Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1868-04-16
The Ku Kiux Khan Orders for
It's Suppression.


When the notices Of this mysterious or
der first appeared in our exchanges, in UNI
Ineligible, cabalistic characters, most
persons regarded it as the offspring of
some vaggish joker, whose design was to
operate upon the superstitious, ignorant
portion of the community, and especially
upon those who have an hereditary pro-
pensity for prowling about in the night
for the purpose of robbing hen-roosts,
hog &c. Such were our own con-
victions and impressions relative to this
new organization; and the fact that the
wards of the nation" who, we are told,
fought well'' against the South have of
late seen the most fsightful and hideous
looking apparitions, looming up into the
proportions of giant or disappearing as
suddenly as ray of light, was certainly
calculated to strengthen the impression.
If this had been the sole purpose of the Or
der, it would have exerted an influence
upon the class referred to which would
amply compensate the community Two
or three ghosts in each county, of the
''raw-head and bloody bones" order, will
have magical influence in restraining the
superstitious from stealing.
1t seems, however, that we were mista-
ken relative to the character and real pur-
poses of the Ku Klux Khan. Whilst we
have reason to believe that many of the
stories We see In the papers concerning
them are greatly exaggerated, there is no
longer any doubt that it is a powerful Or
ganization, ramifying every city, town,
village and hamlet in the South and West
and perhaps some portions of the North,
the specific objects of which, however, we
know nothing about.
We have been awakened to the reality
of the existence and formidable proportions
Of the order by the official actien of Gov.
Brownlow Of Tennessee, Gen. Meade of
Georgia, and Gen. Shepherd of Alabama.
With characteristic brutality and satan
&c spite. Brownlow enjoins it as duty up
on the loyal leagues and all civil and mill
tary officers under his jurisdiction to hunt
down, arrest. capture and kill the members
OF the ku Klux Khan, whenever and
wherever found. He is determined to ex-
terminate them from his kingdom. He
seems to forget that he has inaugurated a
bloody game at which two may play, and
that there is at least some doubt as to which
will win.
Gen. Meade's order directs military and
evil officers to arrest and bring to trial all
persons who may hereafter print, publish,
or IN any manner give circulation to incendi-
AIRY publications ofsecret organizations now
spreading through these States. Conduc-
tors of newspapers are forbidden to publish
inf1ammatory articles. Any paper publish
ing matter tending to produce intimidation,
riot or bloodshed will be stopped, and the
proprietors, editors and other parties con-
nected Herewith will be tried before mil
tary commission, and on conviction will
be subject to fine and imprisonment. Mi
litary and civil officers are required to or
ganize patrols and other means for the de-
lection of persons who avail themselves of
darkness for executing criminal purpose S.
While this order was no doubt aimed at
she Ku Klux Khan, it may be made to in
elude the Loyal Leagues ~
Gen Shepherds order refers directly
to the K. K. K. but in every essential
particular it is similar to that of General
Meade. He exhibits less sagacity and
more bitterness than Gen. NJ. in making
a direct issue with the K. K. K. 2. .Haj
What will be the result Of the war thus
'naugurated against this order, time must
disclose. -