Clarksville chronicle. (Clarksville, Tenn.) 186?-1872, 1868-03-27
THE xUKLUx KHAN.
The 0nsprlns Of . Proscriptiye Rule.

Tue UMSprihS Oh frOscrlptiSt huies
The Nashville Banner, of the 18th, says:
II the organization which goes by the name
of the Kuklux kian has any tangible exis-
tence at ell, Il Is extremely limited, and Is
certainly Of very recent origin. Not being
member Of II, nor having any other means
Of sscertaiping us mysteries than such as
are to the public, we are unable to discourse
very learnediy Of It's strength or its purposes.
As far as we know Il has no political siguif-
cance. As far as 1t has appeared it has acted
on the defensive. But whatever may be its
extent, 1t is In no sense Of the word partisan.
1t seems to be the inevitable result Of perse-
cution, Of proscriptive laws upjdstly execu-
ted, of rowing bodies of mercenaries and
banditti legalized and described as "loyal
militia, Of stuffed ballot boxes, packed ju-
ries and petty official tyranny. II it wanted
a justification; patent enough in its itself, 1t
might point to the secret leagues in every
neighborhood where Few irresponsible white
men gather together great many ignorant
negnoes and equip them for regular, COM
pact line assault upon the properties aud lib
critics Of their fellow-citizens where the vic
ious are made more vengeful by the coarse
est stimulanls; where the hall. witted receive
additions to the load of prejudice and SANDER
they already carry about from pillar to post;
where the timid are threatened with death
nnd kindly seduced with promises of confis-
cation; where intrigue for Office, regardless
Of the common good or any higher motive
than that which inspires low ambition, sports
with the most dangerous, the most undiscip-
lined, the most passionate, the most combus-
Itible, the most corrnpting instincts OF the
human heart. 1t might point to the fright
ful increase of negro license. II might point
to the partisan character of the judiciary. II
might point TO the Wholesale pardons ISSUED
in the name and by the authority of polit-
cal committee. 1t might point 70 thousand
and one acts Of partisan atrocity which have
poisoned the very elements, rendering the
homes and hsarthstones, the wives and chill
tdren of the people less and less secure
IThese it might urge in behalf Of q secrecy,
which nothing but desperate peril, and the
impossibility of obtaining legal projection
and redress, could palliate. For self prescr-
walton is law of nature and lies at the
foundation of all law.
Radiealism in Tennessee has been from
first TO last one steady, oae unyielding, one
perpetual despotism. Its only consistency
IuAS bSSh ihS pio1SkiphiNc uutuft. we udNt
combatted it openly and fairly with the fire.,
weapons common to political usage, and i
has plead our opposition as excuse for ID
violence. We have Withdrawn that opposi-
tion and suffered II 10 90 on without any ag
grayating cause TO prick it into anger, asking
Of 1t only good government and il has no
abated its rigor by one shade less of malice
The Legislature, which has just adjourned
= did no act 10 mitigate the horrors of tn
3 party rule which its predecessors esta abished
II did no act to tighten the burdens Of IA
= tions which press down on an impoverishe
people. 1t did no act of lenity or tolerane
desingned TO propitiste the outraged tempo
iof the community, or contribute to state q
real peace. Ii presented throughout th
same hostile countenance which has glare
Il upon US for the last three years, incrsasin
4 the taxes, making the laws more ploscriI
tive, and using the incorporate argumen
& and language Of revenge.
Il II this train of circumstances, with Il
almost hopeless condition of affairs 1t has D
Y. up, beget in insulated neighborhoods whe
the evils Of which we complain are felt mo-
keenly and personal safety is more expose
" the existence Of secret organized bodies Of
Grating for selfdefense, who can wonder
We may regret the fact, we may deplore Il
cause, but we cannot be surprised. Nor ca
we close our eyes either to the fact or Il
cause aud, though this Kuklux Klan is ye
in our opinion, a shadow rather than sui
stance, though it Is limited in its circle OF 9!
istence, it is the product of the nature
things and will inevitable strengthen an
expand If the producing cause is not remove
or softened. 1t is of no use for US TO wri
articles against it. and urge moderation whe
= there is no moderation exhibited on the 9th
side, For six months we have lent our so
influence in behalf Of peace. We are
Of much disinclined for war now as ever. "
.. are as ready now to unite with the Sta
Nv Government in an effort to avert strife as v
10. were last fall, when we invoked "popul
We armistice." But We say frankly, what ar
,t sober-minded man Of either party can 8
plaihly enough, that unless some effort
ne made by the dominat party in the directiC
OF Of better understanding, we can not escal
u. trouble Suppose you call oat your militi
II suppose you get General Thomas to sci
OF Federal troops here, does this sweeten d
10 temper of the times2 II may enable y,
ill to carry the State in the Presidential ele
Ias tion, but you are bound to do that snyho
elr for you wont let anybody vote except Rae
he calls, and even then you count your vot
on yourselves. II Is not certain that the Dem
ed Gratis will run any ticket OF all against yo
les machine. Therefore, since you are safe
30 far, why not make an effort TO keep 4
OF peace The militia won't do Ii. Fedel
ON troops won't do 1t. They will only enlar
'or and inspire the Kuklux Klan. They W
To- only make il more desperate. The effects
nd oppression are neverfailng, and the people
'te Tennessee have all the strength aud al I
ed weakness of a people sought to be degrad
In but not yet suhjugated. While there Is ST
ite time something yet may be done, and !
Tai make this appeal with all candor, and n
,ly unkindly, to such of the Radical lead,
it, among US as are within the reach OF reas
he and common sense.