The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1868-09-11
FROM WASHINGTON.
The People of Tennessee Petition the
President for Protection.

WASHINGTON, Sept. 1.-At half-pa 10 o'clock
this morning the Committee OF the Tennessee
Legislature, composed of w. II. Wisewell, of
the Senate, and Thomas A. Hamilton and J. H.
Agee, of the House of Representatives, called
upon the Presidebt for the purpose of laying
before him a petition calling for United States
troops to preserve order in the State. Mr.
Wisewell read the address to the President.
1t starts out with the statement that the com.
mittee was appointed by the Legislature now in
session for the purpose of laying before the
President an account of the condition of affairs
in Tennessee. The Legislature, now in extra
session, was called together by Governor Brown
low that it might pass laws calling out troops
for the protection of the people against the Ku-
Klux Khan. That there is such an organization
in the South as this is demonstrated by the best
proofs. 1t is estimated that in Tennessee alone
it numbers some 900 members.
The address then goes into the details of the
operations of the Ku-Klux. These fully cor
roborate the statements which have appeared
Fl ON time to time in the newspapers. Shooting,
hanging, and whipping are all favorite modes
by which the ex-Rebels persecute the Union
men, white aud black. The operations of the
Ku-klux are carried on in the night, and so
extensive Is the organization that outrages are
simultaneously committed in different parts Of
the State. Although the Klan makes little dis
tnction in its visit to Union men, its enmity
seems mostly directed against the negroes.
MANY of these, who were employed on piauta-
tions for a year with the understanding
that they should get part of the crop, have
been forced to flee for their lives, leaving the
result of their labors behind them. Lynch law,
as matter OF course, prevails to great extent,
and the courts are pewerless to defend the
supremacy OF the law. Nearly all the members
OF the KuKluX are, eXrebel soldiers, though
the Committee state with pleasure that some of
the ex-rebel officers and soldiers disapprove of
the organization. Many of the Ku-Klux declare
the present State Government of Tennessee
illegal, and boldly announce their intention of
resisting it,
When the present Legislature met in October
last they we're disposed to be liberal, and in
spirit of liberallty substantially repealed TIE
| hope that the professions made by the Demo-
| Gratis would render soldiers unnecessary. In
| this they regret to say they have been mistaken,
| for sooner was the law repealed and the
! soldiers discharged, than the Ku-KluX sprang up
in Tennessee and commenced their midnight
| depredations
STEPS to give protection to the law-abding clti-
| Zens of Tennessee under the provisions Of the
| Constitution of the United States. This they
| do not because they believe that the State
authorities are unable to suppress the Ku.Klux,
and project the Union citizons, but because the
! Legislature deems it better to have Federal
troops The latter are preferred to militia,
because they have no personal likes or disiikes
TO influence them, nor would they be subject
themselves, after discharge from the service to
wrongs and outrages for having been in the
State service. The KuKlux threaten that no
election shall be held in the counties of the
State where they have the power to prevent it.
They have already warned numbers OF
Union men that they shall not be allowed to
vote, unless they vote the Democratic ticket.
The Legislature hoped that the numbers of the
Ku.Klux Klan would decrease and their out
RACES be diminished. In this they were mis-.
taken. It had delayed action in expectation
| hat hn off nj AMI lot Iu
OF the Confederacy, would be successful in
breaking up the Ku-Klux; they are however,
on the increase all over the State, and nothing
is now left but to resort to the free use OF
troops.
The address concludes thus:-"We therefore,
on behalf of the Legislature of Tennessee,
ypraSssbe u5ss tnas ssnt senS Sedera
force TO that State to aid the civil authorities to
act with them in suppressing these wrongs and
bringing to trial the guilty parties; giving as
surapce to all that law win be enforced, crime
punished, and protection extended to such
officers and citizens as may attempt to execute
the laws or prevent their violation. The Legis-
lature of Tepnes ee, in sending us to make this
request, did so upon the ground that she is part
OF the great American Union, contributing to
the support of the common Government, enjoy.
Ing lis benefits and blessings. and that they are
asking of the Government Of the United States
that which they believed they had right to
ask under the Constitution.
The interview between the President and the
| from the 1euuebSee Legislature lasted
for over an hour. Representatives of the press
were excluded at the request of the President,
and the member of the committee were enjoined
TO secIesY. They state, 10 wever, that they were
kindly received, and they seem to feel encouraged
The matter viii be laid before the Cabinet
to-day, and the committee are to have another
interview with the President to- morrow, when
he will give them definite answer to their petit
| tiOn for troops.
BincISley Discusses n Point with the
| President.
Buckley was at the White House again
this morning, and had long interview with
the President. He presented his report giving
the result OF his visit to New York. The Presi.
dent, it is understood, takes Binckley's side OF
the question, aud is inclined to believe
his story as against all others. Blnckley
says he was the victim OF a conspiracy
while in New York; that he was opposed
by all the Government officials, who
combined with the whisky ring there to defeat
his Investigations. The whisky ring he saws
bought up every Government officer from the
highest to the lowest, whose duty it was TO have
assisted him. He is supported by the active
brigade of aspirants for Rollins place and the y
bOastingly assert that Binckley has enough 4; j.
timony TO secure Rollins removal. This is
embodied in the report which he laid before the