The Evansville journal. [volume] (Evansville, Ind.) 1866-1870, 1868-09-09
STATE OF AFFAIRS IN
TENNESSEE. 500
Society Under the Control OF a Band
or Murderers.
OFFICIAL REPORT. TO THE LEGLS-
g fLAT0RE a.a

OFFICIAL REPORT. TO THE LEGLS-
tLATORE- 8l
The committee having in charge the
investigation of the rebel Ku-hlux
outrages in Tennessee, have completed
their labors and submitted their re-
port to the General Assembly of that
State. tits alengthy document (mak--
ing nearly six columns In nonparell
type of the Guzette9 and is so full of
horrors as to make ones blood run
cold. we have room but for the sum-
ming up of the investigation, which
is all any one will care to read. The
committees says: p
The number of outrages that have
been perpetrated in-many counties OF
Middle and West Tennessee. during
the past few months, have been SO
numerous, and Of such an aggravated
character, as almost battles investiga
ton. In these counties a reign of
terror exists, which is so absolute in
its nature, that the best Of citizens are
unable or unwilling to give free ex-
preston to their opinions. The ter
ror inspired by the secret organiza-
ton known as the Ku.Klux Khan, is
so great thatthe officers Of the law
are powerless to execute its provis-
ions, TO discharge their duties, or to
bring the guilty perpetrators of these
outrages to the punishment they de-
serve. Their stealthy movements are
generally made under cover of the
night, and under masks or DISCUSSES,
which render their Identification diff
fioult, if not impossible.
Added to the secrecy which envel-
opes their operations, is the fact that
no information of their murderous
acts can be obtained without the
greatest difficulty and danger in the
localities where they are committed.
No one dares to inform upon them or
to take any measures to bring them to
punishment, because no such one can
tell but he may be the next victim of
their luminosity.
The members of this organization,
with their friends, aiders and abet-
tors, take especial pains to conceal
their operations.
The moving principle by which they
are actuated appears to be hostility to
the State and national authorities,
duu III LuG ~uAuuG. VI NDCSG HUI VI
have voted for Brownlow or the
Republican ticket" or to be a
Radical, is the greatest of crimes.
Your committee believe that during
the the past six months the murders
In Tennessee, to say nothing Of other
outrages, would average one per day,
or one for every twenty-four hours
that in the great majority of cases
they have been perpetrated by the
Khan referred to, and few, if any. have
been brought to punishment. A num-
Der OF counties in the State are entire
| ly at the mercy of this organization
and. rowing bands of nightly maraud.
ers bid defiance to the civil authori.
ties, and threaten, to drive out every
man, white or black, who does no.
submit to their arbitrary dictation.
To add to the general lawlessnes:
of these communities, bad men o.
every description. take advantage o.
the circumstances surrounding them
and perpetrate acts of violence, from
personal or pecuuiary motives, under
the plea of political necessity.
Oolored ,iabOrers have been driver
from theirahomes by dishonest lane
owners,inorder todeprive them oftheil
share of the crops they cultivated anC
the wages they have justly earned By
their labor. Other outrages of SINH
lar character are daily committed
and the officers of the law are unable
or unwilling to prevent or redres!
them. Your committee are convinced
from the evidence before them that a
resort to some measures that will cor
rect evils of such enormity is an i'm
perative necessity. The testimony
they have taken is but a small
part of the evidence which
might be laid before your hon.
Forable body, showing the absolute ne
cesslty which exists forlegislative &C.
ton Tor the prevention and punish.
mens OF acts Tof violence, fol
the protection. of life and prop
erty, and for the I due execution
o. the laws. A large number of cases
brought to the attant;on ne 80. Co. 60
mlttee have been passed over nm.
noticed, because time and snace
would not permit their invast;cat ;on
! But they are satisfied that no tSrtbey
evidence sis necessary to conv;noa
every thoughtful mind that uose
than ordinary means are renp;s;4a
under existing circumstances. tn 60
cure peace and protection to persons
and property.
The object sought to be obtained
by the establishment of government
is-the peace of society. Individual:
surrender a portion of their liberty
and submit to the restraint OF lega
enactments for the general good O
all concerned Laws are made fol
the protection as well as the punish
ment of crime. ua1
If civil law and civil authority are
not sufficient for the Accomplishment
OF the purpose intended, military force
must be called to their assistance
Inc hrst and highest duty of every
government is to protect its citizens
la the enjoyment of their persons and
tnelr property, without regard to their
lndiVlduaI or political opinions. III
CIVIL law is set at defiance. and its
agentsoverpowered or intimidated bv
eVll-doers, 1t becomes the imperative
duty OF the Government to cali To its
assistance the strong arm of military
power. Citizens have a right to an.
peal for protection to the governments
under which they live, and that gov
eminent which refuses to listen to
their appeals or to afford them that
protection to which they are entitled
| IS unworthy of the mama ooJ fo.ea:4-