The national Republican. [volume] (Washington City [D.C.]) 1866-1870, 1868-04-09
.sTHE KU.KLux.KLAN."

We have not heretofore given much credit
to the existence OF this clan, but have been
disposed to regard 1t as q myth, or that II any
such order was In being It was designed as a
secret political rgsnization, intended merely
TO exercise a peaceful influence at the ballot
box that II was resorted to as q convenient
method Of carrying elections In behalf OF what
Is known asthe Democratic or Conservative
party, and was not bent upon mischievous
deeds to a bloody end. From what has re-
Gently transpired we are led to the belief that
this "klsn" not only exists in formidable mum.
bers, but that It means mischief and blood. It
appears to develop this intentI war upon
the colored population Of the South and their
Immediate friends among the whites. The
Augusta (qa.) correspondent Of the New York
World, who, we presume, knows whereof he
ahrms, says: at appears to meet with all
but universal favor, and promises some devel-
opments ere long OF interest" II may be fair
to conclude that some OF these developments
spoken Of are the two cold.biooded murders
which have just been perpetrated; for these,
with gunpowder plot, are charged directly as
the deeds of this "klan."
Moreover, 1t will be observed that the move
ments Of this secret conclavc 10 attracting the
attention OF the military authorities. Cen
eral Meade has already felt It to be his duty to
warn the papers and people Of his department nj
against giving any encouragement to this or.
sanization, and General Shepperd, of Ala
bama, has promulgated an order "directing
the various officers, mayors, marshals, magis.
trates, constables, and police to regard them.
selves as held accountable by the post com
manders over their respective districts for the
suppression OF the Ku.Klux-Klan, and for the
apprehension Of Its members wherever found. "
rms gives to the subject a serious aspect
and as public Journalists we cannot keen al.
lent and perform our duty to the public. We
have never believed In secret political orRani.
cations, when the objects were perfectly peace
full. Political wrongs must be redressed, IL re-
dressed at all, through the constitutional and
peaceful methods OF the ballot-box. II minor.
ities are robbed OF their rights, by the corrupt
ana overbearing domin alton Of the majority
they have peaceful remedy. To attempt ia
tisht these wrongs, whether imagined or real
oy murder and assassination, only increases
the evil. 1t either creates despotlsm or fac
ZION or both, and though In the interval re.
venge may be visited upon q few ebnoxiou,
persons, anarchy 10 sure to superyene, and in
the end despotism more cruel and reIcnt lesu
than that which before bore sway. This Ia
the lesson OF history. A class Of people IN the
south, maddened and indignant at the recon :
struction policy which has been inaupurnted
by Congress, particularly that the colored
man 10 allowed to vote and take part in the
government Of these States, seek to take
their revenge In this way. 1t Is not our pur.
pose in this connection to discuss the policy
OF reconstruction. We simply say II 1t BE-
wrong, 1t cannot be set right by murder, assas
sinAtion, rapine, and blood, nor by q mis-
guided vengeance and fury reeked upon ,
weak, long-oppressed, and generally docil,
race. We are confident that the southern
people Will nnd anything but redress for thei,
real or imagined grievances through the
bloody instrumentalities of this Ru-Hl.r
kiaH." Such an institution can only add to thu
measure OF their woes, and will do them NOR,
harm in the North than anything that car
occur.