The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1868-09-03

down Ku-Klux-ior he calls all Southern men
Ku-Klux-if they go to hunting down and shoot
ing these men there will be war, and a bloodler
one than we have ever witnessed. have told
these radicals here what they might expect in
such an event. have no powder to burn killing
negroes. intend to kill radicals. / have told
them this and more; there Is not radical leader
in this town but is marked man, and il a
trouble should break out not one OF them would
be lett alive. / have told them that they were
trying to create disturbance and then slip out
and leave the consequences to fall upon the
negro, but they can't do it. Their houses are
picked, and when the fight comes not one of
them would ever get out of this to wn alive. We
don't intend they shall ever get out of the
that am opposed to any war, and will only
fight in seli-delense. If the militia attack us we
will resist to the last, and, II necessary think
could raise 1000 men in five days, ready for
the field"
"Do you think General, that the Ku-Klux
have been OF any benefit to the State ?"
mo doubt of it. since its organization the
Leagues have quit killing and numbering our
people. There were some foolish young men
who put masks on their faces, and rode over
the country, frightening negroes, but orders
have been issued to stop that and it has ceased.
You may say further, that three members ofthe
KuKluX have been court martialed and shot for
violations Of the orders not to disturb or molest
people,"
"Are you a member Of the Ku Klux, Gene
ral?n
81 am not; but am in sympathy, and will CO.
operate with them"
''T know that they are charged with many
crimes that they are not guilty OF. A case IN
point is the killing of Bierfeld, at Franklin, O
few days ago. / sent man up there especially
to investigate the case, and report to me, and 1
have his letter here now, in which he states
that they had nothing to do with it as an orga-
nization."
'What do you think of negro suffrage?"
81 am opposed to It under any and all circum-
stances; and in our Convention urged our party
not 10 commit themselves at all upon the SUBJ
ject. If the negroes vote to entranchise us, l do
not think l would favor their Acknowledgement.
l want you to understand distinctly, am not
an enemy of the negro. We want him here
among u.s. he is the only laboring class we have.
and more than that, l would sooner trust him
/ entered the army took torty-seven negroes
into the army with me, and 1orty-fve of them
were surrendered with me. l said to them at
the start, This fight is against slavery; if we
lose it, you will be made free; if we whip the
fight, and you stay with me, and be good boys
l will set you free. In either case you will be
tree,' These boys stayed with me, drove my
teams, and better Contederates did not live"
DO you think the Ku-klux will try to intimi-
date the negroes at the election {"
II do not think they will. Why, made
speech at Brownsville the other day, and while
there lieutenant, who served with me, came to
me and informed me that band of radicals had
been going through the country claiming to be
Ku.klux, and disarming the negroes, aud then
selling their arms. | told him to have the mat
ter investigated and if true, to have the parties
arrested"
'What do you think Is the effect of the am
nesty granted to your peopleW
~ believe that the amnesty restored all the
rights to the people full and complete. l do not
think that the Federal Government has the
right to disfranchise any man, but | believe the
Legislatures of the States have. The objection
l have to the disiranchisement in Tennessee is,
that the Legislature which enacted the law had
no constitutional existence, and the law, in
itself, is nulity. Still, would respect it until
changed by law; but there is limit, beyond
which men cannot be driven and am ready to
die sooner than sacrifice my honor. This thing
must have an end, and it is now about time for
that end to come"
What do you think of General Grant?" !
asked.
'I regard him as great military commander,
good man, honest and liberal and if elected
will, ] hope and believe. execute the laws
honestly and faithfully. And, by the way, a
report has been,publshed in some of the papers,
stating that while General Grant and lady were
at Corinth in 1862, they took and carried off
furniture and other property. ! here brand the
author as liar. was at Corlnth only short
time ago, and l personally investigated the
whole matter talked with the people with
whom he and his lady lived while there, and
they saw that their conduct was everything that
could have been expected of q gentleman and
lady, and deserving the highest praise. / am
opposed to General Grant In everything, but
would do him Justice"
The foregoing is the principal part of my con.
veIsation with the General. give the conver
opinion as to what General Forrest means to do.
/ think that he has been so plain in his talk
that 1t cannot be misunderstood.