The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1868-11-19
Military DEPARTMENT REPORTS.

Report Of General George /

hepOrt OI GeueT2i 0seOr1o He VDOma9s
General George II. Thomas has made his annual
report TO General Grant regarding afairs In the De-
partment Of the Cumberland. IL opens with the
disposition OF troops and an account OF the assist
ance rendered Governor Foreman, OF West Virginia,
In preventing trouble at Phillips The condition OF
the troops In the department has greatly improved
IN all respects. The General thinks that suffers
should be allowed at all the military posts. The
duties Of the troops are much the same as last
year and the necessity for them , u the same I;
law and security OF life has not AZ al improved,
and In some sections is much worse. Good crops
active exhibitions or the spirit OF lawessness The
report contains very exhaustive history Of the ope
rations OF the Ku Klnx han from tnelr nrst appear
statements sent 10 washington and allowed to
be published. as is 9nere known, by the presi,
time: The General is quite severe upon those
Northern men in Nashville who Joined with the
seDes n .ae nerons Of Nornere
birth who were living in Nashville under the pro-
lection or well organized police f0rce" the various
acts OF force In helping Governor Br0wnOw to pre-
serve the peace given in very interesting FORM
and the details OF these movements and their cause
helps to complete the history OF the Ku Klux. The
difficulties arising from resistance to revenue officers
have gwen considerable employment to the troops.
Very great difficulty exists throughout the depart
United States Courts. The number OF troops In
the department has constantly been less than
was needed to preserve the peace. In one case
the General ordered the arrest OF an ex-rebel soldier
for violating his parole by assaulting Union man,
and ordered his trial by military commission. Ine
case referred to the Attorney General OF the
United States, who held that the prisoner had vio-
lated military law. after that" the report con-
tinues "no further attempt was made to AFFORD pro-
lection Union citizens by enforcing the obligations
OF the parole, and the latter seems OF little value ex-
cept to the paroled" General Thomas LIS very
railroads in his department. In paying Their
debts, and gives the opinion that II Is IA
hope thar their claims for use during the war VIII
yet be allowed lie recommends THAT they be COM
PEELED TO pay up promptly It Is mortlfylng 10, TO
acknowledge that the state and local laws and the
more powerful force OF public opinion do not protect
the citizens OF the department from violence. In
fact crime is committed because public opinion
favors II. criminal who Is popular with the mob
can set the law at denance; but II man Is only sus
pected OF crime who Is inimical TO the community,
he is likely to be hung TO the nearest tree shot
down at mis- own door. The report closes ollows:
The causes OF this lawessness are different In dir
ierent states anu apply more particularly 70 Mem
the latter State there has been complaint received
other than that Of the Governor in his call for
accomplished the object for which they were
needed. In Tennessee, where majority OF
thzcrs with them have hatred for State
authorities which Is uncOncealed and agrees
I've. In localities where the DISTINGUISHED ele-
those In sympathy with the authorte-thosc
who recognize the political rights OF the eniranchised
negroes and the negroes hcmselves-especially
shows itself In utter contempt OF the law, and vio-
lence liz openly talked of. The editorial articles OF
the public press are such rs to create the most IN
tense hatred In the breasts OF ex-rebels ana their
sympathizers The effect OF this Is 10 cause disturb
ance throughout the State by melting the rufllanly
portion OF this class OF citizens To murder and NAL
treat white unonists and coored people In localities
where no United States troops are stationed.
The local authorize have not the viii, and
more often have not the power, TO sup
press or prevent these disturbances. In Kentucky
dlsfranchisement cannot be alleged as reason for
these disturbances. There the mass OF people are in
sympathy with the State authorities and make no
attempt to resist them. The colored people quiet
and peaceable They have no political rights, not
being enfranclispI. Yet rufiiana perfnl.tcu TO
tyrannize over them without fear Of punishment
The testimony OF negroes Is refused In the state
courts, and the United STATES courts are dincult or
access TO an ignorant people without friends
influence. In some districts some ex-Union
soldiers prosecuted by their more numerous
rebel neIghbors until they are forced into
resistance which sometimes ends with the loss OF
their lives or they are compelled In selfdefence to
emigrate. An appeal to the courts affords but little
hope OF redress as the magistrates and turies too
often decide in accordance with their prejudces aud
the unsettled condition OF AFFAIRS in the department
Is that the greatest efforts made by defeated ilsur
promuieate the idea that the cause OF m
erty. justice, humanity, equality and all the
OF y9es s smereI anu
This Is Of course intended az species OF political
cant, whereby the crime OF treason might be cover.
ed with counterfeit varnish or patriotism. so that
the participaors In the rebellion might go down In
history hand Ia hand with tho defenders OF the gov
eminent, thus wiplng out with their own hands
their own stains. A species OF self-forgive-
ness amazing In Its efrrontery, when IL is consd-
ereu thit tIs lie anu properly justly Iorieiteu ny
the laws of the country. OF war and Of nations,
through the mdgnanimity OF the government and the
people, was not exacted from them. Under
this inspiration the education OF the great body OF
the people, moral religious and political. has oeen
turned into channels wherein all might unite in CON-
mon. The impoverishment or the South resulting
from war and lts concomitants: the emancipation OF
slaves and consequent loss OF substance; the anlbi
guilty aud uncertainty OF political rights and nnan-
cial values well a. personal riyalres, have all
combined TO strengthen the efforts OF pernicious
teachers. The evil done has great. ana IL Ia not
slt hat Hot
expected