly intelligent colored man, named +Edward Thompson. He was noted for his piety, and the peculiar influence he +exerted over the members of his race who resided in Lowndes county, and +Hamilton county, Florida; and being thoroughly imbued with Republican +principles, lost no opportunity in disseminating them among those of his +race with whom he associated. Through his exertion, and by the force of +his example, the negroes voted the ticket of the Republican party at every +election, always seeking his advice before going to the polls to deposit +their ballots.</p> + +<p>Thompson’s case was brought before the Camp of Hamilton county, +Florida—at that time, presided over by one Elihu Horn, Commander of the +Camp—as one<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_34" id="Page_34">[Pg 34]</a></span> requiring energetic action upon the part of the Order. A +warning was issued to Thompson, the import of which could hardly be +mistaken. The following is a verbatim copy of the same taken from the +original.</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p class="center">“K. K. K.</p> + +<p class="center">“<i>His Supreme Highness of Hamilton to Edward Thompson.</i></p> + +<p>“His Supreme and Mighty Highness has heard of your seditious +practices in leading others astray, and encouraging them in +opposition to the white man’s government. Time is given you to repent +and submit as your fathers have done. Now this is to warn you, and +all such as you, on pain of punishment and death, to abandon your +vicious harangues, and abide by our orders. The moon is yet bright; +it may turn to blood.</p> + +<p><span style="margin-left: 8em;">“By order,</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 12em;">“K. K. K.”</span></p></div> + +<p>Thompson paid no heed to this warning, but continued to pursue the even +tenor of his way. He had resided so long in the place, and been so +favorably known there, both among the whites and blacks, that he scouted +the idea that this meant anything more than a threat intended to +intimidate him, and he continued exerting his influence in the Republican +cause with his brethren, as had been his custom. Several warnings were +subsequently sent to him with no better effect, and it was finally decided +in the solemn conclave of the Camp, that he should receive the long +threatened “visitation.”</p> + +<p>On the 19th of September, 1870, Thompson retired to his bed between nine +and ten o’clock, as was his usual custom. His family consisted of his wife +and two children, all of whom occupied the same sleeping apartment. +Between eleven and twelve o’clock they were aroused from their slumbers by +the door being broken<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_35" id="Page_35">[Pg 35]</a></span> in with a tremendous crash, and before Thompson had +time to collect himself, he was rudely seized and dragged from his bed by +a number of men, armed and disguised, two of whom fired their revolvers +into the roof of the cabin, as a menace, and assured Thompson they would +turn the weapons upon him, if he offered the slightest resistance. His +wife and children were also dragged from their beds, being at the same +time severely struck by some members of the band, and told to remain +quiet.</p> + +<p>“In the name of the Lord, what is this?” asked Thompson, as soon as he +could command his voice.</p> + +<p>The response was a blow upon the head from the butt of a pistol, delivered +with a brutality that convinced him that he was in the hands of those to +whose hearts mercy was a stranger. He was then told to ask no questions, +and make no noise, but to dress himself and go with the band.</p> + +<p>His wife was subjected to the most revolting indecencies. The last garment +that covered her nakedness was wrenched from her person and torn into +shreds, leaving her utterly exposed to the malicious and lecherous eyes of +the intruders. She was then told “to get her rags on,” and go with the +party. The children terrified at seeing their parents thus brutally +assailed, uttered the most piercing screams, but were ordered to remain +behind and not leave the house, or they would be killed. The band started +out with their captives in the direction of the house of John and Samuel +Hogan, two white men who were known to be Republicans, and had thus +rendered themselves obnoxious to the Camp. They compelled the Hogans to +accompany them, and started for the woods, nearly a mile from Thompson’s +house.</p> + +<p>One Micajah Amerson, a colored man living near the scene of this outrage, +hearing the report of the fire arms, arose, and dressed himself, and +taking a shot gun, started<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_36" id="Page_36">[Pg 36]</a></span> for his son’s house on the Joseph Howell +plantation. Amerson was just in time to meet the band having Thompson and +his wife and the two Hogans in custody, and was at once seized and +compelled to go with the party. Amerson seems to be the only one of the +captives able or willing to give an intelligent account of what +subsequently transpired, which he did to the writer as follows:</p> + +<p>“I saw the company in the road, and knew they were the Ku Klux from their +disguises. I saw it was no use to try and get away from them, and one of +them told me to go along, at the same time striking me with a club. Edward +Thompson and his wife (colored), and John and Samuel Hogan, two white men, +were with them. Thompson said nothing but his wife moaned all the way on +the road to the woods. We went about a quarter of a mile into the woods, +and were then ordered to halt. When the halt was made, one of the band +gave a peculiar whistle, which was answered almost directly by a similar +sound. This proved to be the signal for the appearance of a party who was +addressed as the Captain, and who at once took charge of the proceedings.</p> + +<p>“I and the two white men were ordered to sit down, a pistol being placed +at our heads to enforce obedience. The colored man (Thompson) was then +told to strip himself naked. This he commenced very reluctantly to do, +begging for mercy, and asking what he was going to be whipped for. The +members of the band seemed to be enraged at this, and taking out their +knives, commenced cutting his clothes off, wounding him in several places. +The Captain then struck him a powerful blow with a gun, shattering the +stock and knocking Thompson senseless.</p> + +<p>“No one paid any attention to him as he lay upon the ground,—the Captain +and two or three of the band holding a consultation. The Captain then +asked for<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_37" id="Page_37">[Pg 37]</a></span> the “executioners.” Two men came forward and said: “Where are +the warrants?” At this another of the party produced two long leather +straps, and handing them to the two men, said: “Here they are.”</p> + +<p>“These two then commenced to beat Thompson and his wife in a dreadful +manner. The punishment on the wife was brief though cruel. That upon +Thompson was continued until the “executioner” was thoroughly exhausted. +He then handed the strap to another member of the band, who renewed the +assault with great fury. Thompson, at first, made no exclamations, but on +being struck in the more delicate parts of his body, screeched fearfully. +He was brought to his feet several times while the punishment was being +inflicted, only to be knocked down by the strap, and kicked by those who +were standing around him. The members of the band laughed at his agony and +said to the executioners: “Give it to the damned radical; learn the son of +a b...h to keep his piety and politics to himself; we’ll teach him how to +lead the niggers.”</p> + +<p>“Thompson finally ceased to scream. His body was a mass of blood, and he +appeared to be unconscious long before the beating was through with. I +thought he must be dead, but dared not say anything. When the executioners +had ceased, he lay perfectly still. One of the members said: “The d....d +skunk is playing possum.” He then jumped at Thompson, kicked him several +times in the side and back with great violence, and turning him over, +ground his boot heel in his face. He lay for a long time unconscious, and +was several times raised to his feet, but could not stand. His wife +continued to pray during a portion of the time, asking God to bring her +husband to life, and begging the Captain to spare him for the sake of his +family, and let her try and get him home.</p> + +<p>“The Captain finally said, she might do what she liked. It was easy to see +that Thompson could not<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_38" id="Page_38">[Pg 38]</a></span> live, but some of the band were not satisfied. +One of them called out:</p> + +<p>“‘Captain Smart, can I shoot the dirty radical?’ to which the Captain +replied:</p> + +<p>“‘No! the black son of a b....h is dead enough.’ The Captain then said to +me and the two white men:</p> + +<p>“‘Now, you take this for a warning, and if we ever hear of you divulging +anything about this, you may expect the same treatment.’</p> + +<p>“The white men and myself were then taken to the road, where we were met by +another party, also in disguise, making about forty in all. I was then +told to go to the Joseph Howell plantation, and remain there two hours, or +the rest of the band would take me and put me up the spout.</p> + +<p>“I done as directed, and returned to my own house about 6 o’clock in the +morning; I then went over to Thompson’s house, and found him dead. How he +came there, I do not know; I heard that his wife got him home, and that he +was not entirely dead, when he got there.”</p> + +<p>In addition to the testimony of Amerson, as to the terrible details of +this brutal murder, we have that of Mrs. Thompson and the two Hogans. Dr. +Mapp, a physician residing near Thompson, was called to see him, and at +the earnest entreaty of the wife dressed his wounds, although he saw that +the poor victim could not live possibly. He was literally beaten to a +jelly. One of his eyes had been forced completely out of its socket, and +he was otherwise almost totally unrecognizable.</p> + +<p>Elihu Horn, <i>alias</i> Capt. Smart, was known at the time as a respectable +member of society in Hamilton county, Fla., and a leader in the democratic +ranks in that vicinity, and violently opposed to the present +administration. He was determined that no one should preach what he was +pleased to term “the heresy of<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_39" id="Page_39">[Pg 39]</a></span> radicalism” in that county, and live, and +his threat was fully carried out upon the body of the unfortunate +Thompson.</p> + +<p>In the light of such an outrage, can any one, of whatever creed or faith, +question the policy of the suspension of the writ of habeas corpus and the +proclamation of martial law in such a community, or doubt the wisdom of +the executive head of the nation, in his efforts to suppress the unlawful +assemblages, who aspired to hold the life and liberty of our citizens in +the hollow of their hands, and annihilate the hopes of newly-made freemen, +by imposing upon them a bondage infinitely worse than that from which the +nation, through the blood of her sons, had but so recently released them?</p> + + +<p class="center"><br />BRUTAL WHIPPING OF A WHITE MAN FOR OPINION’S SAKE.</p> + +<p>Shortly after the outrage which resulted in the death of Edward Thompson, +a Mr. Driggers, residing in the county of Echols, and not far from where +Thompson had been murdered, received a warning from the Ku Klux Klan, that +he must change his political opinions, or leave the State.</p> + +<p>Mr. Driggers was a prominent republican, and had made no secret of his +political faith. He had freely expressed his opinions in that regard +whenever he desired to do so, and had steadily voted the republican, or +what was known to the Ku Klux as the radical, ticket. He was generally +esteemed among his fellows, and especially among the colored people, in +whose welfare he took a great interest, and this latter fact was deemed an +offense not to be tolerated by the defenders of the white man’s +government.</p> + +<p>Warning after warning was sent to him, and he was thus duly reminded, +that, unless he recanted, the fate<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_40" id="Page_40">[Pg 40]</a></span> of Thompson would surely be his; but, +he still regarded the matter as merely an idle threat, and time passed on +until the night of the 25th of August, 1871, when a party of five men, +armed, and disguised in black gowns and masks, visited his residence.</p> + +<p>Mr. Driggers at once divined the object of this visitation, and was +expostulating with the leader, when he was quickly overpowered and +stripped in the presence of his family, and beaten with straps similar to +those used upon Thompson.</p> + +<p>He was dreadfully punished about the head, face, and back, and was +informed by the Klan, that for the present they would accord him the mercy +to live, but, unless he left the county, they would return and kill him, +and destroy his property.</p> + +<p>From similar outrages that had been perpetrated in the vicinity, Mr. +Driggers was fully satisfied that this threat would be carried out to the +letter. He was familiar with the brutal details of Thompson’s death, and +was now convinced that the members of this terrible brotherhood would +respect neither color, social standing, or respectability, and at once +made hasty preparations, and abandoned his once happy home to become a +wanderer. The visitation upon him was made solely for political reasons. +He was a man that stood above reproach in the community, and no person +could be found in Echol county that could impugn his character as a man, a +gentleman, and an upright citizen. It was not contended that he had +committed any other offense than that of being a radical republican, who, +being too obstinate to change his politics, must be whipped into +renouncing a faith that he could not be argued out of.</p> + +<p>Is it any wonder that men who substitute brute force for argument, should +so strenuously object to the efforts of the executive officers to enforce +the law and bring order out of the chaos, into which<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_41" id="Page_41">[Pg 41]</a></span> their wild and +licentious acts have plunged the respective communities in which they +live? Thinking men will say “nay,” and will ask and demand that the policy +now being pursued by the administration shall be continued until the +supremacy of the law is fully established, and men of all shades of color +and political faith may “sit under their own vine and fig tree, with none +to molest or make them afraid.”</p> + +<p>Allen Wicker, William Smith, Butcher Smith, James King, and Lewis Kinsey, +all residents of Echol county, Ga., and members of the Camp that had +decided that Mr. Drigger must surrender his political opinions, leave his +home, or die, were the persons upon whom the officers of the United States +Secret Service fastened the guilt of this outrage.</p> + + +<p class="center"><br />AN APPALLING TRAGEDY.</p> +<p class="center">TERRIBLE DEATH OF A WHITE MAN IN WILKINSON COUNTY, GEORGIA.</p> + +<p>One of the most appalling tragedies ever resulting from the free +expression of political opinions, was that enacted at Irwinton, Wilkinson +county, Georgia, on the night of the 31st of August, 1871.</p> + +<p>For more than a year previous to this date, a white man, familiarly known +throughout the county as Sheriff Deason, had taken a very active part in +politics, having espoused the republican cause, as one might say, in the +very den of the lion himself, and standing almost alone, in what he +considered a contest for the right.</p> + +<p>Deason was a large, powerfully built, and muscular man, inured to hardship +from his youth, resolute in his purpose, tenacious of his principles, and +ready under all circumstances to expound them, whenever it seemed<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_42" id="Page_42">[Pg 42]</a></span> good to +him to do so. He was a man whose good nature was proverbial. He delighted +to get into the country grocery, and there, surrounded by an admiring +audience of colored men, and such of the whites as sympathized with him, +although secretly, express his opinion, that the principles of the +republican party were the only ones upon which a righteous government +could be founded, and which would eventually bring the ship of State +safely to a secure anchorage.</p> + +<p>Among his hearers were many of those who had sworn to uphold the “white +man’s government,” and who believed that Deason’s arguments were +calculated to damage their labors in this respect, but, bold as they were, +when in bands of twenty, armed and disguised, they assailed defenseless +men and helpless women, they dare not single handed to make even so much +as an utterance against his outspoken logic, and they writhed and twisted +under it in silence. They comprehended, however, that seeds were being +sown that would take root in the minds of thinking men, and produce +results which they did not desire to see accomplished.</p> + +<p>A formal presentation of Deason’s case was made to the Irwinton Camp of +the C. U. G., to which Order, at that time, two-thirds of the white +population of Wilkinson county belonged. As was usual in such cases, it +was decided to issue a warning to the intended victim, which was forthwith +done. Deason replied to it by pasting the warning upon the door of his +house, where it remained an ever present witness to the contempt in which +he held its authors, until it was washed away by the fall rains.</p> + +<p>This was regarded as an act of defiance upon Deason’s part, that could not +be overlooked. To add to this, he continued uttering his political views +with the same freedom as before, and it was resolved that he must be +stopped. This, however, was easier said than done; Deason was known to be +thoroughly armed, a<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_43" id="Page_43">[Pg 43]</a></span> man of undoubted courage, and a terrible opponent +when thoroughly aroused, although very quietly disposed when left to +himself.</p> + +<p>The Camp saw they had a serious subject to deal with, and for nearly a +year after the first warning, he was little less than a thorn in their +side. His example worked steadily upon thinking minds, and it was evident +that he must be put out of the way, as the only measure whereby the spread +of the peculiar political principles advocated by him could be stayed.</p> + +<p>A final warning was sent to him, the substance of which was, that he “must +leave the country, change his politics, or make up his mind to become +Buzzard Bait.” In the Conclave of the Klan, when this warning was directed +to be issued, it was announced that this was positively the last +opportunity that would be given Deason to repent of his ways, and that in +the event of its failure to bring him to a change of his views, or his +location, the full penalty attached to the “negro worshiper” would be +enforced. This, however, had no more effect than the previous warnings, +and his death was resolved upon.</p> + +<p>On the night of the 31st of August, 1871, twenty-five of the Klan who had +been selected by the Commander, armed and disguised themselves for the +purpose, and proceeded to Deason’s house on the outskirts of the place. +Deason had retired for the night, having carefully locked and barred his +doors and windows as usual. It was about midnight when he was aroused by a +heavy knock at his door. He arose from his bed and requested to know who +was there. The reply was a demand for him to come out and surrender +himself to the Klan.</p> + +<p>Deason responded to this with a defiant remark, telling them if they +wanted him, they must come and take him. The band then commenced battering +at the door, when Deason, placing his gun at a loop-hole<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_44" id="Page_44">[Pg 44]</a></span> which he had +previously prepared, discharged both barrels. It appears, however, from +some great misfortune to him, that neither of the shots produced any +damaging effect upon the assailing party. The band were somewhat +disconcerted at this, however, and withdrew a short distance from the +house and held a consultation.</p> + +<p>At the time of this visitation, Deason’s wife was away upon a visit, and +the only other person in the house was a colored woman who was a servant +in the family. She had already arisen and expressed her determination to +assist Deason in the fight, to the extent of her ability. The latter had +reloaded his gun and had just set it down when a sudden rushing noise, as +of men running, drew his attention, and in a second afterwards, the door +was crushed in by a joist, which the band, using as a battering ram, had +forced against it.</p> + +<p>The Klan poured in at once, and in full force. A terrible hand to hand +fight ensued. Deason fought with great desperation, as did the colored +woman. One after another of the Klan were stretched out upon the floor of +the cabin, but the odds were too great, and <ins class="correction" title="original: Deacon's">Deason’s</ins> immense strength +became exhausted under his tremendous exertions and the loss of blood +which he sustained. He finally sank down pierced with over-twenty bullet +and knife wounds, and died fighting to the last in the maintenance of the +principles he had so long and so earnestly advocated.</p> + +<p>The woman was soon dispatched, and the Klan then retired, taking their +wounded with them. Deason’s mutilated body was found the next morning on +the floor of the room in which he had met his dreadful fate, while that of +the woman was found doubled up in one corner of the apartment, as if she +had been thrown there like a bundle of worthless rags. The frontal bone of +the dead man’s head had been broken, and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_45" id="Page_45">[Pg 45]</a></span> the base of his skull crushed +in, apparently by a club. The body had been shot and stabbed in more than +twenty different places, and presented a most revolting spectacle.</p> + +<p>The facts of the double murder soon spread abroad, and were reported to a +Mr. Bush, coroner of Irwinton, and that gentleman, being a member of the +Camp that had ordered Deason’s death, empanelled a jury of his +fellow-brethren, and, according to his own confession, made since that +time, went through the form of an inquest, the result of which was a +verdict that the man Deason and the colored woman had met their death at +the hands of certain <i>colored</i> persons, to the jury unknown.</p> + +<p>The death of this noble martyr to the cause of truth, effected important +changes. There were signs of dissatisfaction among some portions of the +community, to whom the details of the awful tragedy had become known, and +it was necessary that some measures should be taken to appease the feeling +of indignation that was beginning to gain ground.</p> + +<p>The Grand Jury of the county was summoned to sit for the purpose of taking +some measures to suppress crime. Every member of the jury was a member of +the C. U. G., or Ku Klux Klan. Their first step was to issue an address to +the people of the county, stating that evidence had been brought before +them to show that certain negroes had been guilty of gross outrages in the +county, which all good men should deprecate, and calling upon the citizens +to look out for the evil doers. This had but little effect, however, other +than to confirm the few well-meaning ones in their former belief that +Wilkinson county was in the hands of men who would leave no measures +unturned, to drive out of it, every one known to differ from them +politically.</p> + +<p>Deason is not the first nor the last in the long <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_46" id="Page_46">[Pg 46]</a></span>procession of +illustrious martyrs who, in all ages of the world have forfeited their +lives in the maintenance of their principles. Unlettered, uncouth, +uncultivated in life, resolute and unyielding even in death, he stands +recorded upon the pages of this brief history, a noble and brilliant +example of the lineal descendants of those who came from the shores of a +distant continent, more than an hundred years ago, to seek that freedom of +thought, that civil and religious liberty that had been denied them at +home.</p> + +<p>Many such as he, now live and suffer in the deluded and misguided land of +his birth, and like him, have for years carried their lives in their +hands, for opinion’s sake. In the good Providence of an all-seeing +God—who has indeed imbued the present heads of the nation with the wisdom +necessary to appreciate the situation, and devise the appropriate +remedy—light begins to appear in the dark places, verifying the saying +that, “sooner or later, insulted virtue avenges itself on states as well +as on private individuals.”</p> + + +<p class="center"><br />THE MURDER OF BRINTON PORTER.</p> + +<p>While the Grand Jury were holding their sessions as previously stated, and +only a short time after Deason’s death, a band of twenty armed and +disguised men rode into Irwinton and murdered one Brinton Porter, an +intelligent citizen whose offense consisted like Deason’s in his having +disseminated Republican principles and voted the Republican ticket.</p> + +<p>Porter had received a warning similar to that sent to Deason, but had said +nothing about it, even to the members of his own family. After receiving +the warning he had neither openly expressed his radical views, nor made +recantation of his political faith, but as he had not left the country, as +the warning stated he must do, his doom was pronounced in the conclave of +the Camp, and it was ordered that he should die.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_47" id="Page_47">[Pg 47]</a></span>On the 8th of September, 1871, after concluding the business of the day, +and taking tea with his family, Mr. Porter left the family table, and, +taking a chair, went out to his door stoop. His only child, a daughter of +tender years, accompanied him and sat at his feet. He saw the band of +disguised men approaching the house, and deeming himself in danger, +immediately arose and was in the act of entering the house when he fell +across the threshold pierced by half a dozen bullets, which had been +discharged at him by the Klan. The child escaped unhurt. The Klan seeing +they had accomplished their purpose, wheeled around and with derisive +yells passed out of the town at a sharp trot.</p> + +<p>The agony of Porter’s family beggars description. A wife widowed, and a +child orphaned in a moment, because their natural protector had assumed +the right guaranteed to him by the Constitution and the laws, to exercise +the elective franchise according to his own opinion, and the dictates of +his own conscience. Can one believe, that in the civilization of the 19th +century, and upon the American continent, the boasted refuge for the +down-trodden, and the oppressed of all nations, such a scene as that above +related could be enacted in the broad light of day, and the whole +community not rise up against it? Alas, for the degradation to which +political bigotry and a disregard of law, reduces a people, it is only too +true.</p> + +<p>The data upon which this truthful narration <ins class="correction" title="original: of of">of</ins> the murder of Brinton +Porter is founded, is a matter of record in the archives of the +Government. The facts can neither be gainsaid nor palliated. It is to be +hoped that the firm policy of the present administration may bring the +people of the community in which Porter lived to such a sense of the great +injustice done among them, that they will rally to aid the Government, in +bursting the bands thrown about them by the subtletry of their own +unprincipled leaders, and stand<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_48" id="Page_48">[Pg 48]</a></span> shoulder to shoulder with those who are +doing all that human wisdom can devise to restore order and harmony, and +promote prosperity and happiness among the people.</p> + + +<p class="center"><br />EXTERMINATING THE NEGRO RACE.</p> + +<p class="center"><i>Fiendish Designs of the Ku Klux of Wilkinson County.</i></p> + +<p class="center">THE EMASCULATION OF HENRY LOWTHER.</p> + +<p>In some parts of Wilkinson County, there seemed to be a disposition to +destroy every member of the colored race who should be found voting the +radical ticket.</p> + +<p>It was contended that scourgings and general maltreatment had not produced +satisfactory results; and, on the other hand, blood was accumulating on +the heads of the Klan, too fast even for their blunted consciences. Still +the war must go on in some way, and something must be done to destroy the +little leaven that bid fair to “leaven the whole lump.” The subject was +discussed in the conclave of the Camp, and it was finally decided that a +more effectual way could be devised to accomplish the extermination of the +colored race than either by whipping or murder. This was the fiendish +resolve to castrate every negro who was guilty of radical proclivities, +and who voted the radical ticket, a design worthy alone of the men who +originated it.</p> + +<p>In that county, and at that particular time, there were many colored men +known as Republicans; and an opportunity was speedily afforded the Klan, +to carry out this terrible species of cruelty; a greater crime against +nature than all the others since it looked to the entire destruction of +the species.</p> + +<p>There had been, for sometime previous to September, 1871, a colored man in +Wilkinson County, by the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_49" id="Page_49">[Pg 49]</a></span> name of Henry Lowther. This person was favorably +known among the negroes of the county, and expended a good deal of his +leisure time in going from place to place, and talking Republican +sentiments to members of his race, and urging them to vote the Republican +ticket, as the only means of maintaining their right to freedom.</p> + +<p>Previous to the dreadful visitation which subsequently came upon him, he +had voted the Republican ticket upon two occasions, and had expressed his +intentions to continue on in his political course in the future.</p> + +<p>This had roused the indignation of the Ku Klux Camp at Irwinton beyond +measure. A meeting of the Klan was called in which the edict was +promulgated, that since Lowther would not abandon the propagation of his +political opinions, he should be deprived of the power to propagate his +race, and further, that he should receive no “warning” in the matter, but +be proceeded against summarily, and “at once” was the time fixed for this +outrage. Lowther had been followed all the day previous, and just after +dusk was seized and thrown into a carriage, and driven rapidly away to the +woods near Irwinton, by four men armed and disguised. While in the +carriage, he was told that if he moved or made any resistance, his life +would pay the forfeit; but that, otherwise, it would be spared.</p> + +<p>Upon arriving at the woods, he was taken out of the carriage, and found +himself in the midst of nearly one hundred persons. Notwithstanding the +promise made by his first captors, he supposed his time had arrived and +begged for his life. He was then told that he would not be killed, if he +did not make too much resistance; that he had been preaching too much +politics, and they intended to fix all the d—d radical breeders in the +country; and had made up their minds to begin on him. Lowther did not +fully comprehend<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_50" id="Page_50">[Pg 50]</a></span> them at first, but soon learned the awful significance +of the words.</p> + +<p>His arms were then firmly pinioned, and he was thrown upon the ground +where he was tightly held by several of the band, and castrated in a most +rude and brutal manner, begging piteously and writhing under the pains +inflicted by his tormentors. After the operation had been performed, he +was unpinioned and asked if he knew the residence of any doctors and on +his replying that he did, he was told to go for one as he valued his life; +and further, that if he ever voted the radical ticket again, or influenced +any one else to do so, he should suffer death. Although shockingly +mutilated and bleeding from the dreadful manner in which he had been +treated, Lowther started to find a physician. Three different surgeons +were applied to before he found one sufficiently humane to afford him +assistance in dressing his wounds.</p> + +<p>It was several weeks before the unfortunate negro was in a condition to +walk about. The facts coming to the ears of the officers of the U. S. +secret service, they made diligent search for Lowther, whom they learned +dared not complain of his treatment for fear of death; and having found +and assured him of protection, he made affidavit to the facts as above set +forth, affirming that, with other parties who instigated and consummated +this outrage, were Eli Cummings, the Mayor of Irwinton, Lewis Peacock, +then Sheriff of Wilkinson County, and others of equal prominence. Shall it +be said after this that only the ignorant and uninfluential whites are +engaged in the gross outrages charged upon the Southern community? and +that there is no need there of the rigorous enforcement of the laws to +secure to the well-meaning citizen, black and white, the security for life +and property denied them under the rule of the lawless mob?</p> + + +<p> </p><p> </p> +<hr style="width: 50%;" /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_51" id="Page_51">[Pg 51]</a></span></p> +<p class="center"><span class="huge">OUTRAGES</span><br />BY THE<br /><span class="giant">KU KLUX KLAN.</span></p> + +<p class="note"><span class="smcap">Persecution of the Furguson Family for Opinion’s Sake.—Aged Women and +Young Girls Stripped Naked, and Brutally Whipped.—An Awful History.</span></p> + +<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="5" summary="table"> +<tr><td><i>For whereas my father put a heavy yoke upon you,<br /> +I will put more to your yoke:<br /> +My father chastised you with whips,<br /> +But I will chastise you with scorpions.</i><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 12em;"><span class="smcap">II Chronicles</span>, X, 11.</span></td></tr></table> + + +<p><br />The terrible narration that here ensues shows more conclusively, perhaps, +than any that has preceded it, the extent of the moral degradation to +which the community in which it was enacted was so surely and steadily +drifting. It would seem that the authors of the outrage had forgotten that +they were born of mothers, who had nursed them tenderly in infancy, or +that there were any longer left in the bosoms of women those feelings of +virtue and modesty usually ascribed to and found in the sex, and the +writer will here premise that the facts herein contained, dreadful though<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_52" id="Page_52">[Pg 52]</a></span> +they are in their disgusting details, have been verified beyond cavil or +the hope of questioning.</p> + +<p>Just previous to the breaking out of the rebellion, Dennis Furguson, an +intelligent and hard-working white man, resided with his family in Chatham +county, North Carolina. The family consisted of himself, his wife +Catherine, a daughter, Susan J. Furguson, and three sons, John, Henry and +Daniel. The head of the household was one of the few devoted Unionists who +were thoroughly opposed to the principles then being disseminated by those +who were endeavoring to plunge the country into a civil war, and exerted +all his influence to avoid the great catastrophe.</p> + +<p>Mr. Furguson was known as being favorable to the Republicans, and had +voted in the interest of the principles of the party of that name, +whenever opportunity had offered. He had educated his children in a love +of the Union, and taught them the blessings of civil and religious liberty +with their evening prayers, and had succeeded in imbuing them with his own +opinions to such an extent that the family became noted throughout Chatham +county as Unionists and Radicals.</p> + +<p>At the breaking out of the war, Furguson determined to remain a +non-combatant, seeking as far as possible not to render himself obnoxious +to his neighbors, but resolving at the same time to maintain a neutral +position. In this, however, he was doomed to a bitter disappointment, +being conscripted into the rebel army and sent to the front. He was taken +prisoner at Fort Caswell, N. C., and was sent to Elmira, N. Y., where he +died, never having seen his family from the night he was so rudely torn +from their embrace, and compelled to serve in the army of the rebellion.</p> + +<p>Neither this great calamity, nor the numerous other hardships suffered by +this family for opinion’s sake, could shake their firm adherence to the +Union cause.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_53" id="Page_53">[Pg 53]</a></span> The daughter was a beautiful girl, of great natural +intelligence, but who had been wholly without the advantages of an +education. She was attached to her father with a rare devotion, and +believed it to be a filial duty, which she owed to his memory, to continue +to enunciate the principles in which he had so thoroughly instructed her. +His conscription had strengthened rather than weakened these sentiments, +and she publicly spoke of his death as chargeable to the wicked designs of +the men who had endeavored to overturn and destroy the country.</p> + +<p>At the time of the organization of the first Camp of the “Constitutional +Union Guards,” or Ku Klux Klan, in Chatham county, Susan Furguson was in +her eighteenth year. Her case was the first one brought to the +consideration of the Camp; but no special action was taken thereon until +it was observed that the sons were following in the footsteps of the +father, and were advocating the same principles of Unionism and +Republicanism that he had taught them. They also learned that Miss +Furguson lost no opportunity to express her convictions to the colored +people with whom she came in contact, and in their eyes her course became +intolerable.</p> + +<p>During the October of 1870, the case of the Furguson family was again +brought before the Camp as a flagrant violation of the principles of the +white man’s government, and it was resolved that an example should be made +of them. A warning was sent to the family to renounce their political +faith, and cease the promulgation of their opinions, or leave the country. +To this, and subsequent warnings of a similar character, no attention was +paid, and an edict was finally issued by the Commander of the Camp, to +have some, if not all the members of the family, scourged.</p> + +<p>On the night of the 10th of November, 1870, the Furgusons retired to bed +at about 10 o’clock. The<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_54" id="Page_54">[Pg 54]</a></span> family was then composed of the widow, Mrs. +Catherine Furguson, the daughter Susan, and the three sons. Between eleven +and twelve o’clock, the attention of the daughter was called to a noise +outside the house, resembling the tramp of horses’ feet, and the running +of men. In a moment afterwards, a voice shouted, “Open the door.” The +daughter arose hastily, threw a wrapper over her person, and went to the +door and asked, “Who is there?”</p> + +<p>The response to this was another command, delivered in more peremptory +tones than at first—“Open the door!” and on her refusing to comply +therewith, the frail structure was broken in, and a man, disguised beyond +all hope of recognition, sprang into the apartment, confronting the girl +with a most terrible oath.</p> + +<p>In the dim glare of the candle which Miss Furguson had lighted, and now +held above her head, this hideous looking object presented an appearance +well calculated to terrify a stouter heart. A long black gown hung over +his person to his knees, and his legs were encased in huge army boots, +ornamented with a brace of iron spurs. Over his face was a black mask, +with apertures for the eyes, nose, and mouth, and around these were drawn +ghastly circles of white and red, rendering the face of the figure +exceedingly repulsive. On his breast was the representation of a human +skull worked in white, on a black ground, and surrounded with grotesque +figures worked in red. His head was surmounted with a high conical-shaped +black hat, on which were curious figures worked in white, and edged with +red and yellow.</p> + +<p>He commenced his interrogations by asking Miss Furguson if she had ever +seen a <span class="smcap">Ku Klux</span>; to which the brave girl replied she never had, nor did she +wish to, unless it were more comely than he. This seemed to enrage him, +and turning to the door, he shouted, “Come in!” A horde of twenty men, +similarly <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_55" id="Page_55">[Pg 55]</a></span>disguised, rushed into the room, and the indecent orgies +commenced.</p> + +<p>The mother and the three brothers had remained in bed, at the earnest +request of the sister, but were speedily dragged from their resting place. +Daniel was the first one assailed. His night clothes were torn from him in +myriads of pieces, leaving him in an entirely nude state. He was then +thrown down upon the floor, and stretched out at full length; four of the +band seizing and holding him fast while two others came forward and +administered to him upwards of an hundred lashes on the naked person, +drawing the blood at every blow, and raising the quivering flesh in great +ridges upon his back and limbs. The boy fainted under the terrible +punishment, and was then thrown aside to make room for his brothers, Henry +and John, who were each castigated in an equally severe manner.</p> + +<p>John Furguson, who was more delicate than his brothers, uttered such +piercing shrieks, as the heavy gum switches descended upon his back and +loins, that his sister became almost insane. In her terrible agony she +sprang upon the leader, and before she could be prevented, tore off his +mask, and, to her horror and amazement, disclosed the face of Richard +Taylor, one of her nearest neighbors, to whom she had often, since the +death of her father, gone for advice and counsel. Taylor threw her rudely +to the floor and replaced his mask as quickly as possible. The girl was +severely stunned by the fall, but as soon as she recovered, cried out, “I +know you, Dick Taylor, and I will have you punished for what you have done +this night.”</p> + +<p>Taylor immediately discharged his revolver at her, but, in the dim light +shed over the room by the candle, and the excitement of the moment, shot +wide of the object. He then exclaimed, with an oath, “If you move again, I +will kill you dead; and if I ever hear of your telling anybody of this +affair, we will come back and kill you all.”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_56" id="Page_56">[Pg 56]</a></span>Turning to Mrs. Furguson, he said, “Now, you take your folks and leave +this country. If you are not gone in ten days, we will be here again and +you shall all die.”</p> + +<p>During the entire time of this whipping the three sons, two of them men +grown, were completely naked, and when the mother and daughter sought to +avert their heads from the shameful spectacle, they were ordered to turn +them back again on pain of instant death, the command being enforced with +pistols presented at their heads, by the hands of men whom they now felt +assured would not hesitate to use them if ordered.</p> + +<p>Having issued the edict for the family to leave the country or suffer +death, the gallant defenders of the “white man’s government” and the +protectors of the “white man’s race” departed.</p> + +<p>For more than three weeks succeeding this visitation, the Furguson +brothers were confined to their beds, and the mother and daughter nursed +their wounds, and labored for their support with untiring energy. During +these three weeks Susan Furguson had spread the news of the outrage to all +parts of Chatham County, characterizing the attack upon them as brutal and +savage—a crime that, if left unpunished by men, would surely be punished +by the hand of the Lord. She applied to the Justices of the Peace for +relief, stated that she recognized Dick Taylor, and George and Joseph +Blaylock, citizens of the place, as being present on the night of the +assault, and participating therein, and would make her affidavit to the +facts, and support it with undeniable testimony.</p> + +<p>She was everywhere laughed to scorn. The few who sympathized with her and +her family, dared not give expression to their thoughts for fear of a +similar fate. Chatham County was in the hands of the Ku Klux; a reign of +terror had been inaugurated there; the mob had made laws for themselves, +and justice was not to be had.</p> + + +<p class="center"><br /><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_57" id="Page_57">[Pg 57]</a></span>AN AGED WOMAN WHIPPED UPON HER NAKED PERSON.</p> + +<p>On the fourth week after the visitation above recorded, and just when the +Furguson brothers had about recovered from the effects of the brutal +whipping, and were able to attend to their ordinary duties, the family +were subjected to a second raid, far more revolting and indecent in its +character than the first, and such as the sensitive mind naturally recoils +from the contemplation of. The details are given here with a strict +adherence to the truth, all the facts herein set forth having been +personally verified to the writer by the sufferers themselves.</p> + +<p>On the night of the 11th of December, 1870, Susan Furguson, and a young +man named Eli Phillips, who had long known, and loved, and sympathized +with her, were sitting before the fire in the room which had been the +scene of the former outrage; the other members of the family, with the +exception of John Furguson, had retired to bed.</p> + +<p>Mrs. Furguson, the mother, was in very delicate health, caused by the +shock produced by the visitation of the Klan four weeks previous, and the +labor consequent upon nursing and caring for her sons. One of the +brothers, Daniel, lay stricken with a fever that had prostrated him two +days before, and was in an almost helpless condition.</p> + +<p>About ten o’clock in the evening, the doors upon both sides of the house +were broken in simultaneously, without previous warning, and a band of +men, armed and disguised as before, and much larger in numbers, rushed +into the room, uttering the most demoniac yells. A portion of the number +proceeded directly to the bed where the mother was lying, terror-stricken +and paralyzed from fear at their approach, and after first charging her +with having exposed their former visit, dragged her from the bed and threw +her<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_58" id="Page_58">[Pg 58]</a></span> violently to the floor. They then stood her up, and ordered her to +remove her night dress and chemise. This she refused to do, pointing to +her gray hairs and imploring mercy in the name of God, and for the sake of +the mothers who had borne them.</p> + +<p>Her appeals were made in vain. At the order of the Commander, the members +commenced tearing off the only garments that concealed her nakedness, and +this with the most shocking brutality. The daughter, maddened by the +sight, rushed upon the assailants, but was anticipated by other members of +the band, with whom she had a severe struggle, displacing the masks of +four of them enough to enable her to recognize their faces.</p> + +<p>She was quickly overpowered, and then beheld her mother completely naked, +her brother John bleeding profusely from the blow of a club, and her +brother Henry and the young man Phillips firmly secured.</p> + +<p>The mother was then thrown upon the floor and there securely held, while +two of the band beat her with twisted sticks, administering upwards of one +hundred blows upon various parts of her person, and bandying the most +obscene remarks and jests in relation to her. The daughter plead for her +mother most eloquently, she informed them that she was in delicate health, +and might die under the punishment, but this had no effect upon the +executioners. The interest of the “white man’s race” was at stake, and +they had sworn to uphold the “white man’s government,” and would not stay +their hands.</p> + +<p>Having chastised the mother until there seemed but little life left, they +commanded John and Henry, and the young man Phillips, to remove their +clothes, and upon their refusing to do so, tore them off until not a +vestige was left upon their persons. They were then whipped one after +another, with great severity, the beating of John being so terrible that +his life was despaired of for several days afterwards. The bed upon which<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_59" id="Page_59">[Pg 59]</a></span> +the helpless and fever-stricken Daniel lay, was knocked down from under +him, and his already infirm body bruised and lacerated without stint. It +was indeed “a chastisement with scorpions;” but the most indecent +spectacle was reserved to the last.</p> + + +<p class="center"><br />OUTRAGE UPON A YOUNG GIRL.</p> +<p class="center">SHE IS WHIPPED IN A NUDE STATE IN THE PRESENCE OF THIRTY MEN.</p> + +<p>The girl Susan, whose bravery and devotion to her family should have +challenged the admiration of these lawless marauders, instead of drawing +upon her their contempt, was next ordered to disrobe. Overwhelmed and +confused at the merest thought, even, of such indignity, she could hardly +command herself sufficiently to speak her denials; as soon as she did, she +utterly refused to comply with the order.</p> + +<p>The more lecherous and brutal of the band sprang upon and threw her to the +floor, with no more regard for her person than if she had been a brute, +whom they were leading to slaughter. They stretched her out at full +length, and took her measure, as an intimation that they were going to dig +her grave.</p> + +<p>“We will put her and her radical lies where she can’t enjoy their good +company, without further trouble,” said one. This was responded to by +another, who, with a coarse oath, ejaculated, “Six foot under ground makes +a good place for solitary confinement, by ——.”</p> + +<p>The work of “taking the measure” having been completed, Miss Furguson, +already suffering from the indelicate treatment she had received, was then +allowed to rise, and again ordered to divest herself of her clothes. “Is +it possible,” she asked, “that you will submit <i>me</i> to such an outrage?” +She had never conceived it possible these men, depraved as they were,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_60" id="Page_60">[Pg 60]</a></span> +would really carry out a threat against which her whole nature revolted. +The reply was a sardonic laugh. The band had learned where the punishment +would sting the most, and they meant to apply it and spare not.</p> + +<p>For the first time in all her hated experience with these desperate men, +she faltered and felt her courage failing her. To the high-toned and +sensitive spirit of this brave and beautiful girl, there was something in +this contemplated exposure of her person far more torturing than any +number of lashes, however mercilessly inflicted. Death itself were a +thousand times preferable, and, for the first moment in all her life, she +felt like supplicating for mercy. Her hands dropped nervously and +motionless at her side, and the stout-hearted heroine of the previous +hour, stood in the presence of her persecutors almost stricken dumb with +shame and confusion.</p> + +<p>There was no sympathy in the glaring eyes that peered with lustful and +revengeful fires from behind the hideous masks of their tormentors; no +sentiment of pity, no hope, no help. She was given but little time to +decide. They fell upon her like hungry wolves famishing for their prey, +tearing one garment off after another, she resisting with all the strength +she could command, and entreating them to take her life, if they must, but +to spare her this last indignity.</p> + +<p>Neither her piteous appeals nor her stubborn resistance availed her, and +she lay upon the hard floor at last, naked as when born into the world, +ashamed, degraded, broken in spirit, and her maidenly feelings outraged +beyond any power of description. Four of the defenders of the “white man’s +race” seized her limbs and arms; stretched them to their fullest tension, +and placing their knees thereon, held her brutally and forcibly to the +floor. Her punishment was to be terrible.</p> + +<p>The “executioners” were called, and five of the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_61" id="Page_61">[Pg 61]</a></span> band came forward. +“Number one!” shouted the leader, and a stalwart member of the Klan that +had sworn to uphold the “white man’s government,” raising his knotted +strap in the air, brought it down upon the naked person of the helpless +girl with the terrible force of his muscular arm, cutting through the +delicate white skin and causing the blood to spurt at every stroke. He +administered thirty lashes, and was succeeded by “number two” and “number +three,” until, as the witnesses state, one hundred and fifty lashes had +been administered, and her shoulders, loins, and limbs, were literally cut +into mince meat.</p> + +<p>Her screams had ceased, and her unoffending body lay still and motionless +long before the punishment had ended. There was something in her young +heart far beyond the dread cruelty of this infliction, and she inwardly +prayed to God for death, to end her mental and bodily suffering. Lying +under this great mountain of sorrow and shame, she heeded not the rude and +obscene observations of her tormentors; and the unconsciousness produced +by the punishment, soon placed her beyond the power to listen to them.</p> + +<p>Leaving her as one dead, and issuing the edict that if the family did not +leave the country, it would be “<i>death!</i> <span class="smcaplc">DEATH!</span> DEATH!” to all, the band +departed.</p> + +<p>Thousands of honest hearts of all shades of political opinions, upon +perusing this truthful narration, will feel to wish that they could have +been present with power at this time to have utterly destroyed this band +of midnight raiders; but, let them remember the words of holy writ, +“Vengeance is mine, saith the Lord, I will repay”.... “Neither their +silver nor their gold shall be able to deliver them in the day of the +Lord’s wrath: but the whole land shall be devoured by the fire of his +jealousy, for he shall make even a speedy riddance of all them that dwell +in the land.”</p> + +<p>It was an hour after the departure of the band, <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_62" id="Page_62">[Pg 62]</a></span>before any of the party +exhibited evidences of life or animation. Henry Furguson, and the young +man Phillips, were the first to come to a realizing consciousness of the +awful scenes through which they had just passed. Wounded and bleeding as +they were, they felt the necessity for immediate action. The mother and +daughter still lay upon the floor, naked, lacerated and motionless. John +Furguson had fainted from the loss of blood he had sustained, and was +still unconscious, while Daniel was lying amid the debris of the bed, +groaning in the agony of the fever, and the wounds upon his body.</p> + +<p>Hastily gathering up the dresses of the women, and throwing them over +their nude bodies, the young men lifted them tenderly to the bed, and gave +them such attention as they felt able to bestow. The remaining members of +the family were cared for as well as the circumstances permitted. Not a +doctor could be had in the vicinity, who was not in sympathy with the +Klan, and not a neighbor came to their assistance, although fully aware of +their distressed condition. The neglect of the neighbors was in no way +attributable to their indifference or their inhumanity. It was one of the +legitimate results of the feeling of terror that then pervaded the +community. A show of sympathy towards these unfortunates, they feared, +would place them under the ban, and subject them to a visitation, and they +dared not incur the risk.</p> + +<p>In ten days another warning came to the Furgusons, that they must leave +the country within twenty-four hours, or the penalty of death would surely +be inflicted. They knew this warning must be heeded, and with broken +hearts and crushed spirits, they crawled out into the woods, under cover +of the darkness, and secreted themselves as they best could.</p> + +<p>In an interview held with the writer, subsequent to this last outrage, +Miss Furguson stated that the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_63" id="Page_63">[Pg 63]</a></span> weather, at this time, was cold and +disagreeable, sometimes frosting and sometimes raining; that they had to +lie out without a shelter, and suffered with the cold and hunger, +sometimes going twenty-four hours without food. Occasionally the neighbors +gave them something to eat, and finally the unfortunate wanderers sold to +them the right to what furniture they had left behind in the house, and +thus procured something upon which to subsist.</p> + +<p>She stated further, that they were in the woods nearly a month, and that +as soon as they were able to travel they left the vicinity and procured a +home with a Mr. Dixon, on the lower edge of Chatham county.</p> + +<p>An affidavit, based upon the statements of this young lady, was made +before the Hon. A. W. Schaffer, U. S. Commissioner at Raleigh, N. C., on +the 8th day of September, 1871. It charged the men, recognized by this +girl, as being present and concerned in the outrages above related. +Warrants were issued, and the officers of the U. S. Secret Service went to +Chatham county and arrested the parties and brought them before the +Commissioner. The more wealthy and influential members of the Klan rallied +to their rescue, became their bondsmen, and they were released to await +trial.</p> + +<p>Miss Furguson’s description of the dreadful indignities to which she and +the other members of the family were subjected, was of the most graphic +and thrilling character, and aroused the sympathies of many who heard it.</p> + +<p>The defenders of the “white man’s government” were alone amazed and +enraged at the persistency and courage of this young girl of the “white +man’s race,” and they determined to ferret her out and punish her again. +In this they were successful, although for greater safety, the family had +broken up, and the mother and daughter had secreted themselves, as<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_64" id="Page_64">[Pg 64]</a></span> they +supposed, beyond the knowledge of their persecutors.</p> + +<p>On the night of the 20th of September, 1871, three men, armed and +disguised, and who had been detailed by the Camp for the purpose, appeared +suddenly before the miserable hut in which these unfortunates had taken +refuge. An entrance was easily effected, and the women were told that +their doom was sealed, and they were to be whipped to death.</p> + +<p>These three protectors of the “white man’s race,” then fell upon the +women, beating them brutally. Susan recognized one of them, by his voice, +as a man named Jesse Dixon, whom she knew. The moment she called his name, +the three ran away, leaving their victims, who passed the remnant of the +night in the woods.</p> + +<p>On the following day, the mother and daughter made their way to Raleigh, +where fresh complaints were entered, and the Secret Service officers, +armed with warrants, went out and succeeded in capturing two of the +murderous assailants, who were brought in and held for trial. Mrs. +Furguson and her daughter were then retained in the city as witnesses, at +the expense of the government, and to protect them from further outrages.</p> + +<p>Susan J. Furguson, the heroine of the terrible experiences above related, +is now twenty-one years of age. She is a girl of commanding presence, is +endowed with a powerful constitution, great energy and force of character, +and an indomitable spirit. Her P. O. address is “Snow Camp Foundry, +Chatham Co., N. C.,” where herself and other members of the family can be +found, in verification of the facts above related.</p> + +<p>There are few narrations in the annals of “persecutions for opinion’s +sake,” more shocking in their inhuman details than the foregoing; +certainly, none that cry with a louder and more earnest voice to the +government,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_65" id="Page_65">[Pg 65]</a></span> and the right-minded people of the country, for help for +those who have been the subjects thereof.</p> + +<p>No amount of retributive justice can erase one solitary scar from the +knout-welted bodies of the Furgusons, or remove from their spirits the +dreadful memory of their disgrace; but to those who went forth to battle +in the days of “The Nation’s Peril,” who stood shoulder to shoulder amid +the roar of cannon, and, in vindication of the right, successfully +withstood the shock of rebellious armies, it must ever remain a matter of +profound gratification that the victories <i>then</i> achieved in the field are +<i>now</i> being perpetuated in such a firm and vigorous enforcement of the +laws as will have a tendency to make them substantial ones in the +repression of any and all such outrages in the future.</p> + + +<p class="center"><br />GEORGE W. ASHBURN.</p> +<p class="center">SHOT TO DEATH FOR OPINION’S SAKE.</p> + +<p>The shocking murder of this gentleman is still fresh in the minds of most +readers of the daily journals, North and South. Mr. Ashburn was a sterling +patriot, who entertained radical opinions, and through his fluency and +ability, as well as his outspoken friendliness towards the colored race, +had gained their confidence and support alike, with that of the Republican +whites of the vicinity.</p> + +<p>He was a member of the Constitutional Convention of Georgia which met at +Columbus, in the winter of 1867-8, and during his stay there, was refused +admittance as a guest at the principal hotels of the place on account of +the political prejudice existing against him. He occupied private rooms +upon one of the main streets of the city, where he lived in an +unostentatious and unpretending manner.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_66" id="Page_66">[Pg 66]</a></span>He was a man of extraordinary natural talents, a good speaker, of fair +educational qualifications, and a most earnest defender and supporter of +true Republican principles. On all occasions, and wherever he appeared, to +discuss the political situation of the trying times he moved in, he spoke +his sentiments unreservedly. He was far from ever having been a huckster +or trickster in politics, but he was fearless and able, and his enemies +doomed him!</p> + +<p>At midnight, on the 31st day of March, 1868, a band of about forty men, +who were armed and thoroughly disguised, made their appearance in an open +lot of ground near his residence, and just opposite his private quarters. +He had gone to bed in his room, and the door was just closed, when a +summons from without called the servant, who opened it, and the Klan burst +into the hall. Mr. Ashburn heard the noise, sprang out of bed, struck a +light, and opened the door of his sleeping apartment. He did not fear +death at the hands of these intruders, but he was alarmed at the rude +demonstrations they made, and demanded to know what was their purpose.</p> + +<p>With an oath and a brief exclamation of unwarrantable abuse, the foremost +members of the Klan immediately fired upon and shot him down in his tracks +like a dog. A white and colored woman in the house recognized three or +four of the leading assailants, whom they subsequently identified, and +these were among the first residents of the city of Columbus. The names of +these parties, whose identity was sworn to, and who were afterwards placed +on trial, are as follows:</p> + +<p>Elisha J. Kirksey, Columbus C. Bedell, James W. Barber, William A. Duke, +Robert Hudson, William D. Chipley, Alva C. Roper, James L. Wiggins, Robert +A. Wood, Henry Hennis, Herbert W. Blair, and Milton Malone.</p> + +<p>The morning after the assassination, a coroner’s jury<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_67" id="Page_67">[Pg 67]</a></span> was summoned, and, +as was usual in such cases, the verdict of these men—who were all members +of the Ku Klux Klan—was, that Mr. Ashburn came to his death “from wounds +received from parties to the jury unknown.” The local authorities made a +faint show of investigating the matter, but really did nothing towards +actually ferreting out and bringing to justice the murderers.</p> + +<p>This outrage was so revolting in its inception and consummation, that the +military authorities considered it right that they should undertake to do +what the local police and citizens of Columbus had apparently been so +indifferent in performing.</p> + +<p>In the then condition of affairs nobody dared to appear against the +suspected parties, and consequently witnesses could not be had in the +ordinary way.</p> + +<p>At this juncture General Geo. G. Meade, then in command of the Military +Department there—for the State of Georgia was at this time under martial +law—telegraphed to Gen. Grant, in Washington, that he desired the +services of a competent and able detective to assist in bringing the +guilty parties to justice. A second dispatch was sent by Gen. Meade, +requesting that Col. H. C. Whitley, of the United States Internal Revenue +service (then absent under Department orders in Kansas), should be +directed to report to him in person for the duty indicated. In pursuance +of this request Col. Whitley went to Columbus and commenced his labors, +which resulted in the arrest of the parties above named.</p> + +<p>A military commission was at once convened to try the accused. The +witnesses for the Government gave their testimony in a <ins class="correction" title="original: straighforward">straightforward</ins> +manner, their evidence being fully corroborated by that of the people in +the house where the deed had been consummated, and the conviction of the +parties seemed inevitable.</p> + +<p>The citizens of Columbus raised a hue and cry; the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_68" id="Page_68">[Pg 68]</a></span> local newspapers +sharply criticized the proceedings; a furore of excitement was engendered; +the ablest legal counsel to be had for the defence, with Alexander H. +Stephens at the head, were engaged, and large sums of money were expended +in behalf of the prisoners.</p> + +<p>All parties were astounded, however, at the evidence which was produced +against the accused. Its preparation showed a skill and ingenuity such as +had never before been exhibited in working up a case before the courts of +the district, and it was necessary that some measures should be devised to +save the participants in the fearful tragedy from their justly merited +punishment.</p> + +<p>This could only be accomplished in one way—by the adoption of the 14th +Amendment to the Constitution of the United States, it being a clause in +the law that, upon the adoption of this amendment by the legislature of +any State, all cases of civilians pending before military tribunals +organized in said State, should be taken cognizance of by the civil courts +therein.</p> + +<p>The Democratic members of the Georgia Legislature were between two fires; +the 14th Amendment was a bitter pill, but the necks of their confreres +were in danger, and they were compelled to vote solid with the +Republicans, and thus end the proceedings before the military tribunal. By +this means, the trials of the Ashburn murderers were taken out of the +hands of the military authorities, the prisoners put under bail, the +witnesses compelled to flee for their lives, and there the matter rests.</p> + +<p>To the unobserving mind the murder of George W. Ashburn would seem totally +unavenged; but to him who sees in every great event the hand of an +over-ruling Providence, evolving good from evil, a different conclusion +must be arrived at. In his life, he fought manfully for the establishment +of civil rights, and the political equality of the oppressed race of which +he<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_69" id="Page_69">[Pg 69]</a></span> was the chosen champion. In his death that result was consummated, in +the State of Georgia, sooner perhaps by years than it would otherwise have +been without this sacrifice. “Wherever a few great minds have made a stand +against violence and fraud in the cause of liberty and reason,” there +shall we find just such sacrifices as this, and there, too, “in the +eternal fitness of things” and the onward march of law and the +establishment of order, shall we find the triumphal vindication of those +principles for which the republic has labored and travailed, and George W. +Ashburn died.</p> + + +<p class="center"><br />A THRILLING NARRATIVE.</p> +<p class="center">DESPERATE ENCOUNTER AND DEFEAT OF A BAND OF KU KLUX.</p> + +<p>As an instance of what the courage of one man can do in a righteous cause, +against a multitude of those who are actuated by wicked and unlawful +motives, the case of Mr. J. K. Halliday, a resident of Jackson County, +near Jefferson, Ga., is perhaps one of the most extraordinary on record.</p> + +<p>Mr. Halliday is a native of Jackson County, Ga., where he has always lived +and done business. He was opposed to secession and rebellion from the +first; was continually counselling peaceful measures, and openly avowed +himself a Unionist. During the war, he utterly refused to take up arms +against the Government, and being a man of great influence and large +means, was enabled to avoid conscription into the rebel ranks.</p> + +<p>He was a thriving business man, the proprietor of two plantations and a +mill, and kept a large number of hands engaged at work. After the close of +the rebellion and as a measure of concession to the turbulent<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_70" id="Page_70">[Pg 70]</a></span> spirits by +whom he was surrounded, he employed white men to do his labor.</p> + +<p>Mr. Halliday soon found, to his inconvenient cost, that these men demanded +exorbitant wages; that they were indisposed to perform a fair day’s work, +sometimes not working at all, and then but for a half day, but always +charging him for full time—and he finally became disgusted with, and +discharged them altogether. This was sufficient to bring him into contempt +with the Klan, who charged him with being a “negro lover,” as well as a +Union sympathizer, and an open-mouthed Radical.</p> + +<p>Threats of his assassination and the destruction of his mill and other +buildings were freely uttered. He was formally “warned” by the K. K. K.’s, +that he must change his course, politically, or he would certainly suffer +death. Halliday’s reply to this threat and warning was simply to proceed +to Jefferson, and procure some of the best modern weapons, for defense, +that he could find. With these he returned to his dwelling, awaited +results, pursuing his usual course, advocating such political principles +as he please, and employing colored men as before.</p> + +<p>During the spring of 1871, at a meeting of the Ku Klux Camp of Jefferson +County, it was solemnly resolved that Halliday should be killed, and his +property destroyed. The night for the “visitation” was duly decided on; +and through an anonymous note this information was conveyed to Halliday, +the writer begging him as he valued his life, to leave the place, and thus +save himself.</p> + +<p>To less resolute men this would have appeared a serious matter, but upon +Halliday the threatened danger had an entirely different effect. It nerved +rather than weakened his brave spirit, and he resolved to “stick.” He was +a man full six feet in stature, and well proportioned; he had been long +accustomed to<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_71" id="Page_71">[Pg 71]</a></span> out-of-door life, and was considered one of the most +powerful men, physically, in the county; he knew his strength, and relying +upon that and an unswerving faith in God, he determined to defend himself +and his family to the last.</p> + +<p>On the night of the anticipated visit, he placed his wife and his two +children in the upper room of the house, and barricaded the passage way +leading thereto, as best he could.</p> + +<p>Mrs. Halliday well knew the desperate character and murderous designs of +the Klan. She clung to her husband, to whom she was devotedly attached, +and expressed her fears as he passed down the stairway, that she would +never see him again, alive! To this Mr. Halliday responded:</p> + +<p>“You forget that the <span class="smcap">Great Master</span> is with me! Trust <span class="smcap">Him</span> as <i>I</i> do,” and +kissing her and the little ones, he descended to the ground floor, where +he intended to remain and await the advent of the party.</p> + +<p>Some of the more faithful of the negroes observing the unusual care with +which Mr. H. adjusted the fastenings upon the doors and shutters, that +night, hinted to him that they “reck’nd he ’spected trouble,” and they +would like to be near him.</p> + +<p>“No,” said he, “go to your own places and don’t come out; if they come in +here, I had rather be alone, for then I can shoot and cut at random and be +sure not to hit any of my own friends. Every man I strike will surely be +one who ought to be stricken.”</p> + +<p>Mr. Halliday was armed with two rifles, two revolvers, and a long bowie +knife. Shortly before midnight, the Klan made their appearance in front of +the house, to the number of about twenty. Halliday saw them through a +small half-moon shaped aperture at the top of the shutter.</p> + +<p>They were all masked, and appeared each to wear a long rubber cape, +falling from the shoulders to the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_72" id="Page_72">[Pg 72]</a></span> waist. They came straight to the door, +and, without saying a word, commenced to batter it in. The door gave way +in a few moments, and as they rushed in, Halliday discharged his firearms +with such fatal effect, that three of the Klan dropped dead upon the +floor.</p> + +<p>The room was intensely dark, and a desperate fight ensued, in which the +assailants more frequently encountered each other than the victim for whom +they were in search.</p> + +<p>Halliday was finally grappled by one of the foremost of the party. He +speedily freed himself through his superior strength and the prompt use of +his bowie knife, thrusting it into his assailant’s bowels, and throwing +him violently back on to the crowd. The wounded man exclaimed:</p> + +<p>“He’s got a knife! I’m murdered!”</p> + +<p>This caused a panic among the marauders, and the entire crowd left the +house, taking their dead and wounded with them. After making certain that +all of their own number were out, they discharged their firearms through +the open doorway, and beat a retreat, taking a circuitous route, to avoid +being traced by the blood that oozed from the wounds of several of the +number, two of whom died soon after reaching their homes, thus making five +in all who had paid the forfeit of their lives in the unholy cause.</p> + +<p>During all the time of this desperate encounter, the feelings of the +wretched wife and frightened children in the upper room, may only be +imagined. The father and husband, single handed, fighting against a horde +of ruffians bent upon his murder; their own fate depending upon his, and +not daring to cry out lest they should be discovered, and thus bring +destruction upon their own heads, their situation was agonizing in the +extreme.</p> + +<p>Mrs. Halliday did not forget the last words of her husband, so full of the +strong faith that characterized<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_73" id="Page_73">[Pg 73]</a></span> the man: “<i>You forget that the Great +Master is with me. Trust Him as I do!</i>” And sinking upon her knees, she +poured her spirit out in silent and earnest prayer to God for help.</p> + +<p>The dead calm that had ensued after the uproarious tumult of the firearms, +and the fierce struggle of the combatants in the room below, alarmed Mrs. +Halliday more than all else. Whether her husband had been overpowered at +last and taken away, or had been left dead upon the floor, with some of +the murderous crew watching to see who would come for the body, she knew +not. Possibly he might be lying there alone, wounded and insensible, with +the life-blood ebbing away, and no friendly hand to stay the crimson tide, +and the thought was terrible and agonizing.</p> + +<p>An hour went by. An hour into which years of misery were crowded to the +forlorn woman, and yet no sound of life, no ray of light gleaming through +the impenetrable darkness, to relieve the awful gloom and suspense, or +give her one faint shadow of hope.</p> + +<p>Halliday was indeed lying there, exhausted and unconscious from the +numerous wounds and contusions he had received. In his right hand he still +held the bowie knife firmly grasped, as if awaiting the further onslaught +of the foe, while his left was clenched with the determination of his iron +will. The cool wind blowing off the mill-stream and coming in through the +open doorway, aroused him at length to consciousness.</p> + +<p>The remembrance of the fight, his successful resistance, the retreat of +the assailing party, and, above all, his wife and children, saved—and by +his own right arm!—came back to his recollection and nerved him to +action. He roused himself from his lethargy, and groping his way to the +stairs, he called out:</p> + +<p>“Are you there, mother! and our darlings!”</p> + +<p>Who shall tell the feelings of that wife-mother’s heart, bowed in its +terrible anguish, and now so <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_74" id="Page_74">[Pg 74]</a></span>suddenly raised to the highest pinnacle of +happiness as she responded, “Here! and safe, thank God, and our husband +and father.”</p> + +<p>Who shall describe the music that will compare, in Halliday’s bosom, to +the pattering feet of his darlings, as they rushed to meet his strong and +loving embraces, and shouted, “Papa, papa!” amid their fast falling tears.</p> + +<p>Halliday’s wounds, though not fatal, were still serious enough to alarm +his wife, and as early in the morning as she dared, she sent one of the +negroes for a doctor; but it appeared that every doctor in the vicinity +was busy with patients who had been “taken suddenly ill during the night.”</p> + +<p>One of these was the only son of a widow, the nearest neighbor to the +Hallidays. He had received a “severe fall” the night previous, they said, +upon a sharp instrument that had pierced his bowels and caused his death. +This proved to be the man Halliday had cut. Five funerals attested the +energy and strength of the hero’s arm, and the dead bodies of the victims +remained as lasting “warnings” to the “defenders of the white man’s +government,” and that it was not always wise to attack the members of the +“white man’s race.”</p> + +<p>It is almost needless to add that Mr. Halliday was left free from that +time forth to pursue his own course, politically and otherwise as he +deemed best, and that his persecutors came to realize with him that “the +race is not always to the swift, nor the battle to the strong,” and that +in the struggle of the right for supremacy over the wrong, “God and one +constitute a majority.”</p> + + +<p class="center"><br /><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_75" id="Page_75">[Pg 75]</a></span><span class="smcap">Slaughter of An United States Official</span>.</p> + +<p>John Springfield, a Deputy United States Marshal, residing in St. Clair +County, Alabama, had drawn upon himself the odium of the Ku Klux of that +county by accepting a position under the United States Government, the +duties of which he endeavored faithfully to discharge.</p> + +<p>He had been approached on several occasions by members of the Klan, who +had made propositions to him to pervert his office, and shield certain +parties who were engaged in the illicit distillation of whiskey; but had +utterly refused to listen to any of these overtures, and was bold enough +to proclaim the fact that he should use his best endeavors to bring to +punishment the violators of the law wherever he found them.</p> + +<p>The customary warning was sent to this intrepid officer, informing him +that “St. Clair County was getting hot for him,” but that if he kept on in +his course he would “be sent to a hotter place in a hurry.”</p> + +<p>He was somewhat alarmed at this threat and moved about with great caution, +but was unremitting in his attention to his duties until the spring of +1871, when the Klan decided that he must be stopped. An edict was issued, +sealing Springfield’s doom, and the second night thereafter he was +followed by three members of the Klan, disguised in black gowns and with +their faces blackened, and was shot dead within a few feet of his house.</p> + +<p>This murder was charged upon the negroes, and up to the present writing, +the instigators and perpetrators have escaped punishment.</p> + + +<p class="center"><br /><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_76" id="Page_76">[Pg 76]</a></span><span class="smcap">The Assault Upon Asa Thompson</span>.</p> + +<p class="center"><i>Singular Conduct of the Klan.</i></p> + +<p>In the latter part of the year 1870, there resided in Clinch County, +Georgia, a gentleman by the name of Asa Thompson, who, although a +Southerner by birth and education, was an outspoken Radical Unionist, and +had directly identified himself with the Republican party.</p> + +<p>In his intercourse with the people he was frank and free in the expression +of his sentiments, and always exercised the right of suffrage, conducting +himself in an orderly and acceptable manner, at all times, as a good +citizen should do. He was proprietor of a thrifty plantation, upon which +he employed a large number of hands, and stood well generally in the +community.</p> + +<p>These essential requisites to a good citizen were altogether insufficient, +in the eyes of the Ku Klux Klan in that vicinity, to balance the bad +points (in their esteem) which characterized him, inasmuch as he was a +Radical in principle. This fault was considered good cause for forwarding +to Thompson a sharp “warning” from the camp, which was sent him in the +customary form, and he was ordered to restrain himself in the utterance of +his Radicalism, or quit the country.</p> + +<p>If he failed to obey, then he would receive a visitation from the K. K. +K.’s, and that meant death. To this notice he gave no attention, but +laughed at the threat and awaited events. A second warning was then sent +him, couched in the following terms:—</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>“One of three things will happen to you, very shortly. You will leave +the country, so that we can never find you—change your politics—or +be turned into Buzzard Bait.</p> + +<p class="right">K. K. K.”</p></div> + +<p>To this expressive, but not over polite missive, Thompson returned a +somewhat defiant reply, <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_77" id="Page_77">[Pg 77]</a></span>proceeded at once to fortify his cotton +gin-house, in which he remained at night, and dared the Klan to come for +him.</p> + +<p>During the month of September, 1871, matters had assumed such a position +in this man’s case, that the Klan felt that Thompson must be annihilated, +or the “reign of terror,” which they had inaugurated in the county, would +be broken—and a reaction take place among the people, inimical to +themselves.</p> + +<p>Numbers of the band were accordingly detailed by the Commander of the Camp +of Clinch County, to put Thompson out of the way. They were headed by +Shimmie Timmerson, formerly sheriff of that county; a man notable for his +unusual brute force and personal resolution.</p> + +<p>The Klan approached Thompson’s gin-house on the night of the assault, +cautiously, and as they supposed, unobserved. Each one of them was well +armed, and disguised in black gowns, masks and hats.</p> + +<p>Thompson, who had been constantly on the watch, discovered them upon their +first appearance. He relied upon the solid door of the gin-house, which he +supposed would withstand a much heavier shock than it did. It gave way +upon the first assault, which was made with a heavy piece of timber, +battered against it by the assailants; and which shivered it to splinters.</p> + +<p>As the door crashed in, Thompson opened such a rapid fire upon the +marauders, as to lead them to suppose that the gin-house was full of armed +men. This belief had been strengthened, from the fact that its only +occupant shouted simultaneously with the discharge of his weapons: “Give +it to ’em, boys! Don’t spare a man.”</p> + +<p>Timmerman (the ex-sheriff), who led this gang, fell at the first fire, +seriously though not mortally wounded. Several others of the party bit the +dust, and the entire band at once beat an ignominous retreat—bearing +with<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_78" id="Page_78">[Pg 78]</a></span> them their wounded; and leaving their single-handed and brave +opponent master of the situation.</p> + +<p>The most singular and unexpected result of this was, that the band were so +thoroughly chagrined at their failure, that they had a quarrel among +themselves after leaving the place, and charged their defeat upon +Timmerman, who led the van—and whom they adjudged guilty of death on the +spot, on the ground that their defeat was due to his bad management.</p> + +<p>This sentence would actually have been executed upon him, but for the +interposition of some of the Klan, who declared their belief that +Timmerman could not recover from the wounds he had already received, and +that he might as well be left to die in the woods; that they did not think +he was a traitor, and hence ought not to suffer a traitor’s doom.</p> + +<p>The ex-sheriff was greatly weakened from the loss of blood, caused by +these wounds, and was so thoroughly panic-stricken at the idea that he +might possibly be murdered by his associates, that he swooned, and his +body was carried nearly a mile into the wood, where his “brethren” of the +Camp threw it down, and left him.</p> + +<p>On the following day Mrs. Timmerman, having missed her husband, employed a +gang of negroes to go in search of him. The hunt was successful, and the +wounded man was removed to his house; where, after the most careful +nursing, he was partially restored to health, but was so badly crippled as +to be unable ever again to perform manual labor.</p> + +<p>The treachery and inhumanity of these men towards one of their own number +so enraged Timmerman that he declared himself ready to expose their whole +operations, their modes of working, and their secrets; and it was from him +and Mr. Thompson that the writer obtained the facts, as herein set forth. +This raid ended the operations of the Clinch County Ku Klux Klan, for<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_79" id="Page_79">[Pg 79]</a></span> +sometime, so far as the influential whites were concerned.</p> + +<p>Outrages upon negroes were continued, however, but with less severity—the +subsequent vigorous action of the Government in enforcing the laws, in +other parts of the country, being felt to some degree in that place.</p> + + +<p class="center"><br /><span class="smcap">Brutal Whipping of Women</span>.</p> + +<p>The outrages committed by members of the Klans, upon both individuals and +property, in the county of Chatham, and in Moore county, N. C., were so +numerous and oppressive, during the spring of 1871, and finally became so +brutal in their character as to occasion the direst consternation among +the whole negro population, as well as among such of the whites as dared +to exercise the right of suffrage in accordance with their own +convictions, which were not in accord with the tenets maintained by the Ku +Klux or democracy of the place.</p> + +<p>About this period, the more intelligent of the colored people were in the +habit of gathering together at stated times, for consultation in company +with the friendly whites, as to the course it was deemed best for them to +pursue for the protection and security of their lives.</p> + +<p>A favorite place for holding these meetings, was at the dwelling of Mrs. +Sallie Gilmore—a woman then residing with her family in Moore county.</p> + +<p>These frequent assemblages were soon brought to the notice of the Camp in +Moore county, and it was decided that such an example should be made of +the parties as would deter others from pursuing a similar course; and +compel these to abandon their radical views, or quit the country.</p> + +<p>The house occupied by Mrs. Gilmore, was rather of the better class, and +Mrs. G. was known as an intelligent<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_80" id="Page_80">[Pg 80]</a></span> woman, who, in her sympathy with the +colored race, was anxious for the day when the rights and privileges +guaranteed them by the Constitution and the laws, could be enjoyed without +molestation.</p> + +<p>The opinions and teachings of Mrs. Gilmore becoming known, the heresy was +sufficient for the Klan to commence a crusade upon her and her family, and +an edict was issued that she, and all the others found upon her premises, +should be scourged.</p> + +<p>Thirty men of the Klan were, accordingly, detailed to carry out the order, +and the “visitation” was fixed for the night of April 15th, 1871. The Klan +were disguised, as usual, and were under the leadership of Roderick J. +Bryan, a prominent citizen of Moore county, who was violently opposed to +Republican principles. They met and organized in a field about a mile from +Mrs. Gilmore’s house, where they held a counsel, and finally completed +arrangements for making the proposed raid.</p> + +<p>Saturday night (the night in question) was the favorite time when the +negroes met there, but, on this particular evening there chanced to be but +three present, besides Mrs. Gilmore, her son and daughter, and a young +woman named Mary Godfrey.</p> + +<p>For greater security, no lights were used when these meetings were held, +and when the Klan arrived, the place was found to be entirely darkened. +The doors were at once broken in, and Murkerson McLane, one of the +negroes, taking advantage of the darkness, crept through the doorway +stealthily, and darted towards the woods; but he was observed by some of +the Klan, who pursued and soon came up with him.</p> + +<p>They had fired upon him as he ran, and when overtaken, he had sank down +exhausted, and begged hard for his life. Roderick Bryan and Garner Watson +replied to his earnest supplications for life by discharging their +revolvers at him a second time. Both shots took<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_81" id="Page_81">[Pg 81]</a></span> effect. McLane gave a +spasmodic leap into the air, and dropped motionless by the roadside. +Supposing him dead the band left him there, where he lingered through the +night in great agony, and died next morning.</p> + +<p>Having murdered McLane, his pursuers returned to Mrs. Gilmore’s house, +where the rest of their party were awaiting them before commencing their +inhuman indecencies. A light had been struck, and Mrs. Gilmore, her son +and daughter, the negroes, and Mary Godfrey, were found fastened to the +bed, in the most indecent positions. The negroes were first released, and +were fearfully beaten with clubs and twisted switches, until they became +utterly unconscious, when they were rudely dragged to the doorway, and +their bleeding bodies tumbled, unceremoniously, into the mud.</p> + +<p>Mrs. Gilmore’s son and daughter were then stripped of their clothing and +compelled, in this condition, to <i>dance</i>, for the edification of their +tormentors; the music of this wretched exhibition being provided by the +switches in the hands of the Klan, who applied them to the naked bodies of +their victims with terrible severity, mocking them wickedly, meantime, as +they were forced through the unwilling and miserable antics they +performed!</p> + +<p>The son was entirely nude, but the daughter was allowed to retain her +chemise. Both became exhausted, and sank down under the terrible +punishment inflicted upon them, and the vigorous switching kept up, failed +to revive them into further action. The attentions of the Klan were then +directed towards Mrs. Gilmore.</p> + +<p>One of the band said, “Let’s make the old she radical dance now!”</p> + +<p>“We can do better than that,” said another; “we can lick the d— +nigger-loving blood out of her.”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_82" id="Page_82">[Pg 82]</a></span>Mrs. Gilmore, now upwards of fifty years old, was then seized and thrown +violently upon the floor. Her clothes were drawn up over her head, and the +cotton under garments covering her limbs were rudely torn off, exposing +her naked person to the demons in human form who surrounded her. The +switches were then applied with all the vigor of which the executioners +were capable. The old lady uttered a few heart-rending shrieks, but +speedily fainted, and continued unconscious during the remainder of the +infliction.</p> + +<p>The punishment of the young woman, Mary Godfrey, was reserved to the last. +She was stripped of every thread of clothing, and was thus compelled to +experience the shame of indecent exposure, added to her other tortures. +During the process of scourging this young woman the vilest and most +obscene epithets were bandied about by the Klan, and she was subjected to +many other indignities.</p> + +<p>She sank under the treatment at last, and lie upon the floor, her life +apparently extinct. Cold water was dashed over the faces and bodies of +these unfortunate women, who, by this means, were rallied sufficiently to +render them conscious enough to listen to the final edict of the Klan, +which was, “To cease indulging in and promulgating their heresies, from +that hour forward, and abandon the country, on pain of certain death!” +With this admonition the defenders of the white man’s government left the +house.</p> + +<p>Of a truth, “all cruelty springs from wickedness.” But the weakness which +could prompt the brutality—exhibited in such cases as those above +recorded—is utterly inexcusable in any being wearing the shape of man.</p> + +<p>The brutal whipping of these inoffensive women, and the murder of the +negro McLane, add one more to the many evidences of the degradation to +which the members of the Ku Klux Klan had reduced themselves, in<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_83" id="Page_83">[Pg 83]</a></span> their +endeavors to crush out freedom of thought and expression, and compel +adherence to their own peculiar tenets. Thank God, and the wisdom that now +guides and controls the destinies of the nation, these dark hours of the +Republic, fruitful with scenes like those described above, are passing +away. A gleam of light appears in the horizon, as a glad harbinger of the +dawn that shall usher in the day when</p> + +<p class="poem">“All crimes shall cease, and ancient fraud shall fail;<br /> +Returning justice lift aloft her scale;<br /> +Peace o’er the world her olive wand extend,<br /> +And white robed innocence from heaven descend.”</p> + + +<p class="center"><br />MISCELLANEOUS OUTRAGES.</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Whipping of Stanford and Nash</span>.</p> + +<p>On the night of the 16th of June, 1871, two negroes, named John Stanford +and Edward Nash, were proceeding to their homes, near Oltewah, Hamilton +County, Tennessee, when they were met in the road by some fifteen men +armed and disguised, who ordered them to stop. They were then interrogated +by the leader of the band as to why they had voted the Radical ticket at +the previous election. Stanford replied that they had done it because it +was right. One of the band said:</p> + +<p>“There’s a sting in that ticket, and you may as well have the whole of +it,” at the same time striking at Stanford with a wooden club.</p> + +<p>The latter is a very powerful negro, and having<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_84" id="Page_84">[Pg 84]</a></span> some spirit, resented the +attempted injury, dodged the blow, and instantly seizing his assailant, +threw him heavily to the earth. Nash showed fight also, but being a much +weaker man, was soon overpowered and pinioned fast. Several of the band +seized Stanford, who, from his superior strength, dashed them one side, +and darted away, followed by half a dozen of the Klan.</p> + +<p>As he ran, he managed to pick up a piece of board in the road with which +he turned on his pursuers with the intention of defending himself, when a +well-directed shot struck his elbow, shattering the bone, and compelling +him to drop the board, and again attempt to save himself by flight. A +second shot struck him in the ankle, and impeded his further progress. His +pursuers again came up with and secured him, and conveyed him back to +where Nash was pleading for his life.</p> + +<p>A council was held by the Klan, in which it was decided that the negroes +should be severely whipped, and if ever known to again vote the radical +ticket, they should die.</p> + +<p>Stanford was tied to a tree, his immense strength still being feared by +the band, and was beaten until entirely insensible. Nash received a +similar castigation. Both the negroes were then untied and placed across +the driveway of the road so that a wagon in passing would be likely to run +over them, unless they should in the mean time become conscious, and get +out of the way.</p> + +<p>In his desperate struggle with the band, Stanford had displaced one of the +masks, which enabled him to recognize a man named Goal Martin, who lived +in the vicinity. Upon the statement of these negroes, and from evidence +furnished by other corroborating circumstances, several of the members of +the band committing these outrages were arrested and brought to +appropriate punishment.</p> + + +<p class="center"><br /><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_85" id="Page_85">[Pg 85]</a></span><span class="smcap">Outrage Upon William Fletcher</span>.</p> + +<p>On the night of the 23d of November, 1871, there assembled in the woods +near Cross Plains, Alabama, a band of men armed and disguised as the White +Brotherhood. Their persons were enveloped in long white gowns, white masks +covered their faces, high white conical hats surmounted their heads, their +hands were encased in white gloves, and white stockings were drawn over +and completely covered their boots.</p> + +<p>The object of this gathering was the punishment of one William Fletcher, a +white Unionist and Radical, who had the temerity to vote the Republican +ticket, advocate the supremacy of the Government, and aid the officers +thereof in the enforcement of the laws. These were crimes in the eyes of +the Ku Klux Klan sufficient to warrant their taking the offender in hand. +The customary warning was not sent in this case, but a friendly hand +penned a note to Fletcher, informing him of the danger, but this, +unfortunately, never reached him.</p> + +<p>At the time of the assembling of the band, as above stated, the “Night +Hawks”<small><a name="f1.1" id="f1.1" href="#f1">[1]</a></small> of the Camp came up with the intelligence that Fletcher was then +in a grocery store kept by a man named Flanders, and that it would be +better to decoy him out of there, and get him on the road towards the +woods, where he could be the more easily mastered.</p> + +<p>Fletcher was a cool, resolute and brave man, was supposed to be well +armed, and the members of the Klan knew that unless some strategy was used +with him, some of their number must suffer the consequences. One of the +Klan, named N. G. Scott, was<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_86" id="Page_86">[Pg 86]</a></span> accordingly detailed to decoy Fletcher away. +Scott removed his disguise, and started for the store, followed at a +convenient distance by several members of the band. He was successful in +his undertaking, and in about twenty minutes he and his intended victim +were walking down the road, in the direction of the ambuscade.</p> + +<p>In a moment more, the Klan sprang upon and overpowered Fletcher. Pistols +were presented at his head, threatenings of death were made if he uttered +a cry; a towel was tied tightly across his eyes as a bandage, and he was +led away to the woods on the north side of Cross Plains. Upon reaching the +woods, his coat and vest were removed, and he was stood up with his face +pressed hard against a tree. His arms were drawn around the trunk of the +tree, and tied together, and his legs were firmly secured by ropes.</p> + +<p>John Yeateman, who had charge of the proceedings of the Klan that night, +then stepped forward, and told Fletcher to say his prayers, as he had but +a short time to live; that it had first been the intention to give him a +whipping and let him go, but that they had now decided to whip him to +death.</p> + +<p>Fletcher replied by asking if there was no mercy to be accorded him, and +inquired to know for what he was to be killed. The only answer to this was +that they never gave mercy to the “infernal radicals, who wanted niggers +to rule the country.” This remark was followed by his shirt being torn +completely off his back.</p> + +<p>Meantime the “executioners,” who had gone for the “rods,” returned, and +upon the order of their leader fell to their work, cutting the back of the +poor victim most dreadfully, and causing him to lose all his stoicism at +last, and shriek from the effects of the blows. The “executioners” +becoming exhausted, Yeateman himself seized a knife, and cutting away the +garments that<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_87" id="Page_87">[Pg 87]</a></span> encased Fletcher’s lower limbs, took a “rod,” and commenced +beating him about the loins with great ferocity.</p> + +<p>Fletcher fainted under the punishment, and as his screams had ceased, +Yeateman desisted, remarking, “There’s one Radical vote less, by ——.”</p> + +<p>The band continued consulting together for some time, when, Fletcher being +heard to groan, one of the Klan, named James Bierd, said: “He ain’t +finished yet; I reckon he’d better have the whole of it.”</p> + +<p>Yeateman then approached the miserable victim, and having succeeded in +arousing him to consciousness, asked: “Have you anything to say before you +die?”</p> + +<p>Fletcher responded faintly, saying: “Write to my mother, Mrs. William +Fletcher, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada, and say how and why I died.” In a +moment afterwards he asked: “Is there no chance to live?”</p> + +<p>The band consulted together again, when Yeateman said: “There is just one +chance for you, and that is that you agree to leave the State in three +hours, and never come back.”</p> + +<p>Fletcher gladly gave the required promise. He was then untied, and two of +the band supporting him upon either side, led him to the railroad track. +The bandage was then taken from his eyes, and he was told he must walk on, +and that if he looked back, he would be shot. A row of revolvers pointed +at him gave evidence that he was not being trifled with, and summoning all +the resolution and strength which he could command, he slowly hobbled +away.</p> + +<p>William Fletcher is no mythical creation. He lives to-day, a scarred and +maimed monument of the demoniac brutality that instigated his scourging +for opinion’s sake; his property destroyed, his health ruined for life, +his spirit crushed and broken. The naturally indignant reader will ask if +justice has overtaken the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_88" id="Page_88">[Pg 88]</a></span> miscreants who committed this outrage, and will +be gratified to know that it has; and that the principal offenders have +felt the weight of the strong arm of the law, now being vigorously +enforced throughout the South against the execrable Klan to which they +belonged, and in whose interest, and that of bigotry and persecution, they +committed this dreadful outrage.</p> + + +<p class="center"><br /><span class="smcap">A Significant Conversation</span>.</p> + +<p>The preceding stories of wrongs and outrages committed by the Ku Klux +Klan, and those that follow, serve in a degree to show the extent to which +persecutions for opinion’s sake were carried. It was the intention of the +leaders to intimidate the masses, that further opposition to the +principles promulgated by the Ku Klux Klan, or Southern Democracy, should +cease altogether. They were wiley enough to see, however, that silence, +while it may often give assent, can rarely be construed as an endorsement +of that which is utterly repugnant to the human heart.</p> + +<p>Hence, plans were adopted for the dissemination of principles in violent +antagonism to the Government and the Administration. It was not only +hinted at that a change of Administration would effect the ends desired by +the Ku Klux Orders; but it was openly declared by the bolder ones that +such an event would give the South more than it had ever hoped to obtain, +even had the war been a success to them instead of to the nation at large.</p> + +<p>As an illustration of the feeling of some of these leaders, who were men +of property and influence, and owned plantations in the interior, the +following conversation is given. This conversation actually occurred upon +the Moore plantation, situated upon the Tuscaloosa and Lexington Turnpike.</p> + +<p>Moore had been a most uncompromising rebel, and was one of the first to +join the Ku Klux Camp in his<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_89" id="Page_89">[Pg 89]</a></span> vicinity. He was continually haranguing his +laborers in the interest of Ku Kluxism and democracy, cursing the +Government and the Administration, and swearing death to all who upheld +them. One of his hands, whom he had but recently employed (September, +1871), said to him:</p> + +<p>“What shall we do to break up this cursed Government, and have things as +we want them?”</p> + +<p>Moore replied: “There is a movement on foot all over the South that will +drive every d——d Yankee out of it before long, and give us things all +our own way.”</p> + +<p>“Good,” said the laborer, “I’d like to know the programme, and get posted +in that thing; I’d take a big hand in it!”</p> + +<p>Moore being now convinced that he had the right kind of a tool for the +intended work, then said:</p> + +<p>“We’ve got the right thing now to fix all the niggers and Yankees with +that don’t go as we want them to; we don’t care a d—— for the general +government. It can go to ——, where it ought to. They may pass an hundred +more Ku Klux bills, and it won’t do them a bit of good. The Ku Klux are +resting just now; but they are not asleep. They have got the niggers and +radicals in pretty good train, so they don’t dare say anything. All we +want is a Democratic President, and that must come sure the next election, +and then we can run things to suit ourselves.”</p> + +<p>If Mr. Moore ever sees this faithful transcript of his disloyal speech, +delivered upon his own plantation, on the 12th of September, 1871, he may +begin to get some idea that the farm hands by whom he was surrounded were +not all as badly poisoned with hatred to the radicals as he was, and that +one of them at least had the temerity to treasure up and repeat the above +conversation. It is here produced as an evidence of the sentiments that +pervaded the minds of the leaders;<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_90" id="Page_90">[Pg 90]</a></span> and to set all doubt at rest as to its +authenticity, it may be added that it is a matter of record, to be seen +and read of all men.</p> + + +<p class="center"><br /><span class="smcap">Outrage Upon Persons in Texas.</span></p> + +<p>As an evidence that neither color or nationality formed any protection +against the evil machinations of the Ku Klux Klan, the case of Henry +Kaufmann, a well-to-do German residing in Bell County, Texas, may be +cited.</p> + +<p>Kaufmann had come to this country after the war of the Rebellion, and, +having some means and an extensive knowledge as a stock raiser, made his +way South, finally locating in Texas, as the place best adapted for the +business of raising stock, which was one he intended to pursue. His family +consisted of his wife and two children, a boy and girl, aged respectively +nine and eleven years.</p> + +<p>Texas at this time was the scene of many outrages, but the good-natured +German was for a long time unable to comprehend their significance. Like +most of his countrymen, he entertained republican sentiments; they were +the sentiments of his heart, while at home, in the land of his fathers, +and he had supposed, that in America, the asylum of the oppressed of all +nations, he would find them in all their purity, upheld and expressed +without fear, and honored by all.</p> + +<p>In this respect, he was doomed to bitter disappointment. The nearest +neighbor to Kaufmann, was a man named McPherson, originally from the +North, but who had for some years resided in Texas, and was a +thorough-going Unionist. He did not hesitate, even among all the tumult +and disorder, by which he was surrounded, to express his union sentiments, +and had been repeatedly warned by the Ku Klux that he must change his +course.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_91" id="Page_91">[Pg 91]</a></span>As he paid no heed to these threats, he received a visitation during the +Spring of 1871, which utterly ruined him, and from which he escaped with +his life, only by the aid of Kaufmann. It appears that the Klan having +beat McPherson almost to death, gave him twenty-four hours in which to +leave the country, threatening to kill him if he did not do so. Suffering +terribly from the dreadful scourging, McPherson was just able to get as +far as Kaufmann’s house, where he sought protection until such time as he +might be able to travel and get away from the place.</p> + +<p>The good-natured German, filled with the humane instincts, natural to his +people, at once took the refugee into his house, and cared for him for +several days, without dreaming that he would incur the displeasure of +anyone for such an act. He nursed McPherson tenderly for some four days, +when the latter, dreading that the Klan might discover, and destroy, not +only him, but his generous benefactor, left the house at night, and +removed himself as far as possible from his persecutors.</p> + +<p>The fact of his having been harbored by Kaufmann, became known to the +Klan, however, by some means, and they forthwith classed the latter as a +radical. On the third night after McPherson’s departure, about eight +o’clock in the evening, the unsuspecting German was sitting with his wife +and children before a log-fire—as the weather was still chilly—when the +door was unceremoniously burst in and a score of the Klan filled the room.</p> + +<p>Kaufmann was rudely seized and a demand made upon him to know what he had +done with that d—d radical McPherson.</p> + +<p>To this he made reply that he “didn’t know such mans.” Upon this, one of +the band struck him a severe blow, telling him they meant to learn him not +to interfere with their business. Mrs. Kaufmann implored them<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_92" id="Page_92">[Pg 92]</a></span> in broken +English, not to hurt her husband; he had done nothing, and they had made a +mistake.</p> + +<p>“He’s done enough,” said Butch Williams, the leader of the crowd, “You +can’t make any mistake on these dutchmen, they are all d—d radicals +anyhow. Its born in ’em, but by —— they shan’t spit it out here.”</p> + +<p>Kaufmann was then securely pinioned and whipped until he became +unconscious. When the castigation was ended, the leader turning to Mrs. +Kaufmann, and pointing to the bruised and bleeding body of her husband, as +it lie upon the floor, said:—</p> + +<p>“Now if that dirty, dutch scallawag ever comes to himself, you tell him to +sell out and get away from here, or we’ll be the death of the whole of you +and burn the house over your heads. We’ll give him just ten days to do it +in.”</p> + +<p>Kaufmann did revive at last, and when he learned the dread message which +the Klan had left behind, saw with sorrow that he must relinquish his +pleasant home, and become a wanderer; but the necessities of the case +admitted of no other course. His property was disposed of at a ruinous +sacrifice, and with his wife and little ones, he made his way to Illinois, +where he now is.</p> + +<p>It would seem that the nationality of Kaufmann, and his probable ignorance +of what constituted an offence in the eyes of the Ku Klux, should have +saved him from this terrible visitation, so fraught with physical +chastisement and financial ruin; but to the vision of men who regarded no +law, who only saw the attainment of their despicable ends, through fraud +and violence, he appeared a “radical by nature.”—One, who being a German, +must necessarily be a Republican, and hence they could make no mistake in +scourging him.</p> + + +<p class="center"><br /><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_93" id="Page_93">[Pg 93]</a></span><span class="smcap">A Slave’s Former Experience Revived</span>.</p> + +<p>In the month of May, 1871, an intelligent mulatto—in whose veins flowed +the blood of some ardent advocate of the <i>white</i> man’s race, +unquestionably judging from his light color—whose name was William +Washington, resided in a small shanty or cabin, about two miles and a-half +from Tuscaloosa, Alabama. Washington had been a slave in the early part of +his life, and was one of those unfortunates who chafed under the abuses +and the yoke that held him in servitude to a “master.”</p> + +<p>He was high-spirited, and had learned to read and write before the +Emancipation Proclamation had given him freedom, to act upon his own +volition, untrammelled by his nominal “owner.” Upon becoming a freeman, he +left Montgomery County, Ala., near which place he had been reared, and +settled in the vicinity of Tuscaloosa.</p> + +<p>He was quiet in his deportment, orderly and well disposed. He had given +general satisfaction to all who had employed him. But in the early part of +the year 1870, it began to be observed that Washington was actively +exerting an influence over the negroes in the vicinity, to such an extent +as to cause the Ku Klux Camp organized under Philip J. Brady, as Commander +to take the alarm.</p> + +<p>The mulatto Washington was charged with being a Republican, of the radical +sort, with presuming to teach the negroes to read, (shocking offence?) and +of instructing them in Northern principles. This wouldn’t answer, surely. +And so William was “warned” by the Camp that he must cease this kind of +practice, and leave the country at once.</p> + +<p>He paid no heed to this warning, and a second one came, notifying him that +unless he departed within the succeeding thirty days, he should suffer +death—for<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_94" id="Page_94">[Pg 94]</a></span> “though the moon was then bright, it would turn to blood—K. +K. K.” Instead of seeing this fearful summons in the light it was intended +he should, the mulatto industriously circulated the story that he went +well armed always, and was ready to die, if he must, in defence of his +principles. But that “he wouldn’t run away—no how.”</p> + +<p>Matters went on thus for nearly a year. On the night of the 15th of May, +1871, Washington shut and barred his cabin door, as was his custom upon +retiring, placed his gun and a single barrelled pistol by his bedside, and +turned in, to sleep. About eleven o’clock, he was suddenly awaked by a +thumping upon the closed shutter of the only window in the hut, and upon +inquiring who was there, he recognized the voice of a friendly negro, +outside, who answered—</p> + +<p>“Day’s a pow’r o’ men a comin’ up der road, yender—an’ yer muss look out +for yar se’f Wash’n’t’n, dass a fack.”</p> + +<p>This timely and kindly warning from his friend was very gratefully +listened to by Washington, who replied that his informer must try to get +help to him, if possible. And quickly dressing himself, the former slave +awaited the assault which he now anticipated, from the look of affairs +outside, so near his hut.</p> + +<p>The mounted band rode up very soon afterwards, and having been refused +admittance, some of them dashed in the door. Washington was a powerful +man, well built and very muscular—while his self-possession was always +remarkable, when in peril. The interior of the shanty being quite dark, he +crouched down in one corner, and fired upon his assailants with the pistol +first and then immediately discharged the gun. Both shots took effect, and +two of the Klan fell heavily to the floor.</p> + +<p>Clubbing his musket, he then desperately rushed upon the enemy, +determined, if he must die, that he<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_95" id="Page_95">[Pg 95]</a></span> would sell his life as dearly as +possible; but the odds were altogether too heavy against him. The +gun-stock in his brawny hands, was shattered at the first blow struck by +his powerful arm, and then the band sprang forward and secured him, though +not without a furious struggle. He was at once taken out of the cabin, a +rope was placed about his neck, and thrown over the projecting limb of the +nearest convenient tree, from which his body was quickly dangling, a +lifeless corpse. They hung him without accusation, judge or jury, until he +was dead, dead, dead—in accordance with the terms of the bitter oath of +the Ku Klux Klan, whose victims are doomed “for opinion’s sake!”</p> + +<p>One of the gang had been mortally wounded by Washington’s first shots, and +died on the following day. Two others had been seriously hurt, and one of +them was crippled for life. The body of Washington was left hanging +beneath the tree for several days after this conflict, and until the +negroes in the neighborhood gathered courage sufficient to cut it down, +and give it decent burial; which they did at night, secretly and +mournfully, for their late friend’s sudden and violent death, proved an +affliction indeed to the poor creatures, towards whom he had been so kind +and clever an instructor and companion.</p> + +<p>And thus this poor negro paid the penalty of his offence in being a +radical, and like many a one before him who had been similarly sacrificed, +“his soul goes marching on.”</p> + + +<p class="center"><br /><span class="smcap">Scourging Radical Teachers and Banishing Ministers Of the Gospel.</span></p> + +<p>Judging from information gathered from the most available sources, it +appears that all measures, whether of a political, a religious or +educational character, looking<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_96" id="Page_96">[Pg 96]</a></span> to the elevation of the negro, were +strenuously opposed by the Ku Klux Klans, as they had sworn they should +be.</p> + +<p>The education of the negro was regarded as an especial heresy, not to be +tolerated under any circumstances. It was an offence second in magnitude +only to that of his voting the Radical ticket, and the face of the Klan +was set against it with a resolution that made it a dangerous avocation +for any one to engage in. School houses, erected for the purpose of +teaching colored children, were burned to the ground, and the teachers +scourged, banished or whipped to death.</p> + +<p>The testimony of Col. A. P. Huggins, formerly of the Union Army, and +subsequently of Monroe County, Mississippi, is pertinent to the point. +Col. Huggins, is known as a brave and gallant officer, a man of great +physical and moral courage, and of unquestioned veracity. During the month +of May, 1870, he became County Superintendent of Schools, for Monroe +County, and on the 8th of March following, went into the interior, some +eight or ten miles from Aberdeen, the County seat, on business connected +with the School Department. He was at this time an Assistant Assessor of +Internal Revenue, and improved the opportunity to make several assessments +of revenue in the vicinity, staying, by invitation, at the house of a Mr. +Ross.</p> + +<p>On the night of the day after his arrival at the house of Mr. Ross, (the +9th of March) a band of the Ku Klux, armed and disguised, and numbering +about one hundred and twenty, came to the house and compelled Col. Huggins +to come out. The chief of the Klan then informed him that they had come to +warn him that he must quit the country within ten days that it had been +decreed in the camp that he should first be warned, that the warning +should be enforced by whipping, and if that did not produce the desired +effect, he should be killed by the Klan, and if circumstances were such +that he could not be killed by the Klan in a body,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_97" id="Page_97">[Pg 97]</a></span> then they were sworn +to assassinate him publicly or privately.</p> + +<p>Col. Huggins asked them what his offense consisted of, and was answered by +the chief, who said:—“You are collecting obnoxious taxes from Southern +Gentlemen, to keep damned old Radicals in office. Now I want you to +understand that no laws can be enforced in this country, that we do not +make ourselves. We don’t like your Radical ways, and we want you to +understand it.”</p> + +<p>Col. Huggins then asked them if their operations were against the Radical +party, and the Chief replied that they were; that they had stood the +radicals just as long as they intended to, and they meant to banish or +kill every one of them. The Chief then said, “will you leave the country +in ten days.” The Colonel replied that he would leave the country when he +got ready, and not before. He was then taken about a quarter of a mile +from the residence of Mr. Ross, where they halted. He was then ordered to +take off his coat, which he refused to do, and it was removed by force.</p> + +<p>Twenty-five lashes were then given Col. Huggins, when he was asked if he +would leave the country. To this he replied that he would not, that now +that they had commenced, they might go on as far as they pleased, as he +had just as soon die, as take what he had already received. The whipping +was resumed. Col. Huggins remembered hearing the executioners count the +number of lashes up to seventy-five, when he fainted. The Klan left him in +charge of Mr. Ross, and rode away. The main reason assigned for the +punishment of Col. Huggins was that he was a Radical and in favor of +educating the negroes.</p> + +<p>The case of Cornelius McBride, a young Scotchman who taught a colored +school near Sparta, Chickasaw County, is one of unusual cruelty. Being +teacher of a<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_98" id="Page_98">[Pg 98]</a></span> colored school, McBride was classed as a Radical, and beside +this, he had come from the North. He was accordingly doomed by the Klan +for a visitation.</p> + +<p>Between twelve and one o’clock of the Thursday night of the last week in +March, 1870, a number of the Klan came to his house, and presenting rifles +through the window, ordered McBride to come out. He asked what was wanted, +when one of them replied, “come out you d—d yankee.” McBride saw that +nothing less than taking his life was intended, and determined to make an +effort to escape. He gave a sudden spring through the window, landing +directly between the two men who were pointing their rifles, dashed past +them and ran to the house of a colored man whom he knew, and where he +thought he could get a gun. While he was running, the members of the Klan +commenced firing upon him, ordering him to stop, or they would blow his +brains out. None of the shots took effect upon him, and he entered the +cabin, but before he could get the gun, of which he was in search, the +Klan were upon him and secured him.</p> + +<p>McBride was then taken about a mile away from the place, having nothing on +but his night dress. This was rudely torn from his person, and the +executioners were about to commence their work, when he asked them what he +was to be whipped for. The leader said, “you want to make the niggers +equal to a white man. This is a white man’s country.”</p> + +<p>The whipping was then commenced with black gum switches, that stung the +flesh and raised it in great ridges at every blow. The torture was so +great that the poor victim begged them in God’s name to kill him at once +and put him out of misery. The leader said “shooting is too good for this +fellow, we’ll hang him when we get through whipping him.” Another one +said, “Do you want to be shot?” To which McBride replied, “Yes, I can’t +stand this torture, it is horrible.”<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_99" id="Page_99">[Pg 99]</a></span> He then partially raised himself +upon his knees and determined to make one more effort for his life. +Standing directly in front of him was one of the Klan, the only one who +stood directly in his way, if he should attempt to run.</p> + +<p>Stung by the terrible pain of the switch, McBride sprang to his feet, +dealt the man in the front of him a tremendous blow, and darting past him +scaled a fence, and ran across the open field. The Klan discharged their +fire-arms after him, but in a few moments gave up the pursuit. McBride +reached the house of a Mr. Walser, and there found protection through the +remainder of the night.</p> + +<p>Other teachers of colored schools received similar visitations, and +colored schools were burned there and in the adjoining counties.</p> + +<p>The crusade against Ministers of the Gospel who preached to the freedmen, +was then commenced. The Rev. John Avery, of Winston County, was notified +that he must appear at a meeting of the Ku Klux; that he must join in with +the Klan, and cease his interest in free schools, and upon his refusal, +his house was burned over his head. Mr. Avery was a southern man, and a +pastor in the Methodist Episcopal Church.</p> + +<p>Rev. Mr. Galloway, a Congregationalist Minister, of Monroe County, was in +the habit occasionally of preaching to the freedmen. During April, 1870, a +band of the Ku Klux called upon him at night, and notified him that he +must not preach to these people. He continued doing so, however, and +received a second warning, accompanied by an intimation, which he did not +dare disregard, and he was compelled to relinquish his good work, on pain +of banishment or death.</p> + +<p>The Rev. Mr. McLachlin, a Methodist Episcopal Preacher, of Oktibbeha +County, received various warnings to the same effect, but persisted in his +course<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_100" id="Page_100">[Pg 100]</a></span> until he was finally driven from that county, and dared not return +to it.</p> + +<p>Scores of similar cases might be cited, all of which are matters of public +record, but those above given, serve to show, that the Order of the Ku +Klux Klan, is inimical to religion and education, as well as to the +politics of those differing with them in their avowed opposition to +Republicanism, and their adherence to the Democratic party. These gallant +defenders of the white man’s race were determined that no Government but +the white man’s should live in the country, and these results they hoped +to obtain through the banishment, scourging and killing of negroes, +Radicals and Republicans, by which means also, with the aid of their +sympathizers at the North, they expected to have a Democratic +Administration.</p> + + +<p class="center"><br /><span class="smcap">Warnings and Edicts of the Klan.</span></p> + +<p>It would seem to have been the design of the leaders of the Ku Klux Klans, +in issuing their warnings, to play as much as possible upon the +superstitions of the people. These documents were written in a disguised +hand, sometimes in coarse language, and contained sentiments intended to +inspire terror in the minds of the recipients.</p> + +<p>They were usually bordered with designs, representing daggers piercing +bleeding hearts, death’s heads and cross bones, and various grotesque +devices. Some of them had a spice of grim humor, which, although fun to +the Klan who issued these missives, meant banishment, scourging or death +to those who received them. Specimens of these, the originals of which +fell into the hands of the United States Officials during their attempts +to break up the Ku Klux organization are here given <i>verbatim et +literatim</i>.</p> + +<p>Five persons residing in White County, Georgia,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_101" id="Page_101">[Pg 101]</a></span> having made themselves +politically obnoxious to the Klan, received the following:—</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p class="center">“<span class="smcap">Read the Contents</span>, K. K. K.</p> + +<p>O ye, horsemen of Manassas. Bounce, ye dead men that is now living on +earth. We are the men that I am talking about. We are of K. K. K. Now +Sandy Holcumb, Green Holcumb, Daniel McCollum, and E. Dickson, your +days are numbered. We shot the old Belt weather<small><a name="f2.1" id="f2.1" href="#f2">[2]</a></small> a little too low. +We aimed to shoot him through the heart; and if you don’t all get +away from this country very soon, your Radical hearts will be shot +out of you, and we had just as leave shoot you as for you to get +away.</p> +<p class="right">K. K. K.”</p></div> + +<p>The parties named in the above warning did not leave, as the United States +Officials came into the county about that time and arrested nearly one +hundred members of the Camp from which the document was issued.</p> + +<p>At Irwington, Ga., the colored people determined upon holding a +“protracted meeting,” and colored preachers assembled there from all +quarters. The meetings are described as having been most orderly, but they +were deemed inimical to the interests of the Ku Klux, and the following +warning was issued and posted near the place of meeting.</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p class="center">“K. K. K.</p> + +<p>The devil is getting up a new team, and wants some nigger preachers +to work in the lead. If you stay here until we come again, the devil +will be certain to have his team completed.</p> + +<p class="right">K. K. K.”</p></div> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_102" id="Page_102">[Pg 102]</a></span>The consternation of the freedmen was so great upon the receipt of the +above warning that not a colored preacher dared to show himself in the +vicinity for months afterwards.</p> + +<p>The Klan oppressed everyone not members of or in sympathy with their +organization, and sought to over-ride all law and equity, upon the +principle that might made right. To this end they issued warnings to +business men who had come into their vicinity from the North, and who were +disposed to invest capital and establish trade, but who were not of the +right stripe politically—and this meant who were not sound Democrats. +Numerous instances of this kind are on record.</p> + +<p>Two enterprising business men—Messrs. Gottschalk and Hughes—purchased a +mill property in Atalla, Ala., belonging to one J. B. Spitzer, and made +their arrangements to get out lumber. Messrs. Gottschalk and Hughes were +under suspicion of not sympathizing with the Klan, politically, and a +pretence was made that Mr. Spitzer, from whom they had purchased the saw +mill, was indebted to persons, whom the new firm were politely requested +to accept as their creditors. This they refused to do, and the following +warning was sent them.</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p class="center">“<span class="smcap">Den of the Great Grand High Cyclops Of Etowah County, Ala.</span></p> + +<p>To Messrs. Gottschalk & Hughes:</p> + +<p>His royal highness, your great, grand high worthy master, notices +with much pleasure that you have purchased and become the owners of +the saw mill, lately owned by Mr. J. B. Spitzer. He understands very +well, everything connected with that mill transaction, and it is his +great pleasure that you call on the creditors of J. B. Spitzer in the +morning, and approve of the debts<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_103" id="Page_103">[Pg 103]</a></span> of Mr. Spitzer. He wishes an +answer to-night what you will do in the matter.</p> + +<p><span style="margin-left: 8em;">By order of his royal highness,</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 12em;"><i>The Great grand Cyclops of Etowah County, Ala.</i>”</span></p></div> + +<p>Messrs. Gottschalk & Hughes paid no heed to this missive, and on the night +of the 13th of November, 1871, the Klan assembled and set fire to the +mill, destroying it entirely, and compelling its new proprietors to leave +the place.</p> + +<p>Mr. William Gober, residing in Dade County, Georgia, was an avowed +Unionist and Republican. He was active in politics and expressed his +sentiments with great freedom, and was consequently classed by the Ku Klux +as a carpet-bagger and a scallawag, and warned to leave the country, in +the following terms:—</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p class="center">“<span class="smcap">Death. K. K. K. Death.</span></p> + +<p>Take heed for the pale horse is coming. His step is terrible; +lightning is in his nostrils. He looks for a rider. Now this is to +warn you William Gober, that carpet-baggers and scallawags cannot +live in this country. If you are not gone in ten days, we shall come +to you, and the pale horse shall have his rider.</p> + +<p class="right">By order. K. K. K.”</p></div> + +<p>Mr Gober smiled at this document, but the sequel shew that it meant +something more than a threat. At midnight on the 13th of September, 1871, +his house was surrounded by about twenty of the Klan, armed and disguised. +He was then dragged out and whipped with great severity. Previous to the +infliction of the punishment he fought desperately with his assailants, +and succeeded in displacing several of their masks, and recognizing them.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_104" id="Page_104">[Pg 104]</a></span>He was left for dead by the Klan, but recovered his consciousness, and +secretly made his way to Atlanta, where he made an affidavit, upon which +six of the parties were arrested and held for trial.</p> + +<p>Thousands of warnings, similar to the above, many of them obscene and +blasphemous, were sent to as many persons in various parts of the South.</p> + +<p>One more is herewith appended, as showing one of the extremes to which the +Ku Klux went in their crusade against Radicals. It was found hanging to a +small dagger, stuck into one of the doors of the University, at +Tuscaloosa, Ala., with several others of similar import, addressed to some +of the students of the University, and read as follows:—</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p class="center">“K. K. K.</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Student’s University.</span></p> + +<p><span class="smcap">David Smith.</span>—You have received one notice from us and this shall be +our last. You, nor no other d—d son of a d—d Radical traitor, shall +stay at our University. Leave here in less than ten days, for in that +time we will visit the place, and it will not be well for you to be +found out there. The State is ours and so shall the University be. +Written by the Secretary.</p> + +<p class="right">By order of the Klan.”</p></div> + + +<p class="center"><br /><span class="smcap">The Murder of Wm. C. Luke and Five Negroes.</span></p> + +<p>One of the most brutal outrages to be found, even among the dark and +bloody records of the Ku Klux Klan, was enacted on the night of the 10th +of April, 1870, at the village of Cross Plains, near Paytona, Ala. The +details of this occurrence here given, have been collated from various +sources, a portion of them having been obtained from eye witnesses to the +affair.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_105" id="Page_105">[Pg 105]</a></span>William C. Luke, a Canadian by birth, and a gentleman of education, had +come to Paytona, and taken charge of the day school there. He was a +prominent worker in the cause of religion, entertained and advocated +Republican principles and took an earnest interest in the welfare of the +colored people, by whom he was surrounded. This drew down upon him the +malice of the Klan, and he was doomed to death. Luke had preached to the +negroes at times, and had taken occasion in his sermons to express his +opinion that negroes were now entitled to the same rights and privileges +under the Constitution of the United States as the whites.</p> + +<p>This course could not be tolerated by the K. K. K., and they only awaited +a favorable opportunity for carrying out the Edict of the Camp.</p> + +<p>On the 10th of April, Mr. Luke had preached at Paytona, and on the evening +of that day had returned to Cross Plains. He was there informed that the +Ku Klux had determined to come for him that night, and at once returned to +Paytona, accompanied by several negroes, who seemed fearful that he might +meet with violence. Up to ten o’clock nothing had transpired to cause +alarm, and Mr. Luke retired.</p> + +<p>Between twelve and one o’clock he was aroused from his slumbers by three +armed and disguised men, who informed him there had been a fracas in the +village of Cross Plains, about which it was thought he knew something, and +he was requested to go with them to the latter place. He signified his +willingness to do so, dressed himself and went out with the party. Upon +getting out of the house he was surprised at seeing a large number of men +similarly disguised, and who had in custody the five negroes who had +accompanied him to Paytona.</p> + +<p>One of the negroes named Jacob Moore, endeavored to break loose from his +captors, and had a severe fight with them. Being a very powerful man he +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_106" id="Page_106">[Pg 106]</a></span>succeeded in breaking away and run down the road. The Klan fired several +shots after him, two of which took effect, and he dropped by the road +side. Mr. Luke and the remaining negroes were then taken to the northern +border of Paytona, on the Cross Plains line, where the band halted. The +intended victim was now convinced that his death was meditated, and he +said to the leader of the Klan, one Clem Reid, “Am I about to die.”</p> + +<p>“Yes, you have preached your d—d heresies long enough,” was the answer. +“If you’ve got any prayers to say, you had better be about it.”</p> + +<p>Mr. Luke replied calmly, “I am not afraid to die, nor for such a cause. It +is hard to die in such a way.”</p> + +<p>Leave having been granted him to pray he uttered a most fervent appeal to +God, soliciting mercy for himself and the negroes, and forgiveness for +those who were persecuting them and him for righteousness and opinion’s +sake. His prayers were rudely cut short, a rope was placed about his neck, +the end thrown over the limb of a tree and his body suspended in the air. +The four negroes were next dispatched.</p> + +<p>John Goff, an eye witness to the proceedings states that the Klan tried to +hang two of the negroes, named Cæsar Fredericks and William Hall, at once, +but not being able to make the bodies balance, Pat Craig, a member of the +Klan, shot Fredericks in the mouth, while Clay Keith murdered Hall in a +similar manner. The other negroes were then hung singly, their bodies +being drawn up slowly to increase their torture.</p> + +<p>The defenders of the “white man’s race” then separated, fully satisfied +with having performed one more service in support of the “White Man’s +Government.” This outrage was so flagrant that the farce of an +investigation was gone through with, and the suspected parties arrested. +An examination resulted in their being discharged. The witnesses were all +members of the Ku Klux Klan, and had sworn to regard no oath<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_107" id="Page_107">[Pg 107]</a></span> that would +injure one of the brotherhood, and the murderers of William C. Luke still +go unwhipt of justice. And these are the people who talk of their rights, +of the oppression of Radical rule, of their determination to establish a +Democratic Administration.</p> + + +<p class="center"><br />PROSCRIPTION.</p> + +<p>It seemed to be the intent of the orders of the Ku Klux Klan everywhere +throughout the South, to impress upon the people, the fallacy of +attempting to entertain any opinion inimical to those put forth by the +Klan. The attacks of the Klan were first directed to such of the people as +were bold enough to declare themselves unionists and republicans. +Scourging, banishment or murder were the measures adopted to enforce +silence, and these terrible agents proved fully potent to accomplish the +end.</p> + +<p>This enforced silence, however, appeared to be dangerous, and was +certainly more ominous to the order, than the freest utterances of the +most radical views. “Those not with the order, must certainly be against +it,” said the leaders, and a new crusade was forthwith inaugurated. The +object of the new movement was to compel every able-bodied white man to +join the Order and become bound to it by oaths, administered in the Camp.</p> + +<p>Notices were accordingly issued by the respective Chiefs of Dominion from +every Camp, requiring the presence of parties, for initiation into the +Order. When these were not heeded, they were followed by warnings. If the +parties were still refractory, then they received a visitation.</p> + +<p>The two first cases arising under this new arrangement,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_108" id="Page_108">[Pg 108]</a></span> were those of +Paul Myers and John Chapman, of Jefferson County, Ala. These gentlemen +were joint proprietors of a small store, and while inwardly opposed to the +principles of the Ku Klux, had outwardly conducted themselves in such a +manner as to give no cause of offence to the Klan. They were surprised in +common with many others, upon receiving a notice to appear for initiation +into the Jefferson County Camp of the K. K., and they resolutely refused +to comply with the request.</p> + +<p>They were then warned, that they would be “Ku Kluxed” if they did not +come, and the threat was carried out, both of them being severely whipped, +and their store pillaged. A second warning was sent to them, and this was +succeeded by a second visitation, more terrible than the first. They were +so badly beaten at this time, that their lives were despaired of, and as +soon as they were able, they closed their store and left the place.</p> + +<p>They then placed themselves in communication with the United States +Officials, and under their advice returned, signified their willingness to +join the order, and did so. By this means they were enabled to arrive at +the names of parties engaged in various raids, and obtain all information +necessary to the arrest and conviction of the leaders. This was one of the +first steps that led to the breaking up of the Klan in Jefferson County.</p> + +<p>Messrs. Myers and Chapman managed to impart information to the United +States Officers, upon which several of the prominent members of the order +were arrested and lodged in jail, and the visitations ceased.</p> + +<p>In White County, Georgia, Mr. William Carson received a notice from the Ku +Klux of that County, that he must join the order. Carson was the head of +an intelligent family, a Republican in principle, but who avoided +expressing his opinions as much as possible.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_109" id="Page_109">[Pg 109]</a></span>He paid no heed to the notices and warnings sent him, but pursued the even +tenor of his way, remaining home as much of the time as his business would +admit, and being especially careful about going abroad at night.</p> + +<p>During November, 1871, he received the long promised visitation. The +evening meal was through with, the early evening prayers of the children +had been said, the latter were about retiring, when a number of the Klan, +armed, mounted and disguised dashed up to the door.</p> + +<p>Mr. Carson opened the door and mildly asked to know the object of their +visit. The reply was a rifle shot, which was immediately followed by a +second, and Mr. Carson fell dead across the door step. The Klan +disappeared as suddenly as they had come. The grief stricken family raised +up the inanimate form of the beloved husband and father, only to realize +that the voice which had so long been the comfort and consolation of the +little household would never be heard by them again.</p> + +<p>This in a christian land! Within the sound of the sabbath bells, and +almost under the shadow of the sanctuary of the living God. A christian +gentleman refusing to bind himself with those who had sworn to overthrow +the Government, and scourge and kill the negro and the radical; shot down +within his own door, in sight of his wife and little ones, because, +forsooth, he had the temerity to think and act, politically, as his +conscience seemed to dictate.</p> + +<p>Thinking men throughout the nation will stand for many years to come with +William Carson, on the spot where he met his awful and untimely fate, and +they will stand there in the power of consolidated right, beating back the +onslaughts of the powers of darkness, and raising a monument to the +justice of that course, which<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_110" id="Page_110">[Pg 110]</a></span> by the vigorous action of the nation’s +counsellors, and under the provident rule of a beneficent God, is fast +being established on a solid foundation.</p> + + +<p class="center"><br /><span class="smcap">Shocking Fate of a Quadroon Family.</span></p> + +<p>Gaston County, N. C., in the lower part of that State, adjoins York +County, South Carolina, the State line dividing these two districts. In +the north-easterly part of Gaston County, in the outskirts of Hoylestown, +there came to live a family of mulatto people—or quadroons—in 1870, who +were refugees from oppression, brutality and abuse of the Ku Klux Klan in +Moore County, N. C., whence they had been banished after the husband had +been shockingly scourged, and the lives of himself, wife, and three +children threatened, unless he left Moore County within a fortnight from +the night he was whipped.</p> + +<p>At the earnest entreaties of his wife, who feared the next threatened +visitation of the Klan, her husband consented to quit the place he had +dwelt in some years, but where he had rendered himself obnoxious to the +Democratic party around him, through his persistent advocacy of Republican +sentiments, which he promulgated among his own race, causing them to cast +their votes for the Radical ticket. And for this offence he was terribly +whipped and ruthlessly driven from his home.</p> + +<p>The name of this family was Noye, Aleck and Elfie, the father and mother +had both been slaves, belonging originally to the Noye estate, in Moore +County. Aleck was an ingenious fellow, and his brother Felix, had, twenty +years previously, invented a peculiar reclining chair for the use of +invalids; which to this day is manufactured largely in New England, upon +the identical principle, originated by Felix, for which his old master<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_111" id="Page_111">[Pg 111]</a></span> +took out a patent, and from the royalty of which he has realized a fortune +first and last.</p> + +<p>Aleck was a first rate mechanic and earned a good living. After the war, +when he became free to exercise his natural talent for his own benefit, +and had the right to vote, he became an ardent Radical, and proved a +damaging subject among his brethren in the estimation of the Southern +Democrats.</p> + +<p>He was a brave fellow, and only at the urgent solicitation of Elfie, did +he decide to quit his former residence, after the scourging above alluded +to. But he went to Gaston County, found occupation readily and pursued his +labor faithfully. The old love of “freedom of opinion” went with him, and +his zeal for his colored fellow brethren soon cropped out, in his new +location. He was “warned” to leave Hoylestown, just as he had been +compelled by the mandate of the Klan to flee from Moore County, but +refused to go.</p> + +<p>On the night of February 7, 1871, Aleck was sitting with his family before +the fire in his little cabin, after a hard day’s work; and the children +were about the room, one of the little girls being at the moment beside +his knee. The mother was busy getting the homely evening meal ready, and +was just in the act of removing from before the glowing fire the pone and +hoe cakes for supper, when the door of the hut flew open, suddenly, a +musket shot rang out, and <i>she</i> fell head-foremost in upon the blazing +logs, with a bullet through her brain!</p> + +<p>Aleck sprang from his stool, caught his wife in his arms, and drew her out +of the flames upon the floor. She never spoke from that instant, and, amid +the screams of the terrified children, Aleck found himself in the gripe of +two or three disguised ruffians, who entered in advance of half a dozen +others of the Klan, who quickly pinioned him, and informed him that “his +time had come.”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_112" id="Page_112">[Pg 112]</a></span>His wife, whom he tenderly loved, lay dead before his startled and +dumfounded gaze, and he could not command himself to speak for a moment. +Then he commenced to struggle with the brutes, the screams of his little +ones bringing him back to himself. “What is this for,” he exclaimed. “Come +along!” was the sharp reply of the leader of the gang, “You’re played out, +and now you’re <i>our</i> meat!” And they swiftly bore the wretched father out +of the hut, and away from his slaughtered wife and horrified crying babes.</p> + +<p>Aleck was taken to the woods, half a mile distant, where the gang tore and +cut his clothes off of him, and then proceeded to flay him, in accordance +with the decision of the Camp in that county; the members of which had +first been put upon his track by members of the Moore County Klan. Upon +this second visitation, the edict was to “whip the nigger to death.” And +they did the bidding of their leader, as the sequel proved, to the letter. +He was cut and slashed, and beaten until the breath of life was almost +gone out of his poor defenceless body, and then their victim was hurled +into the chapparal, and left to the night wolves of the forest to devour.</p> + +<p>It sometimes occurs that our strength increases in proportion to the +strain that is imposed upon it. Wounds and rough hardship enure the +sturdy, and provoke their courage, oftentimes, and there is a natural +instinct in the heart of man, which, under the severest trials and abuses, +steels his very nerves <i>not</i> to yield to the heaviest blows of calamity or +adversity—mental or physical.</p> + +<p>Aleck was brave-hearted to a fault. He was likewise physically courageous, +and could bear the worst kind of punishment, ordinarily, without +flinching. He was now vanquished, for hours he lay like one who had “given +up the ghost,” beyond conjecture. Still he did not die until the following +night. He was providentially<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_113" id="Page_113">[Pg 113]</a></span> discovered by some negroes, in the woods, +taken to his cabin, and brought to consciousness.</p> + +<p>Before he expired he told his dreadful story to four witnesses, who gave +it in substance to the United States authorities, as we have now stated +the details; but unfortunately—on account of the disguises of his +heartless tormenters and murderers—he could give no description that +pointed to the personal identity of the offenders.</p> + +<p>He learned that his wife was dead, before his own lamp of life went out, +and simply asking of the colored friends who gathered about his +death-bed-side, that the humble pair might be laid in the same grave, poor +Aleck Noye sank to his final rest, and yielded up his spirit to the God +who gave it. The children were taken away by some of the poor neighbors +who esteemed the quadroon family for their virtues, and universal kindness +towards them, and thus closed another awful tragedy in North Carolina—of +which over six hundred came under the knowledge of the United States +District Attorney, in a single county, (not all of them fatal, to be +sure), and which have been duly reported by him, officially, within a +comparatively limited period, since the close of the war.</p> + +<p>Is there no “combination of purpose or design” in all these instances of +wrong? Does there exist “no organization among these men” for evil? And +have these terrible doings no “political significance” as is asserted in +the minority Report of the Congressional Committee upon the Ku Klux Klan +outrages? In the face of this accumulated, overwhelming, damning +evidence—will <i>any</i> one believe that the Honorable gentlemen (who have +put forth this paper in opposition to the majority Report of that +Committee), are not themselves convinced that all this is true; and that +not one half of the shocking story of the infamy of this wretched Klan has +been told?</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_114" id="Page_114">[Pg 114]</a></span>Will it be impressed upon the minds of the public of this enlighted +nation, North or South, through any sophistry, argument or theorising, +that all these living witnesses and victims are liars, and perjurors? Have +not these events occurred? And if so, what is the <i>cause</i> of the wrong +doing? It happens, unfortunately, for the “Union Democracy,” who flout at +these accounts of the doings of the Klans, that none <i>but</i> Radicals or +negroes are assailed. And also that <i>never</i> has a Radical been found +associating with these Ku Klux midnight marauders and, butchers, in an +attack upon one of their victims! Is there “no political significance” in +this fact?</p> + +<p>It is simply idle to propose such a fallacious and utterly groundless +doctrine. The fact is patent, and the matter is clear as that the sun +shines over the earth at mid-day—to the mind of every intelligent being +who can see or read—that the opponents of the Republican party, in the +guise of Ku Klux Klans, supported unblushingly by the “Union Democracy” of +the country, and their Democratic allies, are the combined movers, +operators, sustainers and abettors of this crusade, and that their first +and last and continuous aim and hope is to weaken or destroy the Radical +sentiment in the land.</p> + +<p>Thus far, however, thanks be to God! the American people have not been +deceived by the theories or the assertions of those who would tear down +the fabric of our wholesome Republican Government. And far distant be the +day when such attempts to overturn that government may succeed. “There is +a right way for us and for our children, and the hand of God is upon all +them for good, that seek him; but his wrath is against all them that +forsake him.”... And it is written, that “he who shunneth iniquity and +oppression, and followeth after righteousness, alone findeth life, +righteousness and honor.”</p> + + +<p> </p><p> </p> +<hr style="width: 50%;" /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_115" id="Page_115">[Pg 115]</a></span></p> +<p class="center"><span class="huge">THEN AND NOW.</span></p> +<p class="center"><span class="big">THE NATION’S SALVATION!</span></p> + +<p><br />The outrages narrated in the preceding pages are ample for the purposes of +this work, in giving such authenticated facts as show the existence of a +deep-seated conspiracy against law, and the well-being of society.</p> + +<p>They have been selected at random, from hundreds of similar instances that +have come under the personal observation of the writer, and that bear with +them the same irrefutable evidences of the truth, and serve to enable the +general reader to comprehend the awful scenes that have been enacted in +various parts of the South since the close of the war of the Rebellion.</p> + +<p>In the light of these outrages, and the positive manner in which the +responsibility of their authorship has been fixed upon those who had +determined to ride into power, even though fraud and violence were +necessary to that end, who shall say that the unfortunate South has not +suffered vastly more from its pretended friends than from those whom, by +corrupt means, its people had been led to suppose were their worst +enemies.</p> + +<p>Under the pernicious rule of Andrew Johnson, the disturbing elements of +the South gathered renewed hope for the final success of the ambitious +aspirations<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_116" id="Page_116">[Pg 116]</a></span> which had been dissipated by a long and bloody war. That +which had been lost to them through the unswerving integrity of our great +captains in the field, they thought would be secured through the treason +of the traitor in the Cabinet, and they marshalled their forces with that +end in view, and initiated a reign of terror, such as had hitherto been +unknown even in the darkest hours of adversity within the history of the +Republic.</p> + +<p>The accession of General Grant to the presidency, caused a halt in this +wild and mad career, and there was a momentary lull in the operations of +the conspirators. It remained to be seen whether one, coming so fresh from +the people—a plain and unassuming man, although laden with honors second +to that of no military chieftain of ancient or modern time—would be +indifferent to the cry for help which was coming up from all parts of the +then famished land, and fail to apply the appropriate remedy, or whether +he would appreciate the true situation of affairs there, and would be able +to say to the disturbing elements of the South, in language which they +could not well mistake: <span class="smcap">Let us have peace</span>.</p> + +<p>Time, which gives the just solution to the most intricate of social and +political problems, has informed the nation that it had not long to remain +in doubt. The results thus far attained, show the elaboration of a plan, +conceived in wisdom, founded upon reason and righteousness, and prosecuted +with an even regard for the rights of all, that has commended itself to +civilization everywhere.</p> + +<p>The writer has taken especial pains to ascertain, from persons well versed +in the political situation at this juncture, the policy to be pursued by +this Administration, and the wisdom of which seems to have been amply +verified by what followed. The plan to be adopted, they state, was decided +upon only after the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_117" id="Page_117">[Pg 117]</a></span> most mature deliberations into which the counsels of +the best minds of the country were called. It was necessary that the +condition of affairs in the South should be arrived at with an accuracy +that would place the information sought to be obtained beyond all doubt as +to its genuineness and reliability, as the only means by which such an +intelligent and comprehensive understanding of the evil could be obtained +as would enable President Grant to inforce the laws applicable to the +case, or, in the absence of such, to recommend to Congress the enactment +of those commensurate with the magnitude of the subject. This was +accordingly done.</p> + +<p>Agents for the work were selected, with no reference whatever to their +political principles. They were placed under the general charge of a +competent officer, in whose judgment great confidence was reposed, and +were instructed to get at the facts regardless of political bias.</p> + +<p>Each one of these agents supposed that he had been sent on a special +mission to ascertain if a certain condition of affairs, said to exist in a +certain locality, did so exist, and had not the remotest idea that several +others had been sent on similar missions to sections of the Southern +country remote from his field of operations.</p> + +<p>The evidence of the existence of an armed organization, pernicious in its +policy and its tendencies, and looking to the disruption of society and +the compelling of the adoption of political principles obnoxious to the +people upon whom they were attempted to be forced, came in from all +quarters. The reports differed in minor details, but had a general +correspondence that was remarkable.</p> + +<p>Some of these agents—and to whom the writer is indebted for many of the +facts herein contained—stated that all strangers in the localities +visited by them were looked upon with the greatest suspicion, and they<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_118" id="Page_118">[Pg 118]</a></span> +soon learned that the security of their lives depended largely upon the +enunciation of principles according with the Democracy; that the word +democrat was the <i>open sesame</i> to the confidence of the leading spirits in +the various communities through which they passed; that Democracy in the +South meant rebellion, and that Ku Kluxism meant both, and they governed +themselves accordingly.</p> + +<p>To attain the object, and get the most comprehensive view possible of the +condition of the people, these men, for the time being, were “Democrats,” +and “Rebels,” and would gladly be “Ku Klux.” By adroit and skillful +management they procured themselves to be initiated into the various +orders of the K. K. K., and were enabled thus to discover the numbers, +resources, operations, designs, and ultimate purposes of the same. The +names and residences of the victims, the outrages committed by the Klan, +were also obtained, until an array was presented that almost challenged +belief.</p> + +<p>The information was full, thorough, and reliable. It left no longer room +for doubt. Action—vigorous and energetic action—based upon laws enacted +with special reference to the evil to be met, must be had. The suffering +sons and daughters of the South demanded it; the cause of human justice +and human freedom demanded it; the enforcement of the rights of the +recently emancipated bondmen demanded it; and in the interest of law and +order everywhere throughout the land, there came a demand for the adoption +of such measures as would save the people of the South from themselves, +and thus verify the scriptural saying:</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>“And it shall come to pass, that like as I have watched over them to +pluck up, and to break down, and to destroy, and to afflict, so will +I watch over them to build and to plant, saith the Lord.”</p></div> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_119" id="Page_119">[Pg 119]</a></span>It was evident that if they were left to their own devices, the people +must fall into complete anarchy and ruin. Urgent as were these demands, +nothing could be done hastily. The salvation of a people and the well +being of a nation was in the balance, and the most profound and mature +deliberation was necessary at every step.</p> + +<p>It was wisely deemed by the Executive that a continuation of the policy +adopted by him at the outset of his official career with regard to all +sections of the country would apply to this, viz., the judicious +enforcement of appropriate laws, enacted with special reference to the +existing emergency. This was considered a measure which, while it could +give no just grounds of offense to <i>any</i>, would afford the most available +means for securing the rights of <i>all</i>, and attaining the desired end. +There must be no halting by the wayside. The noblest and best blood of the +nation had been expended for a purpose not yet accomplished. Nothing save +the complete restoration of order, the harmonization of conflicting +elements, and the vindication of the rights of <i>all</i> to their own +individual opinion, and the expression of the same through the ballot-box, +as their conscience might dictate, could be in any manner commensurate +with this great sacrifice.</p> + +<p>The words of a just and righteous God to a suffering people must be +redeemed: “And thou shalt be secure, because there is hope; yea, thou +shalt dig about thee and thou shalt take thy rest in safety; also thou +shalt lie down, and none shall make thee afraid.”</p> + +<p>On the 23d of March, 1871, President Grant sent to Congress a message, in +which he touched delicately but unmistakably upon this subject, as +follows:</p> + +<p><i>“A condition of affairs now exists in some of the States of the Union +rendering life and property insecure, and the carrying of the mails and +the collection of the revenue dangerous. The proof that such a condition +of affairs exists<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_120" id="Page_120">[Pg 120]</a></span> in some localities is now before the Senate. That the +power to correct these evils is beyond the control of State authorities, I +do not doubt. That the power of the Executive of the United States, acting +within the limits of existing laws, is sufficient for present emergencies +is not clear.”</i></p> + +<p>It was further suggested that such legislation should be had as would +secure life, liberty, and property in all parts of the United States; and +in pursuance of this recommendation, an act was passed by Congress, and +approved April 20th, 1871, entitled, “An Act to enforce the provisions of +the fourteenth amendment to the Constitution of the United States, and for +other purposes.”</p> + +<p>This was a blow under which the various orders of the Ku Klux Klans reeled +and staggered like quivering aspens. The leaders of these Klans had so +long disregarded law as to come to think, apparently, that they were no +longer amenable to it, and might be a law unto themselves. They predicted +that any attempt to interfere with them would lead to results in +comparison with which the scenes enacted during the war of the rebellion +would sink to insignificance; but, as the results have thus far shown, +they had reckoned without their host.</p> + +<p>They sought to stand upon something like tenable ground and to fortify +their position before the world, by arguments that were worn threadbare +long before the war of the Rebellion, and they failed most signally. Their +fallacious reasonings were impotent to justify their acts, and they +neither enlisted the sympathies, nor gained the support of those to whom +they appealed.</p> + +<p>The march of progressive republicanism, irresistible in the force of its +teachings, and the spread of the God-like principles of truth, justice, +and equality among men, without distinction of race or color, which had +<i>then</i> encountered the fiercest obstruction within the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_121" id="Page_121">[Pg 121]</a></span> power of the +slaveocracy to throw in its way, <i>now</i> swept over the country, uprooting +the tyrannical oligarchy of the South, tearing asunder the flimsy veil +behind which the great wrongs done to the bondmen were sought to be hid, +and destined, in its onward course, to remove every vestige of those +pernicious principles so inimical to sound doctrine and the stability of +governments.</p> + +<p>The results produced by the spread of these principles, and the +enforcement of the laws based thereon, can hardly be estimated. Taking the +condition of the Southern States both before and after the war—</p> + +<p class="center">THEN AND NOW—</p> + +<p>and we have an array of facts in support of these principles, surpassing +all theories and arguments.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Then</span>, only white male citizens, twenty-one years of age and over, were +voters.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Now</span>, <i>all</i> male citizens of twenty-one years and over, having the +necessary qualifications of residence, etc., have the right of suffrage.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Then</span>, voting was <i>viva voce</i>.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Now</span>, it is by ballot.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Then</span>, there was no registry of voters.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Now</span>, all electors are required to register before voting.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Then</span>, “returning officers,” and those issuing commissions, were bound by +the arithmetical results of the polls, and were required to give the +commission or certificate of election to the person having the highest +number of votes.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Now</span>, there are boards of canvassers who are required not only to count the +returns, but to pass upon questions of violence and fraud, and to exclude +returns from precincts where they find the elections to have been +controlled by such means.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_122" id="Page_122">[Pg 122]</a></span><span class="smcap">Then</span>, the basis of representation +was property, or property and slaves, or slaves by enumerating three-fifths of all.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Now</span>, it is all the <i>inhabitants</i> of the land.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Then</span>, white male citizens, and, in some localities, property holders only, +were eligible to office.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Now</span>, <i>all</i> male citizens, save the few under disabilities by the +Constitution of the United States, are eligible.</p> + +<p>Coming down to a later period in the history of the country, from the time +when the death of the lamented Lincoln had left the Republic in the hands +of its worst enemies, to the presidential election in 1868, and what is +the situation?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Then</span>, the leaders had succeeded in ripening the people for a revolution +against law and order, if that were necessary for the maintenance of +issues, differing in character, but similar in design and spirit, to those +sought to be gained by the war of the rebellion.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Then</span>, a reign of terror had been inaugurated in the community which +compelled the tacit acquiescence of those who, desiring to express their +opinions, were denied the right through the fear of social and political +ostracism and physical violence.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Then</span>, the Government was in the hands of Andrew Johnson, and the hopes of +good and just men everywhere, in all sections of the country, of arriving +at a peaceful solution of the difficulties through reconstruction, were +blasted, and gave no signs of verification in fruition.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Then</span>, the same spirit was rampant that plunged the country into a +sanguinary war, and did not hesitate to express itself in a determined +resistance to the new order of things produced by that war.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Then</span>, men embraced and kissed their wives and children at night, as if +leaving them for a far-off journey, not knowing, when they lay down, +whether they<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_123" id="Page_123">[Pg 123]</a></span> should awake to peaceful sunlight or to a cabin strewn with +the bodies of the loved ones.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Then</span> had begun the first fruits of the great judgments through which the +people were eventually to pass, and by which alone, it appeared they could +be redeemed.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">And now came the promise</span> of a new order of things. The political situation +of the country had changed. The reins of government passed into the hands +of men of whom much was expected. Three years have intervened. The false +issues that had been raised among the masses are <i>now</i> being swept away. +The disorganizing elements are tottering to a fall, and those who had +fostered them are seeking to excuse and palliate their course.</p> + +<p>They complain that the civil government of the Southern States had passed +into the hands of carpet-baggers, who had been forced upon them, who were +engaged in plundering the people, encouraging the negroes to pillage and +destroy the property of the country, and placing them in positions where +they could rule over white men.</p> + +<p>But this was not in any manner the real trouble. The same oppressive +spirit that actuated these men during the days when slavery was a +recognized institution among them, still obtained. Neither the men of the +South nor the sojourners from the North were allowed in those days to +freely express their opinions, if those opinions chanced to be in +opposition to slavery.</p> + +<p>What was treason <i>then</i> against the social and political rights of these +would-be-masters of a race, is treason <i>now</i> in their minds; for they have +not yet learned to tolerate the free expression of sentiments in such +exact antipodes to their early educational training.</p> + +<p>To preach the principles of republicanism, to advocate the education of +the negro, to urge his right to the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_124" id="Page_124">[Pg 124]</a></span> elective franchise, were deemed +seditious practices, and were opposed <i>then</i> just as they are <i>now</i>; there +is simply a difference in the mode by which this opposition is manifested.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Then</span>, it was by argument, supported by local and Federal legislation.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Now</span>, it is by violence, and the subversion of all law.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Then</span> the North reasoned and counselled with the South; endeavored to show +them the great wrongs done to the bondman, and that the nation could not +prosper under the terrible curse of slavery.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Now</span> the strong arm of the Government is put forth to compel a respect for +the rights accorded to <i>all</i> under the law; a situation which, it appears, +nothing but the determined front presented by the Administration will lead +the people of the South finally to accept.</p> + +<p>The efforts of the wicked leaders to misguide the masses are persistent. +Many right-minded people of the South are misled by the false statements +put forth by those who should, and do know, better, and the pernicious +results of whose influence time and the dissemination of truthful +intelligence can alone eradicate.</p> + +<p>In many instances Republicans have been elected to office, and these are +the so-called carpet-baggers. In some localities negroes and mulattoes +have been elevated to places of power and trust, and, for this, the people +of the South are largely indebted to their own willful neglect.</p> + +<p>The Joint Select Committee to inquire into the condition of affairs in the +late insurrectionary States, allude to this subject in the following +language:</p> + +<p>“The refusal of a large portion of the wealthy and educated men to +discharge their duties as citizens, has brought upon them the same +consequences which are being suffered in Northern cities and communities +from the neglect of their business and educated men to <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_125" id="Page_125">[Pg 125]</a></span>participate in all +the movements of the people which make up self-government. The citizen in +either section who refuses or neglects from any motive to take his part in +self-government, has learned that he must now suffer and help to repair +the evils of bad government. The newly-made voters of the South at the +close of the war, it is testified, were kindly disposed toward their +former masters. The feeling between them, even yet, seems to be one of +confidence in all other than their political relations. The refusal of +their former masters to participate in political reconstruction +necessarily left the negroes to be influenced by others. Many of them were +elected to office and entered it with honest intentions to do their duty, +but were unfitted for its discharge. Through their instrumentality, many +unworthy white men, having obtained their confidence, also procured public +positions. In legislative bodies, this mixture of ignorant but honest men +with better educated knaves, gave opportunity for corruption, and this +opportunity has developed a state of demoralization on this subject which +may and does account for many of the wrongs of which the people justly +complain.”</p> + +<p>Had the evil ended simply in a neglect upon the part of leading citizens +to discharge their duties as such, the remedy might have the more speedily +been applied. But the views of these men were to be carried far beyond a +mere declination to take part in the political reconstruction. They +determined that others should not do it and live at peace. Threats and +violence were brought into requisition to intimidate and prevent the well +meaning from using their efforts to render the political situation such +that society could improve rather than be retarded under it.</p> + +<p>Evidences of the wide-spread defection are not wanting. That the various +orders of the Ku Klux Klans, were guided by men of intelligence, is amply +shown these pages; and the fact is corroborated by testimony<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_126" id="Page_126">[Pg 126]</a></span> taken before +the Investigating Committee above referred to.</p> + +<p>One of the witnesses before this Committee was Gen. N. B. Forrest, of +Tennessee, late of the rebel army, and to whom a vast array of +circumstances pointed as being the <span class="smcap">Grand Cyclops</span> of the Ku Klux Orders. +The fact that he was in receipt of from fifty to one hundred letters per +day from all parts of the South upon the subjects of the Order; that he +was present in person in districts of the South where its members were +placed upon trial; that he had the general conduct and management of +affairs at such trials, hovering near the courts, though not appearing in +them; that when asked if he had taken any steps in organizing the Order, +he made reply that he did not think he was compelled to answer any +question that would implicate him in anything; that when asked if he knew +the names of any members of the Order, he declined to answer, and finally +said he could only recollect one name, and that was Jones; these, and +numerous other circumstances which the investigations have developed, but +which a want of space forbids reciting here, lead to the inevitable +conclusion that Gen. Forrest was at the head of the Order.</p> + +<p>Some care has been taken to arrive at this fact, as it is evident that a +man of enlarged experience and liberal education, as General Forrest is +known to be, would draw about him men of equal caliber, thus +substantiating the assertions that the operations of the Ku Klux Klans +were guided by men of intelligence, education, and influence, who had been +violent secessionists, who had rebelled against the Government, and who +were determined to thwart all its endeavors to restore peace and harmony +to the distracted country.</p> + +<p>General Terry, commanding military district of Georgia, makes report as +early as August, 1869, to the Secretary of War, in which he says:</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_127" id="Page_127">[Pg 127]</a></span>“There can be no doubt of the existence of numerous insurrectionary +organizations, known as the Ku Klux Klans, who shielded by their +disguises, by the secrecy of their movements, and by the terror which they +inspire, perpetrate crimes with impunity. There is great reason to believe +that in some cases <i>the local magistrates are in sympathy with the members +of these organizations</i>.”</p> + +<p>General Terry’s testimony is borne out by that of the United States +officials and secret agents and the evidence of recanting members of the +order. The cases of Harry Lowther, Ex-sheriff Deason, Susan J. Furguson, +Edward Thompson, and hosts of others, show men to have been engaged in +these murderous outrages, who were leading lights in the various +communities in which they lived. It is not therefore true, as has been +attempted to be made out by the Democratic party, that it is the rabble +only who are engaged in the treasonable movement.</p> + +<p>It is not contended here that all the Democrats of the South are Ku Klux, +but it has been most conclusively shown that all the Ku Klux are +Democrats, and that they are sworn to oppose the spread of Republican +principles. They are determined to rule, and to rule with a rod of iron. +They have settled in their minds that “no government but the white man’s +shall live in this country, and that they will forever oppose the +political elevation of the negro to an equality with the whites.”</p> + +<p>The report of the above committee, alluding to this condition of affairs, +very justly says:</p> + +<p>“The facts demonstrate that it requires the strong arm of the Government +to protect its citizens in the enjoyment of their rights, to keep the +peace, and prevent this threatened—rather to say this initiated—war of +races, until the experiment which it has inaugurated, and which many +Southern men pronounce now, and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_128" id="Page_128">[Pg 128]</a></span> many more have sworn shall be made a +failure, can be determined in peace. The race so recently emancipated, +against which banishment or serfdom is thus decreed, but which has been +clothed by the Government with the rights and responsibilities of +citizenship, ought not to be, and we feel assured will not be left +hereafter without protection against the hostilities and sufferings it has +endured in the past, as long as the legal and constitutional powers of the +Government are adequate to afford it. Communities suffering such evils, +and influenced by such extreme feelings, may be slow to learn that relief +can come only from a ready obedience to and support of constituted +authority.”</p> + +<p>That communities in some portions of the South are still suffering from +the evils herein referred to is an established fact, and the testimony is +not confined to the cloud of witnesses herein cited. The existence of the +Orders of Ku Klux Klans, and the allegations of the outrages perpetrated +by its members, have been proven before courts of justice. The most +learned advocates employed to defend these criminals have not attempted to +deny it.</p> + +<p>No less a legal light than the Hon. Reverdy Johnson, of counsel, who +appeared, to defend persons charged with the commission of crimes similar +to those narrated in the foregoing pages, has admitted it. The trials in +which Mr. Johnson appeared as such counsel were had before the November +(1871) term of the United States Circuit Court, at Columbia, S. C.</p> + +<p>On the sixteenth day of the proceedings, the evidence for the Government +having closed, Mr. Johnson made his opening for the defense; and although +standing before the court as the legal defender of the members of one of +the most terrible organizations known to modern times, he was compelled, +in justice to human decency, and in acknowledgment of the truth of the +statements presented to the court by the United States<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_129" id="Page_129">[Pg 129]</a></span> Attorney, to use +the following language in his address to the jury:</p> + +<p>“I have listened with unmixed horror to some of the testimony which has +been brought before you. The outrages proved are shocking to humanity; +they admit of neither excuse or justification; they violate every +obligation which law and nature impose upon them; they show that the +parties engaged were brutes, insensible to the obligations of humanity and +religion. The day will come, however, if it has not already arrived, when +they will deeply lament it. Even if justice shall not overtake them, there +is one tribunal from which there is no escape. It is their own +judgment—that tribunal which sits in the breast of every living man—that +small, still voice that thrills through the heart, the soul of the mind, +and as it speaks gives happiness or torture—the voice of conscience—the +voice of God.</p> + +<p>“If it has not already spoken to them in tones which have startled them to +the enormity of their conduct, I trust, in the mercy of heaven, that that +voice will so speak as to make them penitent, and that, trusting in the +dispensations of heaven—whose justice is dispensed with mercy—when they +shall be brought before the bar of their great Tribunal, so to speak, that +incomprehensible Tribunal, there will be found in the fact of their +penitence, or in their previous lives, some grounds upon which God may +say: <span class="smcap">Pardon</span>.”</p> + + +<p class="center"><br />THE STATISTICS,</p> + +<p>as to the number of those who have been the victims of outrages +perpetrated by the Ku Klux Klans, are necessarily meagre.</p> + +<p>Many of them are recorded alone in the blood of the unoffending victims; +thousands of mouths that could speak the unwelcome truth, have been +sealed,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_130" id="Page_130">[Pg 130]</a></span> and are sealed to-day, through fear, and dare not make the +terrible revelations; but sufficient have come to light to afford an +approximate idea of the extent to which the pernicious designs of the +Order have been carried.</p> + +<p>With all the figures before us, and with a desire to keep within, rather +than exceed the bounds, the awful truth must be confessed, that <i>not less +than twenty-three thousand persons</i>, black and white, have been scourged, +banished, or murdered by the Ku Klux Klans, since the close of the +Rebellion: an average of more than two thousand in each of the States +lately in insurrection.</p> + +<p>Great care has been had in arriving at these figures. All the available +sources of information have been exhausted by research, and the facts +obtained have been in a manner borne out by collateral evidence, tending +to confirm the accuracy of the statement.</p> + +<p>The committee appointed by the Legislature of Tennessee (special session +of 1868), to investigate the subject, reported to that body, that:</p> + +<p>“The murders and outrages perpetrated in many counties in Middle and West +Tennessee, during the past few months (1868), have been so numerous and of +such an aggravated character, as to almost baffle investigation. The +terror inspired by the secret organizations, known as the Ku Klux Klans is +so great, that the officers of the law are powerless to execute its +provisions. Your Committee believe that, during the last six months, <i>the +murders alone</i>, to say nothing of other outrages, would average <i>one a +day</i>, or one for every twenty-four hours.”</p> + +<p>Gen. Reynolds, as commander of the Fifth Military District—comprising the +State of Texas—in his report to the Secretary of War, 1868-9, says:</p> + +<p>“Armed organizations, generally known as Ku Klux Klans, exist in many +parts of Texas but are most<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_131" id="Page_131">[Pg 131]</a></span> numerous, bold, and aggressive east of the +Trinity River. The precise object of the organization in this State, seems +to be to disarm, rob, and in many cases, murder Union men and negroes. +<i>The murder of negroes is so common as to render it impossible to keep +accurate account of them.</i>”</p> + +<p>Gen. O. O. Howard, reporting to the Secretary of War (1868-9), says, of +the State of Arkansas:</p> + +<p>“Lawlessness, violence, and ruffianism, have prevailed to an alarming +extent. Ku Klux Klans, disguised by night, have burned the dwellings and +shed the blood of unoffending freemen.”</p> + +<p>In the Louisiana contested election cases (1868), the terrible extent to +which these outrages were carried, was shown by most conclusive evidence. +One of the members of the Committee selected to take testimony in those +cases, says:</p> + +<p>“The testimony shows that over <i>two thousand persons</i> were killed, +wounded, and otherwise injured in that State, within a few weeks prior to +the presidential election; that half of the State was overrun by violence; +that midnight raids, secret murders and open riots, kept the people in +constant terror until the Republicans surrendered all claims, and then the +election was carried by the Democracy.”</p> + +<p>Referring to the well-authenticated massacre by the Ku Klux, at the parish +of St. Landry, in 1868, the report says:</p> + +<p>“Here (St. Landry) occurred one of the bloodiest riots on record, in which +<i>the Ku Klux killed and wounded over two hundred Republicans in two days</i>. +A pile of twenty-five bodies of the victims was found half buried in the +woods. The Ku Klux captured the masses, marked them with badges of red +flannel, enrolled them in clubs, marched them to the polls, and made them +vote the Democratic ticket.”</p> + +<p>It is estimated that, in North and South Carolina,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_132" id="Page_132">[Pg 132]</a></span> not less than five +thousand were scourged and killed, while more than that number were +compelled to flee for their lives. In Florida and Georgia, the outrages +were not so numerous, but they were marked with greater atrocity and +brutality.</p> + +<p>In further consideration of this question, the numbers and extent of the +various orders of the Ku Klux Klan, may be taken as a partial guide. The +testimony of Gen. N. B. Forrest is pertinent to the point. His position as +<span class="smcap">Grand Cyclops</span> of the Order, lends to his testimony the probability of +truth which it would not otherwise possess; and when it is considered that +he gave it with the greatest reluctance, one readily arrives at the +conclusion that his figures are by no means exaggerated. According to the +statements made by Gen. Forrest, the Order numbered not less than <i>five +hundred and fifty thousand men</i>. According to his estimate, there were +<i>forty thousand Ku Klux in the State of Tennessee</i> alone, and he believed +the organization still stronger in other States.</p> + +<p>Here, then, we have a vast array of men banded together with the secret +purpose of banishing from the country, or scourging and murdering all who +differed from them politically. In view of the numbers and extent of this +organization, and the positive evidence of the fearful work of its +members, the statement that twenty-three thousand persons have suffered +scourging and death at their hands, may be considered under, rather than +over, the real numbers.</p> + +<p>In North Carolina alone, eighteen hundred members of the Order stand +indicted for their participation in outrages upon persons and property.</p> + +<p>In South Carolina, the number reaches over seven hundred. Florida, +Alabama, Tennessee, Louisiana, Texas, and other States, swells the +aggregate to more than five thousand, and the investigations upon which +these indictments have been procured, disclose a <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_133" id="Page_133">[Pg 133]</a></span>condition of affairs, +which, it is difficult to conceive, could exist in a civilized +community;—much less in a Republic, noted among the nations of the earth +for its liberality, its progression, its enlarged freedom, the security of +life, liberty, property, and the equal rights of all.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">The Existence of the Evils</span> herein enumerated is placed beyond all doubt +and cavil. In the light of the recorded and corroborated facts, the nation +will demand to know:—</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p><i>First.</i> How far the present administrators of the Government have +fulfilled the duties and responsibilities confided to them by the +people?</p> + +<p><i>Second.</i> What has been done to remedy the evils that have made life +in Southern communities intolerable and unsafe?</p> + +<p><i>Third.</i> What steps are necessary to prevent a recurrence of these +evils in the future?</p></div> + +<p>Happily the first two questions have been amply answered in the acts of +the administration.</p> + +<p>A careful study of the necessities of the case, the enactment of +appropriate laws, applicable thereto, and their vigorous, but humane +enforcement, constitute a plan, the successful elaboration of which gives +answer to the third question, of “how a recurrence of these evils may be +prevented in the future.”</p> + +<p>To those who may have entertained the idea, that the work of restoring +order and securing to <i>all</i> the citizens equal rights, nothing can be more +comprehensive than the language of the committee of investigation. In +alluding to this point, the report says:—</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>“Looking to the modes provided by law for the redress of all +grievance—the fact that Southern <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_134" id="Page_134">[Pg 134]</a></span>communities do not yield ready +obedience at once, should not deter the friends of good government in +both sections of the country, from hoping and working for that end.</p> + +<p>“The strong feeling which led to rebellion and sustained brave men, +however, mistaken in resisting the Government which demanded their +submission to its authority; the sincerity of whose belief was +attested by their enormous sacrifice of life and treasure, this +feeling cannot be expected to subside at once, nor in years. It +required full forty years to develop disaffection into sedition, and +sedition into treason. Should we not be patient if in less than ten, +we have a fair prospect of seeing so many who were armed enemies, +becoming obedient citizens?”</p></div> + +<p><span class="smcap">During the Three Brief Years</span> in which the present administration has held +sway over the destinies of the nation, what has been accomplished? Upon +its accession to power, the people of the South were struggling under +political disabilities, and a consequent social condition that had +detached them from the onward march of civilization, and was hurrying them +back to anarchy and ruin. They had become morose, bigoted, violent.</p> + +<p>The law of revenge had usurped that of order. They writhed under the +results of the war and the downfall of their cherished institutions, and +they had sworn that what could not be gained by a war upon the nation at +large, should be had by a local war of extermination upon the—to +them—offensive portions of the races, black and white, that opposed, or +would not coincide with them.</p> + +<p>It was a delicate question; but the wisdom of the newly chosen leaders of +the nation have been equal to the emergency, and, to-day, light begins to +dawn in the dark places; the supremacy of the law is being established, +and by a continuation of the same wise<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_135" id="Page_135">[Pg 135]</a></span> and humane policy in the future, +the people of <i>all</i> the States may abundantly hope for the restoration of +peace and harmony in the South, where, but so recently, all was chaos and +confusion.</p> + +<p>In view of what has thus far been said, I call upon my countrymen, +everywhere, not to be deceived as to the real issues of the hour.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_136" id="Page_136">[Pg 136]</a></span></p> + + +<p> </p><p> </p> +<hr style="width: 50%;" /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_137" id="Page_137">[Pg 137]</a></span></p> +<p class="center"><span class="huge">ADDENDA.</span></p> + +<p><br />A retrospective glance at the field of American politics during the past +twelve years discloses several significant facts worthy of especial +attention.</p> + +<p>The most casual observer cannot fail to have been impressed with the fact +that there has been a growing disposition in the minds of the people to +make the welfare of the Country and not the advancement of party, the +issue, in the struggle for political supremacy.</p> + +<p>The political opinions of the masses are based upon foundations materially +different from those usually accorded them by the would-be leaders, who +attempt to form opinions for, and force the same upon the people.</p> + +<p>There is a spirit in politics that rises superior to party clap-trap and +unhealthy journalism, and which determines the problem of government with +far greater accuracy than any amount of machinery designed for the +accomplishment of any special end.</p> + +<p>Political organizations live or die by their <i>acts</i> and not by their +<i>machinery</i>. Without that spirit that seeks the greatest good of the +greatest number, they inevitably go to decay and final dissolution. With +that spirit they rise to the grandeur of well ordered governments. +Principles may be outraged and promises disregarded for a time but the end +must come sooner or later, and re-action in such cases usually means +annihilation.</p> + +<p>During the past twelve years the principles and promises of the two great +political parties of the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_138" id="Page_138">[Pg 138]</a></span> United States—the Republican and the +Democrat—have been more severely tried and tested than at any similar +period of time since the foundation of the Republic. Upon the maintenance +of certain principles and the fulfilment of certain promises, either party +have based their claims to the confidence of the American people. It +matters but little how seductive these principles may appear in their +enunciation, or how glowing the promises for future good, one must judge +of them, and the people will judge of them as they have been illustrated +in the acts of either party to whom the reins of Government have been +confided.</p> + +<p>Given that both parties announce that they have the interests of the whole +people at heart, then the results that have accrued from the accession of +either to power must be the standard by which their principles must be +measured, and their good or bad faith established. These results give <ins class="correction" title="original: rise rise">rise</ins> +to momentous questions. They lead thinking men to ask, if within the +Democratic ranks, slavery has not always found its ablest advocates.</p> + +<p>If it was not the Democratic party that formed a compact and coalition +with the slave holders of the South, with the understanding that if +slavery could be maintained, slave holders would help to keep the +Democrats in power.</p> + +<p>Was it not through the supineness of a Democratic Administration that the +rebellion was engendered and the fortifications and other property in the +Southern States belonging to the Government allowed to pass unquestioned +into the hands of its sworn enemies?</p> + +<p>Was it not to the Democratic party that the South looked for assistance in +deed and word to carry on a war aiming at the destruction of the Union?</p> + +<p>Did not the South rest its hope in the Democratic party to oppose every +measure taken by the loyal<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_139" id="Page_139">[Pg 139]</a></span> North in defence of the Government and the +salvation of the Union?</p> + +<p>Did not the Democratic party in the interest of their brethren in the +South, resist the draft in the North, thus causing the bloody riots of +’63?</p> + +<p>Was it not the Democratic party that opposed emancipation, the policy of +reconstruction, universal freedom and universal suffrage?</p> + +<p>Did not the weakness and vacillation of a Democratic Administration plunge +the country into a contest by which hundreds of thousands of citizens were +slain upon the field of battle, their widows and orphans left to the +charities of the Republic, and the nation saddled with an enormous debt?</p> + +<p>Is it not the Democratic party which has striven for years, and which is +still struggling, to maintain itself in power through its Tammany +organization at the North, and its Ku Klux organization at the South; the +one stealing the money of the people to sustain the other in scourging +them?</p> + +<p>Is it not upon the success of the Democratic party that the Ku Klux Klans +base their hopes for the future? And do they not expect, through the aid +of their Democratic allies to rescind the present Ku Klux laws, and +thereafter to scourge and kill radicals and negroes with impunity?</p> + +<p>Is it not to the Democratic party that the leaders of the Ku Klux Klans +look for help and shelter from the consequences of the numerous outrages +perpetrated by them in the Southern States?</p> + +<p>Was it not a Democratic Administration that bequeathed to the country, +foreign complications of a delicate nature, the foreshadowings of +internecine war, a depleted Treasury, an impaired credit, a general +feeling of insecurity in business and financial circles, and an almost +dismembered Nation?</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_140" id="Page_140">[Pg 140]</a></span>Has it not been for years the record of the Democratic party that it has +conspired against humanity and justice, aided to rivet the fetters of the +slave, sown the seeds of demoralization in politics, and by its cringing +subserviency to the slaveocracy of the South aimed a blow at the National +life?</p> + +<p>Is the Democratic party sincere in its profession to accept in good faith +the thirteenth, fourteenth and fifteenth amendments to the Constitution, +while strenuously objecting to all laws designed for the enforcement of +the provisions of those amendments?</p> + +<p>Does the Democratic party hope to blind the people by its shallow pretence +of a new departure from the principles advocated by it since its +organization?</p> + +<p>Do the old Democratic party ring-masters expect to mislead the people by a +mere visionary reconstruction of Tammany, and can they hope to erase the +foul stains upon their party linen to such an extent as to have them +accepted as pure and unspotted garments?</p> + +<p>These are some of the questions at present mooted in the silent heart of +the Nation. They are the questions of the hour and upon them the people of +the whole country are called to decide, as to which of the two great +political parties the future welfare of the Republic may be confided with +the greatest safety.</p> + +<p>In making this decision the minds of the people naturally revert to the +records of the Republican party as manifested through its administration +of the Government, its vindication of its professed principles, its +fulfilment of its promises for the redemption of the nation. And what is +that record?</p> + +<p>Upon its accession to power in 1861 the Republican party found the country +upon the verge of a civil war. Some of the nation’s strongholds were +already in the hands of the traitors, and the incompetency and weakness of +its predecessor were everywhere apparent. Never in all its history had +such an <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_141" id="Page_141">[Pg 141]</a></span>opportunity been presented it to redeem the pledges it had made +in the interests of human justice and human freedom. True to its loyal +instincts it rose to the dignity and the grandeur of the occasion.</p> + +<p>It at once instituted the most vigorous measures for the National defence.</p> + +<p>By it the most wicked rebellion ever organized among men was put down.</p> + +<p>Through the Republican party the integrity of the Union was preserved, and +its place maintained among the nations of the earth as one of the leading +powers.</p> + +<p>By it financial measures were inaugurated and carried out that have +brought unparalleled prosperity to the country.</p> + +<p>By it the credit of the nation has become firmly established at home and +abroad.</p> + +<p>Through its labors in the cause of human freedom the bondmen have become +emancipated and assume equal rights with freemen.</p> + +<p>By a wise administration in its foreign relations the country is at peace +with all nations, and the citizens of the American Republic traveling in +foreign climes are honored and respected.</p> + +<p>By a vigorous enforcement of the laws, criminals of every degree, in all +sections of the country, have been brought to justice.</p> + +<p>By it bands of deadly assassins, skulking at midnight behind hideous +disguises, and warring upon innocent women and children have been +suppressed and broken up. And by it they have been compelled to answer for +their numerous crimes.</p> + +<p>Through the unwearied efforts of the Republican party Universal Suffrage +has become a law of the Nation, freedom of speech and freedom of opinion +everywhere vindicated throughout the land, and the right to exercise the +elective franchise as their consciences might dictate, guaranteed to all.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_142" id="Page_142">[Pg 142]</a></span>By it the States lately in insurrection have been reconstructed upon a +prosperous basis, and brought back into the folds of the Union.</p> + +<p>By it the public lands have been opened to settlers; manufactures +stimulated through the establishment of a judicious tariff, and labor +dignified and made prosperous through an enhanced remuneration for +services performed, and a reduction in the hours of toil.</p> + +<hr style="width: 25%;" /> + +<p>These are but a few only of the acts of the Republican party. They are +based upon principles through the consummation of which the Government has +been administered with more than ordinary honor and integrity. Principles +that have given birth and sustenance to an administration in which every +appearance of evil has been scrutinized, every unworthy public servant +ferreted out and punished, every effort put forth to prevent frauds upon +the Revenue and the Treasury.</p> + +<p>An Administration in which the most trivial charges made against it by the +most personally bitter and partizan newspapers have been probed to the +bottom.</p> + +<p>An Administration in which every law upon the Statute books has been +enforced with the whole power of the Government.</p> + +<p>An Administration by which the rights of the laboring classes have been +maintained; the status of the newly emancipated citizens defined and +enforced; the dignity of the flag and the honor of the nation everywhere +upheld.</p> + +<p>An Administration whose Chief Executive was, in the dark hours of civil +war, “the hope of America and of Liberty.”</p> + +<p>A Chief Executive who resolutely set his face against the enemy upon the +field of battle until victory crowned our banners. Under whose wise and +skillful leadership might and right joined hands in solid<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_143" id="Page_143">[Pg 143]</a></span> union, and the +Nation drew the long and refreshing breath of freedom.</p> + +<p>A Chief Executive whom the nation sought out as its chosen leader, General +Grant, the hero of Vicksburg—the Wilderness—Richmond. By his bravery in +the Camp and his sagacity in the Cabinet the fires of liberty burn bright +and unextinguishable.</p> + +<p>By his stern and uncompromising adherence to the interests of the whole +people, unbounded prosperity rests upon the country.</p> + +<p>By the extraordinary financial policy of his administration the public +debt has been reduced three hundred millions of dollars; the people +relieved of a burden of taxation amounting to nearly one hundred millions +of dollars annually, gold brought from 133 to 109, and the public credit +restored.</p> + +<p>Under his administration every loyal soldier of the war of the Rebellion +who served ninety days in the Union Army acquires the right to a homestead +upon the public lands, or if dead the right reverts to his heirs.</p> + +<p>These are some of the truthful remembrances that come back to the minds of +the people, and they cast about them in vain for any measure which General +Grant has ever enforced against the will of the masses, for any act to +lessen their faith in his personal purity and official integrity, for one +solitary principle of the party that elevated him to power, which he has +not vindicated, for one single promise which he has not fulfiled.</p> + +<p>To General Grant, the hero of the war of the rebellion, who wrested +victory from doubtful battle fields, who stood unflinchingly at his post +in the darkest days of the nation’s history, the people turn instinctively +as the standard bearer in the coming political contest.</p> + +<p>By his utter self abnegation and his preference for the welfare of the +masses rather than the political<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_144" id="Page_144">[Pg 144]</a></span> aggrandisement of a few leaders, he has +acquired the most malevolent partizan opposition ever encountered by any +Chief Magistrate of the Nation.</p> + +<p>By the strong voices of the people reverberating over the country, and by +the more recent utterances from the granite hills of New Hampshire, the +thrifty valleys of Connecticut, the loyal voters of Rhode Island, his +policy is endorsed and his future political status insured.</p> + + +<p> </p><p> </p> +<hr style="width: 50%;" /> +<p><strong>Footnotes:</strong></p> + +<p><a name="f1" id="f1" href="#f1.1">[1]</a> The Night Hawk is an attache of the Ku Klux Camp, whose business it is +to scour about, and locate the victims upon whom visitations are ordered to be made.</p> + +<p><a name="f2" id="f2" href="#f2.1">[2]</a> Alluding to the shooting of a Mr. Cason a few days before.</p> + + + +<p> </p><p> </p> +<hr style="width: 50%;" /> +<p><strong>Transcriber’s Notes:</strong></p> + +<p>Punctuation has been corrected without note.</p> + +<p>Other than the corrections noted by hover information, inconsistencies in +spelling and hyphenation have been retained from the original.</p> + + + + + + + + + +<pre> + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Nation's Peril, by Anonymous + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE NATION'S PERIL *** + +***** This file should be named 35579-h.htm or 35579-h.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + https://www.gutenberg.org/3/5/5/7/35579/ + +Produced by Bryan Ness and the Online Distributed +Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net (This file was +produced from images generously made available by The +Internet Archive.) + + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: The Nation's Peril + Twelve Years' Experience in the South + +Author: Anonymous + +Release Date: March 15, 2011 [EBook #35579] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ASCII + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE NATION'S PERIL *** + + + + +Produced by Bryan Ness and the Online Distributed +Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net (This file was +produced from images generously made available by The +Internet Archive.) + + + + + + + + + + THE NATION'S PERIL. + + TWELVE YEARS' EXPERIENCE IN THE SOUTH. + + THEN AND NOW. + + THE KU KLUX KLAN + + A COMPLETE EXPOSITION OF THE ORDER: + + ITS PURPOSE, PLANS, OPERATIONS, SOCIAL AND + POLITICAL SIGNIFICANCE + + THE NATION'S SALVATION. + + + WHEREFORE SAY UNTO THE CHILDREN OF ISRAEL, + I AM THE LORD, AND I WILL BRING YOU OUT FROM + UNDER THE BURDENS OF THE EGYPTIANS, AND I WILL + RID YOU OUT OF THEIR BONDAGE, AND I WILL REDEEM + YOU WITH A STRETCHED-OUT ARM, AND WITH GREAT + JUDGMENTS.--_Exodus_, VI, 6. + + + NEW YORK: + PUBLISHED BY THE FRIENDS OF THE COMPILER. + 1872. + + + + + Entered, according to Act of Congress, in the year + one thousand eight hundred and seventy-two, by + E. A. IRELAND, + In the Office of the Librarian of Congress, at Washington. + + + + +INTRODUCTORY. + + +The facts contained in the succeeding pages, have been compiled from +authenticated sources, and with especial reference to their truthfulness. + +That portion derived from the diary of a gentleman, twelve years a +resident of the South, was not originally intended for public circulation; +but this, with a variety of other matter obtained from official records, +formed the basis of a lecture delivered at Tremont Temple, in the city of +Boston, on the evening of March 27th, 1872, and excited a great degree of +interest among the people to learn more of the subject-matter treated +upon. + +Communications relating thereto came in from all parts of the country, and +it was decided by the friends of the compiler to present all the facts in +convenient form for general circulation, as the best means of complying +with this demand. + +They are here given with such additions to the original matter, as will +enable the general reader more fully to comprehend the origin, rise and +progress of the various orders of the Ku Klux Klans, their social and +political significance, and their general bearing upon the welfare of the +nation at large. + +The thrilling stories of outrage and crime herein narrated, are +authenticated beyond the power of refutation. + +"Against all such crimes, as well as against incompetency and corruption +in office, the power of an intelligent public sentiment and of the courts +of justice should be invoked and united; and appealing for patience and +forbearance in the North, while time and these powers are doing their +work, let us also appeal to the good sense of Southern men, if they +sincerely desire to accomplish political reforms through a change in the +negro vote. If their theory is true that he votes solidly now with the +republican party, and is kept there by his ignorance and by deception, all +that is necessary to keep him there is to keep up by their countenance, +the Ku Klux Organization. Having the rights of a citizen and a voter, +neither of those rights can be abrogated by whipping him. If his political +opinions are erroneous, he will not take kindly to the opposite creed when +its apostles come to inflict the scourge upon himself, and outrage upon +his wife and children. If he is ignorant, he will not be educated by +burning his school houses and exiling his teachers. If he is wicked, he +will not be made better by banishing to Liberia his religious teachers. If +the resuscitation of the State is desired by his labor, neither will be +secured by a persecution which depopulates townships, and prevents the +introduction of new labor and of capital." + +That these pages may be received in the same spirit of charity and kindly +feeling in which they have been penned, is the sincere and earnest wish of + +THE COMPILER. + + + + +THE NATION'S PERIL. + + +The transition of the social status of the colored classes in the South, +from a condition of abject servitude to one of the most enlarged freedom, +crowned with that dearest of all rights to the heart of the freeman, the +elective franchise, although gradual, and attended with difficulties that +have seemed at times almost insurmountable, goes steadily forward, under +the hand of a beneficent and all seeing God, who watcheth alike over the +just and the unjust, enjoining upon them, in return for his goodness, a +strict observance of his commands towards one another. + +Human progress in this country, during the past ten years, has taken giant +strides, although met by obstacles of a character so formidable as to +impose a most extraordinary task upon those engaged in the great work of +social reform and the establishment of the rights of all to civil, +religious and political liberty, as guaranteed by the Constitution. The +spirit of the age is reformatory. Religion, politics, art and the sciences +have ever been the subjects of reformation and progression, and by these +have been lifted from comparative darkness in the past to the broad fields +of light in the more intelligent present. In the grand plan of an all-wise +Creator, nothing has been allowed to permanently obstruct the onward march +of the races and nations of the earth; and for the accomplishment of this +glorious purpose, no sacrifice, it appears, has been deemed too great that +would aid in its fulfillment. The travail and labor of nations, the +desolation and destruction of whole communities, and in some instances the +entire annihilation of races of men, have been the penalties demanded and +paid for their long persistence in the ways of sin and wickedness. + +The American Republic has been no exception to the imperative rule. It +bore within its folds the crime and curse of slavery, a foul and corroding +ulcer that could only be burned out and destroyed by the terrible +visitations of fire and the sword, and in the eradication of which all the +wisdom of the nation's greatest counselors, all the terrible enginery of +modern warfare, and the skill and persistence of the chosen leaders of the +people were to be brought into requisition. A fierce and sanguinary +contest of four years' duration ended, under the hand of God, in the grand +triumph of the right; but the war of the rebellion left the South in a +state of social disintegration, in which the leading spirits who had +fomented the internecine contest assumed to control the masses, and +perpetuate under another form, and accomplish by other means, that which +had been lost to them in the surrender and disorganization of their +armies. + +The condition of the South, during the past twelve years, is vividly +illustrated in a series of letters written by Mr. Justin Knight, a +gentleman of undoubted integrity, a resident of the South during the +period referred to, and which are here given in a narrative form for the +better convenience of the reader. Speaking of himself and the peculiar +circumstances that brought him to the Southern States, Mr. Knight says: + +"Born in close proximity to the metropolis of New England, where I +received the advantages of a collegiate education, and the religious +instruction of parents who, without bigotry, were opposed to every +species of wrong, I early conceived a desire to enter upon the ministry, +which I did in 1857, almost immediately after the close of my collegiate +life. + +My constitution, at no time robust, was entirely inadequate to the labors +imposed upon me by the duties of this new position. My health continued +gradually to give way until the winter of 1859, when my physician decided +that a change of climate was essentially necessary to my well-being, and +under his advice I proceeded to Charleston, S. C., and took up my +residence with a married sister, then living there in affluent +circumstances. + +At this peculiar epoch in the history of the country the political +atmosphere of the South was literally pestilential. Under the manipulation +of skillful, but unscrupulous leaders, whole communities had become imbued +with a spirit hostile to the governing powers. They were led to believe +that the time for argument had past, and that nothing was now left them, +but to make a demand for what they were pleased to consider their inherent +rights;--that of keeping their fellow men in bondage--and if this were +refused, to declare themselves for war. The portentious clouds of the +impending crisis continued gathering thick and fast, and it required no +prophet's eye to discern, or voice to foretell that they must soon burst +upon the country in a deluge that could only be stayed by an enormous +waste of blood and treasure. + +A sojourn of nearly eighteen months among the southern people, and the +facilities afforded me from the position occupied by my sister's family, +gave me an unusual opportunity to observe the passing pageant of events. +The masses had been gradually worked over to the interests of the more +intelligent leaders, until reason and argument ceased further to influence +them. They seemed wholly given up to the one idea of slavery, or war, and +they had been led to believe that the first demonstration of organized +resistance to the regularly constituted powers, would bring the North at +their feet in abject supplication for peace. I was anxious to know how the +defiant and belligerent attitude that was being assumed would be received +in the land of my birth, and as my health had sufficiently improved to +warrant my again returning there, I did so at the earliest opportunity, +only to realize that the people of the North were buckling on their armor, +with the deep seated purpose of going forth to battle for the right. + +There was a significance in all "this busy note of preparation," that I +could fully understand and appreciate. I had seen enough to convince me +that nothing but the severest chastisement, administered by the hands of +the Lord through the instrumentality of his chosen people, could bring our +misguided brethren of the South to a just and proper sense of their duty +to God and their fellow-men. They had long "eaten of the bread of +wickedness; and drank the wine of violence," and they had utterly +forgotten that "righteousness exalteth a nation; but sin is a reproach to +any people." + +An opportunity was speedily afforded me to accompany a regiment to the +field as chaplain, and I soon found myself marching southward with a body +of noble men who had been foremost in responding to the call of President +Lincoln, to defend the Union and preserve the integrity of the nation. The +incidents of the four years of bloody strife that ensued, need not be +alluded to here. They were passed by me, in the midst of danger, offering +consolation to the dying, caring tenderly for the dead, when circumstances +permitted, and coming out of all, through the hand of God, unscathed. + +The results aimed at upon the part of the ruling powers, seemed to have +been accomplished. The Proclamation of Emancipation had gone forth from +the executive head of the nation, and solid rows of glittering steel had +followed it up, and compelled its enforcement. The foulest blot upon the +pages of our history as a Republic had been erased, and its down-trodden +children liberated from a thraldom more humiliating in design, and wicked +in purpose, than that which yoked the children of Israel under the hands +of the Egyptian task masters. In them the promise of the Great Jehovah had +been verified: "Wherefore:--say unto the Children of Israel, I am the +Lord, and I will bring you out from under the burden of the Egyptians." +The right had been vindicated; the shock of contending armies was over, +and the nation waited patiently to see in what condition the contest had +left the conquered. + +It is my purpose, in these pages, to give the exact facts, "nothing +extenuate, nor set down aught in malice." I shall endeavor neither to +exaggerate the history, or conceal the truth. I am aware that the +revelations which follow are so terrible in their nature as to almost pass +the bounds of belief; that the agonizing scenes herein depicted, and which +have been the results of the same demoniac spirit which actuated and +prolonged the war, had they been told as occurring among the semi-barbaric +nations in the uttermost parts of the earth, might be the more readily +received by my countrymen as truthful relations; but which, transpiring at +our own doors, within the sound and under the shadow of the Gospel, appear +like the mythical creations of a distorted imagination rather than actual +revelations from real life. + +In the interest of all progress, and for the sake of God and humanity, I +would it were so; but the contrary is the fact. Hundreds of living +witnesses stand ready to verify the statements under oath. Scores of the +unoffending skeletons of gibbeted negroes and whites attest the solemn +truth. The exact localities, the names and residences of the victims, the +hour and day, the month and year of their murderous whipping and +ignominious death, are given with a fidelity that challenges +contradiction, and forms an array of evidence at once incontrovertable and +overwhelming. + +The ever changing current of events again called me to the South. My +sister's family had been almost destroyed by the death of her husband, who +had cast his fortunes with the cause of the rebellion and had paid the +penalty with his life, and it was necessary I should aid her in adjusting +the affairs of the estate which had been left in a very unsettled +condition, and required much time to properly arrange. I was glad of the +opportunity thus afforded me to observe the effects of the struggle that +had just closed; and prepared my mind to take a calm and dispassionate +view of the situation, as became a seeker for the truth who was desirous +of arriving at the hidden springs underlying the social crust, with a view +to the remedy of the impending evil, if such could be found. I believed in +the integrity of the great mass of the people, and could see that they had +been deceived and led on to destruction by the ingenious plans of men, +skilled in human diplomacy, and having a profound knowledge of the +character of the people whom they designed to move for their own wicked +purposes. + +The spirits of these leaders chafed under the bitter disappointment of +defeat. It was apparent they would continue to foster seditions, organize +conspiracies against the powers that be, and use every effort to fan into +life the dying embers of the "lost cause." These men controlled certain +portions of the local press, and either threw obstacles in the way of the +dissemination of proper and just principles, or used the power in their +hands to sow the seeds of dissention broadcast throughout the States so +lately in insurrection. + +All the misery that had accrued from the war, the families that had been +sundered; the blood of loved ones that had watered the various +battle-fields of the South, and the bones of beloved kindred that lay +whitening there; the numerous sacrifices of wealth, family, and social +position that had been made, the property lost and destroyed; the general +stagnation and prostration of business, and the feeling of dread and +insecurity that followed, were all attributed to the rule of the +republican North. + +There were mutterings of revenge and breathings of threats and slaughter +against the race that had just been raised up out of bondage. Slavery, the +former bane and curse of this country, was already dead. Its putrid +carcass was no longer of the material things of earth, but its ghostly +spirit still stalked abroad among its mourners to keep alive the memory of +its wicked example in the minds of those who, born and reared in the folds +of its garments, and nurtured at its breast, could not cast aside their +early prejudices and banish from their hearts, its former evil influences. +They no longer remembered that "the way of the Lord is strength to the +upright," and that "destruction shall be to the workers of iniquity." +Thousands of misguided and misdirected men cherished in their bosoms a +spirit of animosity toward those who had aided with their blood and money +in the liberation of the slave; and it was this very spirit of hatred +which had in a manner demoralized the South and created a feeling of +uncertainty and insecurity among men of capital, that proved a serious +barrier to their investing in our railroads and factories, and the +improvement of our lands; and, as a natural sequence, retarded our social +and financial progress. + +Society at this time was divided into several classes. Many who were +disposed to accept and abide by the new order of things, dared not express +their real sentiments from fear of social and political ostracism. Men of +intelligence and education, but who had allowed the thirst for power and +political preferment to absorb and swallow up the promptings of their +better nature, had begun the process of gaining over to their interests +the very worst elements in the social circle beneath them, with a view to +carrying out their unholy designs. This class in turn, and under the +management of the more intelligent, intimidated still another class and +compelled them to join in a crusade that had for its objects the most +infamous ends ever attempted to be gained by men. A complete connection +had thus been formed, reaching from the unscrupulous leaders, to the +masses, and embracing in its chain every class of society needed for the +success of the general plan. + +The standard bearers of the devil himself, coming direct from the lowest +depths of the infernal regions, with seething vials of wrath and an +earnest intention to do the bidding of their master, could scarcely have +set on foot a conspiracy more damnable than this. Men, women and children +were to be included in the portending storm, religion and human decency +were to be outraged, the law of the land and its administrators defied, +and justice scoffed at in the pillory. The ordinary safe-guards to the +social well being of the community were to be swept away whenever they +became inimical to the designs and objects of the unholy alliance thus +formed. Men were to be banded together and bound by oaths that ignored all +others and made these supreme. Where the life or liberty of one of the +brotherhood was in jeopardy, he was to be saved at all hazards. Perjury +and subornation of perjury were to over-ride courts of justice and render +abortive, any attempt to bring these lawless bands to punishment through +their instrumentality. Nothing was to be too sacred for the vandal hands +of these marauders who, under the guidance of the more intelligent +leaders, were to go abroad like a consuming flame, until the land, that +God had made pre-eminently beautiful for the abode of peace and +contentment, had been smitten with a scourge of fire and blood, and their +own wicked purposes had been accomplished. It seemed as if the voice of +the Lord had again spoken through the prophet Ezekiel, "say to the forest +of the South, hear the word of the Lord. Thus saith the Lord God: Behold I +will kindle a fire in thee, and it shall devour every green tree in thee, +and every dry tree; the flame shall not be quenched, and all faces from +the South to the North shall be burned therein." + +It was to be a dual struggle. The colored races were to be subjugated or +destroyed; and the humane efforts of the Government and the Administration +to restore peace and harmony, and commercial prosperity, and to give to +the citizens, of every creed and color, free and equal rights was +everywhere to be opposed, that the experiment of reconstruction might +become a hissing and a by-word, and go forth to the world an ignominious +failure. + +The masses were kept in utter ignorance of these designs. They were in a +state bordering upon absolute frenzy at the losses they had incurred from +the fratricidal war that had left them bankrupt as individuals and +communities, and with the peculiar anxiety that seems to pervade the +hearts of all men, to endeavor to find some reasonable excuse for sins +committed, they accepted the theories that had been so ingeniously +prepared, and so carefully put before them, and became, like the clay in +the hands of the potter, ready to be fashioned in any manner of form that +might be decided upon by their wicked counselors. + +There was an oppressive and an ominous calm in the atmosphere of the South +at this time (1866) that foreboded no good. Men viewed each other with +distrust. Those who seemed well-disposed at first, and who had been +casting about themselves and gathering up the fragments, with a view to +renewing their peaceful pursuits, suddenly abandoned their labors. Rumors +of outrages upon persons and property, vague at first and without apparent +authenticity, began to fill the air. Bands of armed and disguised men were +said to be travelling the highways, burning the dwellings, and robbing and +murdering inoffensive citizens under the most revolting circumstances. The +scriptural command to "devise not evil against thy neighbor, seeing he +dwelleth securely by thee," had seemingly become obsolete among the +people. It was evident that the mysterious order, the existence of which +had so long been hinted at, had begun its fearful work, and under the then +complexion of affairs in the nation at large, none could divine the end. + +The death of President Lincoln had left the Executive, in this the hour of +the nation's great peril, in the hands of one from whom the disorganizing +elements of the South had much to hope. The hand of justice was for the +time being paralyzed, and the occasion seemed most opportune for the +conspirators to perfect their terrible organization, and set in motion the +secret machinery by which it was hoped to accomplish their base purposes. + +It was evident from such facts as could be gathered relative to these +outrages, that there was a distinction as to the classes of people who +were the sufferers. The negroes were, of course, the objects upon which +the wrath of the new order was vented; but there were numerous instances, +as will be observed in the succeeding pages, where whites were scourged +and murdered as well. The fact that certain citizens, who had committed no +offense against the laws, were selected from the various communities, and +subjected to the grossest indignities, led to inquiry as to the causes +that had brought these inflictions upon them. + +It was ascertained that, in the preponderance of cases, warnings had been +sent to the victims demanding that they must retract their political +faith, cease to side with radicals, and abandon their interest in the +negro, or they must leave the country; failing in this, they were to be +scourged to death. + +Negroes who approached the ballot-box to exercise the newly conferred +right of suffrage were watched as to how they voted, and warned that they +must not vote the "radical ticket." If they paid no heed to this warning, +and were detected in the independent exercise of the right of suffrage, +they received a visitation; their houses were pillaged, the persons of +their women violated, their children scattered, and themselves hung, shot +or whipped to death. The reader, in perusing the chapter of authenticated +outrages that follows will agree with the writer that there is no +exaggeration of language here, nor need of any. Nothing is stated that has +not been put to the severest test of truth; and nowhere are these +incidents recorded, in which the living witnesses have not been found, and +the facts obtained from them. + +I was long in believing that such deeds, worthy alone of the incarnate +fiend himself, could be perpetrated in a civilized community. I made all +possible allowance for the political and social situation. I determined to +know whereof I affirmed, and resolved that when I obtained this knowledge, +I would give the information to the country. I was as free from political +bias as it was possible for a man to be who felt it to be a part of the +duty he owed to society to exercise the elective franchise. I had never +mingled in politics, but had uniformly cast my vote with either political +party which I deemed had the best interests of the nation, and the welfare +and advancement of the people, at heart, and could not bring my mind to +believe, at first, that there was a deep political significance +underlying this movement, and that it had its ramifications from State to +State, all leading to one great center, with one common head who, in the +interest of any political party, governed and directed the dreadful +machine, and that it meant nothing less than the subversion of the popular +government. + +The facts and figures gradually undeceived me. I could see that there was +a mysterious something at work that had closed men's mouths most +effectually, and that disaffection, consternation and terror gained ground +daily. Even, my brethren of the pulpit, with whom I was associated in the +different places I visited, were affected to such a degree that they no +longer dared to preach the free sentiments of their hearts. + +No one but an actual resident of the South, at this time, can form +anything like an adequate idea of the reign of terror, that this condition +of affairs had inaugurated during the succeeding two years and more, of +President Johnson's administration. Everywhere throughout the South that I +travelled, the hydra headed monster met me. I tried to believe in all +charity that the movement sprung from the ignorant and uneducated masses +who saw, or thought they saw, the origin and cause of all their +misfortunes in the negro, and the liberal minded whites of the South who +had countenanced and urged his enfranchisement in the interest of human +progress; but the facts were everywhere against the theory. + +It was evident that a formidable organization, the result of intelligent +men counseling together, and devising wicked plans for the accomplishment +of wicked purposes, existed in all the Southern States; that it had its +ritual, its oaths, its signs, tokens and passwords, its constitution, +by-laws and governing rules, its edicts, warnings, disguises, secret modes +of communication, intelligent concert of action, and all framed and +planned in a manner that showed the authors to be men of education and +superior minds. In North and South Carolina, in Georgia, Alabama and +Tennessee, in Florida, Mississippi and Kentucky, Arkansas, Louisiana and +Texas, it existed in a greater or less degree, and its advent was +everywhere marked with the most brutal outrages. + +The intelligence of these wrongs was not spread from one community to +another by the newspapers. These, when not in the interest of the order +itself, were intimidated into silence. When the outrages were so flagrant +as to compel some show of attention, such as necessitated the action of a +coroner, juries were selected, the members of which were members of this +mysterious order, and the verdict usually was that the victim came to his +death by injuries inflicted by himself or by negroes. + +The disaffection spread daily. The seeds of the order, and their fruits +everywhere manifested, were sown in the courts and grand juries. Under +such a condition of affairs there was no longer security for life or +property. The idea of obtaining justice for any of the wrongs perpetrated, +passed out of the minds of the sufferers entirely. The effect was +generally demoralizing. Official incompetency and corruption aided rather +than stemmed the rushing torrent that was bearing this section of the +Republic to anarchy and financial ruin. + +A large class of persons not heretofore alluded to, but who formed a very +important part of society, looked on without apparent interest. These were +men of wealth and education, who neither sought to justify the wrongs +being done, or made any attempt to oppose them, but by their very silence +gave a tacit consent to the wicked plans of the conspirators. They were a +class "who rejoice to do evil and delight in the forwardness of the +wicked." + +A system arose exactly in counterpart with that of the old Spanish +Inquisition. Personal hatred toward a citizen, black or white, was +sufficient warrant for reporting his name and residence to the members of +the order as a "radical republican" and a "negro worshiper," and he was +forthwith warned to leave the place on penalty of being whipped, or +suffering a worse fate. Hundreds of young men with whom the writer has +conferred, pointed to men of maturer age, property holders and men of +influence, and confessed that they had been induced to enter the general +conspiracy, because they were told these men were at its head and after +joining it learned that they had not been deceived in this respect, and +yet they found the order so arranged that they could discover nothing, and +were allowed to know nothing, of its workings, beyond the circle to which +they had been admitted, and however revolting the practices of their +associates were to them, the oath they had taken, and the feeling of +terror inspired by the initiation and the penalty attached to recanting +members, compelled them to continue their allegiance, and acquiesce and +aid in the outrages. + +Even the women seemed to have caught the general infection, and sought to +justify the dreadful events transpiring about them upon the ground that +this was the only way in which the rights and liberties of the South could +be preserved. + +That men holding high official positions, and moving in the most +respectable circles, organized these outrages, selected the victims and +accompanied the rabble in the execution of their designs, is indisputable. +Inoffensive women seeing their husbands, fathers, and brothers torn from +their sides and scourged in their presence, became infuriated at the +indecent spectacle, and in their agonized frenzy, rushed upon the +assailants and wrenched off the masks behind which they skulked, only to +behold the faces of men who, up to that hour, they had deemed the ones to +whom, from their superior intelligence, they should have looked for +counsel. + +Traveling from place to place and directing the general movement, were men +who had held positions as generals in the armies of the rebellion. +Disappointed political tricksters aiming to elevate to power a party whom +they claimed had been in sympathy with the rebel cause North and South; +and determined to do this though the land of their birth should go to +ruin. Anarchy and confusion usurp the places of law and order, and the +blood of the outraged ones reach up to heaven in cries for vengence. + +These men overlooked the fact that they were setting in motion a power +that was destined to pass from their control, and make them as a people of +whom it was written: "I will even give them unto the hand of their +enemies, and into the hand of them that seek their life; and their dead +bodies shall be as meat unto the fowls of the heaven, and to the beasts of +the earth." They desired to heed no note of warning regarding the future +so that the ends of the present were accomplished; and under their +guidance, lust and rapine and murder stalked abroad, and the land seemed +to be wholly given up to the machinations of the evil one and the +unbridled license of his chosen servants. + +Nowhere upon the dial plate of the nineteenth century did the index finger +of the hand of God point with such unerring and terrible certainty. It +seemed as if the Lord had spoken once more as he spake in the days of the +Prophet Isaiah: + +"What could have been done more to my vineyard, that I have not done in +it? Wherefore, when I looked that it should bring forth grapes, brought it +forth wild grapes? And now go to. I will tell you what I will do to my +vineyard. I will take away the hedge thereof, and it shall be eaten up; +and break down the walls thereof, and it shall be trodden down. And I will +lay it waste; it shall not be pruned nor digged; but there shall come up +briers and thorns * * * for the vineyard of the Lord of hosts is the house +of Israel, and the men of Judah his pleasant plant; and he looked for +judgment, but behold oppression; for righteousness, but behold a cry." + +Good men bowed their heads in anguish. They had lifted their eyes to the +far North, from whence should come their help, and they had looked in +vain. The body corporate was too fatally diseased to cure itself +Rottenness and corruption hung upon its borders, and were slowly sapping +the foundations of its life. Its energies were prostrated, its internal +recuperative power destroyed. Help must come from without; and the earnest +prayers of the devoted and doomed went up to the throne of God in +heartfelt supplication, that wisdom might dwell in the hearts of the +counsellors to whom the destinies of the nation had been confided; but it +seemed as if the heavens were as adamant that could not be pierced, and +that no answer would be vouchsafed to the sincere appeal." + +Such was the situation at the close of President Johnson's term of office, +and the elevation of General Grant to the presidential chair. It remained +to be seen whether the incoming administration would turn the deaf ear to +the suffering and disorganized South as its predecessor had done, or +whether, under the guidance of its new Executive head, order should be +brought out of chaos, the crooked paths made straight, and the prophecy +fulfilled: "Behold, I will redeem them with an outstretched arm." + +The recitals that follow give answer to this query more conclusively than +the most elaborate of arguments. They show, from statistics gathered under +the most favorable circumstances by the writer in person, the existence of +a numerous and formidable organization of armed men, working in secret, +disguising themselves beyond all hope of recognition, committing +depredations upon persons and property, frequently resulting in the total +destruction of both, and instituting the most bitter and inhuman +persecutions, for opinion's sake, that ever disgraced the history of a +nation. + +The facts are beyond all hope of successful denial. They are born out by +the records of the local and federal courts, by the testimony of the +surviving sufferers and by the voluntary confession of recanting members +of the organization. + +A full expose of the order, its origin and secrets, its designs and +purposes, its operations and results, are related with an unswerving +fidelity to the truth, and with all charity to the people with whom it had +its rise, and among whom, by the grace of God, and under the firm but +humane course pursued by the present administration in the enforcement of +the law, and the establishment of the right, it must have its fall. The +information came to the knowledge of the writer through those who had been +active members of the order, and who had abandoned it the moment the +strong arm of the Government had been felt in the vigorous enforcement of +the laws, through its secret agents, thus rendering it safe for them to do +so. + +The revelations that follow, speak in tones that must reverberate +throughout the length and breadth of the continent, and are submitted as +terrible evidences of the fearful condition to which communities may be +reduced, when, ignoring the cardinal principles of right and justice, they +abandon themselves to the control of unscrupulous men, whose overweening +ambition destroy every other sentiment, and who esteem no measures too +vile or inhuman that will lead to the accomplishment of their own base +ends. + + + + +ORDERS OF THE KU KLUX KLANS. + +THE CONSTITUTIONAL UNION GUARDS.--KNIGHTS OF THE WHITE CAMELIA.--ORDER OF +INVISIBLE EMPIRE.--THE WHITE BROTHERHOOD.--UNION AND YOUNG MEN'S +DEMOCRACY. + + +ORIGIN, ORGANIZATION, INITIATION, OATHS, OBJECTS AND OPERATIONS. + + _He discovereth deep things out of darkness; + And bringeth out to light the shadow of death._ + JOB. XII., 22. + +In the early part of 1866, or nearly a year after the close of the war of +the rebellion, there was organized in the Southern States, a secret order, +known as the "Constitutional Union Guards," having a constitution, +by-laws, oaths of allegiance, modes of recognition and approach, and a +ritual, all of which were legendary and unwritten. Its places of meetings +were styled Camps. Its officers were: a "Commander," "South Commander," +"Grand Commander," "Chief of Dominion," and "Grand Cyclops," or supreme +head of the order. + +The Commander is the chief officer of a local Camp. He issues the call +for, and presides over, all its meetings. Initiates members; administers +the oath; invests them with the signs, grips, and passwords necessary in +making themselves known as members of the Order; and imparts to them the +signal code of sounds by which they are governed in their excursions, and +at times when, for obvious reasons, it is not expedient to utter words of +command. + +The South Commander is, to all appearances, a lay member of the Camp. His +power, however, when he chooses to exercise it, is superior to that of the +Commander. He is an officer without apparent function, and yet it is a +portion of the oath attached to the second, or supreme degree, that he +shall be obeyed in preference to any other known or constituted authority. +He can prorogue the Camp, or dissolve it altogether, whenever he deems +fit, and is amenable to no one inside of the Camp of which he is a member. + +The office of this functionary is not an elective one. Whenever a Camp is +formed, the authority under which it works assigns to it a South +Commander, and he is the only person through whom communications can be +received from, or made to, that authority. All the doings of the Camp, the +number and names of its members, the warnings issued, the persons visited, +and all other proceedings, are carefully noted by the South Commander, and +reported by him to the Grand Commander of the District in which the Camp +is located, and he is the only member of the Camp who has knowledge of +that officer. The South Commander is not permitted to know any Grand +Commander save the one to whom he reports, nor does he know to whom his +superior is amenable. + +The Grand Commander has charge of a District comprising a certain number +of Camps (usually seven), from the South Commanders of which he receives +reports as above stated. It is his duty to condense these reports into +cypher, which he transmits to the officer above him, known as the Chief of +Dominion, and from whom he receives the general instructions and orders to +be transmitted to the various Camps of his District through the South +Commander. He in turn is not permitted to know any Chief of Dominion save +the one to whom he reports; and, like his inferiors, is in utter ignorance +as to whom his superior is amenable. + +The Chief of Dominion has charge of all the operations of the Order in +some State assigned to his care. He receives reports from the Grand +Commanders thereof; and transmits the same to the "Grand Cyclops," or +supreme head of the Order, and President ex-officio of the "Supreme Grand +Council." This Supreme Grand Council is composed of the Chiefs of +Dominions, and from them emanate the instructions which, being decided +upon in the conclave of the Council, are promulgated to the rank and file +through the Grand Commanders, South Commanders, and Commanders of Camps. + +By this peculiar system of organization the moving spirits of the Order +are conversant with all that transpires below them, while their own +identity is carefully concealed from the masses whom they design to move +for their own vile purposes. The objects of the Order are somewhat +covertly set forth in the oaths administered to the members, but previous +to this time the grand designs intended to be accomplished were known only +to the members of the Supreme Grand Council. The initiation is comprised +in two degrees, the first or probationary degree being intended to test +the members, and the second or supreme degree for those of the first who +have been found worthy of advancement. The signs, grips, &c., are the same +in both degrees, with the exception of one test word, and a supplementary +ritual hereafter to be explained. + + +ORDER OF INITIATION. + +FIRST, OR PROBATIONARY DEGREE. + +The first or probationary degree of the Order is intended for the masses. +The candidate for initiation is selected, so far as possible, with +reference to his political proclivities, if he has any. He must be known +to the member proposing him to be opposed to the Radical party; to be or +to have been in sympathy with the cause of the rebellion; to be opposed to +the elevation of the negro to a social and political equality with the +whites; and to have a hatred of negro worshipers, carpet-baggers, and +scallawags, as those terms are interpreted in the Order. + +These points being satisfactorily settled, he is notified to proceed to a +secluded place on a designated night. There he is met by three Conductors, +who blindfold and lead him to the vicinity of the Camp, which, in order +the more effectually to guard against surprise, rarely assembles twice in +the same place. On the way he and his Conductors are encountered by a +guard or sentinel, who challenges the party with: + + "Who comes here?" + + His Conductors reply: "A friend." + + The guard asks: "A friend to what?" + + He is answered: "My country." + +The candidate is then allowed to pass into the Camp, and is conducted to +the center of the assembled members, when the following oath is +administered to him by the Commander: + + INITIATORY OATH. + + "You solemnly swear, in the presence of Almighty God and these + witnesses, that you will never reveal the secrets that are about to + be imparted to you, and that you will be true to the principles of + this brotherhood and its members; that you are not now a member of + the Grand Army of the Republic, the Red String Order, the Union + League, Heroes of America, or any other organization whose aim and + intention is to destroy the rights of the South, or to elevate the + negro to a political equality with yourself; and that you will never + assist at the initiation into this Order of any member of the Grand + Army of the Republic, the Red String Order, the Union League, Heroes + of America, or any one holding Radical views or opinions. You + furthermore swear that you will oppose all Radicals and negroes in + all of their political designs, and that, should any Radical or negro + impose on or abuse or injure any member of this brotherhood, you will + assist in punishing him in any manner the Camp may direct; and you + furthermore swear that you will never reveal any of the orders, acts, + or edicts of this brotherhood, and that you will obey all calls and + summonses from the Chief of your Camp or brotherhood, should it be in + your power to do so; and that, should any member of the brotherhood + or his family be in jeopardy, you will inform them of their danger, + and go to their assistance. You further swear that you will never + give the word of distress unless you are in great need of assistance; + and should you hear it given by any brother, you will go to his or + their assistance; and should any member of this brotherhood reveal + any of its secrets, acts, orders, or edicts, you will assist in + punishing him in any way the Camp may direct or approve, so help you + God." + +During the administration of this oath, the members surround the initiate, +dressed in long, white gowns, high, conical shaped, white hats, and their +faces shrouded in white masks. At the conclusion of the oath, the +candidate is made to kiss the book. The bandage is then removed from his +eyes. The Commander approaches, and proceeds to instruct him in the + + +SIGNS, GRIPS, AND PASSWORD. + +Signs of recognition and approach: + +_First._--Strike the fingers of the right hand briskly upon the hair over +the right ear, bringing the hand forward and partially around the ear, as +if describing a half moon. + +_Answer._--Same sign made with left hand over left ear. + +_Second._--Thrust the right hand into the pant's pocket, with the +exception of the thumb, at the same time bringing the right heel into the +hollow of the left foot. + +_Answer._--Same sign with the left hand, bringing the left heel into the +hollow of the right foot. + +As a farther precaution search is made by the hailing party as if for a +pin in the right lappel of the coat. + +_Answer._--A similar search in the left lappel of the coat. + +The GRIP is given by placing the forefinger on the pulse of the person you +shake hands with. + +_Countersign._--If halted by a camp or picket on the public highway at +night, the following colloquy ensues: + +"Who comes there?" + +"A friend!" + +"A friend of what?" + +"My country!" + +"What country?" + +"I, S, A, Y." (Repeating each letter slowly.) + +"N, O, T, H, I, N, G." (Repeating each letter slowly.) + +"The word?" + +"Retribution!" + +These countersigns are issued every three months. The one here given was +in vogue at the time of the discovery of the order. + +A member of any order of the Ku Klux Klan of the first or probationary +degree, in distress, and requiring speedy aid, will use a word signal, or +cry of distress: "SHILOH!" + +In expeditions conducted under direction of the Commander, or any of the +brethren detailed by him to act as head, a code of signals by sounds, made +with whistles, is used, in order that the members may not be recognized by +their voices. + + +DIVISIONS OF THE ORDER. + +There are several divisions of the order of the KU KLUX KLANS, all working +under the same ritual and oaths, and having the same signs, grips, +passwords, modes of approach, and general conduct of raids and midnight +excursions. These are known under the names of "Knights of the White +Camelia," "The Invisible Empire," "The White Brotherhood," "The Unknown +Multitude," "The Union and Young Men's Democracy." All work in disguise, +with the exception of the latter, who work openly as well as in disguise, +and are all under the instructions of the "Grand Cyclops" and the Supreme +Grand Council. They all have one and the same object, which is as plainly +set forth in the oath as it well can be in an obligation of that +character. + +The difference in names and styles has been adopted for a two-fold +purpose. First, to conceal the origin, object, and design of the order, +and its founders and directors; secondly, to conceal its extent and +numbers, and make it appear a mere local affair that has cropped out in +different places without reference to any organized combination with one +grand center. + +The workings of the Klans over all the Southern country show more +conclusively than any amount of subterfuge on the part of the leaders, +that one common tie binds them all; that one common interest actuates +them; that one common end is to be accomplished. The oath differs slightly +in phraseology in different localities, to accommodate the varied +circumstances under which it is administered, and with a view to greater +concealment--the words "Unknown Multitude," "Invisible Empire," and "White +Brotherhood" being substituted in North and South Carolina; the words +"Union and Young Men's Democracy," in Georgia and Mississippi; and the +words "Knights of the White Camelia," in Louisiana and Texas and other +States. + + +THE SECOND OR SUPREME DEGREE. + +This degree differs from the first or probationary degree in the fact that +those upon whom it is conferred are of the better class of the masses, and +take upon themselves a more binding oath, administered under circumstances +intended to be more impressive in character. The candidate for this degree +is brought blind-folded into the center of the Camp, and caused to kneel +at an altar erected for the occasion, his right hand placed upon a Bible, +and his left upon a human skull. The Commander then says: + +"Brethren, _must_ it be done?" + +The members respond, "_It must!_" and this in a tone intended to strike +terror to the heart of the novitiate. + +The candidate, of course, has no knowledge of what is meant by the ominous +"_Must it be done?_" and there is a mournful groaning in the response "_It +must!_" indicating that a terrible experience awaits him, which the +Brotherhood would gladly spare him if they could. + +A death-like silence ensues for a few moments, which seem ages to the +candidate, and affords ample opportunity for his imagination to picture +the unheard-of horrors through which he may possibly be called to pass. +The silence is finally broken by the Commander, who says: + +"BRETHREN, this brother _now_ kneels at the altar of our faith, and asks +to be bound to our fortunes by the more solemn and mysterious provisions +of our Order. Fortunately for him in this hour of peril, he has been found +worthy, and in commemoration of his being made one of the great 'Unknown +Multitude,' I again ask, '_Must it be done?_'" + +The brethren, in solemn tones, again respond, "_It must!_" + +The Commander then says, in a stentorian tone of voice, "_Let the blood of +the traitor be spilled: bring the victim forth._" + +The members here make a rustling noise, to resemble a struggle, a heavy +blow is struck upon some appropriate substance, and a few drops of blood +are trickled over the hand of the initiate that rests upon the skull. The +brethren then surround him with knives and pistols presented in a circle +about his head and neck, when the Commander then says: + +"Must I swear him by the oath that shall forever bind, and never be +broken?" + +The brethren, placing their hands upon their left breasts, respond +sepulchrally as before, "_Swear him!_" + +The Commander now addresses the candidate as follows: + +"_My Brother_, kneeling at the solemn altar of our faith, as one who +desires that no government but the white man's shall live in this country; +and as one who will fight to the death all schisms, and factions, and +parties, coming from whatsoever source they may, which have for their +design the elevation of the negro to an equality with the white man, I am +now about to administer to you the oath of this, the supreme degree, of +our Order--that oath which shall forever bind, and never be broken; at the +same time informing you that this oath, being taken in a cause which has +for its object the deliverance of your country and the land of your birth +from the rule of the negro-worshiper and the fanatic, is paramount to +every other oath which you have taken, or may hereafter take, outside of +this Order. You will now repeat after me, pronouncing your name in full, +and your words aloud, on pain of instant death: + + _Oath of the Second or Supreme Degree._ + + "I, A. B., in the presence of Almighty God, and these my friends here + assembled, kneeling at this altar, with my right hand upon the holy + Bible, and my left washed in the blood of a traitor, and resting upon + the skull of his brother in iniquity, and being fully impressed with + the sacredness of this act, do solemnly swear that I will uphold and + defend the Constitution of the United States, as it was handed down + by our forefathers, in its original purity; that I will reject and + oppose the principles of the Radical party in all its forms, and + forever maintain and contend that intelligent white men shall govern + this country. And I furthermore swear that I will bear true faith and + allegiance to the Order of the Constitutional Union Guards, and will + never make known, by sign, word, or deed, any of its secrets now + about to be, or that may hereafter be confided to me; that I will + obey all its precepts, mandates, orders, instructions, and directions + issued through the Commander, and aid and assist the brethren in + carrying out and enforcing the same; and that I will keep secret, + even unto death, the plans and movements of this society. I + furthermore swear to obey the South Commander in the Camp, in + preference to any known law, precept, or authority whatever, and to + defend the brethren, if need be, with the sacrifice of my life. I + swear that the enemies of the white man's race, and the white man's + government, and the friends of negro equality shall be my enemies, + and that I will uphold and defend the white man's government against + all comers, whether in the name of Radicals, Negro-worshipers, + Carpet-baggers, Scallawags, or spies in the land. I swear to forever + oppose the social and political elevation of the negro to an equality + with the whites, and that I will come at every hour of the moon to + execute the trust confided to me by the Commander and the brethren. I + furthermore swear that, in case of our being interrupted in the + establishment of the principles for which we are contending, that I + will regard no oath that will convict one of the members of this + Order, but under all circumstances will stand by the Order in blood + and death. I furthermore swear that I will not give the signal cry of + distress, only when in real distress, and that I will yield my life, + if necessary, in aid of a brother giving the double cry of this + degree. Lastly, I swear by this Bible, and this skull, and this + blood, that should I ever prove unfaithful in any particular to the + obligation I have now assumed, I hope to meet with the fearful and + just penalty of the traitor, which is _death_, DEATH, DEATH, at the + hands of the brethren. So help me God." + +The candidate having kissed the book, the bandage is removed from his +eyes. He sees before him a human skull upon one side of the Bible, and a +small chalice or cup filled with blood upon the other. The brethren are +all disguised in long black gowns, covering them completely from neck to +heels. Black masks and black conical shaped hats of enormous height, +decorated with representations of death's head and cross bones, complete +the costume. + +Some of the members bear pine torches, which throw a wierd and unearthly +glare upon the unholy scene, and render it a fit counterpart to the abode +of the demons who seem to have instigated the proceedings. When the +bandage is removed, these torches are swung violently to and fro, and the +brethren simultaneously utter a loud cry. + +The candidate is now informed that the signs, grips, and passwords of the +preceding degree are used in this, with the exception that the signal cry +of distress in this is composed of two words: "SHILOH, AVALANCHE." + + + + +OPERATIONS OF THE KU KLUX KLAN. + +AN AUTHENTICATED ACCOUNT OF OUTRAGES COMMITTED IN THE SOUTH.--THE +PERPETRATORS AND THEIR VICTIMS. + + +THE MURDER OF EDWARD THOMPSON. + +From the close of the war, up to the fall of 1870, there resided in +Lowndes county, Georgia, an exceedingly intelligent colored man, named +Edward Thompson. He was noted for his piety, and the peculiar influence he +exerted over the members of his race who resided in Lowndes county, and +Hamilton county, Florida; and being thoroughly imbued with Republican +principles, lost no opportunity in disseminating them among those of his +race with whom he associated. Through his exertion, and by the force of +his example, the negroes voted the ticket of the Republican party at every +election, always seeking his advice before going to the polls to deposit +their ballots. + +Thompson's case was brought before the Camp of Hamilton county, +Florida--at that time, presided over by one Elihu Horn, Commander of the +Camp--as one requiring energetic action upon the part of the Order. A +warning was issued to Thompson, the import of which could hardly be +mistaken. The following is a verbatim copy of the same taken from the +original. + + "K. K. K. + + "_His Supreme Highness of Hamilton to Edward Thompson._ + + "His Supreme and Mighty Highness has heard of your seditious + practices in leading others astray, and encouraging them in + opposition to the white man's government. Time is given you to repent + and submit as your fathers have done. Now this is to warn you, and + all such as you, on pain of punishment and death, to abandon your + vicious harangues, and abide by our orders. The moon is yet bright; + it may turn to blood. + + "By order, + "K. K. K." + +Thompson paid no heed to this warning, but continued to pursue the even +tenor of his way. He had resided so long in the place, and been so +favorably known there, both among the whites and blacks, that he scouted +the idea that this meant anything more than a threat intended to +intimidate him, and he continued exerting his influence in the Republican +cause with his brethren, as had been his custom. Several warnings were +subsequently sent to him with no better effect, and it was finally decided +in the solemn conclave of the Camp, that he should receive the long +threatened "visitation." + +On the 19th of September, 1870, Thompson retired to his bed between nine +and ten o'clock, as was his usual custom. His family consisted of his wife +and two children, all of whom occupied the same sleeping apartment. +Between eleven and twelve o'clock they were aroused from their slumbers by +the door being broken in with a tremendous crash, and before Thompson had +time to collect himself, he was rudely seized and dragged from his bed by +a number of men, armed and disguised, two of whom fired their revolvers +into the roof of the cabin, as a menace, and assured Thompson they would +turn the weapons upon him, if he offered the slightest resistance. His +wife and children were also dragged from their beds, being at the same +time severely struck by some members of the band, and told to remain +quiet. + +"In the name of the Lord, what is this?" asked Thompson, as soon as he +could command his voice. + +The response was a blow upon the head from the butt of a pistol, delivered +with a brutality that convinced him that he was in the hands of those to +whose hearts mercy was a stranger. He was then told to ask no questions, +and make no noise, but to dress himself and go with the band. + +His wife was subjected to the most revolting indecencies. The last garment +that covered her nakedness was wrenched from her person and torn into +shreds, leaving her utterly exposed to the malicious and lecherous eyes of +the intruders. She was then told "to get her rags on," and go with the +party. The children terrified at seeing their parents thus brutally +assailed, uttered the most piercing screams, but were ordered to remain +behind and not leave the house, or they would be killed. The band started +out with their captives in the direction of the house of John and Samuel +Hogan, two white men who were known to be Republicans, and had thus +rendered themselves obnoxious to the Camp. They compelled the Hogans to +accompany them, and started for the woods, nearly a mile from Thompson's +house. + +One Micajah Amerson, a colored man living near the scene of this outrage, +hearing the report of the fire arms, arose, and dressed himself, and +taking a shot gun, started for his son's house on the Joseph Howell +plantation. Amerson was just in time to meet the band having Thompson and +his wife and the two Hogans in custody, and was at once seized and +compelled to go with the party. Amerson seems to be the only one of the +captives able or willing to give an intelligent account of what +subsequently transpired, which he did to the writer as follows: + +"I saw the company in the road, and knew they were the Ku Klux from their +disguises. I saw it was no use to try and get away from them, and one of +them told me to go along, at the same time striking me with a club. Edward +Thompson and his wife (colored), and John and Samuel Hogan, two white men, +were with them. Thompson said nothing but his wife moaned all the way on +the road to the woods. We went about a quarter of a mile into the woods, +and were then ordered to halt. When the halt was made, one of the band +gave a peculiar whistle, which was answered almost directly by a similar +sound. This proved to be the signal for the appearance of a party who was +addressed as the Captain, and who at once took charge of the proceedings. + +"I and the two white men were ordered to sit down, a pistol being placed +at our heads to enforce obedience. The colored man (Thompson) was then +told to strip himself naked. This he commenced very reluctantly to do, +begging for mercy, and asking what he was going to be whipped for. The +members of the band seemed to be enraged at this, and taking out their +knives, commenced cutting his clothes off, wounding him in several places. +The Captain then struck him a powerful blow with a gun, shattering the +stock and knocking Thompson senseless. + +"No one paid any attention to him as he lay upon the ground,--the Captain +and two or three of the band holding a consultation. The Captain then +asked for the "executioners." Two men came forward and said: "Where are +the warrants?" At this another of the party produced two long leather +straps, and handing them to the two men, said: "Here they are." + +"These two then commenced to beat Thompson and his wife in a dreadful +manner. The punishment on the wife was brief though cruel. That upon +Thompson was continued until the "executioner" was thoroughly exhausted. +He then handed the strap to another member of the band, who renewed the +assault with great fury. Thompson, at first, made no exclamations, but on +being struck in the more delicate parts of his body, screeched fearfully. +He was brought to his feet several times while the punishment was being +inflicted, only to be knocked down by the strap, and kicked by those who +were standing around him. The members of the band laughed at his agony and +said to the executioners: "Give it to the damned radical; learn the son of +a b...h to keep his piety and politics to himself; we'll teach him how to +lead the niggers." + +"Thompson finally ceased to scream. His body was a mass of blood, and he +appeared to be unconscious long before the beating was through with. I +thought he must be dead, but dared not say anything. When the executioners +had ceased, he lay perfectly still. One of the members said: "The d....d +skunk is playing possum." He then jumped at Thompson, kicked him several +times in the side and back with great violence, and turning him over, +ground his boot heel in his face. He lay for a long time unconscious, and +was several times raised to his feet, but could not stand. His wife +continued to pray during a portion of the time, asking God to bring her +husband to life, and begging the Captain to spare him for the sake of his +family, and let her try and get him home. + +"The Captain finally said, she might do what she liked. It was easy to see +that Thompson could not live, but some of the band were not satisfied. +One of them called out: + +"'Captain Smart, can I shoot the dirty radical?' to which the Captain +replied: + +"'No! the black son of a b....h is dead enough.' The Captain then said to +me and the two white men: + +"'Now, you take this for a warning, and if we ever hear of you divulging +anything about this, you may expect the same treatment.' + +"The white men and myself were then taken to the road, where we were met +by another party, also in disguise, making about forty in all. I was then +told to go to the Joseph Howell plantation, and remain there two hours, or +the rest of the band would take me and put me up the spout. + +"I done as directed, and returned to my own house about 6 o'clock in the +morning; I then went over to Thompson's house, and found him dead. How he +came there, I do not know; I heard that his wife got him home, and that he +was not entirely dead, when he got there." + +In addition to the testimony of Amerson, as to the terrible details of +this brutal murder, we have that of Mrs. Thompson and the two Hogans. Dr. +Mapp, a physician residing near Thompson, was called to see him, and at +the earnest entreaty of the wife dressed his wounds, although he saw that +the poor victim could not live possibly. He was literally beaten to a +jelly. One of his eyes had been forced completely out of its socket, and +he was otherwise almost totally unrecognizable. + +Elihu Horn, _alias_ Capt. Smart, was known at the time as a respectable +member of society in Hamilton county, Fla., and a leader in the democratic +ranks in that vicinity, and violently opposed to the present +administration. He was determined that no one should preach what he was +pleased to term "the heresy of radicalism" in that county, and live, and +his threat was fully carried out upon the body of the unfortunate +Thompson. + +In the light of such an outrage, can any one, of whatever creed or faith, +question the policy of the suspension of the writ of habeas corpus and the +proclamation of martial law in such a community, or doubt the wisdom of +the executive head of the nation, in his efforts to suppress the unlawful +assemblages, who aspired to hold the life and liberty of our citizens in +the hollow of their hands, and annihilate the hopes of newly-made freemen, +by imposing upon them a bondage infinitely worse than that from which the +nation, through the blood of her sons, had but so recently released them? + + +BRUTAL WHIPPING OF A WHITE MAN FOR OPINION'S SAKE. + +Shortly after the outrage which resulted in the death of Edward Thompson, +a Mr. Driggers, residing in the county of Echols, and not far from where +Thompson had been murdered, received a warning from the Ku Klux Klan, that +he must change his political opinions, or leave the State. + +Mr. Driggers was a prominent republican, and had made no secret of his +political faith. He had freely expressed his opinions in that regard +whenever he desired to do so, and had steadily voted the republican, or +what was known to the Ku Klux as the radical, ticket. He was generally +esteemed among his fellows, and especially among the colored people, in +whose welfare he took a great interest, and this latter fact was deemed an +offense not to be tolerated by the defenders of the white man's +government. + +Warning after warning was sent to him, and he was thus duly reminded, +that, unless he recanted, the fate of Thompson would surely be his; but, +he still regarded the matter as merely an idle threat, and time passed on +until the night of the 25th of August, 1871, when a party of five men, +armed, and disguised in black gowns and masks, visited his residence. + +Mr. Driggers at once divined the object of this visitation, and was +expostulating with the leader, when he was quickly overpowered and +stripped in the presence of his family, and beaten with straps similar to +those used upon Thompson. + +He was dreadfully punished about the head, face, and back, and was +informed by the Klan, that for the present they would accord him the mercy +to live, but, unless he left the county, they would return and kill him, +and destroy his property. + +From similar outrages that had been perpetrated in the vicinity, Mr. +Driggers was fully satisfied that this threat would be carried out to the +letter. He was familiar with the brutal details of Thompson's death, and +was now convinced that the members of this terrible brotherhood would +respect neither color, social standing, or respectability, and at once +made hasty preparations, and abandoned his once happy home to become a +wanderer. The visitation upon him was made solely for political reasons. +He was a man that stood above reproach in the community, and no person +could be found in Echol county that could impugn his character as a man, a +gentleman, and an upright citizen. It was not contended that he had +committed any other offense than that of being a radical republican, who, +being too obstinate to change his politics, must be whipped into +renouncing a faith that he could not be argued out of. + +Is it any wonder that men who substitute brute force for argument, should +so strenuously object to the efforts of the executive officers to enforce +the law and bring order out of the chaos, into which their wild and +licentious acts have plunged the respective communities in which they +live? Thinking men will say "nay," and will ask and demand that the policy +now being pursued by the administration shall be continued until the +supremacy of the law is fully established, and men of all shades of color +and political faith may "sit under their own vine and fig tree, with none +to molest or make them afraid." + +Allen Wicker, William Smith, Butcher Smith, James King, and Lewis Kinsey, +all residents of Echol county, Ga., and members of the Camp that had +decided that Mr. Drigger must surrender his political opinions, leave his +home, or die, were the persons upon whom the officers of the United States +Secret Service fastened the guilt of this outrage. + + +AN APPALLING TRAGEDY. + +TERRIBLE DEATH OF A WHITE MAN IN WILKINSON COUNTY, GEORGIA. + +One of the most appalling tragedies ever resulting from the free +expression of political opinions, was that enacted at Irwinton, Wilkinson +county, Georgia, on the night of the 31st of August, 1871. + +For more than a year previous to this date, a white man, familiarly known +throughout the county as Sheriff Deason, had taken a very active part in +politics, having espoused the republican cause, as one might say, in the +very den of the lion himself, and standing almost alone, in what he +considered a contest for the right. + +Deason was a large, powerfully built, and muscular man, inured to hardship +from his youth, resolute in his purpose, tenacious of his principles, and +ready under all circumstances to expound them, whenever it seemed good to +him to do so. He was a man whose good nature was proverbial. He delighted +to get into the country grocery, and there, surrounded by an admiring +audience of colored men, and such of the whites as sympathized with him, +although secretly, express his opinion, that the principles of the +republican party were the only ones upon which a righteous government +could be founded, and which would eventually bring the ship of State +safely to a secure anchorage. + +Among his hearers were many of those who had sworn to uphold the "white +man's government," and who believed that Deason's arguments were +calculated to damage their labors in this respect, but, bold as they were, +when in bands of twenty, armed and disguised, they assailed defenseless +men and helpless women, they dare not single handed to make even so much +as an utterance against his outspoken logic, and they writhed and twisted +under it in silence. They comprehended, however, that seeds were being +sown that would take root in the minds of thinking men, and produce +results which they did not desire to see accomplished. + +A formal presentation of Deason's case was made to the Irwinton Camp of +the C. U. G., to which Order, at that time, two-thirds of the white +population of Wilkinson county belonged. As was usual in such cases, it +was decided to issue a warning to the intended victim, which was forthwith +done. Deason replied to it by pasting the warning upon the door of his +house, where it remained an ever present witness to the contempt in which +he held its authors, until it was washed away by the fall rains. + +This was regarded as an act of defiance upon Deason's part, that could not +be overlooked. To add to this, he continued uttering his political views +with the same freedom as before, and it was resolved that he must be +stopped. This, however, was easier said than done; Deason was known to be +thoroughly armed, a man of undoubted courage, and a terrible opponent +when thoroughly aroused, although very quietly disposed when left to +himself. + +The Camp saw they had a serious subject to deal with, and for nearly a +year after the first warning, he was little less than a thorn in their +side. His example worked steadily upon thinking minds, and it was evident +that he must be put out of the way, as the only measure whereby the spread +of the peculiar political principles advocated by him could be stayed. + +A final warning was sent to him, the substance of which was, that he "must +leave the country, change his politics, or make up his mind to become +Buzzard Bait." In the Conclave of the Klan, when this warning was directed +to be issued, it was announced that this was positively the last +opportunity that would be given Deason to repent of his ways, and that in +the event of its failure to bring him to a change of his views, or his +location, the full penalty attached to the "negro worshiper" would be +enforced. This, however, had no more effect than the previous warnings, +and his death was resolved upon. + +On the night of the 31st of August, 1871, twenty-five of the Klan who had +been selected by the Commander, armed and disguised themselves for the +purpose, and proceeded to Deason's house on the outskirts of the place. +Deason had retired for the night, having carefully locked and barred his +doors and windows as usual. It was about midnight when he was aroused by a +heavy knock at his door. He arose from his bed and requested to know who +was there. The reply was a demand for him to come out and surrender +himself to the Klan. + +Deason responded to this with a defiant remark, telling them if they +wanted him, they must come and take him. The band then commenced battering +at the door, when Deason, placing his gun at a loop-hole which he had +previously prepared, discharged both barrels. It appears, however, from +some great misfortune to him, that neither of the shots produced any +damaging effect upon the assailing party. The band were somewhat +disconcerted at this, however, and withdrew a short distance from the +house and held a consultation. + +At the time of this visitation, Deason's wife was away upon a visit, and +the only other person in the house was a colored woman who was a servant +in the family. She had already arisen and expressed her determination to +assist Deason in the fight, to the extent of her ability. The latter had +reloaded his gun and had just set it down when a sudden rushing noise, as +of men running, drew his attention, and in a second afterwards, the door +was crushed in by a joist, which the band, using as a battering ram, had +forced against it. + +The Klan poured in at once, and in full force. A terrible hand to hand +fight ensued. Deason fought with great desperation, as did the colored +woman. One after another of the Klan were stretched out upon the floor of +the cabin, but the odds were too great, and Deason's immense strength +became exhausted under his tremendous exertions and the loss of blood +which he sustained. He finally sank down pierced with over-twenty bullet +and knife wounds, and died fighting to the last in the maintenance of the +principles he had so long and so earnestly advocated. + +The woman was soon dispatched, and the Klan then retired, taking their +wounded with them. Deason's mutilated body was found the next morning on +the floor of the room in which he had met his dreadful fate, while that of +the woman was found doubled up in one corner of the apartment, as if she +had been thrown there like a bundle of worthless rags. The frontal bone of +the dead man's head had been broken, and the base of his skull crushed +in, apparently by a club. The body had been shot and stabbed in more than +twenty different places, and presented a most revolting spectacle. + +The facts of the double murder soon spread abroad, and were reported to a +Mr. Bush, coroner of Irwinton, and that gentleman, being a member of the +Camp that had ordered Deason's death, empanelled a jury of his +fellow-brethren, and, according to his own confession, made since that +time, went through the form of an inquest, the result of which was a +verdict that the man Deason and the colored woman had met their death at +the hands of certain _colored_ persons, to the jury unknown. + +The death of this noble martyr to the cause of truth, effected important +changes. There were signs of dissatisfaction among some portions of the +community, to whom the details of the awful tragedy had become known, and +it was necessary that some measures should be taken to appease the feeling +of indignation that was beginning to gain ground. + +The Grand Jury of the county was summoned to sit for the purpose of taking +some measures to suppress crime. Every member of the jury was a member of +the C. U. G., or Ku Klux Klan. Their first step was to issue an address to +the people of the county, stating that evidence had been brought before +them to show that certain negroes had been guilty of gross outrages in the +county, which all good men should deprecate, and calling upon the citizens +to look out for the evil doers. This had but little effect, however, other +than to confirm the few well-meaning ones in their former belief that +Wilkinson county was in the hands of men who would leave no measures +unturned, to drive out of it, every one known to differ from them +politically. + +Deason is not the first nor the last in the long procession of +illustrious martyrs who, in all ages of the world have forfeited their +lives in the maintenance of their principles. Unlettered, uncouth, +uncultivated in life, resolute and unyielding even in death, he stands +recorded upon the pages of this brief history, a noble and brilliant +example of the lineal descendants of those who came from the shores of a +distant continent, more than an hundred years ago, to seek that freedom of +thought, that civil and religious liberty that had been denied them at +home. + +Many such as he, now live and suffer in the deluded and misguided land of +his birth, and like him, have for years carried their lives in their +hands, for opinion's sake. In the good Providence of an all-seeing +God--who has indeed imbued the present heads of the nation with the wisdom +necessary to appreciate the situation, and devise the appropriate +remedy--light begins to appear in the dark places, verifying the saying +that, "sooner or later, insulted virtue avenges itself on states as well +as on private individuals." + + +THE MURDER OF BRINTON PORTER. + +While the Grand Jury were holding their sessions as previously stated, and +only a short time after Deason's death, a band of twenty armed and +disguised men rode into Irwinton and murdered one Brinton Porter, an +intelligent citizen whose offense consisted like Deason's in his having +disseminated Republican principles and voted the Republican ticket. + +Porter had received a warning similar to that sent to Deason, but had said +nothing about it, even to the members of his own family. After receiving +the warning he had neither openly expressed his radical views, nor made +recantation of his political faith, but as he had not left the country, as +the warning stated he must do, his doom was pronounced in the conclave of +the Camp, and it was ordered that he should die. + +On the 8th of September, 1871, after concluding the business of the day, +and taking tea with his family, Mr. Porter left the family table, and, +taking a chair, went out to his door stoop. His only child, a daughter of +tender years, accompanied him and sat at his feet. He saw the band of +disguised men approaching the house, and deeming himself in danger, +immediately arose and was in the act of entering the house when he fell +across the threshold pierced by half a dozen bullets, which had been +discharged at him by the Klan. The child escaped unhurt. The Klan seeing +they had accomplished their purpose, wheeled around and with derisive +yells passed out of the town at a sharp trot. + +The agony of Porter's family beggars description. A wife widowed, and a +child orphaned in a moment, because their natural protector had assumed +the right guaranteed to him by the Constitution and the laws, to exercise +the elective franchise according to his own opinion, and the dictates of +his own conscience. Can one believe, that in the civilization of the 19th +century, and upon the American continent, the boasted refuge for the +down-trodden, and the oppressed of all nations, such a scene as that above +related could be enacted in the broad light of day, and the whole +community not rise up against it? Alas, for the degradation to which +political bigotry and a disregard of law, reduces a people, it is only too +true. + +The data upon which this truthful narration of the murder of Brinton +Porter is founded, is a matter of record in the archives of the +Government. The facts can neither be gainsaid nor palliated. It is to be +hoped that the firm policy of the present administration may bring the +people of the community in which Porter lived to such a sense of the great +injustice done among them, that they will rally to aid the Government, in +bursting the bands thrown about them by the subtletry of their own +unprincipled leaders, and stand shoulder to shoulder with those who are +doing all that human wisdom can devise to restore order and harmony, and +promote prosperity and happiness among the people. + + +EXTERMINATING THE NEGRO RACE. + +_Fiendish Designs of the Ku Klux of Wilkinson County._ + +THE EMASCULATION OF HENRY LOWTHER. + +In some parts of Wilkinson County, there seemed to be a disposition to +destroy every member of the colored race who should be found voting the +radical ticket. + +It was contended that scourgings and general maltreatment had not produced +satisfactory results; and, on the other hand, blood was accumulating on +the heads of the Klan, too fast even for their blunted consciences. Still +the war must go on in some way, and something must be done to destroy the +little leaven that bid fair to "leaven the whole lump." The subject was +discussed in the conclave of the Camp, and it was finally decided that a +more effectual way could be devised to accomplish the extermination of the +colored race than either by whipping or murder. This was the fiendish +resolve to castrate every negro who was guilty of radical proclivities, +and who voted the radical ticket, a design worthy alone of the men who +originated it. + +In that county, and at that particular time, there were many colored men +known as Republicans; and an opportunity was speedily afforded the Klan, +to carry out this terrible species of cruelty; a greater crime against +nature than all the others since it looked to the entire destruction of +the species. + +There had been, for sometime previous to September, 1871, a colored man in +Wilkinson County, by the name of Henry Lowther. This person was favorably +known among the negroes of the county, and expended a good deal of his +leisure time in going from place to place, and talking Republican +sentiments to members of his race, and urging them to vote the Republican +ticket, as the only means of maintaining their right to freedom. + +Previous to the dreadful visitation which subsequently came upon him, he +had voted the Republican ticket upon two occasions, and had expressed his +intentions to continue on in his political course in the future. + +This had roused the indignation of the Ku Klux Camp at Irwinton beyond +measure. A meeting of the Klan was called in which the edict was +promulgated, that since Lowther would not abandon the propagation of his +political opinions, he should be deprived of the power to propagate his +race, and further, that he should receive no "warning" in the matter, but +be proceeded against summarily, and "at once" was the time fixed for this +outrage. Lowther had been followed all the day previous, and just after +dusk was seized and thrown into a carriage, and driven rapidly away to the +woods near Irwinton, by four men armed and disguised. While in the +carriage, he was told that if he moved or made any resistance, his life +would pay the forfeit; but that, otherwise, it would be spared. + +Upon arriving at the woods, he was taken out of the carriage, and found +himself in the midst of nearly one hundred persons. Notwithstanding the +promise made by his first captors, he supposed his time had arrived and +begged for his life. He was then told that he would not be killed, if he +did not make too much resistance; that he had been preaching too much +politics, and they intended to fix all the d--d radical breeders in the +country; and had made up their minds to begin on him. Lowther did not +fully comprehend them at first, but soon learned the awful significance +of the words. + +His arms were then firmly pinioned, and he was thrown upon the ground +where he was tightly held by several of the band, and castrated in a most +rude and brutal manner, begging piteously and writhing under the pains +inflicted by his tormentors. After the operation had been performed, he +was unpinioned and asked if he knew the residence of any doctors and on +his replying that he did, he was told to go for one as he valued his life; +and further, that if he ever voted the radical ticket again, or influenced +any one else to do so, he should suffer death. Although shockingly +mutilated and bleeding from the dreadful manner in which he had been +treated, Lowther started to find a physician. Three different surgeons +were applied to before he found one sufficiently humane to afford him +assistance in dressing his wounds. + +It was several weeks before the unfortunate negro was in a condition to +walk about. The facts coming to the ears of the officers of the U. S. +secret service, they made diligent search for Lowther, whom they learned +dared not complain of his treatment for fear of death; and having found +and assured him of protection, he made affidavit to the facts as above set +forth, affirming that, with other parties who instigated and consummated +this outrage, were Eli Cummings, the Mayor of Irwinton, Lewis Peacock, +then Sheriff of Wilkinson County, and others of equal prominence. Shall it +be said after this that only the ignorant and uninfluential whites are +engaged in the gross outrages charged upon the Southern community? and +that there is no need there of the rigorous enforcement of the laws to +secure to the well-meaning citizen, black and white, the security for life +and property denied them under the rule of the lawless mob? + + + + +OUTRAGES BY THE KU KLUX KLAN. + +PERSECUTION OF THE FURGUSON FAMILY FOR OPINION'S SAKE.--AGED WOMEN AND +YOUNG GIRLS STRIPPED NAKED, AND BRUTALLY WHIPPED.--AN AWFUL HISTORY. + + _For whereas my father put a heavy yoke upon you, + I will put more to your yoke: + My father chastised you with whips, + But I will chastise you with scorpions._ + II CHRONICLES, X, 11. + + +The terrible narration that here ensues shows more conclusively, perhaps, +than any that has preceded it, the extent of the moral degradation to +which the community in which it was enacted was so surely and steadily +drifting. It would seem that the authors of the outrage had forgotten that +they were born of mothers, who had nursed them tenderly in infancy, or +that there were any longer left in the bosoms of women those feelings of +virtue and modesty usually ascribed to and found in the sex, and the +writer will here premise that the facts herein contained, dreadful though +they are in their disgusting details, have been verified beyond cavil or +the hope of questioning. + +Just previous to the breaking out of the rebellion, Dennis Furguson, an +intelligent and hard-working white man, resided with his family in Chatham +county, North Carolina. The family consisted of himself, his wife +Catherine, a daughter, Susan J. Furguson, and three sons, John, Henry and +Daniel. The head of the household was one of the few devoted Unionists who +were thoroughly opposed to the principles then being disseminated by those +who were endeavoring to plunge the country into a civil war, and exerted +all his influence to avoid the great catastrophe. + +Mr. Furguson was known as being favorable to the Republicans, and had +voted in the interest of the principles of the party of that name, +whenever opportunity had offered. He had educated his children in a love +of the Union, and taught them the blessings of civil and religious liberty +with their evening prayers, and had succeeded in imbuing them with his own +opinions to such an extent that the family became noted throughout Chatham +county as Unionists and Radicals. + +At the breaking out of the war, Furguson determined to remain a +non-combatant, seeking as far as possible not to render himself obnoxious +to his neighbors, but resolving at the same time to maintain a neutral +position. In this, however, he was doomed to a bitter disappointment, +being conscripted into the rebel army and sent to the front. He was taken +prisoner at Fort Caswell, N. C., and was sent to Elmira, N. Y., where he +died, never having seen his family from the night he was so rudely torn +from their embrace, and compelled to serve in the army of the rebellion. + +Neither this great calamity, nor the numerous other hardships suffered by +this family for opinion's sake, could shake their firm adherence to the +Union cause. The daughter was a beautiful girl, of great natural +intelligence, but who had been wholly without the advantages of an +education. She was attached to her father with a rare devotion, and +believed it to be a filial duty, which she owed to his memory, to continue +to enunciate the principles in which he had so thoroughly instructed her. +His conscription had strengthened rather than weakened these sentiments, +and she publicly spoke of his death as chargeable to the wicked designs of +the men who had endeavored to overturn and destroy the country. + +At the time of the organization of the first Camp of the "Constitutional +Union Guards," or Ku Klux Klan, in Chatham county, Susan Furguson was in +her eighteenth year. Her case was the first one brought to the +consideration of the Camp; but no special action was taken thereon until +it was observed that the sons were following in the footsteps of the +father, and were advocating the same principles of Unionism and +Republicanism that he had taught them. They also learned that Miss +Furguson lost no opportunity to express her convictions to the colored +people with whom she came in contact, and in their eyes her course became +intolerable. + +During the October of 1870, the case of the Furguson family was again +brought before the Camp as a flagrant violation of the principles of the +white man's government, and it was resolved that an example should be made +of them. A warning was sent to the family to renounce their political +faith, and cease the promulgation of their opinions, or leave the country. +To this, and subsequent warnings of a similar character, no attention was +paid, and an edict was finally issued by the Commander of the Camp, to +have some, if not all the members of the family, scourged. + +On the night of the 10th of November, 1870, the Furgusons retired to bed +at about 10 o'clock. The family was then composed of the widow, Mrs. +Catherine Furguson, the daughter Susan, and the three sons. Between eleven +and twelve o'clock, the attention of the daughter was called to a noise +outside the house, resembling the tramp of horses' feet, and the running +of men. In a moment afterwards, a voice shouted, "Open the door." The +daughter arose hastily, threw a wrapper over her person, and went to the +door and asked, "Who is there?" + +The response to this was another command, delivered in more peremptory +tones than at first--"Open the door!" and on her refusing to comply +therewith, the frail structure was broken in, and a man, disguised beyond +all hope of recognition, sprang into the apartment, confronting the girl +with a most terrible oath. + +In the dim glare of the candle which Miss Furguson had lighted, and now +held above her head, this hideous looking object presented an appearance +well calculated to terrify a stouter heart. A long black gown hung over +his person to his knees, and his legs were encased in huge army boots, +ornamented with a brace of iron spurs. Over his face was a black mask, +with apertures for the eyes, nose, and mouth, and around these were drawn +ghastly circles of white and red, rendering the face of the figure +exceedingly repulsive. On his breast was the representation of a human +skull worked in white, on a black ground, and surrounded with grotesque +figures worked in red. His head was surmounted with a high conical-shaped +black hat, on which were curious figures worked in white, and edged with +red and yellow. + +He commenced his interrogations by asking Miss Furguson if she had ever +seen a KU KLUX; to which the brave girl replied she never had, nor did she +wish to, unless it were more comely than he. This seemed to enrage him, +and turning to the door, he shouted, "Come in!" A horde of twenty men, +similarly disguised, rushed into the room, and the indecent orgies +commenced. + +The mother and the three brothers had remained in bed, at the earnest +request of the sister, but were speedily dragged from their resting place. +Daniel was the first one assailed. His night clothes were torn from him in +myriads of pieces, leaving him in an entirely nude state. He was then +thrown down upon the floor, and stretched out at full length; four of the +band seizing and holding him fast while two others came forward and +administered to him upwards of an hundred lashes on the naked person, +drawing the blood at every blow, and raising the quivering flesh in great +ridges upon his back and limbs. The boy fainted under the terrible +punishment, and was then thrown aside to make room for his brothers, Henry +and John, who were each castigated in an equally severe manner. + +John Furguson, who was more delicate than his brothers, uttered such +piercing shrieks, as the heavy gum switches descended upon his back and +loins, that his sister became almost insane. In her terrible agony she +sprang upon the leader, and before she could be prevented, tore off his +mask, and, to her horror and amazement, disclosed the face of Richard +Taylor, one of her nearest neighbors, to whom she had often, since the +death of her father, gone for advice and counsel. Taylor threw her rudely +to the floor and replaced his mask as quickly as possible. The girl was +severely stunned by the fall, but as soon as she recovered, cried out, "I +know you, Dick Taylor, and I will have you punished for what you have done +this night." + +Taylor immediately discharged his revolver at her, but, in the dim light +shed over the room by the candle, and the excitement of the moment, shot +wide of the object. He then exclaimed, with an oath, "If you move again, I +will kill you dead; and if I ever hear of your telling anybody of this +affair, we will come back and kill you all." + +Turning to Mrs. Furguson, he said, "Now, you take your folks and leave +this country. If you are not gone in ten days, we will be here again and +you shall all die." + +During the entire time of this whipping the three sons, two of them men +grown, were completely naked, and when the mother and daughter sought to +avert their heads from the shameful spectacle, they were ordered to turn +them back again on pain of instant death, the command being enforced with +pistols presented at their heads, by the hands of men whom they now felt +assured would not hesitate to use them if ordered. + +Having issued the edict for the family to leave the country or suffer +death, the gallant defenders of the "white man's government" and the +protectors of the "white man's race" departed. + +For more than three weeks succeeding this visitation, the Furguson +brothers were confined to their beds, and the mother and daughter nursed +their wounds, and labored for their support with untiring energy. During +these three weeks Susan Furguson had spread the news of the outrage to all +parts of Chatham County, characterizing the attack upon them as brutal and +savage--a crime that, if left unpunished by men, would surely be punished +by the hand of the Lord. She applied to the Justices of the Peace for +relief, stated that she recognized Dick Taylor, and George and Joseph +Blaylock, citizens of the place, as being present on the night of the +assault, and participating therein, and would make her affidavit to the +facts, and support it with undeniable testimony. + +She was everywhere laughed to scorn. The few who sympathized with her and +her family, dared not give expression to their thoughts for fear of a +similar fate. Chatham County was in the hands of the Ku Klux; a reign of +terror had been inaugurated there; the mob had made laws for themselves, +and justice was not to be had. + + +AN AGED WOMAN WHIPPED UPON HER NAKED PERSON. + +On the fourth week after the visitation above recorded, and just when the +Furguson brothers had about recovered from the effects of the brutal +whipping, and were able to attend to their ordinary duties, the family +were subjected to a second raid, far more revolting and indecent in its +character than the first, and such as the sensitive mind naturally recoils +from the contemplation of. The details are given here with a strict +adherence to the truth, all the facts herein set forth having been +personally verified to the writer by the sufferers themselves. + +On the night of the 11th of December, 1870, Susan Furguson, and a young +man named Eli Phillips, who had long known, and loved, and sympathized +with her, were sitting before the fire in the room which had been the +scene of the former outrage; the other members of the family, with the +exception of John Furguson, had retired to bed. + +Mrs. Furguson, the mother, was in very delicate health, caused by the +shock produced by the visitation of the Klan four weeks previous, and the +labor consequent upon nursing and caring for her sons. One of the +brothers, Daniel, lay stricken with a fever that had prostrated him two +days before, and was in an almost helpless condition. + +About ten o'clock in the evening, the doors upon both sides of the house +were broken in simultaneously, without previous warning, and a band of +men, armed and disguised as before, and much larger in numbers, rushed +into the room, uttering the most demoniac yells. A portion of the number +proceeded directly to the bed where the mother was lying, terror-stricken +and paralyzed from fear at their approach, and after first charging her +with having exposed their former visit, dragged her from the bed and threw +her violently to the floor. They then stood her up, and ordered her to +remove her night dress and chemise. This she refused to do, pointing to +her gray hairs and imploring mercy in the name of God, and for the sake of +the mothers who had borne them. + +Her appeals were made in vain. At the order of the Commander, the members +commenced tearing off the only garments that concealed her nakedness, and +this with the most shocking brutality. The daughter, maddened by the +sight, rushed upon the assailants, but was anticipated by other members of +the band, with whom she had a severe struggle, displacing the masks of +four of them enough to enable her to recognize their faces. + +She was quickly overpowered, and then beheld her mother completely naked, +her brother John bleeding profusely from the blow of a club, and her +brother Henry and the young man Phillips firmly secured. + +The mother was then thrown upon the floor and there securely held, while +two of the band beat her with twisted sticks, administering upwards of one +hundred blows upon various parts of her person, and bandying the most +obscene remarks and jests in relation to her. The daughter plead for her +mother most eloquently, she informed them that she was in delicate health, +and might die under the punishment, but this had no effect upon the +executioners. The interest of the "white man's race" was at stake, and +they had sworn to uphold the "white man's government," and would not stay +their hands. + +Having chastised the mother until there seemed but little life left, they +commanded John and Henry, and the young man Phillips, to remove their +clothes, and upon their refusing to do so, tore them off until not a +vestige was left upon their persons. They were then whipped one after +another, with great severity, the beating of John being so terrible that +his life was despaired of for several days afterwards. The bed upon which +the helpless and fever-stricken Daniel lay, was knocked down from under +him, and his already infirm body bruised and lacerated without stint. It +was indeed "a chastisement with scorpions;" but the most indecent +spectacle was reserved to the last. + + +OUTRAGE UPON A YOUNG GIRL. + +SHE IS WHIPPED IN A NUDE STATE IN THE PRESENCE OF THIRTY MEN. + +The girl Susan, whose bravery and devotion to her family should have +challenged the admiration of these lawless marauders, instead of drawing +upon her their contempt, was next ordered to disrobe. Overwhelmed and +confused at the merest thought, even, of such indignity, she could hardly +command herself sufficiently to speak her denials; as soon as she did, she +utterly refused to comply with the order. + +The more lecherous and brutal of the band sprang upon and threw her to the +floor, with no more regard for her person than if she had been a brute, +whom they were leading to slaughter. They stretched her out at full +length, and took her measure, as an intimation that they were going to dig +her grave. + +"We will put her and her radical lies where she can't enjoy their good +company, without further trouble," said one. This was responded to by +another, who, with a coarse oath, ejaculated, "Six foot under ground makes +a good place for solitary confinement, by ----." + +The work of "taking the measure" having been completed, Miss Furguson, +already suffering from the indelicate treatment she had received, was then +allowed to rise, and again ordered to divest herself of her clothes. "Is +it possible," she asked, "that you will submit _me_ to such an outrage?" +She had never conceived it possible these men, depraved as they were, +would really carry out a threat against which her whole nature revolted. +The reply was a sardonic laugh. The band had learned where the punishment +would sting the most, and they meant to apply it and spare not. + +For the first time in all her hated experience with these desperate men, +she faltered and felt her courage failing her. To the high-toned and +sensitive spirit of this brave and beautiful girl, there was something in +this contemplated exposure of her person far more torturing than any +number of lashes, however mercilessly inflicted. Death itself were a +thousand times preferable, and, for the first moment in all her life, she +felt like supplicating for mercy. Her hands dropped nervously and +motionless at her side, and the stout-hearted heroine of the previous +hour, stood in the presence of her persecutors almost stricken dumb with +shame and confusion. + +There was no sympathy in the glaring eyes that peered with lustful and +revengeful fires from behind the hideous masks of their tormentors; no +sentiment of pity, no hope, no help. She was given but little time to +decide. They fell upon her like hungry wolves famishing for their prey, +tearing one garment off after another, she resisting with all the strength +she could command, and entreating them to take her life, if they must, but +to spare her this last indignity. + +Neither her piteous appeals nor her stubborn resistance availed her, and +she lay upon the hard floor at last, naked as when born into the world, +ashamed, degraded, broken in spirit, and her maidenly feelings outraged +beyond any power of description. Four of the defenders of the "white man's +race" seized her limbs and arms; stretched them to their fullest tension, +and placing their knees thereon, held her brutally and forcibly to the +floor. Her punishment was to be terrible. + +The "executioners" were called, and five of the band came forward. +"Number one!" shouted the leader, and a stalwart member of the Klan that +had sworn to uphold the "white man's government," raising his knotted +strap in the air, brought it down upon the naked person of the helpless +girl with the terrible force of his muscular arm, cutting through the +delicate white skin and causing the blood to spurt at every stroke. He +administered thirty lashes, and was succeeded by "number two" and "number +three," until, as the witnesses state, one hundred and fifty lashes had +been administered, and her shoulders, loins, and limbs, were literally cut +into mince meat. + +Her screams had ceased, and her unoffending body lay still and motionless +long before the punishment had ended. There was something in her young +heart far beyond the dread cruelty of this infliction, and she inwardly +prayed to God for death, to end her mental and bodily suffering. Lying +under this great mountain of sorrow and shame, she heeded not the rude and +obscene observations of her tormentors; and the unconsciousness produced +by the punishment, soon placed her beyond the power to listen to them. + +Leaving her as one dead, and issuing the edict that if the family did not +leave the country, it would be "_death!_ DEATH! DEATH!" to all, the band +departed. + +Thousands of honest hearts of all shades of political opinions, upon +perusing this truthful narration, will feel to wish that they could have +been present with power at this time to have utterly destroyed this band +of midnight raiders; but, let them remember the words of holy writ, +"Vengeance is mine, saith the Lord, I will repay".... "Neither their +silver nor their gold shall be able to deliver them in the day of the +Lord's wrath: but the whole land shall be devoured by the fire of his +jealousy, for he shall make even a speedy riddance of all them that dwell +in the land." + +It was an hour after the departure of the band, before any of the party +exhibited evidences of life or animation. Henry Furguson, and the young +man Phillips, were the first to come to a realizing consciousness of the +awful scenes through which they had just passed. Wounded and bleeding as +they were, they felt the necessity for immediate action. The mother and +daughter still lay upon the floor, naked, lacerated and motionless. John +Furguson had fainted from the loss of blood he had sustained, and was +still unconscious, while Daniel was lying amid the debris of the bed, +groaning in the agony of the fever, and the wounds upon his body. + +Hastily gathering up the dresses of the women, and throwing them over +their nude bodies, the young men lifted them tenderly to the bed, and gave +them such attention as they felt able to bestow. The remaining members of +the family were cared for as well as the circumstances permitted. Not a +doctor could be had in the vicinity, who was not in sympathy with the +Klan, and not a neighbor came to their assistance, although fully aware of +their distressed condition. The neglect of the neighbors was in no way +attributable to their indifference or their inhumanity. It was one of the +legitimate results of the feeling of terror that then pervaded the +community. A show of sympathy towards these unfortunates, they feared, +would place them under the ban, and subject them to a visitation, and they +dared not incur the risk. + +In ten days another warning came to the Furgusons, that they must leave +the country within twenty-four hours, or the penalty of death would surely +be inflicted. They knew this warning must be heeded, and with broken +hearts and crushed spirits, they crawled out into the woods, under cover +of the darkness, and secreted themselves as they best could. + +In an interview held with the writer, subsequent to this last outrage, +Miss Furguson stated that the weather, at this time, was cold and +disagreeable, sometimes frosting and sometimes raining; that they had to +lie out without a shelter, and suffered with the cold and hunger, +sometimes going twenty-four hours without food. Occasionally the neighbors +gave them something to eat, and finally the unfortunate wanderers sold to +them the right to what furniture they had left behind in the house, and +thus procured something upon which to subsist. + +She stated further, that they were in the woods nearly a month, and that +as soon as they were able to travel they left the vicinity and procured a +home with a Mr. Dixon, on the lower edge of Chatham county. + +An affidavit, based upon the statements of this young lady, was made +before the Hon. A. W. Schaffer, U. S. Commissioner at Raleigh, N. C., on +the 8th day of September, 1871. It charged the men, recognized by this +girl, as being present and concerned in the outrages above related. +Warrants were issued, and the officers of the U. S. Secret Service went to +Chatham county and arrested the parties and brought them before the +Commissioner. The more wealthy and influential members of the Klan rallied +to their rescue, became their bondsmen, and they were released to await +trial. + +Miss Furguson's description of the dreadful indignities to which she and +the other members of the family were subjected, was of the most graphic +and thrilling character, and aroused the sympathies of many who heard it. + +The defenders of the "white man's government" were alone amazed and +enraged at the persistency and courage of this young girl of the "white +man's race," and they determined to ferret her out and punish her again. +In this they were successful, although for greater safety, the family had +broken up, and the mother and daughter had secreted themselves, as they +supposed, beyond the knowledge of their persecutors. + +On the night of the 20th of September, 1871, three men, armed and +disguised, and who had been detailed by the Camp for the purpose, appeared +suddenly before the miserable hut in which these unfortunates had taken +refuge. An entrance was easily effected, and the women were told that +their doom was sealed, and they were to be whipped to death. + +These three protectors of the "white man's race," then fell upon the +women, beating them brutally. Susan recognized one of them, by his voice, +as a man named Jesse Dixon, whom she knew. The moment she called his name, +the three ran away, leaving their victims, who passed the remnant of the +night in the woods. + +On the following day, the mother and daughter made their way to Raleigh, +where fresh complaints were entered, and the Secret Service officers, +armed with warrants, went out and succeeded in capturing two of the +murderous assailants, who were brought in and held for trial. Mrs. +Furguson and her daughter were then retained in the city as witnesses, at +the expense of the government, and to protect them from further outrages. + +Susan J. Furguson, the heroine of the terrible experiences above related, +is now twenty-one years of age. She is a girl of commanding presence, is +endowed with a powerful constitution, great energy and force of character, +and an indomitable spirit. Her P. O. address is "Snow Camp Foundry, +Chatham Co., N. C.," where herself and other members of the family can be +found, in verification of the facts above related. + +There are few narrations in the annals of "persecutions for opinion's +sake," more shocking in their inhuman details than the foregoing; +certainly, none that cry with a louder and more earnest voice to the +government, and the right-minded people of the country, for help for +those who have been the subjects thereof. + +No amount of retributive justice can erase one solitary scar from the +knout-welted bodies of the Furgusons, or remove from their spirits the +dreadful memory of their disgrace; but to those who went forth to battle +in the days of "The Nation's Peril," who stood shoulder to shoulder amid +the roar of cannon, and, in vindication of the right, successfully +withstood the shock of rebellious armies, it must ever remain a matter of +profound gratification that the victories _then_ achieved in the field are +_now_ being perpetuated in such a firm and vigorous enforcement of the +laws as will have a tendency to make them substantial ones in the +repression of any and all such outrages in the future. + + +GEORGE W. ASHBURN. + +SHOT TO DEATH FOR OPINION'S SAKE. + +The shocking murder of this gentleman is still fresh in the minds of most +readers of the daily journals, North and South. Mr. Ashburn was a sterling +patriot, who entertained radical opinions, and through his fluency and +ability, as well as his outspoken friendliness towards the colored race, +had gained their confidence and support alike, with that of the Republican +whites of the vicinity. + +He was a member of the Constitutional Convention of Georgia which met at +Columbus, in the winter of 1867-8, and during his stay there, was refused +admittance as a guest at the principal hotels of the place on account of +the political prejudice existing against him. He occupied private rooms +upon one of the main streets of the city, where he lived in an +unostentatious and unpretending manner. + +He was a man of extraordinary natural talents, a good speaker, of fair +educational qualifications, and a most earnest defender and supporter of +true Republican principles. On all occasions, and wherever he appeared, to +discuss the political situation of the trying times he moved in, he spoke +his sentiments unreservedly. He was far from ever having been a huckster +or trickster in politics, but he was fearless and able, and his enemies +doomed him! + +At midnight, on the 31st day of March, 1868, a band of about forty men, +who were armed and thoroughly disguised, made their appearance in an open +lot of ground near his residence, and just opposite his private quarters. +He had gone to bed in his room, and the door was just closed, when a +summons from without called the servant, who opened it, and the Klan burst +into the hall. Mr. Ashburn heard the noise, sprang out of bed, struck a +light, and opened the door of his sleeping apartment. He did not fear +death at the hands of these intruders, but he was alarmed at the rude +demonstrations they made, and demanded to know what was their purpose. + +With an oath and a brief exclamation of unwarrantable abuse, the foremost +members of the Klan immediately fired upon and shot him down in his tracks +like a dog. A white and colored woman in the house recognized three or +four of the leading assailants, whom they subsequently identified, and +these were among the first residents of the city of Columbus. The names of +these parties, whose identity was sworn to, and who were afterwards placed +on trial, are as follows: + +Elisha J. Kirksey, Columbus C. Bedell, James W. Barber, William A. Duke, +Robert Hudson, William D. Chipley, Alva C. Roper, James L. Wiggins, Robert +A. Wood, Henry Hennis, Herbert W. Blair, and Milton Malone. + +The morning after the assassination, a coroner's jury was summoned, and, +as was usual in such cases, the verdict of these men--who were all members +of the Ku Klux Klan--was, that Mr. Ashburn came to his death "from wounds +received from parties to the jury unknown." The local authorities made a +faint show of investigating the matter, but really did nothing towards +actually ferreting out and bringing to justice the murderers. + +This outrage was so revolting in its inception and consummation, that the +military authorities considered it right that they should undertake to do +what the local police and citizens of Columbus had apparently been so +indifferent in performing. + +In the then condition of affairs nobody dared to appear against the +suspected parties, and consequently witnesses could not be had in the +ordinary way. + +At this juncture General Geo. G. Meade, then in command of the Military +Department there--for the State of Georgia was at this time under martial +law--telegraphed to Gen. Grant, in Washington, that he desired the +services of a competent and able detective to assist in bringing the +guilty parties to justice. A second dispatch was sent by Gen. Meade, +requesting that Col. H. C. Whitley, of the United States Internal Revenue +service (then absent under Department orders in Kansas), should be +directed to report to him in person for the duty indicated. In pursuance +of this request Col. Whitley went to Columbus and commenced his labors, +which resulted in the arrest of the parties above named. + +A military commission was at once convened to try the accused. The +witnesses for the Government gave their testimony in a straightforward +manner, their evidence being fully corroborated by that of the people in +the house where the deed had been consummated, and the conviction of the +parties seemed inevitable. + +The citizens of Columbus raised a hue and cry; the local newspapers +sharply criticized the proceedings; a furore of excitement was engendered; +the ablest legal counsel to be had for the defence, with Alexander H. +Stephens at the head, were engaged, and large sums of money were expended +in behalf of the prisoners. + +All parties were astounded, however, at the evidence which was produced +against the accused. Its preparation showed a skill and ingenuity such as +had never before been exhibited in working up a case before the courts of +the district, and it was necessary that some measures should be devised to +save the participants in the fearful tragedy from their justly merited +punishment. + +This could only be accomplished in one way--by the adoption of the 14th +Amendment to the Constitution of the United States, it being a clause in +the law that, upon the adoption of this amendment by the legislature of +any State, all cases of civilians pending before military tribunals +organized in said State, should be taken cognizance of by the civil courts +therein. + +The Democratic members of the Georgia Legislature were between two fires; +the 14th Amendment was a bitter pill, but the necks of their confreres +were in danger, and they were compelled to vote solid with the +Republicans, and thus end the proceedings before the military tribunal. By +this means, the trials of the Ashburn murderers were taken out of the +hands of the military authorities, the prisoners put under bail, the +witnesses compelled to flee for their lives, and there the matter rests. + +To the unobserving mind the murder of George W. Ashburn would seem totally +unavenged; but to him who sees in every great event the hand of an +over-ruling Providence, evolving good from evil, a different conclusion +must be arrived at. In his life, he fought manfully for the establishment +of civil rights, and the political equality of the oppressed race of which +he was the chosen champion. In his death that result was consummated, in +the State of Georgia, sooner perhaps by years than it would otherwise have +been without this sacrifice. "Wherever a few great minds have made a stand +against violence and fraud in the cause of liberty and reason," there +shall we find just such sacrifices as this, and there, too, "in the +eternal fitness of things" and the onward march of law and the +establishment of order, shall we find the triumphal vindication of those +principles for which the republic has labored and travailed, and George W. +Ashburn died. + + +A THRILLING NARRATIVE. + +DESPERATE ENCOUNTER AND DEFEAT OF A BAND OF KU KLUX. + +As an instance of what the courage of one man can do in a righteous cause, +against a multitude of those who are actuated by wicked and unlawful +motives, the case of Mr. J. K. Halliday, a resident of Jackson County, +near Jefferson, Ga., is perhaps one of the most extraordinary on record. + +Mr. Halliday is a native of Jackson County, Ga., where he has always lived +and done business. He was opposed to secession and rebellion from the +first; was continually counselling peaceful measures, and openly avowed +himself a Unionist. During the war, he utterly refused to take up arms +against the Government, and being a man of great influence and large +means, was enabled to avoid conscription into the rebel ranks. + +He was a thriving business man, the proprietor of two plantations and a +mill, and kept a large number of hands engaged at work. After the close of +the rebellion and as a measure of concession to the turbulent spirits by +whom he was surrounded, he employed white men to do his labor. + +Mr. Halliday soon found, to his inconvenient cost, that these men demanded +exorbitant wages; that they were indisposed to perform a fair day's work, +sometimes not working at all, and then but for a half day, but always +charging him for full time--and he finally became disgusted with, and +discharged them altogether. This was sufficient to bring him into contempt +with the Klan, who charged him with being a "negro lover," as well as a +Union sympathizer, and an open-mouthed Radical. + +Threats of his assassination and the destruction of his mill and other +buildings were freely uttered. He was formally "warned" by the K. K. K.'s, +that he must change his course, politically, or he would certainly suffer +death. Halliday's reply to this threat and warning was simply to proceed +to Jefferson, and procure some of the best modern weapons, for defense, +that he could find. With these he returned to his dwelling, awaited +results, pursuing his usual course, advocating such political principles +as he please, and employing colored men as before. + +During the spring of 1871, at a meeting of the Ku Klux Camp of Jefferson +County, it was solemnly resolved that Halliday should be killed, and his +property destroyed. The night for the "visitation" was duly decided on; +and through an anonymous note this information was conveyed to Halliday, +the writer begging him as he valued his life, to leave the place, and thus +save himself. + +To less resolute men this would have appeared a serious matter, but upon +Halliday the threatened danger had an entirely different effect. It nerved +rather than weakened his brave spirit, and he resolved to "stick." He was +a man full six feet in stature, and well proportioned; he had been long +accustomed to out-of-door life, and was considered one of the most +powerful men, physically, in the county; he knew his strength, and relying +upon that and an unswerving faith in God, he determined to defend himself +and his family to the last. + +On the night of the anticipated visit, he placed his wife and his two +children in the upper room of the house, and barricaded the passage way +leading thereto, as best he could. + +Mrs. Halliday well knew the desperate character and murderous designs of +the Klan. She clung to her husband, to whom she was devotedly attached, +and expressed her fears as he passed down the stairway, that she would +never see him again, alive! To this Mr. Halliday responded: + +"You forget that the GREAT MASTER is with me! Trust HIM as _I_ do," and +kissing her and the little ones, he descended to the ground floor, where +he intended to remain and await the advent of the party. + +Some of the more faithful of the negroes observing the unusual care with +which Mr. H. adjusted the fastenings upon the doors and shutters, that +night, hinted to him that they "reck'nd he 'spected trouble," and they +would like to be near him. + +"No," said he, "go to your own places and don't come out; if they come in +here, I had rather be alone, for then I can shoot and cut at random and be +sure not to hit any of my own friends. Every man I strike will surely be +one who ought to be stricken." + +Mr. Halliday was armed with two rifles, two revolvers, and a long bowie +knife. Shortly before midnight, the Klan made their appearance in front of +the house, to the number of about twenty. Halliday saw them through a +small half-moon shaped aperture at the top of the shutter. + +They were all masked, and appeared each to wear a long rubber cape, +falling from the shoulders to the waist. They came straight to the door, +and, without saying a word, commenced to batter it in. The door gave way +in a few moments, and as they rushed in, Halliday discharged his firearms +with such fatal effect, that three of the Klan dropped dead upon the +floor. + +The room was intensely dark, and a desperate fight ensued, in which the +assailants more frequently encountered each other than the victim for whom +they were in search. + +Halliday was finally grappled by one of the foremost of the party. He +speedily freed himself through his superior strength and the prompt use of +his bowie knife, thrusting it into his assailant's bowels, and throwing +him violently back on to the crowd. The wounded man exclaimed: + +"He's got a knife! I'm murdered!" + +This caused a panic among the marauders, and the entire crowd left the +house, taking their dead and wounded with them. After making certain that +all of their own number were out, they discharged their firearms through +the open doorway, and beat a retreat, taking a circuitous route, to avoid +being traced by the blood that oozed from the wounds of several of the +number, two of whom died soon after reaching their homes, thus making five +in all who had paid the forfeit of their lives in the unholy cause. + +During all the time of this desperate encounter, the feelings of the +wretched wife and frightened children in the upper room, may only be +imagined. The father and husband, single handed, fighting against a horde +of ruffians bent upon his murder; their own fate depending upon his, and +not daring to cry out lest they should be discovered, and thus bring +destruction upon their own heads, their situation was agonizing in the +extreme. + +Mrs. Halliday did not forget the last words of her husband, so full of the +strong faith that characterized the man: "_You forget that the Great +Master is with me. Trust Him as I do!_" And sinking upon her knees, she +poured her spirit out in silent and earnest prayer to God for help. + +The dead calm that had ensued after the uproarious tumult of the firearms, +and the fierce struggle of the combatants in the room below, alarmed Mrs. +Halliday more than all else. Whether her husband had been overpowered at +last and taken away, or had been left dead upon the floor, with some of +the murderous crew watching to see who would come for the body, she knew +not. Possibly he might be lying there alone, wounded and insensible, with +the life-blood ebbing away, and no friendly hand to stay the crimson tide, +and the thought was terrible and agonizing. + +An hour went by. An hour into which years of misery were crowded to the +forlorn woman, and yet no sound of life, no ray of light gleaming through +the impenetrable darkness, to relieve the awful gloom and suspense, or +give her one faint shadow of hope. + +Halliday was indeed lying there, exhausted and unconscious from the +numerous wounds and contusions he had received. In his right hand he still +held the bowie knife firmly grasped, as if awaiting the further onslaught +of the foe, while his left was clenched with the determination of his iron +will. The cool wind blowing off the mill-stream and coming in through the +open doorway, aroused him at length to consciousness. + +The remembrance of the fight, his successful resistance, the retreat of +the assailing party, and, above all, his wife and children, saved--and by +his own right arm!--came back to his recollection and nerved him to +action. He roused himself from his lethargy, and groping his way to the +stairs, he called out: + +"Are you there, mother! and our darlings!" + +Who shall tell the feelings of that wife-mother's heart, bowed in its +terrible anguish, and now so suddenly raised to the highest pinnacle of +happiness as she responded, "Here! and safe, thank God, and our husband +and father." + +Who shall describe the music that will compare, in Halliday's bosom, to +the pattering feet of his darlings, as they rushed to meet his strong and +loving embraces, and shouted, "Papa, papa!" amid their fast falling tears. + +Halliday's wounds, though not fatal, were still serious enough to alarm +his wife, and as early in the morning as she dared, she sent one of the +negroes for a doctor; but it appeared that every doctor in the vicinity +was busy with patients who had been "taken suddenly ill during the night." + +One of these was the only son of a widow, the nearest neighbor to the +Hallidays. He had received a "severe fall" the night previous, they said, +upon a sharp instrument that had pierced his bowels and caused his death. +This proved to be the man Halliday had cut. Five funerals attested the +energy and strength of the hero's arm, and the dead bodies of the victims +remained as lasting "warnings" to the "defenders of the white man's +government," and that it was not always wise to attack the members of the +"white man's race." + +It is almost needless to add that Mr. Halliday was left free from that +time forth to pursue his own course, politically and otherwise as he +deemed best, and that his persecutors came to realize with him that "the +race is not always to the swift, nor the battle to the strong," and that +in the struggle of the right for supremacy over the wrong, "God and one +constitute a majority." + + +SLAUGHTER OF AN UNITED STATES OFFICIAL. + +John Springfield, a Deputy United States Marshal, residing in St. Clair +County, Alabama, had drawn upon himself the odium of the Ku Klux of that +county by accepting a position under the United States Government, the +duties of which he endeavored faithfully to discharge. + +He had been approached on several occasions by members of the Klan, who +had made propositions to him to pervert his office, and shield certain +parties who were engaged in the illicit distillation of whiskey; but had +utterly refused to listen to any of these overtures, and was bold enough +to proclaim the fact that he should use his best endeavors to bring to +punishment the violators of the law wherever he found them. + +The customary warning was sent to this intrepid officer, informing him +that "St. Clair County was getting hot for him," but that if he kept on in +his course he would "be sent to a hotter place in a hurry." + +He was somewhat alarmed at this threat and moved about with great caution, +but was unremitting in his attention to his duties until the spring of +1871, when the Klan decided that he must be stopped. An edict was issued, +sealing Springfield's doom, and the second night thereafter he was +followed by three members of the Klan, disguised in black gowns and with +their faces blackened, and was shot dead within a few feet of his house. + +This murder was charged upon the negroes, and up to the present writing, +the instigators and perpetrators have escaped punishment. + + +THE ASSAULT UPON ASA THOMPSON. + +_Singular Conduct of the Klan._ + +In the latter part of the year 1870, there resided in Clinch County, +Georgia, a gentleman by the name of Asa Thompson, who, although a +Southerner by birth and education, was an outspoken Radical Unionist, and +had directly identified himself with the Republican party. + +In his intercourse with the people he was frank and free in the expression +of his sentiments, and always exercised the right of suffrage, conducting +himself in an orderly and acceptable manner, at all times, as a good +citizen should do. He was proprietor of a thrifty plantation, upon which +he employed a large number of hands, and stood well generally in the +community. + +These essential requisites to a good citizen were altogether insufficient, +in the eyes of the Ku Klux Klan in that vicinity, to balance the bad +points (in their esteem) which characterized him, inasmuch as he was a +Radical in principle. This fault was considered good cause for forwarding +to Thompson a sharp "warning" from the camp, which was sent him in the +customary form, and he was ordered to restrain himself in the utterance of +his Radicalism, or quit the country. + +If he failed to obey, then he would receive a visitation from the K. K. +K.'s, and that meant death. To this notice he gave no attention, but +laughed at the threat and awaited events. A second warning was then sent +him, couched in the following terms:-- + + "One of three things will happen to you, very shortly. You will leave + the country, so that we can never find you--change your politics--or + be turned into Buzzard Bait. + + K. K. K." + +To this expressive, but not over polite missive, Thompson returned a +somewhat defiant reply, proceeded at once to fortify his cotton +gin-house, in which he remained at night, and dared the Klan to come for +him. + +During the month of September, 1871, matters had assumed such a position +in this man's case, that the Klan felt that Thompson must be annihilated, +or the "reign of terror," which they had inaugurated in the county, would +be broken--and a reaction take place among the people, inimical to +themselves. + +Numbers of the band were accordingly detailed by the Commander of the Camp +of Clinch County, to put Thompson out of the way. They were headed by +Shimmie Timmerson, formerly sheriff of that county; a man notable for his +unusual brute force and personal resolution. + +The Klan approached Thompson's gin-house on the night of the assault, +cautiously, and as they supposed, unobserved. Each one of them was well +armed, and disguised in black gowns, masks and hats. + +Thompson, who had been constantly on the watch, discovered them upon their +first appearance. He relied upon the solid door of the gin-house, which he +supposed would withstand a much heavier shock than it did. It gave way +upon the first assault, which was made with a heavy piece of timber, +battered against it by the assailants; and which shivered it to splinters. + +As the door crashed in, Thompson opened such a rapid fire upon the +marauders, as to lead them to suppose that the gin-house was full of armed +men. This belief had been strengthened, from the fact that its only +occupant shouted simultaneously with the discharge of his weapons: "Give +it to 'em, boys! Don't spare a man." + +Timmerman (the ex-sheriff), who led this gang, fell at the first fire, +seriously though not mortally wounded. Several others of the party bit the +dust, and the entire band at once beat an ignominous retreat--bearing +with them their wounded; and leaving their single-handed and brave +opponent master of the situation. + +The most singular and unexpected result of this was, that the band were so +thoroughly chagrined at their failure, that they had a quarrel among +themselves after leaving the place, and charged their defeat upon +Timmerman, who led the van--and whom they adjudged guilty of death on the +spot, on the ground that their defeat was due to his bad management. + +This sentence would actually have been executed upon him, but for the +interposition of some of the Klan, who declared their belief that +Timmerman could not recover from the wounds he had already received, and +that he might as well be left to die in the woods; that they did not think +he was a traitor, and hence ought not to suffer a traitor's doom. + +The ex-sheriff was greatly weakened from the loss of blood, caused by +these wounds, and was so thoroughly panic-stricken at the idea that he +might possibly be murdered by his associates, that he swooned, and his +body was carried nearly a mile into the wood, where his "brethren" of the +Camp threw it down, and left him. + +On the following day Mrs. Timmerman, having missed her husband, employed a +gang of negroes to go in search of him. The hunt was successful, and the +wounded man was removed to his house; where, after the most careful +nursing, he was partially restored to health, but was so badly crippled as +to be unable ever again to perform manual labor. + +The treachery and inhumanity of these men towards one of their own number +so enraged Timmerman that he declared himself ready to expose their whole +operations, their modes of working, and their secrets; and it was from him +and Mr. Thompson that the writer obtained the facts, as herein set forth. +This raid ended the operations of the Clinch County Ku Klux Klan, for +sometime, so far as the influential whites were concerned. + +Outrages upon negroes were continued, however, but with less severity--the +subsequent vigorous action of the Government in enforcing the laws, in +other parts of the country, being felt to some degree in that place. + + +BRUTAL WHIPPING OF WOMEN. + +The outrages committed by members of the Klans, upon both individuals and +property, in the county of Chatham, and in Moore county, N. C., were so +numerous and oppressive, during the spring of 1871, and finally became so +brutal in their character as to occasion the direst consternation among +the whole negro population, as well as among such of the whites as dared +to exercise the right of suffrage in accordance with their own +convictions, which were not in accord with the tenets maintained by the Ku +Klux or democracy of the place. + +About this period, the more intelligent of the colored people were in the +habit of gathering together at stated times, for consultation in company +with the friendly whites, as to the course it was deemed best for them to +pursue for the protection and security of their lives. + +A favorite place for holding these meetings, was at the dwelling of Mrs. +Sallie Gilmore--a woman then residing with her family in Moore county. + +These frequent assemblages were soon brought to the notice of the Camp in +Moore county, and it was decided that such an example should be made of +the parties as would deter others from pursuing a similar course; and +compel these to abandon their radical views, or quit the country. + +The house occupied by Mrs. Gilmore, was rather of the better class, and +Mrs. G. was known as an intelligent woman, who, in her sympathy with the +colored race, was anxious for the day when the rights and privileges +guaranteed them by the Constitution and the laws, could be enjoyed without +molestation. + +The opinions and teachings of Mrs. Gilmore becoming known, the heresy was +sufficient for the Klan to commence a crusade upon her and her family, and +an edict was issued that she, and all the others found upon her premises, +should be scourged. + +Thirty men of the Klan were, accordingly, detailed to carry out the order, +and the "visitation" was fixed for the night of April 15th, 1871. The Klan +were disguised, as usual, and were under the leadership of Roderick J. +Bryan, a prominent citizen of Moore county, who was violently opposed to +Republican principles. They met and organized in a field about a mile from +Mrs. Gilmore's house, where they held a counsel, and finally completed +arrangements for making the proposed raid. + +Saturday night (the night in question) was the favorite time when the +negroes met there, but, on this particular evening there chanced to be but +three present, besides Mrs. Gilmore, her son and daughter, and a young +woman named Mary Godfrey. + +For greater security, no lights were used when these meetings were held, +and when the Klan arrived, the place was found to be entirely darkened. +The doors were at once broken in, and Murkerson McLane, one of the +negroes, taking advantage of the darkness, crept through the doorway +stealthily, and darted towards the woods; but he was observed by some of +the Klan, who pursued and soon came up with him. + +They had fired upon him as he ran, and when overtaken, he had sank down +exhausted, and begged hard for his life. Roderick Bryan and Garner Watson +replied to his earnest supplications for life by discharging their +revolvers at him a second time. Both shots took effect. McLane gave a +spasmodic leap into the air, and dropped motionless by the roadside. +Supposing him dead the band left him there, where he lingered through the +night in great agony, and died next morning. + +Having murdered McLane, his pursuers returned to Mrs. Gilmore's house, +where the rest of their party were awaiting them before commencing their +inhuman indecencies. A light had been struck, and Mrs. Gilmore, her son +and daughter, the negroes, and Mary Godfrey, were found fastened to the +bed, in the most indecent positions. The negroes were first released, and +were fearfully beaten with clubs and twisted switches, until they became +utterly unconscious, when they were rudely dragged to the doorway, and +their bleeding bodies tumbled, unceremoniously, into the mud. + +Mrs. Gilmore's son and daughter were then stripped of their clothing and +compelled, in this condition, to _dance_, for the edification of their +tormentors; the music of this wretched exhibition being provided by the +switches in the hands of the Klan, who applied them to the naked bodies of +their victims with terrible severity, mocking them wickedly, meantime, as +they were forced through the unwilling and miserable antics they +performed! + +The son was entirely nude, but the daughter was allowed to retain her +chemise. Both became exhausted, and sank down under the terrible +punishment inflicted upon them, and the vigorous switching kept up, failed +to revive them into further action. The attentions of the Klan were then +directed towards Mrs. Gilmore. + +One of the band said, "Let's make the old she radical dance now!" + +"We can do better than that," said another; "we can lick the d-- +nigger-loving blood out of her." + +Mrs. Gilmore, now upwards of fifty years old, was then seized and thrown +violently upon the floor. Her clothes were drawn up over her head, and the +cotton under garments covering her limbs were rudely torn off, exposing +her naked person to the demons in human form who surrounded her. The +switches were then applied with all the vigor of which the executioners +were capable. The old lady uttered a few heart-rending shrieks, but +speedily fainted, and continued unconscious during the remainder of the +infliction. + +The punishment of the young woman, Mary Godfrey, was reserved to the last. +She was stripped of every thread of clothing, and was thus compelled to +experience the shame of indecent exposure, added to her other tortures. +During the process of scourging this young woman the vilest and most +obscene epithets were bandied about by the Klan, and she was subjected to +many other indignities. + +She sank under the treatment at last, and lie upon the floor, her life +apparently extinct. Cold water was dashed over the faces and bodies of +these unfortunate women, who, by this means, were rallied sufficiently to +render them conscious enough to listen to the final edict of the Klan, +which was, "To cease indulging in and promulgating their heresies, from +that hour forward, and abandon the country, on pain of certain death!" +With this admonition the defenders of the white man's government left the +house. + +Of a truth, "all cruelty springs from wickedness." But the weakness which +could prompt the brutality--exhibited in such cases as those above +recorded--is utterly inexcusable in any being wearing the shape of man. + +The brutal whipping of these inoffensive women, and the murder of the +negro McLane, add one more to the many evidences of the degradation to +which the members of the Ku Klux Klan had reduced themselves, in their +endeavors to crush out freedom of thought and expression, and compel +adherence to their own peculiar tenets. Thank God, and the wisdom that now +guides and controls the destinies of the nation, these dark hours of the +Republic, fruitful with scenes like those described above, are passing +away. A gleam of light appears in the horizon, as a glad harbinger of the +dawn that shall usher in the day when + + "All crimes shall cease, and ancient fraud shall fail; + Returning justice lift aloft her scale; + Peace o'er the world her olive wand extend, + And white robed innocence from heaven descend." + + +MISCELLANEOUS OUTRAGES. + +WHIPPING OF STANFORD AND NASH. + +On the night of the 16th of June, 1871, two negroes, named John Stanford +and Edward Nash, were proceeding to their homes, near Oltewah, Hamilton +County, Tennessee, when they were met in the road by some fifteen men +armed and disguised, who ordered them to stop. They were then interrogated +by the leader of the band as to why they had voted the Radical ticket at +the previous election. Stanford replied that they had done it because it +was right. One of the band said: + +"There's a sting in that ticket, and you may as well have the whole of +it," at the same time striking at Stanford with a wooden club. + +The latter is a very powerful negro, and having some spirit, resented the +attempted injury, dodged the blow, and instantly seizing his assailant, +threw him heavily to the earth. Nash showed fight also, but being a much +weaker man, was soon overpowered and pinioned fast. Several of the band +seized Stanford, who, from his superior strength, dashed them one side, +and darted away, followed by half a dozen of the Klan. + +As he ran, he managed to pick up a piece of board in the road with which +he turned on his pursuers with the intention of defending himself, when a +well-directed shot struck his elbow, shattering the bone, and compelling +him to drop the board, and again attempt to save himself by flight. A +second shot struck him in the ankle, and impeded his further progress. His +pursuers again came up with and secured him, and conveyed him back to +where Nash was pleading for his life. + +A council was held by the Klan, in which it was decided that the negroes +should be severely whipped, and if ever known to again vote the radical +ticket, they should die. + +Stanford was tied to a tree, his immense strength still being feared by +the band, and was beaten until entirely insensible. Nash received a +similar castigation. Both the negroes were then untied and placed across +the driveway of the road so that a wagon in passing would be likely to run +over them, unless they should in the mean time become conscious, and get +out of the way. + +In his desperate struggle with the band, Stanford had displaced one of the +masks, which enabled him to recognize a man named Goal Martin, who lived +in the vicinity. Upon the statement of these negroes, and from evidence +furnished by other corroborating circumstances, several of the members of +the band committing these outrages were arrested and brought to +appropriate punishment. + + +OUTRAGE UPON WILLIAM FLETCHER. + +On the night of the 23d of November, 1871, there assembled in the woods +near Cross Plains, Alabama, a band of men armed and disguised as the White +Brotherhood. Their persons were enveloped in long white gowns, white masks +covered their faces, high white conical hats surmounted their heads, their +hands were encased in white gloves, and white stockings were drawn over +and completely covered their boots. + +The object of this gathering was the punishment of one William Fletcher, a +white Unionist and Radical, who had the temerity to vote the Republican +ticket, advocate the supremacy of the Government, and aid the officers +thereof in the enforcement of the laws. These were crimes in the eyes of +the Ku Klux Klan sufficient to warrant their taking the offender in hand. +The customary warning was not sent in this case, but a friendly hand +penned a note to Fletcher, informing him of the danger, but this, +unfortunately, never reached him. + +At the time of the assembling of the band, as above stated, the "Night +Hawks"[1] of the Camp came up with the intelligence that Fletcher was then +in a grocery store kept by a man named Flanders, and that it would be +better to decoy him out of there, and get him on the road towards the +woods, where he could be the more easily mastered. + +Fletcher was a cool, resolute and brave man, was supposed to be well +armed, and the members of the Klan knew that unless some strategy was used +with him, some of their number must suffer the consequences. One of the +Klan, named N. G. Scott, was accordingly detailed to decoy Fletcher away. +Scott removed his disguise, and started for the store, followed at a +convenient distance by several members of the band. He was successful in +his undertaking, and in about twenty minutes he and his intended victim +were walking down the road, in the direction of the ambuscade. + +In a moment more, the Klan sprang upon and overpowered Fletcher. Pistols +were presented at his head, threatenings of death were made if he uttered +a cry; a towel was tied tightly across his eyes as a bandage, and he was +led away to the woods on the north side of Cross Plains. Upon reaching the +woods, his coat and vest were removed, and he was stood up with his face +pressed hard against a tree. His arms were drawn around the trunk of the +tree, and tied together, and his legs were firmly secured by ropes. + +John Yeateman, who had charge of the proceedings of the Klan that night, +then stepped forward, and told Fletcher to say his prayers, as he had but +a short time to live; that it had first been the intention to give him a +whipping and let him go, but that they had now decided to whip him to +death. + +Fletcher replied by asking if there was no mercy to be accorded him, and +inquired to know for what he was to be killed. The only answer to this was +that they never gave mercy to the "infernal radicals, who wanted niggers +to rule the country." This remark was followed by his shirt being torn +completely off his back. + +Meantime the "executioners," who had gone for the "rods," returned, and +upon the order of their leader fell to their work, cutting the back of the +poor victim most dreadfully, and causing him to lose all his stoicism at +last, and shriek from the effects of the blows. The "executioners" +becoming exhausted, Yeateman himself seized a knife, and cutting away the +garments that encased Fletcher's lower limbs, took a "rod," and commenced +beating him about the loins with great ferocity. + +Fletcher fainted under the punishment, and as his screams had ceased, +Yeateman desisted, remarking, "There's one Radical vote less, by ----." + +The band continued consulting together for some time, when, Fletcher being +heard to groan, one of the Klan, named James Bierd, said: "He ain't +finished yet; I reckon he'd better have the whole of it." + +Yeateman then approached the miserable victim, and having succeeded in +arousing him to consciousness, asked: "Have you anything to say before you +die?" + +Fletcher responded faintly, saying: "Write to my mother, Mrs. William +Fletcher, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada, and say how and why I died." In a +moment afterwards he asked: "Is there no chance to live?" + +The band consulted together again, when Yeateman said: "There is just one +chance for you, and that is that you agree to leave the State in three +hours, and never come back." + +Fletcher gladly gave the required promise. He was then untied, and two of +the band supporting him upon either side, led him to the railroad track. +The bandage was then taken from his eyes, and he was told he must walk on, +and that if he looked back, he would be shot. A row of revolvers pointed +at him gave evidence that he was not being trifled with, and summoning all +the resolution and strength which he could command, he slowly hobbled +away. + +William Fletcher is no mythical creation. He lives to-day, a scarred and +maimed monument of the demoniac brutality that instigated his scourging +for opinion's sake; his property destroyed, his health ruined for life, +his spirit crushed and broken. The naturally indignant reader will ask if +justice has overtaken the miscreants who committed this outrage, and will +be gratified to know that it has; and that the principal offenders have +felt the weight of the strong arm of the law, now being vigorously +enforced throughout the South against the execrable Klan to which they +belonged, and in whose interest, and that of bigotry and persecution, they +committed this dreadful outrage. + + +A SIGNIFICANT CONVERSATION. + +The preceding stories of wrongs and outrages committed by the Ku Klux +Klan, and those that follow, serve in a degree to show the extent to which +persecutions for opinion's sake were carried. It was the intention of the +leaders to intimidate the masses, that further opposition to the +principles promulgated by the Ku Klux Klan, or Southern Democracy, should +cease altogether. They were wiley enough to see, however, that silence, +while it may often give assent, can rarely be construed as an endorsement +of that which is utterly repugnant to the human heart. + +Hence, plans were adopted for the dissemination of principles in violent +antagonism to the Government and the Administration. It was not only +hinted at that a change of Administration would effect the ends desired by +the Ku Klux Orders; but it was openly declared by the bolder ones that +such an event would give the South more than it had ever hoped to obtain, +even had the war been a success to them instead of to the nation at large. + +As an illustration of the feeling of some of these leaders, who were men +of property and influence, and owned plantations in the interior, the +following conversation is given. This conversation actually occurred upon +the Moore plantation, situated upon the Tuscaloosa and Lexington Turnpike. + +Moore had been a most uncompromising rebel, and was one of the first to +join the Ku Klux Camp in his vicinity. He was continually haranguing his +laborers in the interest of Ku Kluxism and democracy, cursing the +Government and the Administration, and swearing death to all who upheld +them. One of his hands, whom he had but recently employed (September, +1871), said to him: + +"What shall we do to break up this cursed Government, and have things as +we want them?" + +Moore replied: "There is a movement on foot all over the South that will +drive every d----d Yankee out of it before long, and give us things all +our own way." + +"Good," said the laborer, "I'd like to know the programme, and get posted +in that thing; I'd take a big hand in it!" + +Moore being now convinced that he had the right kind of a tool for the +intended work, then said: + +"We've got the right thing now to fix all the niggers and Yankees with +that don't go as we want them to; we don't care a d---- for the general +government. It can go to ----, where it ought to. They may pass an hundred +more Ku Klux bills, and it won't do them a bit of good. The Ku Klux are +resting just now; but they are not asleep. They have got the niggers and +radicals in pretty good train, so they don't dare say anything. All we +want is a Democratic President, and that must come sure the next election, +and then we can run things to suit ourselves." + +If Mr. Moore ever sees this faithful transcript of his disloyal speech, +delivered upon his own plantation, on the 12th of September, 1871, he may +begin to get some idea that the farm hands by whom he was surrounded were +not all as badly poisoned with hatred to the radicals as he was, and that +one of them at least had the temerity to treasure up and repeat the above +conversation. It is here produced as an evidence of the sentiments that +pervaded the minds of the leaders; and to set all doubt at rest as to its +authenticity, it may be added that it is a matter of record, to be seen +and read of all men. + + +OUTRAGE UPON PERSONS IN TEXAS. + +As an evidence that neither color or nationality formed any protection +against the evil machinations of the Ku Klux Klan, the case of Henry +Kaufmann, a well-to-do German residing in Bell County, Texas, may be +cited. + +Kaufmann had come to this country after the war of the Rebellion, and, +having some means and an extensive knowledge as a stock raiser, made his +way South, finally locating in Texas, as the place best adapted for the +business of raising stock, which was one he intended to pursue. His family +consisted of his wife and two children, a boy and girl, aged respectively +nine and eleven years. + +Texas at this time was the scene of many outrages, but the good-natured +German was for a long time unable to comprehend their significance. Like +most of his countrymen, he entertained republican sentiments; they were +the sentiments of his heart, while at home, in the land of his fathers, +and he had supposed, that in America, the asylum of the oppressed of all +nations, he would find them in all their purity, upheld and expressed +without fear, and honored by all. + +In this respect, he was doomed to bitter disappointment. The nearest +neighbor to Kaufmann, was a man named McPherson, originally from the +North, but who had for some years resided in Texas, and was a +thorough-going Unionist. He did not hesitate, even among all the tumult +and disorder, by which he was surrounded, to express his union sentiments, +and had been repeatedly warned by the Ku Klux that he must change his +course. + +As he paid no heed to these threats, he received a visitation during the +Spring of 1871, which utterly ruined him, and from which he escaped with +his life, only by the aid of Kaufmann. It appears that the Klan having +beat McPherson almost to death, gave him twenty-four hours in which to +leave the country, threatening to kill him if he did not do so. Suffering +terribly from the dreadful scourging, McPherson was just able to get as +far as Kaufmann's house, where he sought protection until such time as he +might be able to travel and get away from the place. + +The good-natured German, filled with the humane instincts, natural to his +people, at once took the refugee into his house, and cared for him for +several days, without dreaming that he would incur the displeasure of +anyone for such an act. He nursed McPherson tenderly for some four days, +when the latter, dreading that the Klan might discover, and destroy, not +only him, but his generous benefactor, left the house at night, and +removed himself as far as possible from his persecutors. + +The fact of his having been harbored by Kaufmann, became known to the +Klan, however, by some means, and they forthwith classed the latter as a +radical. On the third night after McPherson's departure, about eight +o'clock in the evening, the unsuspecting German was sitting with his wife +and children before a log-fire--as the weather was still chilly--when the +door was unceremoniously burst in and a score of the Klan filled the room. + +Kaufmann was rudely seized and a demand made upon him to know what he had +done with that d--d radical McPherson. + +To this he made reply that he "didn't know such mans." Upon this, one of +the band struck him a severe blow, telling him they meant to learn him not +to interfere with their business. Mrs. Kaufmann implored them in broken +English, not to hurt her husband; he had done nothing, and they had made a +mistake. + +"He's done enough," said Butch Williams, the leader of the crowd, "You +can't make any mistake on these dutchmen, they are all d--d radicals +anyhow. Its born in 'em, but by ---- they shan't spit it out here." + +Kaufmann was then securely pinioned and whipped until he became +unconscious. When the castigation was ended, the leader turning to Mrs. +Kaufmann, and pointing to the bruised and bleeding body of her husband, as +it lie upon the floor, said:-- + +"Now if that dirty, dutch scallawag ever comes to himself, you tell him to +sell out and get away from here, or we'll be the death of the whole of you +and burn the house over your heads. We'll give him just ten days to do it +in." + +Kaufmann did revive at last, and when he learned the dread message which +the Klan had left behind, saw with sorrow that he must relinquish his +pleasant home, and become a wanderer; but the necessities of the case +admitted of no other course. His property was disposed of at a ruinous +sacrifice, and with his wife and little ones, he made his way to Illinois, +where he now is. + +It would seem that the nationality of Kaufmann, and his probable ignorance +of what constituted an offence in the eyes of the Ku Klux, should have +saved him from this terrible visitation, so fraught with physical +chastisement and financial ruin; but to the vision of men who regarded no +law, who only saw the attainment of their despicable ends, through fraud +and violence, he appeared a "radical by nature."--One, who being a German, +must necessarily be a Republican, and hence they could make no mistake in +scourging him. + + +A SLAVE'S FORMER EXPERIENCE REVIVED. + +In the month of May, 1871, an intelligent mulatto--in whose veins flowed +the blood of some ardent advocate of the _white_ man's race, +unquestionably judging from his light color--whose name was William +Washington, resided in a small shanty or cabin, about two miles and a-half +from Tuscaloosa, Alabama. Washington had been a slave in the early part of +his life, and was one of those unfortunates who chafed under the abuses +and the yoke that held him in servitude to a "master." + +He was high-spirited, and had learned to read and write before the +Emancipation Proclamation had given him freedom, to act upon his own +volition, untrammelled by his nominal "owner." Upon becoming a freeman, he +left Montgomery County, Ala., near which place he had been reared, and +settled in the vicinity of Tuscaloosa. + +He was quiet in his deportment, orderly and well disposed. He had given +general satisfaction to all who had employed him. But in the early part of +the year 1870, it began to be observed that Washington was actively +exerting an influence over the negroes in the vicinity, to such an extent +as to cause the Ku Klux Camp organized under Philip J. Brady, as Commander +to take the alarm. + +The mulatto Washington was charged with being a Republican, of the radical +sort, with presuming to teach the negroes to read, (shocking offence?) and +of instructing them in Northern principles. This wouldn't answer, surely. +And so William was "warned" by the Camp that he must cease this kind of +practice, and leave the country at once. + +He paid no heed to this warning, and a second one came, notifying him that +unless he departed within the succeeding thirty days, he should suffer +death--for "though the moon was then bright, it would turn to blood--K. +K. K." Instead of seeing this fearful summons in the light it was intended +he should, the mulatto industriously circulated the story that he went +well armed always, and was ready to die, if he must, in defence of his +principles. But that "he wouldn't run away--no how." + +Matters went on thus for nearly a year. On the night of the 15th of May, +1871, Washington shut and barred his cabin door, as was his custom upon +retiring, placed his gun and a single barrelled pistol by his bedside, and +turned in, to sleep. About eleven o'clock, he was suddenly awaked by a +thumping upon the closed shutter of the only window in the hut, and upon +inquiring who was there, he recognized the voice of a friendly negro, +outside, who answered-- + +"Day's a pow'r o' men a comin' up der road, yender--an' yer muss look out +for yar se'f Wash'n't'n, dass a fack." + +This timely and kindly warning from his friend was very gratefully +listened to by Washington, who replied that his informer must try to get +help to him, if possible. And quickly dressing himself, the former slave +awaited the assault which he now anticipated, from the look of affairs +outside, so near his hut. + +The mounted band rode up very soon afterwards, and having been refused +admittance, some of them dashed in the door. Washington was a powerful +man, well built and very muscular--while his self-possession was always +remarkable, when in peril. The interior of the shanty being quite dark, he +crouched down in one corner, and fired upon his assailants with the pistol +first and then immediately discharged the gun. Both shots took effect, and +two of the Klan fell heavily to the floor. + +Clubbing his musket, he then desperately rushed upon the enemy, +determined, if he must die, that he would sell his life as dearly as +possible; but the odds were altogether too heavy against him. The +gun-stock in his brawny hands, was shattered at the first blow struck by +his powerful arm, and then the band sprang forward and secured him, though +not without a furious struggle. He was at once taken out of the cabin, a +rope was placed about his neck, and thrown over the projecting limb of the +nearest convenient tree, from which his body was quickly dangling, a +lifeless corpse. They hung him without accusation, judge or jury, until he +was dead, dead, dead--in accordance with the terms of the bitter oath of +the Ku Klux Klan, whose victims are doomed "for opinion's sake!" + +One of the gang had been mortally wounded by Washington's first shots, and +died on the following day. Two others had been seriously hurt, and one of +them was crippled for life. The body of Washington was left hanging +beneath the tree for several days after this conflict, and until the +negroes in the neighborhood gathered courage sufficient to cut it down, +and give it decent burial; which they did at night, secretly and +mournfully, for their late friend's sudden and violent death, proved an +affliction indeed to the poor creatures, towards whom he had been so kind +and clever an instructor and companion. + +And thus this poor negro paid the penalty of his offence in being a +radical, and like many a one before him who had been similarly sacrificed, +"his soul goes marching on." + + +SCOURGING RADICAL TEACHERS AND BANISHING MINISTERS OF THE GOSPEL. + +Judging from information gathered from the most available sources, it +appears that all measures, whether of a political, a religious or +educational character, looking to the elevation of the negro, were +strenuously opposed by the Ku Klux Klans, as they had sworn they should +be. + +The education of the negro was regarded as an especial heresy, not to be +tolerated under any circumstances. It was an offence second in magnitude +only to that of his voting the Radical ticket, and the face of the Klan +was set against it with a resolution that made it a dangerous avocation +for any one to engage in. School houses, erected for the purpose of +teaching colored children, were burned to the ground, and the teachers +scourged, banished or whipped to death. + +The testimony of Col. A. P. Huggins, formerly of the Union Army, and +subsequently of Monroe County, Mississippi, is pertinent to the point. +Col. Huggins, is known as a brave and gallant officer, a man of great +physical and moral courage, and of unquestioned veracity. During the month +of May, 1870, he became County Superintendent of Schools, for Monroe +County, and on the 8th of March following, went into the interior, some +eight or ten miles from Aberdeen, the County seat, on business connected +with the School Department. He was at this time an Assistant Assessor of +Internal Revenue, and improved the opportunity to make several assessments +of revenue in the vicinity, staying, by invitation, at the house of a Mr. +Ross. + +On the night of the day after his arrival at the house of Mr. Ross, (the +9th of March) a band of the Ku Klux, armed and disguised, and numbering +about one hundred and twenty, came to the house and compelled Col. Huggins +to come out. The chief of the Klan then informed him that they had come to +warn him that he must quit the country within ten days that it had been +decreed in the camp that he should first be warned, that the warning +should be enforced by whipping, and if that did not produce the desired +effect, he should be killed by the Klan, and if circumstances were such +that he could not be killed by the Klan in a body, then they were sworn +to assassinate him publicly or privately. + +Col. Huggins asked them what his offense consisted of, and was answered by +the chief, who said:--"You are collecting obnoxious taxes from Southern +Gentlemen, to keep damned old Radicals in office. Now I want you to +understand that no laws can be enforced in this country, that we do not +make ourselves. We don't like your Radical ways, and we want you to +understand it." + +Col. Huggins then asked them if their operations were against the Radical +party, and the Chief replied that they were; that they had stood the +radicals just as long as they intended to, and they meant to banish or +kill every one of them. The Chief then said, "will you leave the country +in ten days." The Colonel replied that he would leave the country when he +got ready, and not before. He was then taken about a quarter of a mile +from the residence of Mr. Ross, where they halted. He was then ordered to +take off his coat, which he refused to do, and it was removed by force. + +Twenty-five lashes were then given Col. Huggins, when he was asked if he +would leave the country. To this he replied that he would not, that now +that they had commenced, they might go on as far as they pleased, as he +had just as soon die, as take what he had already received. The whipping +was resumed. Col. Huggins remembered hearing the executioners count the +number of lashes up to seventy-five, when he fainted. The Klan left him in +charge of Mr. Ross, and rode away. The main reason assigned for the +punishment of Col. Huggins was that he was a Radical and in favor of +educating the negroes. + +The case of Cornelius McBride, a young Scotchman who taught a colored +school near Sparta, Chickasaw County, is one of unusual cruelty. Being +teacher of a colored school, McBride was classed as a Radical, and beside +this, he had come from the North. He was accordingly doomed by the Klan +for a visitation. + +Between twelve and one o'clock of the Thursday night of the last week in +March, 1870, a number of the Klan came to his house, and presenting rifles +through the window, ordered McBride to come out. He asked what was wanted, +when one of them replied, "come out you d--d yankee." McBride saw that +nothing less than taking his life was intended, and determined to make an +effort to escape. He gave a sudden spring through the window, landing +directly between the two men who were pointing their rifles, dashed past +them and ran to the house of a colored man whom he knew, and where he +thought he could get a gun. While he was running, the members of the Klan +commenced firing upon him, ordering him to stop, or they would blow his +brains out. None of the shots took effect upon him, and he entered the +cabin, but before he could get the gun, of which he was in search, the +Klan were upon him and secured him. + +McBride was then taken about a mile away from the place, having nothing on +but his night dress. This was rudely torn from his person, and the +executioners were about to commence their work, when he asked them what he +was to be whipped for. The leader said, "you want to make the niggers +equal to a white man. This is a white man's country." + +The whipping was then commenced with black gum switches, that stung the +flesh and raised it in great ridges at every blow. The torture was so +great that the poor victim begged them in God's name to kill him at once +and put him out of misery. The leader said "shooting is too good for this +fellow, we'll hang him when we get through whipping him." Another one +said, "Do you want to be shot?" To which McBride replied, "Yes, I can't +stand this torture, it is horrible." He then partially raised himself +upon his knees and determined to make one more effort for his life. +Standing directly in front of him was one of the Klan, the only one who +stood directly in his way, if he should attempt to run. + +Stung by the terrible pain of the switch, McBride sprang to his feet, +dealt the man in the front of him a tremendous blow, and darting past him +scaled a fence, and ran across the open field. The Klan discharged their +fire-arms after him, but in a few moments gave up the pursuit. McBride +reached the house of a Mr. Walser, and there found protection through the +remainder of the night. + +Other teachers of colored schools received similar visitations, and +colored schools were burned there and in the adjoining counties. + +The crusade against Ministers of the Gospel who preached to the freedmen, +was then commenced. The Rev. John Avery, of Winston County, was notified +that he must appear at a meeting of the Ku Klux; that he must join in with +the Klan, and cease his interest in free schools, and upon his refusal, +his house was burned over his head. Mr. Avery was a southern man, and a +pastor in the Methodist Episcopal Church. + +Rev. Mr. Galloway, a Congregationalist Minister, of Monroe County, was in +the habit occasionally of preaching to the freedmen. During April, 1870, a +band of the Ku Klux called upon him at night, and notified him that he +must not preach to these people. He continued doing so, however, and +received a second warning, accompanied by an intimation, which he did not +dare disregard, and he was compelled to relinquish his good work, on pain +of banishment or death. + +The Rev. Mr. McLachlin, a Methodist Episcopal Preacher, of Oktibbeha +County, received various warnings to the same effect, but persisted in his +course until he was finally driven from that county, and dared not return +to it. + +Scores of similar cases might be cited, all of which are matters of public +record, but those above given, serve to show, that the Order of the Ku +Klux Klan, is inimical to religion and education, as well as to the +politics of those differing with them in their avowed opposition to +Republicanism, and their adherence to the Democratic party. These gallant +defenders of the white man's race were determined that no Government but +the white man's should live in the country, and these results they hoped +to obtain through the banishment, scourging and killing of negroes, +Radicals and Republicans, by which means also, with the aid of their +sympathizers at the North, they expected to have a Democratic +Administration. + + +WARNINGS AND EDICTS OF THE KLAN. + +It would seem to have been the design of the leaders of the Ku Klux Klans, +in issuing their warnings, to play as much as possible upon the +superstitions of the people. These documents were written in a disguised +hand, sometimes in coarse language, and contained sentiments intended to +inspire terror in the minds of the recipients. + +They were usually bordered with designs, representing daggers piercing +bleeding hearts, death's heads and cross bones, and various grotesque +devices. Some of them had a spice of grim humor, which, although fun to +the Klan who issued these missives, meant banishment, scourging or death +to those who received them. Specimens of these, the originals of which +fell into the hands of the United States Officials during their attempts +to break up the Ku Klux organization are here given _verbatim et +literatim_. + +Five persons residing in White County, Georgia, having made themselves +politically obnoxious to the Klan, received the following:-- + + "READ THE CONTENTS, K. K. K. + + O ye, horsemen of Manassas. Bounce, ye dead men that is now living on + earth. We are the men that I am talking about. We are of K. K. K. Now + Sandy Holcumb, Green Holcumb, Daniel McCollum, and E. Dickson, your + days are numbered. We shot the old Belt weather[2] a little too low. + We aimed to shoot him through the heart; and if you don't all get + away from this country very soon, your Radical hearts will be shot + out of you, and we had just as leave shoot you as for you to get + away. + + K. K. K." + +The parties named in the above warning did not leave, as the United States +Officials came into the county about that time and arrested nearly one +hundred members of the Camp from which the document was issued. + +At Irwington, Ga., the colored people determined upon holding a +"protracted meeting," and colored preachers assembled there from all +quarters. The meetings are described as having been most orderly, but they +were deemed inimical to the interests of the Ku Klux, and the following +warning was issued and posted near the place of meeting. + + "K. K. K. + + The devil is getting up a new team, and wants some nigger preachers + to work in the lead. If you stay here until we come again, the devil + will be certain to have his team completed. + + K. K. K." + +The consternation of the freedmen was so great upon the receipt of the +above warning that not a colored preacher dared to show himself in the +vicinity for months afterwards. + +The Klan oppressed everyone not members of or in sympathy with their +organization, and sought to over-ride all law and equity, upon the +principle that might made right. To this end they issued warnings to +business men who had come into their vicinity from the North, and who were +disposed to invest capital and establish trade, but who were not of the +right stripe politically--and this meant who were not sound Democrats. +Numerous instances of this kind are on record. + +Two enterprising business men--Messrs. Gottschalk and Hughes--purchased a +mill property in Atalla, Ala., belonging to one J. B. Spitzer, and made +their arrangements to get out lumber. Messrs. Gottschalk and Hughes were +under suspicion of not sympathizing with the Klan, politically, and a +pretence was made that Mr. Spitzer, from whom they had purchased the saw +mill, was indebted to persons, whom the new firm were politely requested +to accept as their creditors. This they refused to do, and the following +warning was sent them. + + "DEN OF THE GREAT GRAND HIGH CYCLOPS OF ETOWAH COUNTY, ALA. + + To Messrs. Gottschalk & Hughes: + + His royal highness, your great, grand high worthy master, notices + with much pleasure that you have purchased and become the owners of + the saw mill, lately owned by Mr. J. B. Spitzer. He understands very + well, everything connected with that mill transaction, and it is his + great pleasure that you call on the creditors of J. B. Spitzer in the + morning, and approve of the debts of Mr. Spitzer. He wishes an + answer to-night what you will do in the matter. + + By order of his royal highness, + _The Great grand Cyclops of Etowah County, Ala._" + +Messrs. Gottschalk & Hughes paid no heed to this missive, and on the night +of the 13th of November, 1871, the Klan assembled and set fire to the +mill, destroying it entirely, and compelling its new proprietors to leave +the place. + +Mr. William Gober, residing in Dade County, Georgia, was an avowed +Unionist and Republican. He was active in politics and expressed his +sentiments with great freedom, and was consequently classed by the Ku Klux +as a carpet-bagger and a scallawag, and warned to leave the country, in +the following terms:-- + + "DEATH. K. K. K. DEATH. + + Take heed for the pale horse is coming. His step is terrible; + lightning is in his nostrils. He looks for a rider. Now this is to + warn you William Gober, that carpet-baggers and scallawags cannot + live in this country. If you are not gone in ten days, we shall come + to you, and the pale horse shall have his rider. + + By order. K. K. K." + +Mr Gober smiled at this document, but the sequel shew that it meant +something more than a threat. At midnight on the 13th of September, 1871, +his house was surrounded by about twenty of the Klan, armed and disguised. +He was then dragged out and whipped with great severity. Previous to the +infliction of the punishment he fought desperately with his assailants, +and succeeded in displacing several of their masks, and recognizing them. + +He was left for dead by the Klan, but recovered his consciousness, and +secretly made his way to Atlanta, where he made an affidavit, upon which +six of the parties were arrested and held for trial. + +Thousands of warnings, similar to the above, many of them obscene and +blasphemous, were sent to as many persons in various parts of the South. + +One more is herewith appended, as showing one of the extremes to which the +Ku Klux went in their crusade against Radicals. It was found hanging to a +small dagger, stuck into one of the doors of the University, at +Tuscaloosa, Ala., with several others of similar import, addressed to some +of the students of the University, and read as follows:-- + + "K. K. K. + + STUDENT'S UNIVERSITY. + + DAVID SMITH.--You have received one notice from us and this shall be + our last. You, nor no other d--d son of a d--d Radical traitor, shall + stay at our University. Leave here in less than ten days, for in that + time we will visit the place, and it will not be well for you to be + found out there. The State is ours and so shall the University be. + Written by the Secretary. + + By order of the Klan." + + +THE MURDER OF WM. C. LUKE AND FIVE NEGROES. + +One of the most brutal outrages to be found, even among the dark and +bloody records of the Ku Klux Klan, was enacted on the night of the 10th +of April, 1870, at the village of Cross Plains, near Paytona, Ala. The +details of this occurrence here given, have been collated from various +sources, a portion of them having been obtained from eye witnesses to the +affair. + +William C. Luke, a Canadian by birth, and a gentleman of education, had +come to Paytona, and taken charge of the day school there. He was a +prominent worker in the cause of religion, entertained and advocated +Republican principles and took an earnest interest in the welfare of the +colored people, by whom he was surrounded. This drew down upon him the +malice of the Klan, and he was doomed to death. Luke had preached to the +negroes at times, and had taken occasion in his sermons to express his +opinion that negroes were now entitled to the same rights and privileges +under the Constitution of the United States as the whites. + +This course could not be tolerated by the K. K. K., and they only awaited +a favorable opportunity for carrying out the Edict of the Camp. + +On the 10th of April, Mr. Luke had preached at Paytona, and on the evening +of that day had returned to Cross Plains. He was there informed that the +Ku Klux had determined to come for him that night, and at once returned to +Paytona, accompanied by several negroes, who seemed fearful that he might +meet with violence. Up to ten o'clock nothing had transpired to cause +alarm, and Mr. Luke retired. + +Between twelve and one o'clock he was aroused from his slumbers by three +armed and disguised men, who informed him there had been a fracas in the +village of Cross Plains, about which it was thought he knew something, and +he was requested to go with them to the latter place. He signified his +willingness to do so, dressed himself and went out with the party. Upon +getting out of the house he was surprised at seeing a large number of men +similarly disguised, and who had in custody the five negroes who had +accompanied him to Paytona. + +One of the negroes named Jacob Moore, endeavored to break loose from his +captors, and had a severe fight with them. Being a very powerful man he +succeeded in breaking away and run down the road. The Klan fired several +shots after him, two of which took effect, and he dropped by the road +side. Mr. Luke and the remaining negroes were then taken to the northern +border of Paytona, on the Cross Plains line, where the band halted. The +intended victim was now convinced that his death was meditated, and he +said to the leader of the Klan, one Clem Reid, "Am I about to die." + +"Yes, you have preached your d--d heresies long enough," was the answer. +"If you've got any prayers to say, you had better be about it." + +Mr. Luke replied calmly, "I am not afraid to die, nor for such a cause. It +is hard to die in such a way." + +Leave having been granted him to pray he uttered a most fervent appeal to +God, soliciting mercy for himself and the negroes, and forgiveness for +those who were persecuting them and him for righteousness and opinion's +sake. His prayers were rudely cut short, a rope was placed about his neck, +the end thrown over the limb of a tree and his body suspended in the air. +The four negroes were next dispatched. + +John Goff, an eye witness to the proceedings states that the Klan tried to +hang two of the negroes, named Caesar Fredericks and William Hall, at once, +but not being able to make the bodies balance, Pat Craig, a member of the +Klan, shot Fredericks in the mouth, while Clay Keith murdered Hall in a +similar manner. The other negroes were then hung singly, their bodies +being drawn up slowly to increase their torture. + +The defenders of the "white man's race" then separated, fully satisfied +with having performed one more service in support of the "White Man's +Government." This outrage was so flagrant that the farce of an +investigation was gone through with, and the suspected parties arrested. +An examination resulted in their being discharged. The witnesses were all +members of the Ku Klux Klan, and had sworn to regard no oath that would +injure one of the brotherhood, and the murderers of William C. Luke still +go unwhipt of justice. And these are the people who talk of their rights, +of the oppression of Radical rule, of their determination to establish a +Democratic Administration. + + +PROSCRIPTION. + +It seemed to be the intent of the orders of the Ku Klux Klan everywhere +throughout the South, to impress upon the people, the fallacy of +attempting to entertain any opinion inimical to those put forth by the +Klan. The attacks of the Klan were first directed to such of the people as +were bold enough to declare themselves unionists and republicans. +Scourging, banishment or murder were the measures adopted to enforce +silence, and these terrible agents proved fully potent to accomplish the +end. + +This enforced silence, however, appeared to be dangerous, and was +certainly more ominous to the order, than the freest utterances of the +most radical views. "Those not with the order, must certainly be against +it," said the leaders, and a new crusade was forthwith inaugurated. The +object of the new movement was to compel every able-bodied white man to +join the Order and become bound to it by oaths, administered in the Camp. + +Notices were accordingly issued by the respective Chiefs of Dominion from +every Camp, requiring the presence of parties, for initiation into the +Order. When these were not heeded, they were followed by warnings. If the +parties were still refractory, then they received a visitation. + +The two first cases arising under this new arrangement, were those of +Paul Myers and John Chapman, of Jefferson County, Ala. These gentlemen +were joint proprietors of a small store, and while inwardly opposed to the +principles of the Ku Klux, had outwardly conducted themselves in such a +manner as to give no cause of offence to the Klan. They were surprised in +common with many others, upon receiving a notice to appear for initiation +into the Jefferson County Camp of the K. K., and they resolutely refused +to comply with the request. + +They were then warned, that they would be "Ku Kluxed" if they did not +come, and the threat was carried out, both of them being severely whipped, +and their store pillaged. A second warning was sent to them, and this was +succeeded by a second visitation, more terrible than the first. They were +so badly beaten at this time, that their lives were despaired of, and as +soon as they were able, they closed their store and left the place. + +They then placed themselves in communication with the United States +Officials, and under their advice returned, signified their willingness to +join the order, and did so. By this means they were enabled to arrive at +the names of parties engaged in various raids, and obtain all information +necessary to the arrest and conviction of the leaders. This was one of the +first steps that led to the breaking up of the Klan in Jefferson County. + +Messrs. Myers and Chapman managed to impart information to the United +States Officers, upon which several of the prominent members of the order +were arrested and lodged in jail, and the visitations ceased. + +In White County, Georgia, Mr. William Carson received a notice from the Ku +Klux of that County, that he must join the order. Carson was the head of +an intelligent family, a Republican in principle, but who avoided +expressing his opinions as much as possible. + +He paid no heed to the notices and warnings sent him, but pursued the even +tenor of his way, remaining home as much of the time as his business would +admit, and being especially careful about going abroad at night. + +During November, 1871, he received the long promised visitation. The +evening meal was through with, the early evening prayers of the children +had been said, the latter were about retiring, when a number of the Klan, +armed, mounted and disguised dashed up to the door. + +Mr. Carson opened the door and mildly asked to know the object of their +visit. The reply was a rifle shot, which was immediately followed by a +second, and Mr. Carson fell dead across the door step. The Klan +disappeared as suddenly as they had come. The grief stricken family raised +up the inanimate form of the beloved husband and father, only to realize +that the voice which had so long been the comfort and consolation of the +little household would never be heard by them again. + +This in a christian land! Within the sound of the sabbath bells, and +almost under the shadow of the sanctuary of the living God. A christian +gentleman refusing to bind himself with those who had sworn to overthrow +the Government, and scourge and kill the negro and the radical; shot down +within his own door, in sight of his wife and little ones, because, +forsooth, he had the temerity to think and act, politically, as his +conscience seemed to dictate. + +Thinking men throughout the nation will stand for many years to come with +William Carson, on the spot where he met his awful and untimely fate, and +they will stand there in the power of consolidated right, beating back the +onslaughts of the powers of darkness, and raising a monument to the +justice of that course, which by the vigorous action of the nation's +counsellors, and under the provident rule of a beneficent God, is fast +being established on a solid foundation. + + +SHOCKING FATE OF A QUADROON FAMILY. + +Gaston County, N. C., in the lower part of that State, adjoins York +County, South Carolina, the State line dividing these two districts. In +the north-easterly part of Gaston County, in the outskirts of Hoylestown, +there came to live a family of mulatto people--or quadroons--in 1870, who +were refugees from oppression, brutality and abuse of the Ku Klux Klan in +Moore County, N. C., whence they had been banished after the husband had +been shockingly scourged, and the lives of himself, wife, and three +children threatened, unless he left Moore County within a fortnight from +the night he was whipped. + +At the earnest entreaties of his wife, who feared the next threatened +visitation of the Klan, her husband consented to quit the place he had +dwelt in some years, but where he had rendered himself obnoxious to the +Democratic party around him, through his persistent advocacy of Republican +sentiments, which he promulgated among his own race, causing them to cast +their votes for the Radical ticket. And for this offence he was terribly +whipped and ruthlessly driven from his home. + +The name of this family was Noye, Aleck and Elfie, the father and mother +had both been slaves, belonging originally to the Noye estate, in Moore +County. Aleck was an ingenious fellow, and his brother Felix, had, twenty +years previously, invented a peculiar reclining chair for the use of +invalids; which to this day is manufactured largely in New England, upon +the identical principle, originated by Felix, for which his old master +took out a patent, and from the royalty of which he has realized a fortune +first and last. + +Aleck was a first rate mechanic and earned a good living. After the war, +when he became free to exercise his natural talent for his own benefit, +and had the right to vote, he became an ardent Radical, and proved a +damaging subject among his brethren in the estimation of the Southern +Democrats. + +He was a brave fellow, and only at the urgent solicitation of Elfie, did +he decide to quit his former residence, after the scourging above alluded +to. But he went to Gaston County, found occupation readily and pursued his +labor faithfully. The old love of "freedom of opinion" went with him, and +his zeal for his colored fellow brethren soon cropped out, in his new +location. He was "warned" to leave Hoylestown, just as he had been +compelled by the mandate of the Klan to flee from Moore County, but +refused to go. + +On the night of February 7, 1871, Aleck was sitting with his family before +the fire in his little cabin, after a hard day's work; and the children +were about the room, one of the little girls being at the moment beside +his knee. The mother was busy getting the homely evening meal ready, and +was just in the act of removing from before the glowing fire the pone and +hoe cakes for supper, when the door of the hut flew open, suddenly, a +musket shot rang out, and _she_ fell head-foremost in upon the blazing +logs, with a bullet through her brain! + +Aleck sprang from his stool, caught his wife in his arms, and drew her out +of the flames upon the floor. She never spoke from that instant, and, amid +the screams of the terrified children, Aleck found himself in the gripe of +two or three disguised ruffians, who entered in advance of half a dozen +others of the Klan, who quickly pinioned him, and informed him that "his +time had come." + +His wife, whom he tenderly loved, lay dead before his startled and +dumfounded gaze, and he could not command himself to speak for a moment. +Then he commenced to struggle with the brutes, the screams of his little +ones bringing him back to himself. "What is this for," he exclaimed. "Come +along!" was the sharp reply of the leader of the gang, "You're played out, +and now you're _our_ meat!" And they swiftly bore the wretched father out +of the hut, and away from his slaughtered wife and horrified crying babes. + +Aleck was taken to the woods, half a mile distant, where the gang tore and +cut his clothes off of him, and then proceeded to flay him, in accordance +with the decision of the Camp in that county; the members of which had +first been put upon his track by members of the Moore County Klan. Upon +this second visitation, the edict was to "whip the nigger to death." And +they did the bidding of their leader, as the sequel proved, to the letter. +He was cut and slashed, and beaten until the breath of life was almost +gone out of his poor defenceless body, and then their victim was hurled +into the chapparal, and left to the night wolves of the forest to devour. + +It sometimes occurs that our strength increases in proportion to the +strain that is imposed upon it. Wounds and rough hardship enure the +sturdy, and provoke their courage, oftentimes, and there is a natural +instinct in the heart of man, which, under the severest trials and abuses, +steels his very nerves _not_ to yield to the heaviest blows of calamity or +adversity--mental or physical. + +Aleck was brave-hearted to a fault. He was likewise physically courageous, +and could bear the worst kind of punishment, ordinarily, without +flinching. He was now vanquished, for hours he lay like one who had "given +up the ghost," beyond conjecture. Still he did not die until the following +night. He was providentially discovered by some negroes, in the woods, +taken to his cabin, and brought to consciousness. + +Before he expired he told his dreadful story to four witnesses, who gave +it in substance to the United States authorities, as we have now stated +the details; but unfortunately--on account of the disguises of his +heartless tormenters and murderers--he could give no description that +pointed to the personal identity of the offenders. + +He learned that his wife was dead, before his own lamp of life went out, +and simply asking of the colored friends who gathered about his +death-bed-side, that the humble pair might be laid in the same grave, poor +Aleck Noye sank to his final rest, and yielded up his spirit to the God +who gave it. The children were taken away by some of the poor neighbors +who esteemed the quadroon family for their virtues, and universal kindness +towards them, and thus closed another awful tragedy in North Carolina--of +which over six hundred came under the knowledge of the United States +District Attorney, in a single county, (not all of them fatal, to be +sure), and which have been duly reported by him, officially, within a +comparatively limited period, since the close of the war. + +Is there no "combination of purpose or design" in all these instances of +wrong? Does there exist "no organization among these men" for evil? And +have these terrible doings no "political significance" as is asserted in +the minority Report of the Congressional Committee upon the Ku Klux Klan +outrages? In the face of this accumulated, overwhelming, damning +evidence--will _any_ one believe that the Honorable gentlemen (who have +put forth this paper in opposition to the majority Report of that +Committee), are not themselves convinced that all this is true; and that +not one half of the shocking story of the infamy of this wretched Klan has +been told? + +Will it be impressed upon the minds of the public of this enlighted +nation, North or South, through any sophistry, argument or theorising, +that all these living witnesses and victims are liars, and perjurors? Have +not these events occurred? And if so, what is the _cause_ of the wrong +doing? It happens, unfortunately, for the "Union Democracy," who flout at +these accounts of the doings of the Klans, that none _but_ Radicals or +negroes are assailed. And also that _never_ has a Radical been found +associating with these Ku Klux midnight marauders and, butchers, in an +attack upon one of their victims! Is there "no political significance" in +this fact? + +It is simply idle to propose such a fallacious and utterly groundless +doctrine. The fact is patent, and the matter is clear as that the sun +shines over the earth at mid-day--to the mind of every intelligent being +who can see or read--that the opponents of the Republican party, in the +guise of Ku Klux Klans, supported unblushingly by the "Union Democracy" of +the country, and their Democratic allies, are the combined movers, +operators, sustainers and abettors of this crusade, and that their first +and last and continuous aim and hope is to weaken or destroy the Radical +sentiment in the land. + +Thus far, however, thanks be to God! the American people have not been +deceived by the theories or the assertions of those who would tear down +the fabric of our wholesome Republican Government. And far distant be the +day when such attempts to overturn that government may succeed. "There is +a right way for us and for our children, and the hand of God is upon all +them for good, that seek him; but his wrath is against all them that +forsake him."... And it is written, that "he who shunneth iniquity and +oppression, and followeth after righteousness, alone findeth life, +righteousness and honor." + + + + +THEN AND NOW. + +THE NATION'S SALVATION! + + +The outrages narrated in the preceding pages are ample for the purposes of +this work, in giving such authenticated facts as show the existence of a +deep-seated conspiracy against law, and the well-being of society. + +They have been selected at random, from hundreds of similar instances that +have come under the personal observation of the writer, and that bear with +them the same irrefutable evidences of the truth, and serve to enable the +general reader to comprehend the awful scenes that have been enacted in +various parts of the South since the close of the war of the Rebellion. + +In the light of these outrages, and the positive manner in which the +responsibility of their authorship has been fixed upon those who had +determined to ride into power, even though fraud and violence were +necessary to that end, who shall say that the unfortunate South has not +suffered vastly more from its pretended friends than from those whom, by +corrupt means, its people had been led to suppose were their worst +enemies. + +Under the pernicious rule of Andrew Johnson, the disturbing elements of +the South gathered renewed hope for the final success of the ambitious +aspirations which had been dissipated by a long and bloody war. That +which had been lost to them through the unswerving integrity of our great +captains in the field, they thought would be secured through the treason +of the traitor in the Cabinet, and they marshalled their forces with that +end in view, and initiated a reign of terror, such as had hitherto been +unknown even in the darkest hours of adversity within the history of the +Republic. + +The accession of General Grant to the presidency, caused a halt in this +wild and mad career, and there was a momentary lull in the operations of +the conspirators. It remained to be seen whether one, coming so fresh from +the people--a plain and unassuming man, although laden with honors second +to that of no military chieftain of ancient or modern time--would be +indifferent to the cry for help which was coming up from all parts of the +then famished land, and fail to apply the appropriate remedy, or whether +he would appreciate the true situation of affairs there, and would be able +to say to the disturbing elements of the South, in language which they +could not well mistake: LET US HAVE PEACE. + +Time, which gives the just solution to the most intricate of social and +political problems, has informed the nation that it had not long to remain +in doubt. The results thus far attained, show the elaboration of a plan, +conceived in wisdom, founded upon reason and righteousness, and prosecuted +with an even regard for the rights of all, that has commended itself to +civilization everywhere. + +The writer has taken especial pains to ascertain, from persons well versed +in the political situation at this juncture, the policy to be pursued by +this Administration, and the wisdom of which seems to have been amply +verified by what followed. The plan to be adopted, they state, was decided +upon only after the most mature deliberations into which the counsels of +the best minds of the country were called. It was necessary that the +condition of affairs in the South should be arrived at with an accuracy +that would place the information sought to be obtained beyond all doubt as +to its genuineness and reliability, as the only means by which such an +intelligent and comprehensive understanding of the evil could be obtained +as would enable President Grant to inforce the laws applicable to the +case, or, in the absence of such, to recommend to Congress the enactment +of those commensurate with the magnitude of the subject. This was +accordingly done. + +Agents for the work were selected, with no reference whatever to their +political principles. They were placed under the general charge of a +competent officer, in whose judgment great confidence was reposed, and +were instructed to get at the facts regardless of political bias. + +Each one of these agents supposed that he had been sent on a special +mission to ascertain if a certain condition of affairs, said to exist in a +certain locality, did so exist, and had not the remotest idea that several +others had been sent on similar missions to sections of the Southern +country remote from his field of operations. + +The evidence of the existence of an armed organization, pernicious in its +policy and its tendencies, and looking to the disruption of society and +the compelling of the adoption of political principles obnoxious to the +people upon whom they were attempted to be forced, came in from all +quarters. The reports differed in minor details, but had a general +correspondence that was remarkable. + +Some of these agents--and to whom the writer is indebted for many of the +facts herein contained--stated that all strangers in the localities +visited by them were looked upon with the greatest suspicion, and they +soon learned that the security of their lives depended largely upon the +enunciation of principles according with the Democracy; that the word +democrat was the _open sesame_ to the confidence of the leading spirits in +the various communities through which they passed; that Democracy in the +South meant rebellion, and that Ku Kluxism meant both, and they governed +themselves accordingly. + +To attain the object, and get the most comprehensive view possible of the +condition of the people, these men, for the time being, were "Democrats," +and "Rebels," and would gladly be "Ku Klux." By adroit and skillful +management they procured themselves to be initiated into the various +orders of the K. K. K., and were enabled thus to discover the numbers, +resources, operations, designs, and ultimate purposes of the same. The +names and residences of the victims, the outrages committed by the Klan, +were also obtained, until an array was presented that almost challenged +belief. + +The information was full, thorough, and reliable. It left no longer room +for doubt. Action--vigorous and energetic action--based upon laws enacted +with special reference to the evil to be met, must be had. The suffering +sons and daughters of the South demanded it; the cause of human justice +and human freedom demanded it; the enforcement of the rights of the +recently emancipated bondmen demanded it; and in the interest of law and +order everywhere throughout the land, there came a demand for the adoption +of such measures as would save the people of the South from themselves, +and thus verify the scriptural saying: + + "And it shall come to pass, that like as I have watched over them to + pluck up, and to break down, and to destroy, and to afflict, so will + I watch over them to build and to plant, saith the Lord." + +It was evident that if they were left to their own devices, the people +must fall into complete anarchy and ruin. Urgent as were these demands, +nothing could be done hastily. The salvation of a people and the well +being of a nation was in the balance, and the most profound and mature +deliberation was necessary at every step. + +It was wisely deemed by the Executive that a continuation of the policy +adopted by him at the outset of his official career with regard to all +sections of the country would apply to this, viz., the judicious +enforcement of appropriate laws, enacted with special reference to the +existing emergency. This was considered a measure which, while it could +give no just grounds of offense to _any_, would afford the most available +means for securing the rights of _all_, and attaining the desired end. +There must be no halting by the wayside. The noblest and best blood of the +nation had been expended for a purpose not yet accomplished. Nothing save +the complete restoration of order, the harmonization of conflicting +elements, and the vindication of the rights of _all_ to their own +individual opinion, and the expression of the same through the ballot-box, +as their conscience might dictate, could be in any manner commensurate +with this great sacrifice. + +The words of a just and righteous God to a suffering people must be +redeemed: "And thou shalt be secure, because there is hope; yea, thou +shalt dig about thee and thou shalt take thy rest in safety; also thou +shalt lie down, and none shall make thee afraid." + +On the 23d of March, 1871, President Grant sent to Congress a message, in +which he touched delicately but unmistakably upon this subject, as +follows: + +_"A condition of affairs now exists in some of the States of the Union +rendering life and property insecure, and the carrying of the mails and +the collection of the revenue dangerous. The proof that such a condition +of affairs exists in some localities is now before the Senate. That the +power to correct these evils is beyond the control of State authorities, I +do not doubt. That the power of the Executive of the United States, acting +within the limits of existing laws, is sufficient for present emergencies +is not clear."_ + +It was further suggested that such legislation should be had as would +secure life, liberty, and property in all parts of the United States; and +in pursuance of this recommendation, an act was passed by Congress, and +approved April 20th, 1871, entitled, "An Act to enforce the provisions of +the fourteenth amendment to the Constitution of the United States, and for +other purposes." + +This was a blow under which the various orders of the Ku Klux Klans reeled +and staggered like quivering aspens. The leaders of these Klans had so +long disregarded law as to come to think, apparently, that they were no +longer amenable to it, and might be a law unto themselves. They predicted +that any attempt to interfere with them would lead to results in +comparison with which the scenes enacted during the war of the rebellion +would sink to insignificance; but, as the results have thus far shown, +they had reckoned without their host. + +They sought to stand upon something like tenable ground and to fortify +their position before the world, by arguments that were worn threadbare +long before the war of the Rebellion, and they failed most signally. Their +fallacious reasonings were impotent to justify their acts, and they +neither enlisted the sympathies, nor gained the support of those to whom +they appealed. + +The march of progressive republicanism, irresistible in the force of its +teachings, and the spread of the God-like principles of truth, justice, +and equality among men, without distinction of race or color, which had +_then_ encountered the fiercest obstruction within the power of the +slaveocracy to throw in its way, _now_ swept over the country, uprooting +the tyrannical oligarchy of the South, tearing asunder the flimsy veil +behind which the great wrongs done to the bondmen were sought to be hid, +and destined, in its onward course, to remove every vestige of those +pernicious principles so inimical to sound doctrine and the stability of +governments. + +The results produced by the spread of these principles, and the +enforcement of the laws based thereon, can hardly be estimated. Taking the +condition of the Southern States both before and after the war-- + + +THEN AND NOW-- + +and we have an array of facts in support of these principles, surpassing +all theories and arguments. + +THEN, only white male citizens, twenty-one years of age and over, were +voters. + +NOW, _all_ male citizens of twenty-one years and over, having the +necessary qualifications of residence, etc., have the right of suffrage. + +THEN, voting was _viva voce_. + +NOW, it is by ballot. + +THEN, there was no registry of voters. + +NOW, all electors are required to register before voting. + +THEN, "returning officers," and those issuing commissions, were bound by +the arithmetical results of the polls, and were required to give the +commission or certificate of election to the person having the highest +number of votes. + +NOW, there are boards of canvassers who are required not only to count the +returns, but to pass upon questions of violence and fraud, and to exclude +returns from precincts where they find the elections to have been +controlled by such means. + +THEN, the basis of representation was property, or property and slaves, or +slaves by enumerating three-fifths of all. + +NOW, it is all the _inhabitants_ of the land. + +THEN, white male citizens, and, in some localities, property holders only, +were eligible to office. + +NOW, _all_ male citizens, save the few under disabilities by the +Constitution of the United States, are eligible. + +Coming down to a later period in the history of the country, from the time +when the death of the lamented Lincoln had left the Republic in the hands +of its worst enemies, to the presidential election in 1868, and what is +the situation? + +THEN, the leaders had succeeded in ripening the people for a revolution +against law and order, if that were necessary for the maintenance of +issues, differing in character, but similar in design and spirit, to those +sought to be gained by the war of the rebellion. + +THEN, a reign of terror had been inaugurated in the community which +compelled the tacit acquiescence of those who, desiring to express their +opinions, were denied the right through the fear of social and political +ostracism and physical violence. + +THEN, the Government was in the hands of Andrew Johnson, and the hopes of +good and just men everywhere, in all sections of the country, of arriving +at a peaceful solution of the difficulties through reconstruction, were +blasted, and gave no signs of verification in fruition. + +THEN, the same spirit was rampant that plunged the country into a +sanguinary war, and did not hesitate to express itself in a determined +resistance to the new order of things produced by that war. + +THEN, men embraced and kissed their wives and children at night, as if +leaving them for a far-off journey, not knowing, when they lay down, +whether they should awake to peaceful sunlight or to a cabin strewn with +the bodies of the loved ones. + +THEN had begun the first fruits of the great judgments through which the +people were eventually to pass, and by which alone, it appeared they could +be redeemed. + +AND NOW CAME THE PROMISE of a new order of things. The political situation +of the country had changed. The reins of government passed into the hands +of men of whom much was expected. Three years have intervened. The false +issues that had been raised among the masses are _now_ being swept away. +The disorganizing elements are tottering to a fall, and those who had +fostered them are seeking to excuse and palliate their course. + +They complain that the civil government of the Southern States had passed +into the hands of carpet-baggers, who had been forced upon them, who were +engaged in plundering the people, encouraging the negroes to pillage and +destroy the property of the country, and placing them in positions where +they could rule over white men. + +But this was not in any manner the real trouble. The same oppressive +spirit that actuated these men during the days when slavery was a +recognized institution among them, still obtained. Neither the men of the +South nor the sojourners from the North were allowed in those days to +freely express their opinions, if those opinions chanced to be in +opposition to slavery. + +What was treason _then_ against the social and political rights of these +would-be-masters of a race, is treason _now_ in their minds; for they have +not yet learned to tolerate the free expression of sentiments in such +exact antipodes to their early educational training. + +To preach the principles of republicanism, to advocate the education of +the negro, to urge his right to the elective franchise, were deemed +seditious practices, and were opposed _then_ just as they are _now_; there +is simply a difference in the mode by which this opposition is manifested. + +THEN, it was by argument, supported by local and Federal legislation. + +NOW, it is by violence, and the subversion of all law. + +THEN the North reasoned and counselled with the South; endeavored to show +them the great wrongs done to the bondman, and that the nation could not +prosper under the terrible curse of slavery. + +NOW the strong arm of the Government is put forth to compel a respect for +the rights accorded to _all_ under the law; a situation which, it appears, +nothing but the determined front presented by the Administration will lead +the people of the South finally to accept. + +The efforts of the wicked leaders to misguide the masses are persistent. +Many right-minded people of the South are misled by the false statements +put forth by those who should, and do know, better, and the pernicious +results of whose influence time and the dissemination of truthful +intelligence can alone eradicate. + +In many instances Republicans have been elected to office, and these are +the so-called carpet-baggers. In some localities negroes and mulattoes +have been elevated to places of power and trust, and, for this, the people +of the South are largely indebted to their own willful neglect. + +The Joint Select Committee to inquire into the condition of affairs in the +late insurrectionary States, allude to this subject in the following +language: + +"The refusal of a large portion of the wealthy and educated men to +discharge their duties as citizens, has brought upon them the same +consequences which are being suffered in Northern cities and communities +from the neglect of their business and educated men to participate in all +the movements of the people which make up self-government. The citizen in +either section who refuses or neglects from any motive to take his part in +self-government, has learned that he must now suffer and help to repair +the evils of bad government. The newly-made voters of the South at the +close of the war, it is testified, were kindly disposed toward their +former masters. The feeling between them, even yet, seems to be one of +confidence in all other than their political relations. The refusal of +their former masters to participate in political reconstruction +necessarily left the negroes to be influenced by others. Many of them were +elected to office and entered it with honest intentions to do their duty, +but were unfitted for its discharge. Through their instrumentality, many +unworthy white men, having obtained their confidence, also procured public +positions. In legislative bodies, this mixture of ignorant but honest men +with better educated knaves, gave opportunity for corruption, and this +opportunity has developed a state of demoralization on this subject which +may and does account for many of the wrongs of which the people justly +complain." + +Had the evil ended simply in a neglect upon the part of leading citizens +to discharge their duties as such, the remedy might have the more speedily +been applied. But the views of these men were to be carried far beyond a +mere declination to take part in the political reconstruction. They +determined that others should not do it and live at peace. Threats and +violence were brought into requisition to intimidate and prevent the well +meaning from using their efforts to render the political situation such +that society could improve rather than be retarded under it. + +Evidences of the wide-spread defection are not wanting. That the various +orders of the Ku Klux Klans, were guided by men of intelligence, is amply +shown these pages; and the fact is corroborated by testimony taken before +the Investigating Committee above referred to. + +One of the witnesses before this Committee was Gen. N. B. Forrest, of +Tennessee, late of the rebel army, and to whom a vast array of +circumstances pointed as being the GRAND CYCLOPS of the Ku Klux Orders. +The fact that he was in receipt of from fifty to one hundred letters per +day from all parts of the South upon the subjects of the Order; that he +was present in person in districts of the South where its members were +placed upon trial; that he had the general conduct and management of +affairs at such trials, hovering near the courts, though not appearing in +them; that when asked if he had taken any steps in organizing the Order, +he made reply that he did not think he was compelled to answer any +question that would implicate him in anything; that when asked if he knew +the names of any members of the Order, he declined to answer, and finally +said he could only recollect one name, and that was Jones; these, and +numerous other circumstances which the investigations have developed, but +which a want of space forbids reciting here, lead to the inevitable +conclusion that Gen. Forrest was at the head of the Order. + +Some care has been taken to arrive at this fact, as it is evident that a +man of enlarged experience and liberal education, as General Forrest is +known to be, would draw about him men of equal caliber, thus +substantiating the assertions that the operations of the Ku Klux Klans +were guided by men of intelligence, education, and influence, who had been +violent secessionists, who had rebelled against the Government, and who +were determined to thwart all its endeavors to restore peace and harmony +to the distracted country. + +General Terry, commanding military district of Georgia, makes report as +early as August, 1869, to the Secretary of War, in which he says: + +"There can be no doubt of the existence of numerous insurrectionary +organizations, known as the Ku Klux Klans, who shielded by their +disguises, by the secrecy of their movements, and by the terror which they +inspire, perpetrate crimes with impunity. There is great reason to believe +that in some cases _the local magistrates are in sympathy with the members +of these organizations_." + +General Terry's testimony is borne out by that of the United States +officials and secret agents and the evidence of recanting members of the +order. The cases of Harry Lowther, Ex-sheriff Deason, Susan J. Furguson, +Edward Thompson, and hosts of others, show men to have been engaged in +these murderous outrages, who were leading lights in the various +communities in which they lived. It is not therefore true, as has been +attempted to be made out by the Democratic party, that it is the rabble +only who are engaged in the treasonable movement. + +It is not contended here that all the Democrats of the South are Ku Klux, +but it has been most conclusively shown that all the Ku Klux are +Democrats, and that they are sworn to oppose the spread of Republican +principles. They are determined to rule, and to rule with a rod of iron. +They have settled in their minds that "no government but the white man's +shall live in this country, and that they will forever oppose the +political elevation of the negro to an equality with the whites." + +The report of the above committee, alluding to this condition of affairs, +very justly says: + +"The facts demonstrate that it requires the strong arm of the Government +to protect its citizens in the enjoyment of their rights, to keep the +peace, and prevent this threatened--rather to say this initiated--war of +races, until the experiment which it has inaugurated, and which many +Southern men pronounce now, and many more have sworn shall be made a +failure, can be determined in peace. The race so recently emancipated, +against which banishment or serfdom is thus decreed, but which has been +clothed by the Government with the rights and responsibilities of +citizenship, ought not to be, and we feel assured will not be left +hereafter without protection against the hostilities and sufferings it has +endured in the past, as long as the legal and constitutional powers of the +Government are adequate to afford it. Communities suffering such evils, +and influenced by such extreme feelings, may be slow to learn that relief +can come only from a ready obedience to and support of constituted +authority." + +That communities in some portions of the South are still suffering from +the evils herein referred to is an established fact, and the testimony is +not confined to the cloud of witnesses herein cited. The existence of the +Orders of Ku Klux Klans, and the allegations of the outrages perpetrated +by its members, have been proven before courts of justice. The most +learned advocates employed to defend these criminals have not attempted to +deny it. + +No less a legal light than the Hon. Reverdy Johnson, of counsel, who +appeared, to defend persons charged with the commission of crimes similar +to those narrated in the foregoing pages, has admitted it. The trials in +which Mr. Johnson appeared as such counsel were had before the November +(1871) term of the United States Circuit Court, at Columbia, S. C. + +On the sixteenth day of the proceedings, the evidence for the Government +having closed, Mr. Johnson made his opening for the defense; and although +standing before the court as the legal defender of the members of one of +the most terrible organizations known to modern times, he was compelled, +in justice to human decency, and in acknowledgment of the truth of the +statements presented to the court by the United States Attorney, to use +the following language in his address to the jury: + +"I have listened with unmixed horror to some of the testimony which has +been brought before you. The outrages proved are shocking to humanity; +they admit of neither excuse or justification; they violate every +obligation which law and nature impose upon them; they show that the +parties engaged were brutes, insensible to the obligations of humanity and +religion. The day will come, however, if it has not already arrived, when +they will deeply lament it. Even if justice shall not overtake them, there +is one tribunal from which there is no escape. It is their own +judgment--that tribunal which sits in the breast of every living man--that +small, still voice that thrills through the heart, the soul of the mind, +and as it speaks gives happiness or torture--the voice of conscience--the +voice of God. + +"If it has not already spoken to them in tones which have startled them to +the enormity of their conduct, I trust, in the mercy of heaven, that that +voice will so speak as to make them penitent, and that, trusting in the +dispensations of heaven--whose justice is dispensed with mercy--when they +shall be brought before the bar of their great Tribunal, so to speak, that +incomprehensible Tribunal, there will be found in the fact of their +penitence, or in their previous lives, some grounds upon which God may +say: PARDON." + + +THE STATISTICS, + +as to the number of those who have been the victims of outrages +perpetrated by the Ku Klux Klans, are necessarily meagre. + +Many of them are recorded alone in the blood of the unoffending victims; +thousands of mouths that could speak the unwelcome truth, have been +sealed, and are sealed to-day, through fear, and dare not make the +terrible revelations; but sufficient have come to light to afford an +approximate idea of the extent to which the pernicious designs of the +Order have been carried. + +With all the figures before us, and with a desire to keep within, rather +than exceed the bounds, the awful truth must be confessed, that _not less +than twenty-three thousand persons_, black and white, have been scourged, +banished, or murdered by the Ku Klux Klans, since the close of the +Rebellion: an average of more than two thousand in each of the States +lately in insurrection. + +Great care has been had in arriving at these figures. All the available +sources of information have been exhausted by research, and the facts +obtained have been in a manner borne out by collateral evidence, tending +to confirm the accuracy of the statement. + +The committee appointed by the Legislature of Tennessee (special session +of 1868), to investigate the subject, reported to that body, that: + +"The murders and outrages perpetrated in many counties in Middle and West +Tennessee, during the past few months (1868), have been so numerous and of +such an aggravated character, as to almost baffle investigation. The +terror inspired by the secret organizations, known as the Ku Klux Klans is +so great, that the officers of the law are powerless to execute its +provisions. Your Committee believe that, during the last six months, _the +murders alone_, to say nothing of other outrages, would average _one a +day_, or one for every twenty-four hours." + +Gen. Reynolds, as commander of the Fifth Military District--comprising the +State of Texas--in his report to the Secretary of War, 1868-9, says: + +"Armed organizations, generally known as Ku Klux Klans, exist in many +parts of Texas but are most numerous, bold, and aggressive east of the +Trinity River. The precise object of the organization in this State, seems +to be to disarm, rob, and in many cases, murder Union men and negroes. +_The murder of negroes is so common as to render it impossible to keep +accurate account of them._" + +Gen. O. O. Howard, reporting to the Secretary of War (1868-9), says, of +the State of Arkansas: + +"Lawlessness, violence, and ruffianism, have prevailed to an alarming +extent. Ku Klux Klans, disguised by night, have burned the dwellings and +shed the blood of unoffending freemen." + +In the Louisiana contested election cases (1868), the terrible extent to +which these outrages were carried, was shown by most conclusive evidence. +One of the members of the Committee selected to take testimony in those +cases, says: + +"The testimony shows that over _two thousand persons_ were killed, +wounded, and otherwise injured in that State, within a few weeks prior to +the presidential election; that half of the State was overrun by violence; +that midnight raids, secret murders and open riots, kept the people in +constant terror until the Republicans surrendered all claims, and then the +election was carried by the Democracy." + +Referring to the well-authenticated massacre by the Ku Klux, at the parish +of St. Landry, in 1868, the report says: + +"Here (St. Landry) occurred one of the bloodiest riots on record, in which +_the Ku Klux killed and wounded over two hundred Republicans in two days_. +A pile of twenty-five bodies of the victims was found half buried in the +woods. The Ku Klux captured the masses, marked them with badges of red +flannel, enrolled them in clubs, marched them to the polls, and made them +vote the Democratic ticket." + +It is estimated that, in North and South Carolina, not less than five +thousand were scourged and killed, while more than that number were +compelled to flee for their lives. In Florida and Georgia, the outrages +were not so numerous, but they were marked with greater atrocity and +brutality. + +In further consideration of this question, the numbers and extent of the +various orders of the Ku Klux Klan, may be taken as a partial guide. The +testimony of Gen. N. B. Forrest is pertinent to the point. His position as +GRAND CYCLOPS of the Order, lends to his testimony the probability of +truth which it would not otherwise possess; and when it is considered that +he gave it with the greatest reluctance, one readily arrives at the +conclusion that his figures are by no means exaggerated. According to the +statements made by Gen. Forrest, the Order numbered not less than _five +hundred and fifty thousand men_. According to his estimate, there were +_forty thousand Ku Klux in the State of Tennessee_ alone, and he believed +the organization still stronger in other States. + +Here, then, we have a vast array of men banded together with the secret +purpose of banishing from the country, or scourging and murdering all who +differed from them politically. In view of the numbers and extent of this +organization, and the positive evidence of the fearful work of its +members, the statement that twenty-three thousand persons have suffered +scourging and death at their hands, may be considered under, rather than +over, the real numbers. + +In North Carolina alone, eighteen hundred members of the Order stand +indicted for their participation in outrages upon persons and property. + +In South Carolina, the number reaches over seven hundred. Florida, +Alabama, Tennessee, Louisiana, Texas, and other States, swells the +aggregate to more than five thousand, and the investigations upon which +these indictments have been procured, disclose a condition of affairs, +which, it is difficult to conceive, could exist in a civilized +community;--much less in a Republic, noted among the nations of the earth +for its liberality, its progression, its enlarged freedom, the security of +life, liberty, property, and the equal rights of all. + +THE EXISTENCE OF THE EVILS herein enumerated is placed beyond all doubt +and cavil. In the light of the recorded and corroborated facts, the nation +will demand to know:-- + + _First._ How far the present administrators of the Government have + fulfilled the duties and responsibilities confided to them by the + people? + + _Second._ What has been done to remedy the evils that have made life + in Southern communities intolerable and unsafe? + + _Third._ What steps are necessary to prevent a recurrence of these + evils in the future? + +Happily the first two questions have been amply answered in the acts of +the administration. + +A careful study of the necessities of the case, the enactment of +appropriate laws, applicable thereto, and their vigorous, but humane +enforcement, constitute a plan, the successful elaboration of which gives +answer to the third question, of "how a recurrence of these evils may be +prevented in the future." + +To those who may have entertained the idea, that the work of restoring +order and securing to _all_ the citizens equal rights, nothing can be more +comprehensive than the language of the committee of investigation. In +alluding to this point, the report says:-- + + "Looking to the modes provided by law for the redress of all + grievance--the fact that Southern communities do not yield ready + obedience at once, should not deter the friends of good government in + both sections of the country, from hoping and working for that end. + + "The strong feeling which led to rebellion and sustained brave men, + however, mistaken in resisting the Government which demanded their + submission to its authority; the sincerity of whose belief was + attested by their enormous sacrifice of life and treasure, this + feeling cannot be expected to subside at once, nor in years. It + required full forty years to develop disaffection into sedition, and + sedition into treason. Should we not be patient if in less than ten, + we have a fair prospect of seeing so many who were armed enemies, + becoming obedient citizens?" + +DURING THE THREE BRIEF YEARS in which the present administration has held +sway over the destinies of the nation, what has been accomplished? Upon +its accession to power, the people of the South were struggling under +political disabilities, and a consequent social condition that had +detached them from the onward march of civilization, and was hurrying them +back to anarchy and ruin. They had become morose, bigoted, violent. + +The law of revenge had usurped that of order. They writhed under the +results of the war and the downfall of their cherished institutions, and +they had sworn that what could not be gained by a war upon the nation at +large, should be had by a local war of extermination upon the--to +them--offensive portions of the races, black and white, that opposed, or +would not coincide with them. + +It was a delicate question; but the wisdom of the newly chosen leaders of +the nation have been equal to the emergency, and, to-day, light begins to +dawn in the dark places; the supremacy of the law is being established, +and by a continuation of the same wise and humane policy in the future, +the people of _all_ the States may abundantly hope for the restoration of +peace and harmony in the South, where, but so recently, all was chaos and +confusion. + +In view of what has thus far been said, I call upon my countrymen, +everywhere, not to be deceived as to the real issues of the hour. + + + + +ADDENDA. + + +A retrospective glance at the field of American politics during the past +twelve years discloses several significant facts worthy of especial +attention. + +The most casual observer cannot fail to have been impressed with the fact +that there has been a growing disposition in the minds of the people to +make the welfare of the Country and not the advancement of party, the +issue, in the struggle for political supremacy. + +The political opinions of the masses are based upon foundations materially +different from those usually accorded them by the would-be leaders, who +attempt to form opinions for, and force the same upon the people. + +There is a spirit in politics that rises superior to party clap-trap and +unhealthy journalism, and which determines the problem of government with +far greater accuracy than any amount of machinery designed for the +accomplishment of any special end. + +Political organizations live or die by their _acts_ and not by their +_machinery_. Without that spirit that seeks the greatest good of the +greatest number, they inevitably go to decay and final dissolution. With +that spirit they rise to the grandeur of well ordered governments. +Principles may be outraged and promises disregarded for a time but the end +must come sooner or later, and re-action in such cases usually means +annihilation. + +During the past twelve years the principles and promises of the two great +political parties of the United States--the Republican and the +Democrat--have been more severely tried and tested than at any similar +period of time since the foundation of the Republic. Upon the maintenance +of certain principles and the fulfilment of certain promises, either party +have based their claims to the confidence of the American people. It +matters but little how seductive these principles may appear in their +enunciation, or how glowing the promises for future good, one must judge +of them, and the people will judge of them as they have been illustrated +in the acts of either party to whom the reins of Government have been +confided. + +Given that both parties announce that they have the interests of the whole +people at heart, then the results that have accrued from the accession of +either to power must be the standard by which their principles must be +measured, and their good or bad faith established. These results give rise +to momentous questions. They lead thinking men to ask, if within the +Democratic ranks, slavery has not always found its ablest advocates. + +If it was not the Democratic party that formed a compact and coalition +with the slave holders of the South, with the understanding that if +slavery could be maintained, slave holders would help to keep the +Democrats in power. + +Was it not through the supineness of a Democratic Administration that the +rebellion was engendered and the fortifications and other property in the +Southern States belonging to the Government allowed to pass unquestioned +into the hands of its sworn enemies? + +Was it not to the Democratic party that the South looked for assistance in +deed and word to carry on a war aiming at the destruction of the Union? + +Did not the South rest its hope in the Democratic party to oppose every +measure taken by the loyal North in defence of the Government and the +salvation of the Union? + +Did not the Democratic party in the interest of their brethren in the +South, resist the draft in the North, thus causing the bloody riots of +'63? + +Was it not the Democratic party that opposed emancipation, the policy of +reconstruction, universal freedom and universal suffrage? + +Did not the weakness and vacillation of a Democratic Administration plunge +the country into a contest by which hundreds of thousands of citizens were +slain upon the field of battle, their widows and orphans left to the +charities of the Republic, and the nation saddled with an enormous debt? + +Is it not the Democratic party which has striven for years, and which is +still struggling, to maintain itself in power through its Tammany +organization at the North, and its Ku Klux organization at the South; the +one stealing the money of the people to sustain the other in scourging +them? + +Is it not upon the success of the Democratic party that the Ku Klux Klans +base their hopes for the future? And do they not expect, through the aid +of their Democratic allies to rescind the present Ku Klux laws, and +thereafter to scourge and kill radicals and negroes with impunity? + +Is it not to the Democratic party that the leaders of the Ku Klux Klans +look for help and shelter from the consequences of the numerous outrages +perpetrated by them in the Southern States? + +Was it not a Democratic Administration that bequeathed to the country, +foreign complications of a delicate nature, the foreshadowings of +internecine war, a depleted Treasury, an impaired credit, a general +feeling of insecurity in business and financial circles, and an almost +dismembered Nation? + +Has it not been for years the record of the Democratic party that it has +conspired against humanity and justice, aided to rivet the fetters of the +slave, sown the seeds of demoralization in politics, and by its cringing +subserviency to the slaveocracy of the South aimed a blow at the National +life? + +Is the Democratic party sincere in its profession to accept in good faith +the thirteenth, fourteenth and fifteenth amendments to the Constitution, +while strenuously objecting to all laws designed for the enforcement of +the provisions of those amendments? + +Does the Democratic party hope to blind the people by its shallow pretence +of a new departure from the principles advocated by it since its +organization? + +Do the old Democratic party ring-masters expect to mislead the people by a +mere visionary reconstruction of Tammany, and can they hope to erase the +foul stains upon their party linen to such an extent as to have them +accepted as pure and unspotted garments? + +These are some of the questions at present mooted in the silent heart of +the Nation. They are the questions of the hour and upon them the people of +the whole country are called to decide, as to which of the two great +political parties the future welfare of the Republic may be confided with +the greatest safety. + +In making this decision the minds of the people naturally revert to the +records of the Republican party as manifested through its administration +of the Government, its vindication of its professed principles, its +fulfilment of its promises for the redemption of the nation. And what is +that record? + +Upon its accession to power in 1861 the Republican party found the country +upon the verge of a civil war. Some of the nation's strongholds were +already in the hands of the traitors, and the incompetency and weakness of +its predecessor were everywhere apparent. Never in all its history had +such an opportunity been presented it to redeem the pledges it had made +in the interests of human justice and human freedom. True to its loyal +instincts it rose to the dignity and the grandeur of the occasion. + +It at once instituted the most vigorous measures for the National defence. + +By it the most wicked rebellion ever organized among men was put down. + +Through the Republican party the integrity of the Union was preserved, and +its place maintained among the nations of the earth as one of the leading +powers. + +By it financial measures were inaugurated and carried out that have +brought unparalleled prosperity to the country. + +By it the credit of the nation has become firmly established at home and +abroad. + +Through its labors in the cause of human freedom the bondmen have become +emancipated and assume equal rights with freemen. + +By a wise administration in its foreign relations the country is at peace +with all nations, and the citizens of the American Republic traveling in +foreign climes are honored and respected. + +By a vigorous enforcement of the laws, criminals of every degree, in all +sections of the country, have been brought to justice. + +By it bands of deadly assassins, skulking at midnight behind hideous +disguises, and warring upon innocent women and children have been +suppressed and broken up. And by it they have been compelled to answer for +their numerous crimes. + +Through the unwearied efforts of the Republican party Universal Suffrage +has become a law of the Nation, freedom of speech and freedom of opinion +everywhere vindicated throughout the land, and the right to exercise the +elective franchise as their consciences might dictate, guaranteed to all. + +By it the States lately in insurrection have been reconstructed upon a +prosperous basis, and brought back into the folds of the Union. + +By it the public lands have been opened to settlers; manufactures +stimulated through the establishment of a judicious tariff, and labor +dignified and made prosperous through an enhanced remuneration for +services performed, and a reduction in the hours of toil. + + * * * * * + +These are but a few only of the acts of the Republican party. They are +based upon principles through the consummation of which the Government has +been administered with more than ordinary honor and integrity. Principles +that have given birth and sustenance to an administration in which every +appearance of evil has been scrutinized, every unworthy public servant +ferreted out and punished, every effort put forth to prevent frauds upon +the Revenue and the Treasury. + +An Administration in which the most trivial charges made against it by the +most personally bitter and partizan newspapers have been probed to the +bottom. + +An Administration in which every law upon the Statute books has been +enforced with the whole power of the Government. + +An Administration by which the rights of the laboring classes have been +maintained; the status of the newly emancipated citizens defined and +enforced; the dignity of the flag and the honor of the nation everywhere +upheld. + +An Administration whose Chief Executive was, in the dark hours of civil +war, "the hope of America and of Liberty." + +A Chief Executive who resolutely set his face against the enemy upon the +field of battle until victory crowned our banners. Under whose wise and +skillful leadership might and right joined hands in solid union, and the +Nation drew the long and refreshing breath of freedom. + +A Chief Executive whom the nation sought out as its chosen leader, General +Grant, the hero of Vicksburg--the Wilderness--Richmond. By his bravery in +the Camp and his sagacity in the Cabinet the fires of liberty burn bright +and unextinguishable. + +By his stern and uncompromising adherence to the interests of the whole +people, unbounded prosperity rests upon the country. + +By the extraordinary financial policy of his administration the public +debt has been reduced three hundred millions of dollars; the people +relieved of a burden of taxation amounting to nearly one hundred millions +of dollars annually, gold brought from 133 to 109, and the public credit +restored. + +Under his administration every loyal soldier of the war of the Rebellion +who served ninety days in the Union Army acquires the right to a homestead +upon the public lands, or if dead the right reverts to his heirs. + +These are some of the truthful remembrances that come back to the minds of +the people, and they cast about them in vain for any measure which General +Grant has ever enforced against the will of the masses, for any act to +lessen their faith in his personal purity and official integrity, for one +solitary principle of the party that elevated him to power, which he has +not vindicated, for one single promise which he has not fulfiled. + +To General Grant, the hero of the war of the rebellion, who wrested +victory from doubtful battle fields, who stood unflinchingly at his post +in the darkest days of the nation's history, the people turn instinctively +as the standard bearer in the coming political contest. + +By his utter self abnegation and his preference for the welfare of the +masses rather than the political aggrandisement of a few leaders, he has +acquired the most malevolent partizan opposition ever encountered by any +Chief Magistrate of the Nation. + +By the strong voices of the people reverberating over the country, and by +the more recent utterances from the granite hills of New Hampshire, the +thrifty valleys of Connecticut, the loyal voters of Rhode Island, his +policy is endorsed and his future political status insured. + + + + +FOOTNOTES: + +[1] The Night Hawk is an attache of the Ku Klux Camp, whose business it is +to scour about, and locate the victims upon whom visitations are ordered +to be made. + +[2] Alluding to the shooting of a Mr. Cason a few days before. + + + + +Transcriber's Notes: + +Passages in italics are indicated by _italics_. + +Punctuation has been corrected without note. + +The following misprints have been corrected: + "transspires" corrected to "transpires" (page 24) + "Deacon's" corrected to "Deason's" (page 44) + "of of" corrected to "of" (page 47) + "straighforward" corrected to "straightforward" (page 67) + "rise rise" corrected to "rise" (page 138) + +Other than the corrections listed above, inconsistencies in spelling and +hyphenation have been retained from the original. + + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Nation's Peril, by Anonymous + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE NATION'S PERIL *** + +***** This file should be named 35579.txt or 35579.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + https://www.gutenberg.org/3/5/5/7/35579/ + +Produced by Bryan Ness and the Online Distributed +Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net (This file was +produced from images generously made available by The +Internet Archive.) + + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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