Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1868-12-02
atettcltn geputtl,iitau.
THE KU KLUX KHAN
his orsaniaation wh;ch mi.lin

"a A1O d LA N
This Organization, which, within the
last two years, has spread throughout the
entire South, and also into several Of Il .
Northern States, is beyond doubt the
most extensive and widespread associa-
ton ever banded together for an unlawful
and criminal purpose. We have said but
little m our paper in regard to it, as the
subject ls< q. m st unpleasant one the
deeasIs ofthe horrid atrocities committed
by members Of the orIer,- rival accounts
OF the inhuman cruelties practiced bv
pirates and buccaneers in the Sixteenth
+ Century. Many affect to disbelieye the
reports received in regard to acts Of the
hu klux Khan, but no fact is better
authenticated than that thousands every
year suffer loss of life and property from
the tyrannical violence of this barbarous
and dlabolical organization. 1t is char
aeterized by the same intolerance of opiin-
ion and the same monstrous cruelty when
marked the system of Slavery, whose spirit
il is, tiIllingering about its old halints, that
actuates the deeds of wickedness and vio-
Ience, whose daily occur 3nce FL the whole
land with horror. When the history of
Slavery in America is written, the opera
tons of the Ku Klux Klan will furnish
fitting sequel to the dismal story. h.-s
T The objects of this organization seem
to be, primarily, to CRAFTY the hate and
desire for revenge felt through the S outh
toward the victorious party in the late
war, and secondly by establish ng a
system Of terrorism throughout the
whole Southern country, to be enabled to
control political affairs in that section
In pursuance of this object, previo US tc
the last election macy Unionists were
driven from their homes OF. so inundated
that they dared not vote; and in Other
cases, crowds of armed men surrounded
the polls and allowed only such as were
in sympathy with them to deposit their
ballots To such an extent was this car
ried in the State of Louisiana that al
scarcely single poll il the State were
the people allowed to exercise their right
ofFoting unmolested. - assag
OF course this fearful condition O
society would never have existed had The
Administration.of the Government beer
entrusted to a President who had beer
less intent upon doing his duty as the
first executive officer of the nation, thar
upon carrying out his own persona
schemes aud purposes, and who, h neg
ect 2nd connivance, allowed the germ Of
evil to grow into such a giant iniquity.
The unhappy South, delivered from tht
horrors of war, encountered the far les
merciiul fate of peace under Andy John
son, Had that individual possessed th,
right disposition, and the resolution of
child, the fearful record would never hav,
passed into history, disgracibg the natlol
and blasting his name with eternal nfamy
= Therefore it is for the South that W
mostly rejoice in the election of Grant
His strong hand viii soon oyerturn tn
reign of violence and lawlessness which
is desolating that portion of our land, and
in his own expressive language, establish
"such state Of tranquility that any ma,
may speak his mind in any Part of gu
country without fear or molestation."