Gold Hill daily news. [volume] (Gold Hill, N.T. [Nev.]) 1863-1882, 1868-10-19
THE TATE OF THE SOUTH

South but it is certain that n large
number believe the instances of outrage
and violence, which are made public
through authentic sources, to be only
occasional in their occurrence. Besides,
allowances are doubtless made for the
exaggeratious natural to an excited po-
liticol contest. But, if all the circum-
stances are given their proper weight,
it will be seen that the evils prevailing at
the South are likely to be under rather
than overrated. The newspapers of
that section are, with very few excep-
tons, conducted in the interest of the
reactionists, the former rebels, are IA
yorable to the election of Seymour and
Blair, and, it is to be supposed, give to
all facts likely TO affect public scnti-
men. a partisan coloriug. At the same
time it should be remembered that the
agents of the Associated Press in the
South are almost uniformly rebel DEM
ocrats of the mos; INSCRIPTIONS class,
as is sufficiently shown by the average
toue of their dispatches. 1t should, be-
sides, be taken into consideration that
the Weather classes, those most likely
to travel, and with whom people at the
North are most apt TO come in contact,
are Of the same pro-rebel way of think
ing. The vast majority Of those upon
the other side are Of a despiscd and
servile race, who have but scant oppor-
tunities for being heard at the bar Of
public opinion. With every advantage
in their favor, it would, then, be most
surprising if the domiueering aristocrats
at the South should fail to put their
case before the world in it's best possible
light. 1t is, therefore, fair TO put in
evidence against Southern society, and
its controlling element, the Ku-klux-
Khan, and in favor Of reconstruction
out of loyal materials supported BY
Federal bayonets, the testimony OF an
impartial observer, conversant with the
facts, and not q carpet-baggcr nor n
politician.
The following extracts are from a
letter written BY an officer Of the army
who served with distinction in all its
campaigns upon the staff Of one of the
corps Of the Army Of the Potomac. He
has served for q considerable time in
the C~arolinas, and has recently been
transferred TO Alabama. \ man Of ed
ucatiou and culture, his opportunities
for observation have been Of the very
best, and we have the utmost confidence
in his fairness, a~cuteness and correct
ness of Judgment. He says:
"well may you say that the election
of Seymour and Blair will be the signal
for q reign Of terror in the South which,
Englished, means a reign Of entire sup
preston Of free opinion, and u reign OF
| daily as~sassinations.
1--WE are so blunted by the civil war
that we scarcely recoil at these facts,
| scarcely think Of them as obliglng all
GOOD citizens to vote so as 10 prevent
their election. 60 farther, and assure
you, from what | know and see OF the
South, that the election of Seymour and
Blair will so puff up those people, so
madden their blood with victory, that
thew will know no bounds, and, seeing
themselves the victors from Spottsyl-
vania onward, they will compel their
| Northern friends to measures not now
dreamed Of. Now remember that per-
mauent outrage is what we will not
submit to in the North, and see the
necessary result. Republicanism will
be stunned, and al! middling men Will
90 to the strongest party, and the whole
power to make laws fall into Southern
| Democratic hands. Then, in q few
years, almost months, will come the
mighty revulsion and a war Of horrors
whose extent will be limited by Canada,
the Gulf and the oceans. Do not sup
pose that | am imposing on your time
with bombast and tiummery. am no
prophet, but speak only Of such first de-
auctions from facts MS nny reasoning
man down here may see. But we will
surely elect Grant and Colfax, and oil
those figures on the possible glass will
pass away.
at is perhaps proyideutial that most
| of the negro information is oral. 1t
they could read they would surely feel
| discouraged. With trifling exceptions,
the whole Southern press is Democratic
Secession. The files are filled with
the grossest abuse Of Republicans.
| white and black. You would suppose
| every Republican q villain OF the deep
| est kind. never saw such abuse as
| they daily heap up and through all you
| see the exultation with which they look
to the speedy triumph Of SecessloniSts
| over every one who is for the Union in
tho South. Forrest, as copied IN DEM
| ocratic papers, does not hesitate TO ad-
Init that the Kuklux klan is 10000
strong in Tennessee, and a few weeks
| ago his compeers were denying its ex-
istence everywhere. In truth, it exists
| in every Southern State in great activ-
| ity. and there is no doubt OF its mem
beers being armed and accustomed to act
in concert. 1t is n secret army Of strict
| organization, bound by the strongest
| oaths aud the strongest ties OF interest
| to use murder il necessary, or ever con-
vcnieut, to carry out it's plans. Think
| what u condition the South is in. Had
it not been II political necessity for the
| election, it would have been the most
wicked foolishness to r~e-organize these
| States aud free them from the control OF
the bayonet, for they are entirely unht
for self-government, and if we were re-
moved, and fear Of the North
away, the rebels would march TO inc
Capital of every State aud drive out tue
| Governors and Legislatures with pistols.
I, would then be dope at once, n they
can scarcely refrain from doing IL now.
Some of their papers say they viii Try
it even if Grant is ~elected-but tina Is
| all stuff. The curse pursued Ia these
| States has been criminally mild from the
beginning. have always said 40 ana
now We are reaping the whirlwind'
at is amusing to see how these pa.