Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1868-04-22
The Warof Races in the South

- nC thO
Many months ago we warned the Radicals
that they were sowing fearful harvest III the
South. We told them that the measures they
were adopting would inevitably result in
conflict between the two races. Needless OF
the solemn lessons whictl history teaches, and
utterly regardless of thelaWs of nature, our
Radical rulers forced their policy upon the
South, and already are we beginning to see
what the consequences will be- From all ap-
pearances war Of races in that unhappy
section'o of the Union is rapidly approaching.
The first seeds of distrust were sown by the
Freedmen'ssB Bureau, which, although under
tie patronage of the general government, was
most shamefully used by the Radical party to
poison the minds OF the Ignorant blacks
against their former masters. At later day,
the Bureau not being as secret concern as
was desirable, Loyal League clubs were formed
from tie Potomac to the Rio -Grande.~ These
organizations were composed almost entirely
of negroes they became so powerful in mum.
bers and political importance that eventually
their members assumed to be the rulers and
masters of the whites. So long as they were
permitted to display their arrogance and as
sert their usurped power so long was the dan.
ger averted. But the logical result of two
years of despotism lies now before US in the
fact of counter action OF the part OF the
whites. From one end Of the South to the
other new secret society known as the 'Ku
Klux Kan'' has been organized in opposition
to universal negro suffrage and negro rule.
The aims and purposes Of the association are
not concealed from the world. The South
ern whites have declared that they will no
longer tolerate policy which sinks them into
servitude and makes a Semi barbarous race
their masters. Thus we now have two in
tensely hostile elements organized and organ
iziog, and facing each other-the Ku klux
Klan, or secret. society Of white men, on the
one hand, and the Loyal League Association,
or secret society of negroes, on the other,
each struggling for supremacy, and, each OF
race alien in civilization and ideas to the 9th
er. How long will it be before such antago-
uistic elements pass the bounds of political
warfare and engage in o contest of bloodshed
aud desolation?
The above extract from the New York He
raid is full of truth although we tLink it is
too fast in its conclusion, that war of races
in the South is inevitable. 1t is in error also
il supposing that the secret organization of
the Ku Klux Klan, is generally prevalent in
the South. Itis unknown, we are satisfied,
in South Carolina; and excepting in Tennes-
see, where is.originated, can scarcely be said
to be an organization at all. The proper
time for such organizations, has no. yet ar
rived. The white race of the South. are now
earnestly striving to prevent the necessity of
any such organizations, by defeating tho ne
gro constitutions, by which negro rule is to
be put over them. Until it tested, whether
| they will have this rule put over them, they
Will endeavor to avoid all organizations look
ling to its defeat hy violence in any form. But
should thev fail in their efforts; and negro
governments be put over them, we doubt not
that every city, town, village and neighbour
hood in the South, will have combinations Of
the white population, to protect themselves
against negro rule. Our own impression:
however, has ever been, that Congressional
reconstruction Tor rather destructon) for the
Southern StatGs will fell that is-.hatso
many States will fl;l adopting it as p actically
to defeatsthe object for which it was put into
operation-ths perpstuaiioa of tie Radicdls
ia pO,cer.t Should it fail in Virginia, North
Carolina, Georgia, Texas, aud Alabima, the
peop,c OF the other Southern States may well
await tie Development OF events, through the
next Presidential c.sction. Blu: il the Radi
cal policy is successful throughout the South,
tie Herald is perfectly right in its Inference
that war Of races is inevitable, and We do
not suppose that any intelligent white man in
the South or :he North-Radica or Demo.
crat, has now, or ever had any doubt, that
this would be, and must be, the result Of such
y policy. The idea, that the white race in
the South, vastly superior ia numbers to the
negroes, would allow tie Southern States to
be ruled by them-is so silly and absurd, that
no sensible man could entertain it.. The Rad:
;cals in Congress knew when they passed
these measures of reconstruction, that they
would institute BY them, if successful, war
of races in the South. They knew it-ani
they intended it. The Southern people, will
strive to avoid it; but when it becomes incv-
table. they will accept their fate, aud meet it
as becomes them. They have no more fear
Of the rule of negroes, than of herd ofwild
bufaloes froa: the prairies Of the West.-
Charleston Mercury.