Brownlow's Knoxville Whig. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1866-1869, 1868-09-16
The Mask Lifted...BrOWnIOW'S State.
ments as TO the Ku KluX Khan SUs.
taIued.s.FOFrest COuVicts Himself.

Inc correspondent OF Lne ClnclnDaJl CODfn1cTcld
has unearthed Gen. Forrest greatly to the discom
future Of the rebel party. The Banner first endorse
Forests positions and then denies that they arr
his Forrest himself denies the correctness of th,
correspondents report, but it is in general terms
and it leaves the main allegations uncontradcted
We clip few paragraphs, promising that Forrest
denials include his saying that every Radicals hOus
pickeed and that he could raise forty thousand
men in five days. Classifying his main positions
we give the following specimens
DENIES THE LEGAL EXISTENCE or THE STATE Gov
ERNMENT
at Is true that never have recognized the pres
ent government in Tennessee as having any Legal
existence yet was willing to submit TO it for O
time, with the hope that the wrongs might be right
ed peaceably."
PROVES HIMSELF 4 MOST FAIrHLEes TRAITOR.
"What are your feelings toward the Federal gov
eminent, General ~
81 loved the old Government in 1861 love the
old Constitution yet. l think it the best govern
ment in the world, If administered it was before
she war. do not hate il l am opposing now only
the Badcal revolutionsts who are trying to destroy
IT, 1 believe that party TO be composed, as know
it is in Tennessee, of the worst men Gods earth
men who would hesitate at no crime, and who
have but one object in view, to enrich themselves
By his own confession, Forrest lifted the hand OF
war against "the best Government IN the toorId,'
when he set out in his bloody rebellion.
Avows HIMSELF IN FAVOR OF WHOLESALE sLAUGH-
TER.
'In the event of Gov Brownlow's calling out the
militia, do you think there will be any resistance
offered to their aets2' | asked
aThat viii depend upon circumstances. If the
militia are simply called out and do not interfere
with or modest any one, do not think there will
be any fight If on the contrary, they do what /
believe they viii do, commit outrsges, even one
outrage upon the people, they and Mr.. Brol0hsLOlO's
government I1iU be slCept out Of erSteHce not Rad
zeal aoiJ be left alve If the militia are called out
we cannot but look upon it as declaration of war
because Mr.. Brownlow has already issued his pro-
clamation directing them to shoot down the Kukux
wherever they find them, and he calls all Southern
men Kuklux"
ADMITS THE EXISTENCE OF THE KUKLUX KHAN.
"Why, General, we people up North have re.
garded the Kuklux Khan as an organization which
existed only in the frightened Imagination of a few
politicians"
"Well, sir, there is such an organization not only
in Tennessee, but all the South, and its num-
bers have not been exaggerated"
"What are its numbers, General2'
an Tennessee they at0nber oUer forty thousand n.
aU the Southern States they number about $4,000
men,"
"What is the character of the organization, may
] inquire 2"
ayes, sir 1t is protective, political, military
organization. l am willing TO show any man the
constitution of the society. The members aresworn
10 recognise the Government of the United States.
II does not say anything at all about the govern
ment of the State Of Tennessee. Its objects origi-
nally were protection against Loyal Leagues and
the Grand Army of the Republic, but after it be-
came general 1t was found that political matters and
Interests could best be promoted within IT, and II
was then made political organization, giving It's
support, Of course 10 the Democratic party"
oBut is the organization connected through out
the State p
eyes, il is. In each voting precinct there is a
CAPTAIN who in addition 10 his other duties is re-
ouired 10 make out list of names Of men in his
precinct giving all the Radicals and all the Demo-
crat5 who are positively known, and showing also
The doubtful on both sides and of both coors. This
list of names is forwarded 10 the Grand Commander
of the State who is thus enabled 60 know who are
our friends and who are not
oCan you or are you at liberty to give me the
name Of the commanding officer Of this State
NO, II would be impolltic.
Then I suppose that there can be ne doubt Of 2
conflict if the militia interfere with The people Is
that your view
ayes. sir; if they attempt TO carry out Governor
Rrownlows proclamation, by shooting down ku-
/ klpx-for he calls al Southern men kukux-it
thew 20 10 hunting down and shooting these men.
49, ryill bs war and bloodier one than we have
s,sr witnessed. I have told these Radicals here
/ ,vhst they might expect IN such an event. nave
M novdsr 10 burn killing negroes. Ii'lEsHa 10 slA
- Raiisals have told them this snd more there
i of RaosaE leader IN tbs toi0a e1f Is mar led
,gon and if trouble should break cut, Hot o7se o.
tIeR lsoad b Ieft alsUe have told tnem thAt Iney
,,oro trvipc 10 create disturbance. aud then slip
ont and leave the consequences TO fsl upon the ne
GRO but they can't do It. IseiT hosseS arc P'StStsai
3 ,5es ~ gLt comes not one q tseB1 could sVs
- - ~ so,5n aIsre We don't intend they shall
ever gef out of the country. But want II dstlhca
| " understood that am opposed - any war ana
viii only aeht in self-defence II 4he militia at
tack US we will resist 10 the last, sid II necessary
Think could raise forty tbotsSa'a ne" ~ Ts as'
/ ready for tie JisLd-" I'll -.
! aDo YOU think. General, that the kukluX have
/ been of any benefit TO the State
mo Doubt Of t. Since its ofganl1auoh the
Leagues have quit killing and numbering our peop
There we're some foolish young men VINO pus La La
on their faces and rode ever the country ,Fi men
/ ing negroes; but orders have been issued 70 ssop
that and il has ceased. You may say iurtheri thal
three members Of The Kuklux have been eosTtBlGT-
TAXED and shot for violations OF The orders not to
/ disturb or modest people
care you a member Of the kuklux, General Z
u am not but / am in sympathy and VIII CO.
/ operate with them. / know that they are charged
/ with many crimes that they are not guilty OF
case in point is tho killing of Bcrheid, AZ FRANK
/ lin a few DAYS ago. ] sent man up there espe-
cially 10 investigate the case and report 70 me and
have his letter here now, in which he states that
they had nothing TO do with il as an organization.
II is needless TO add comments to these extracts
They speak for themselves. BE who runs may read
them. We ask loyal men to ponder them well.
I SEEIOR EDITOR