Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1868-12-11
Militia Oufrages.


In our news summary will be found q
dispatch from Augusta, Arkansas, show
ing high.handed proceedings OF the Ar
kansas militia, and outrages which can
hardly be continued without serious COLI
siops and bloodshed. Aud in Nash
vile special to the Avalanche we are in
formed that General Cooper threatens to
turn loose a similar horde on the people
of Middle and West Tennessee. What is
to be the effect, and what the end OF such
proceedings? Because vigilance COM
mittees, calling themselves ku-klux,
have been organized here and there for
self-protection, when families were
not, in fact, protected by the
officers of the law, and when the
law of self-defense against outlaws may
reasonably be supposed to have caused,
if not compelled, such an organization,
it is proposed to call out militia force,
to be composed in large part OF volun-
teers from the very outlaws, who have
robbed, plundered, murdered and con-
tinually endangered the peace OF society.
Is this to result in any good1 The
vigilance committees, patrols and
so.called Ku-Klux have, 50 far as we
know, never disturbed any peaceable and
gosd citizens. They have done nothing
worse than to punish few criminals,
who should have been punished by the
laws. but remained unmolested BY the
proper authorities. Put down the high
wsymeh and burglars and day and night
pluuderers, and there would not ku-
Klux remain in the State. has it come
10 this, that our State authorities regard
those as greater criminals who organize
for the purpose of suppressipg than
those who make it their business to COM
NIT crimes against society," That is
what the sending out militia instructed
to hunt down Ku-Klux amounts to-
Stop the crimes which have induced
such an organization, and the organiza-
ton itself will be no more forever. Let
us have peace" The President and
the military authorities of the uni
ted States should see that the State
receives no detriment from any band
of plunderers, organized and en-
uowered under the forms Of law. There
is no good reason why citizen should be
armed against citizen, and no good can
come of it. There is no disposition on
the part Of the people Of Middle or West
Tennessee to prosecute one another, or
any law adding persons from any guar
ter, for opinions sake, or on account OF
any past differences If there ever was
in any people an anxious desire for
peace aud good order, that desire is
pre-eminehty characteristic of all
our people. the so-ealled Ku-Kluz
not excepted. There is but one
class Of persons who need to be re-
strained and put down. Aud than is the
vagrant, criminal and outlawed offspring
Of the war--not those who have homes
and live there. And these the sherifi
with their posses should be encouraged
and required TO hunt down. Let the ex-
pertinent be tried. ss it would have
been before the war, and should be
now. against ali who act criminallyi
irrespective Of persons, and it will aci
ike a charm. II will give peace. A
to ell political differences We have buried
the Ratchet. and would have no furthel
quarrel. What possible reason then re
mains for imposing q militia force
which will be expensive, snd may b
oppressive on good citizens, while j
will be Wholly inefficient for the pursui
and capture Of criminals aod the sup
prsssion Of enornities, which have been
the sole cause Of al opposing Organise
dsns rkicb taTs been made