The Union flag. [volume] (Jonesborough, Tenn.) 1865-187?, 1868-09-25

u
lature, and we told them that if they would
not call out the militia we would agree to
preserve order and sec that the laws were
enforced, The Legislative committee certain
~ led me % believe that CDR proposition
would be accepted, and no militia organized.
Believing thislI came home, and advised all
of my people to ronaip peaceful, and offer
no resistance to any reasonable law. Il is
true that never have recognized the pres
ent government In Tennessee as having any
legal existence, yet was willing to submit
to itfor q time, with the hope that the wrongs
might be righted peaceaby" n ~ -.
"What are your feelings toward the Fed.
eral government, 0eneral2n E
's loved the old government in 1861, Ilove
the old constitution yet. ] think II the best
government IN the world II administered as
it was before the war. / do not hate IL; III
am opposing now only the Radical revolu-
tiouists who are trying TO destroy 1t. be-
lieVe that party 10 be composed, as know il
Ia in Tennessee, Of the worst men on Gods
earth---men who would hesitate as no crime,
and who haye only one object in view, 10 en-
rich themselves ~
an the event Of Gov. Brownlow's calling
out the militia, do you tbinE there viii be
any resistance offered TO their acts9" asked
nThat viii depend on circumstances, II
the militia are simply called out, and do not
interfere with or molest any one, I do not
think there will be any 6ght. II, on thecop-
trary, they do what believe they will do,
commit outrages, or even one, outrage, upon
the people, they and Mr. Brownlow's govern
ment will be swept out Of existence not
Radical win be lett alive. II the militia are
called out, we cannotbu look upon it as a
declaration Of war, because Mr.. Brownlow
has already issued bis proclamation direct
ing them 10 shoot down the kuklUx wherever
they find them, and he calls all Southern
men Kuklux. e''" ~
\ KUKLux KHAN. yy
"Why, General, we people up North have
regarded the KnkluE Klan asan organization
which existed only in the frightened Imagn-
ations ofA few pOliticians.l
'iWell, sir, there Is such an organization,
not only in Tennessee, but al over the South,
and its numbers have not been exaggerated"
"What are IT'S numbers, General ~
HIn Tennessee there are Opv forty thousand !;
IN aA hs Southern ,Statss tisy au'n5sr q5O@
900 man.
"What IS the character ofthe erganiAA.
tion may Iinqnire7a M ff7 @
ayes, sir. Il isNR protective, political,
military organization, ] am mwilling 10 show
any man the constitution, of the society. The
members are sworn 20 recognize the governs
ment Of the United States. II does uot say
anything at an about the gOyernmer. Of the
State Of Tennessee. rs objects originally
were pro.ection against Loyal Leagnes and
the Grand Army. Of the Republic, but amer
it became general it was found that political
matters aud Interests could best DO promoted
within Il, and It was then made a political
organization, giving rs support, OF course,
TO the Democratic parry saHsa
tlrsF lTs ORGANIZATION 81 n
aButis the organization connected through
out the Statew $500 ~. f
eyes, |. Isl. In each voting precinct there
is captain, who, "a addition to his other
duties, Is required to make out list Of names
Of men IN his precinct, giving all the Radi-
Gals ami all the Democrats who are positive
IL known, and showing also the doubtful on
both sides and OF both colors. This list of
names il forwarded to the Grand Commander
of the State, who Is thus enabled to know
who are our friends and who are not.p
I "Can you, or are you At liberty TO give me
the name Of the commanding officer Of this
Slater" a.
"No, Il would be impoliticp f
HTheu, suppose there can be no doubt Of
cohaietifthe militia interfere with the peo-
pie Is that your viewp egass
.Yes, siri II they attempt To carry out
Gov Brownlow's proclamation, by shooting
down Kuklux-ior he calls all Soaihsfn men
Kuklu1--if they 60 20 hunting down and
shooting these meu there will be war, and a
hlooJier one than we have ever Witnessed
have told these Radicals here what they
might expect in soch event hare no polrder
70 b,ra Killing Nyros.e Iinfead 10 kiH fhe Rad
ieals. I hdps told hsm his aad more; herr Is
MOI Rqdicab isader IN ihis torn 6Hl iS q RIdrked
taan. and if a irogbis aloud bredk oai, MOI one
of ikeH ponld BE- len aips. have told Them
that they were trying 10 crea.e d disturbance
aul then slip out and leave the consequences
10 fall upo7 The negro, bat they cannot 10 Il.
TAei5 1ol5ss are picksisd, and ioa0i NE fgh
co,sss. moi one ef fhem polid eper gef on Of fhs
tora aApe. We DO not intend they shall ever
get ont Of the country. But want IL ,In-
derstood, that I an, opposed 10 any war, Aqd
viii only 6ght in seli.defense. II the militia
nttack Ne, we viii resist tU the last, aud ~
necessary hink Ieoaid raise forty hobtdHd
msl, IN .fps deys, ready yor fAs (eld -, i'2I
\, THsy .CouRr MARTIAL THRiR owE NHy. "
; sDo You tbink, General, that the knkux
have been Of any benefit 70 ihe STATE t' -
HNo doubt OF Il. Since its organization
the beaguers have quit killing and marder-
lng our people. There we're some foolish
YonnR men who pnt masks on their faces hnd
rode over Tho cousHy frightening negroes
but orders have been issued TO stop that, and
a has ceased. You may say further that
fkrss members n fis Kskluz hare ben eori
D,artialei end skof for piolatoas " ofasEs aot
- d,sturb o. moiesf PsePla"
i'Ara you membsF Of the kukluz, Gem
nrai p arNrH - "a. / M
al am not hnt am 10 sympathy and VIII
eo.opsrais with them. knoN that they are
CHARGED with many crimes that ihey Als nol
quilfy OF A case IN point y the Killing of
Biefeld, a. Franklin, few days age. Issai
q naa 40 fige especially % inTestigate The
caea. and report 10 me, and have hia letter
here nov, IN which he states they bad moth
Ing 70 doiwith Il a. an organizaiion'9
+. ltnl q Hrono surFnkes.
nwhat 40 y6u think Of negro suafogei'
u an opposed % it under any and Al cir
eumslanc6S; aod In our convention urged
our party not 70 commit themselves % all on
he subject n 10 negroes vote 70 enfran-
ehise u I DO no. lhink ! would favor iheir