The Union flag. [volume] (Jonesborough, Tenn.) 1865-187?, 1868-02-07
Ku KlUX Khan,

This the euphonius cognomen of an Orgsni-
astion that has recently come into existence
10 Tennessee. Giles and Maury Counties can
with equal chances of dishonor and inramy
dispute Its birth place. 1t is a midnight
0%Onclave Of rebel assassins, pluuderers and
cut ihroats. Its councils. where the destru-
tion OF the lives Of Union men are plotted
and concocted can not be less horrible and
revolving than Dante's Inferno. The same
reasonable organization existed during the
war under the name Of the d" Knights Of the
Golden Circle" This circle existed in near
ly all the loyal States and the prime object
was to defeat the government in the enlist
nent Of troops, and to release all the rebel
soldiers confined in Federal prisons. Now
after the war is over and treason defeated,
the scheme is changed and the annihilation
Of the loyal element in the South By fire and
dagger is the object.
But a few days ago, a band Of these des-
Peradoes entered the humble abode ola COL
ored man in Marshall County, by the name of
Wn. Wesley and treated him most sayagely
and inhumanly, giving him nine days ir
which to emigrate from the State. The head
and front of his offending was that he had
heen a delegate to a Radical County Conven-
ton. The "Ku Kluxs" informed him that
"nigger voting aud attending Conventions
had played out and the white mans party
intended to take the management Of aEai:s
into their own hands,
We assert without qualification or the fear
Of successful refutation that the fell spirit of
brutality and viCiousness here displayed ami
mates the whole copperhead party Of the
State. We doubt not that there are isolated.
CAGES Of individuals belonging to this party,
who utterly condemn such procedures, but
taken as a whole their motto is "Annihilate
,be loyal element, white and colored."
There is no question in our mlrd that this
reasonable and murderous organization
would meet with the greatest acceptance,
sad flourish like a "greeu bag tree" in this
community. From recent developments not
only in our political but even in our religious
affairs, the presumption wo1ld not be far
fetched that a branch c~onclave Of these scouu-
drels and traitors have entered upon the pre-
lude Of organization, or such a step is most
seriously contemplated.
The foe with which we have to contend Is
a. devoid of principle as the "father Of lies"
is Of v%eracity, and we may expect the e1er-
else Of all mSuner Of means, however afro
etous and tiabolical, to accomplish our over
i5-oW and restore the terrible and destruc-
tnss supremacy Of the rebels. When we see
such outeroPpings Of treason as have lately
been manifested in the middle division OF
the State, we may we'll anticipate serious and
disastrous troubles A court Of investiga-
ton should be appointed without the least
delay, and unrayel this internal plot Of mid
night Pillage, arson and assassination. Those
who believe that there Is no such a c%onspi-
raey against the liVeI and property Of loyal
men OF Tennessee, or that II it does exist. i,s
operations are confined to one or two locaII.
ties and Its membership not sufficiently large
10 warrant any apprshensions Of danger, are
Filfuily aud dssirously blind to the most
patent occurrences Of the day. Immediate
Aeaeq upon the part Of the authorities Of the
STATE paE PreTsut blOOdSsd, whilst By mas.
i'Hy sslAy Ibs may be prsci7i,atsd into an.
stsRL aps Ter soil again rssk With the gore
81 beg Aa1ghtsrsd sons.
Lex APsh a fatality By Ill means BE- avoided.
i1 issis %Till'ies VAC keep ibs .~ouuty