The Athens post. [volume] (Athens, Tenn.) 1848-1917, 1868-09-11

lieving this, came home, and advised
all OF my people to remain peaceful,
and offer no resistance to any reason
able law. 1t is truc that ] never have
recognized the present Government in
Tennessee as having any legal existence,
yet L was willing to submit for time,
with the hope that the wrongs might be
righted peacably."
"What are your feelings toward the
Federal Government, General"
81 loved the old Government in 1861,
/ love the old Constitution yet. l think
it the best Government in the world if
administered as it was before the war.
do not hate it; l am opposing now
only the Radical rcvoluionists who are
trying to destroy it. believe that par
ty to be composed, as ] know it is in
Tennessee, of the worst men on Gods
earth-mcn who would hesitate at no
crime, and who have only one object in
view, to enrich themselves"
"ln the event of Governor Brown
lows calling out the militia, do you
think there will be any resistance Of
fered to their acts ?'I asked.
"That will depend upon circumstan-
ccs. If the militia are simply called
out, and do not interfere with or modest
any one. | do not think there will be any
fight. If, on the contrary, they do
what l believe they will do, commit
ontragcs, OF even one outrage upon the
people, they and Mr.. BrOwnlow's Gov
eminent will be swept out Of existence :;
not Radical will be left alive. If the
militia are called out, we cannot but
look upon it as u declaration of war,
because Mr.. Brownlow has already is
sued his proclamation directing them
to shoot down the KukluX wherever
they find them, and he calls all South
crn men Kuklux.
"Why, General we people up North
have regarded the KullluX Khan as an
organization which existed only in
the frightened imaginations OF few
politicians"
"Well, sir. there is such an organiza-
ton, not only in Tennessee, but all over
the South, and their numbers have not
been exaggerated"
"What are its numbers, General?"
"In Tennessee there are over 10000: in
all the Southern States they number
about $4,000 men,"
"What is the character of the organi-
zation, may / inquire p;
eyes, sir. 1t is a protective, political,
military organization. am willing to
show any man the constitution of this
society. The members are sworn to
recognize the Government of the Uni
ted States, 1t does not say anything
about the Government of the State OF
Tennessee! Its objects originally were
protection against the Loyal Leagues
and the Grand Army of the Republic
but after it became general, it was found
that political matters and interests
could best be promoted within it, and
it was then made political organiza-
, ton, giving its support, of course to
: the Democratic party"
"But is the organization connected
= throughout the State?"
"Yes, it is. In each precinct there is
a Captain, who, in addition to his other
duties, is required to make out list OF
names of men in his precinct, giving all
the Radicals and all the Democrats who
are positively known, and showing also
the doubtful on both sides and of botl
: coors. This list of names is forwarded
to the Grand Commander of the State
who is thus enabled to know who are
our friends and who are not"
= Scan you, or are you at liberty tt
give me the commanding officer OF Thu
: State 7"
"No, it would be impoitic.'
'"Then suppose that there can be ne
: doubt of conflict if the militia inter
/, fere with the people; is that you
vicw?"
ayes, sir; if they attempt to carr,
out Governor Brownlow's proclama
ton, by shooting down Kuklux-for 1t
calls all Southern men KukluX-if the,
60 TO hunting down and shooting thes
men, there will be war, and a bloodie
one than we have ever witnessed.
have told these Radicals here what the,
might expect in such an event. l hay,
no powder to burn killing negroes.
intend to kill the Radicals. have tol(
them this and more there is not a Rad
ical leader in this town but is a marked
: man, and if a trouble should break out
: not one of them would be left alive.
have told them that they were trying t.
create disturbance and then slip on
and leave the consequences to fall upol
the negro, but they can't do it. Thci
houses are picketcd, and when the fgh
: comes, not one of them would ever ge
] out of this town alive. We don't in
tend they shall ever get out of the coun
/. try. But L want it distinctly under
stood that L am opposed to any wal
and will only fight in self defense, l
the militia attack us, we will resist t
the last, and Unnecessary, | think coul
raise forty thousand men in five days
, ready for the field"
f do you think, General, that the Ku
klux have been any benefit to tn
State ?"
; "No doubt of it. Since its organiza
ton the leagues have quit killing an
l numbering our people. There wer
, some foolish young men who pu
l masks Oh their faces and rode over tn
country, frightening negroes; but OIL
l dcrs have been issued to stop that, an
} it has ceased. You may say further
: that three members of the Kuklux hav
been court-martialed and shot for vic
: lations of the orders not to disturb O