The Hickman courier. [volume] (Hickman, Ky.) 1859-current, 1868-09-05
Gen. Forrest and the Ku-KluxD

A Radical correspondent of the Gin
cinnati Commercial has had prying
interview with Gems. Forrest, Pillow, and
Gov. Harris, and comes back with flea
in his year. The Louisville Journals re-
publishes the whole of the correspond
ence, and we give the following SANDER
relative to Abe KuKlux, for what it is
worth
Well, sir, there is such an organiza-
ton, not only in Tennessee, but all over
the South, aud its numbers have not been
exaggerated"
What are its numbers, General?"
SIN Tennessee there are over forty
thousand /; in all the Southern Staihs
they number about $50, 000Smen." ~
What is the character of2the ord -
zs.;on n,avIA inquire ~ $3.50.
cal, military am willing
to show any man the constitution of the
society. The members are sworn to re-
cognize the government of the United
States. Ut does not say anything at all
about the government of the State of
Tennessee. It's objects originally we're
protection against Loyal Leagues and
the Grand Army of the Republic, but
after it became general it was found hat
political matters and interests could best
be promoted ffthin it, and it was then
made political organization, giving its
support, of course, to the Democratic
party
81 But is the organization connected
throughout the State ?"
q Yes it is. In each voting precinct
there is a captain, who, in addition to
his other duties, is required to make out
a list of names of men in his precinct
giving all the Radicals and all the Demo
Gratis who are positively known, and
showing also the doubtful on both sides
and of both colors This list is forward
ed to the Grand Commander of the State,
who is thus enabled to know who are
our friends and who are not
az Are you at liberty TO give me the
name of the commanding officer of this
State p -
s'No, it would be impolitic
" Then suppose that there can be no
doubt of a conflict in Tennessee if the
militia interfere with the peoples that
| your view 2"
Yes, sir If they attempt to carry
out Gov Brownlow's proclamation, by
shooting down Kuklux-for he calls all
Southern men Kuklux-if they go to
hunting down and shooting these men,
there will be war, and bloodier one than
we have ever witnessed [ have told
these Radicals here what they might ex-
pect in such an event. | have no powder
to burn killing negroes. intend to kill
the Radicals. | have told them this and
more There is not Radical leader in
this town but is a marked man, and If a
trouble should break out none of them
would be left alive. 1 have told them
that they were trying to create disturb
ance and then slip out and leave the con-
sequences to fall upon the negroes, bud
they can't do it. Their houses are pick
eted, and when the fight comes not ON
of them would ever get out of this tow
alive. We don't intend they shall eve
get out of the country. But | want i |
distinctly understood that l am opposed
to any war, and will only fight in self
defense. 1.-THE militia attack us, We vii
resist to the last, and, if necessary, II
think could raise forty Thousand men
in FIVE days, ready for the field"
Do you think, General, that the Ku
klux have been of any benefit to thu
State p @ l9
-" No doubt of it. Since its organiza
ton the Leagues have quit killing and
numbering our people. There were somi
foolish young men who put masks OF
their faces and rode over the country
frightening negroes; but orders hay,
been issued to stop that, and it has ceas
ed You may say further, that tire
members of the Knklux have been court
martialed and shot for violations of TIL
orders not to disturb or modest people.
. 90 Are you member of the kuklux
General ?''7fgit0h sa9(q eiiaw 50
90 / am not but am in sympathy AM
will co operate with them / know tina
they are charged with many crimes tina
they are not guilty of A case in poin
is the killing of Bier6eld, at Franklir
a few days ago. sent man up ther
especially to investigate the ease, and re
port to me, any I have his letter her
now, in which ae states that they ha
nothing to do with it as an organization.
NIX