Brownlow's Knoxville Whig. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1866-1869, 1868-04-01
Terrorism In Tennessee.


Rejecting great deal of exaggeration, and no
little pure invention in the reports sent 70 as from
Tenpesase we are Mil eemPelsd e ana
lawlessnesa that prevail IN many portions oil the
State aud especially in the extremes-the eastern
mountain regions and the city Of Memphis With
in few weeks, mysterious organization has spread
over the whole State, and its strange operations
have created no little alarm. This is the Kuklux
Khan, secret organization, whose purposes are IN
known, but whose acts have in many Instances, be-
come matter of record. It il barely possible that
this order whose members prowl at night in ciose
disguise and issue orders couched in the gibberish
of the most incoherent yet startling phrase is only
some huge joke; but by certain well ascertained
facts led 10 the conclusion that there far
more serious matter in if.
That the order, whatever else il may be- is in
tensey rebel cannot be doubted. The truth Is that
far from the old spirit of prescription having
died out in the hearts Of the reconstructed it has re-
manned as latent fire. ever ready TO burst forth in
all its native violence. A Northern man, who be-
ieves that a change OF residence does not invali-
date the right or duty of taking interest in the
politics Of the day, finds that timid quiet Repub-
lican who takes active part in tle affairs of his
party, is simply one Of the common herd branded
as radicals; but let him, from talent or energy in
the cause become candidate for Office OF a recog-
nized leader in the Radical ranks and at once all
the vituperation and abuse which might be sup
uosed TO emsnate from the purlieus of fshmon-
GERS stand is hurled upon his devoted head by the
% lOVal Reconstructed pre6S. III q OODSer VdtiVo
meeting is TO be held, It is almost invariably pre-
sided over and controlled by men whose loyalty
dates from that Of their parole but who pirate Of
their unhinching devotion to that Constitution
which, if rigidly adhered TO, would have placed
rope about their necks. If a Conservative conven-
ton is called to make party nominations, and a
ticket made as was the case in the late election IN
Memphis ticket that should disgrace any party
carrying the same, containing even the names of
murderers keepers Of keno rooms and professional
gamblers, the model press of our Tennessee model
Basonists exhorts ali TO stand firm, extols these
same candidates TO the skies true types of con-
servatsm and seeks TO break down the character of
every man on the radical ticket by language and
epithets foreign to all generally conceived ideas of
respectable journalism. Even though such Jour
nal keeps as one of its staff man VIGOROUSLY re-
ported TO be deserter from the rebel army deal
CT in mules bearing the mark &C. s. a." and dis
epe of suchelassc institutions the Missouri pen
iteDtiary for having more wives than the laws of
that State generally allowed, still, despite all this
loyal man of hitherto unblemished reputation
must not dare not be an active Radical for fear of
having such moral guardian of the people attack
and break down his character through the press
under his control To such an extent have the loyal
masses been held in subsection by such a vicious
press that business man dare not take any part
with his party for fear Of having 'snsll pox brand
ed above his door,
1t was this fell spirit OF prescription that orIgi-
mated the famous AuaLalachs contempt cases, in
which, luckily for the loyal men in Memphis, the
Judge of the criminal bench got by far the best CT
it, though as il seems at the imminent risk of
assassination. From the several judgments which
involved penalty Of $lo fine and ten days i'm
prisonment in each contempt, the Judge granted an
appeal, conditioned that go to the Supreme
Court the rest 20 be held security for the
ton of all further attacks on the bench pending the
decision. For violation of this agreement the
editors were iDeareerated in Jail on one of the sus
pended judgments. writ Of bGbeaS corpus brought
them before another judge for hearing, pending de-
cisioa in which the parties released person.
al reeognizance. The spirit of prescription showed
itself throughout the whole proceedings, in utter
contempt of all respect for law. Violence was
openly talked of on every band; and the daily edi-
torias of the press were such calculated TO
create the most intense hatred in the breast of all
ex-rebels and sympathizers. A great hue and cry
has been made of soldiers being called in, and yet
there are few Union men who viii not say that
just fear of personal violence made their presence
necessary. This is no proved beyond doubt by
a most audaeious attempt at Assassination of the
Judge, on the night of the 18th in his own house
For some days, vague whisperings leaked out here
and there of the organization of branch of the
Kuklux Khan in Memphis, to be on the lookout
for leading Radicals. Many supposed it but design
ed TO intimidate blacks at the late election but
now see that rumors pointing TO assassination
had some foundation On the afternoon Of the 18TH
Judge dunLer was L0lQ Dy n COlOISu man tHdL Ne
had overheard plot to take his life that night at
his house. bat did not know the parties. The
judge repaired to the house of friend, and gave
the alarm. Some time after 10 o'clock hack
drove up TO his house. the door bell was rung, and
the Judge was called for. His wife answered the
call, saw g man at the door with has hand on
weapon while two or three comrades were still IN
the hack Not finding the Judge, the party drove
of ramarking, with an oath, "We'Il find him yet
Within few moments couple of policemen ar
rived, bearing the following note, tO-wit
HOFFIcE SUPERINTENDENT III. POLICE, MEM
PHIs, March IS, ls6s.-Hon. William Hunter-Sir
Il have just received information from source l
cannot disregard, that an attempt will be made,
perhaps tonight TO take your life. have treated
the rumors that have circulated lately as idle and
groundless but now l feel it my duty to inform
you of your danger ard send men to protect you.
Two men viii 60 with this, and two more will be
sent as soon as the theatre closes, say about ii
o'clock. Respectfully your obedient servant
IS. B. BEAUMONT, Supt. III. 2 y
In the meantime friends of the Judge had re-
paired TO the quarters of the United States Com
mandant and obtained guard for the house
Since this occurrence, Gen. Thomas has been no.
titled officially that the criminal court cannot be
held with safety to the life Of that Judge or his de-
crees enforced, and tho Judge has adjourned the
same until some action can be taken in the matter.
The excitement and feeling among the colored men
is most intense, and should the life OF the Judge be
taken the consequences would be Of a most terrible
character. At the time Of the bloody riots in Mem
pills. the negroes were comparatively just from the
thraldom Of slavery and unorganized to-day, they
are banded together for mutual protection, and il
| is supposed that they are thoroughly armed
Judge Hunter having always proved himself theiI
true friend an attack upon his life is looked upon as
direct attack upon the lives of all coored persons and
and will be reveDged SUCH Should he be assassnatod
il would take strong force indeed to restrain retaia
ton Such has been the result of the balefu teachings
Of Andrew johnson These who al the close of the wal
were willing accept the situation now dictate and con-
troll while those who fought for law and order not
only prescribed and prosecuted but it to BE-
assassinated fer carrying out that law which, impartial
y administered can only be enforced by the strong
Of military power through fear OF secret oath bound
association that by It's doeds carries through the
whole Of loyal Tennessee.
49,