The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1868-09-10
PARsON BROwNL0W.

Klux Klan-How He Intends to Operate tho
Militia.
KNOXVILLE, Tenn, Sept. s, 1898.
Every picture Is said to have two sdes-a dark one
and light one-even that OF the condition OF Ten
nessee not being an exception to the general rule.
Forrest has already done his part in holding up to
view one side of this political picture; and by the
conversation given below, which occurred to-day be-
tween Governor Brownlow and your correspondent,
1t will be that the other side has not been
looked. Which of the two will be adjudged the bright
side Is question which may be safely left to the de-
cison OF q discriminating public
On calling at the Governors house. q three story
frame building In aristOcrato street OF this city.
and on being ushered into the gubernatorial sane
tum l found the ruler Of Tennessee lying on his
back on bed and apparently suffering greatly
from palsy. He was scarcely able to speak above
whisper, and had to stop several times during the
course OF the conversation though the mere effort
made to utter word took away what little breath
his emaclated form seemed scarcely able to contain.
When made aware OF the object Of my visit he
pleaded his inability to speak at any great length,
but finally consented to have a stalk" provided
toningS. In opening the conversation he sald:-
II have nothing to conceal. hold no sentiments
that fear the world may know. l am to-day as
was during the war, firm antagonist or rebellion
IN whatever shape 1t makes its appearance, and am
sa ready as ever to do oil that In me lies to crush out
disorder or deprive any man OF his just rights be he
black or white"
any danger OF rebellion or an uprising OF any kind
III Tennesseef'
81 am convinced" he quickly replied "that there
Is great danger II the rebels are allowed to have
made by General Forrest. What was his objectS
ndence that II they should exert themselves in pre-
serving order and obeying the laws they would have
no fear for the future, socially politically Not at
all. His object was to intimidate the Legislature,
the negroes and the loyal white men, lie thought
might not pass the Militia bill and by the same means
keep the negroes and the loyal whites away from the
polls when the election comes on. is in the coun
ties Of Middle and West Tennessee he desires his
threats should have effect for they are OF no avail in
East Tennessee. The loyal men are in the majority
cannot shake them In their position. They viii be
as ready at any call made upon them to
war; You nav have noticed that Forrest makes
known that he is Jln as to all the workings Of
the Ku Klux, yet he has the barefacedness to say
that he Is not one OF the gang. believe that the
Ku Klux as strong as he represents them to be,
and moreover believe that his denying that he Is
member Of the accursed crew is all stur-a mere
sham. have always considered him the great
CyclOps OF Tennessee rebels. He is in my opinion,
the head OF the Ku Klux, deny it as he may"
"What do you consider the Ku Klux to be, Gov
ernor ~
democratic party in Tennessee. Their object Is by
threats and repeated outrages to keep loyal white
and black men from the ballot box. Forrest lays
gard to the Ku Klux that regard every ex-Con-
federate soldier Ku Klux and that as believe
every Ku Kux should be shot down every Confederate
soldier would suffer. He lies when he says that Is
my policy. never announced such thing, and he
IT. mey MAN Vino h res % bs orer 70 e
Knitting outrages Will be dealt with summary:
There will be no MIDWAY punishment for him. l
shall nlete out death to every one OF them; but
man shall suffer until 1t has been proven by compe-
tent evidence that he is guilty. II found guilty there
will be no power in Tennessee that can save him."
sDo you believe the Militia bill will pass2'
81 am sure it will pass. The apparent hitch be-
tween the two branches OF the Legislature does not
amount to anything. 1t arises from the fact that
several Of the members are opposed to giving me
the power to declare martial law. don't ask for
any such power, for assure you that the moment
any county acts SO as to call for body Of militia
being sent into Its midst that moment there will be
matter whether the Legislature gives me the power
to declare martial law or not The presence of the
mn In any place here WIN 1ss
IyOur correspondent was here shown the documentl
mat intend to Issue as soon as .ae nl passes fon
good and loyal citizens, OF whatever color they may
be- OF every county to organize 1s themselves into
reached them. The organization OF the force will be
immediate, but the calling out of the men will alto
gether depend upon circumstances. The conduct Of
the Ku Klux viii have everything to do with the
matter. II no attacks are made on loyal men, no
Outrages OF any sort committed, shall not bring the
troops out. All aim to do Is to be In readiness for
all emergencies. When the nrst occasion arises
OF the militia WIN rst cali out the White tToops
and il they are found to be Inadequate to the
task Of restoring order the negroes win then
are not able to cope with whatever may
be brought against them will call on the United
in calling out the white troops first Is to give the
bells pretext for bringing on war OF races. They
let them mo
from under. The villains who conspire at midnight,
backed up by influential men In the State, to destroy
quarter from us, and they'll get none. They must be
put down; they will be put down. II Is my earnest
hope, however that no occasion win arise which
may make 1t my duty to call out the militia. do
not desire to call 1t out until am forced to do So
influence affairs that the necessity may not occur.
But II the rebels determined to have q
fight II they go on with their outrages as they have
been doing for 50 long time, the consequences
be on their own heads; for no intimidation no
threats, no menaces will deter me from doing my
in such numbers as viii utterly crush the peace
breakers. This Will do as sure as there is occasion
purpose to the bitter end, unless I should perish in
the confict or fall by the hand OF ON assassin. re-
peat that l desire and invoke the cooperation
OF all loyal In the preserving or order through
out the State that there will be necessity for
bloodshed and will see to 1t that the officers COM
missioned inthe militia are loyal men, and that
rebels do not sneak into the ranks for vile pur.
poses. None others can enter the service although
they may take all the oaths that be put to them
In answer TO q question as to the sincerity Of the
ex-rebels In the State the Governor replied:-
'if they ever get into power again, they'll com.
They still cherish the idea OF Southern confederacy
what are they prating about getting back into the
Union Tor nowf They only want to get back again |
In the Union by the ballot box what they
lost by the sword. They Will advocate the interests
of the lost cause when In power and by Congress
sona legislation during the four years of Seymour's
Presidential term they hope to gain their chief end
that L. authority to leave the Union peaceably and
set up their beloved Southern government II Grant
Is elected, they'll ground their arms; they'll knock |
under. He will restore peace and quiet to the South.
know that good deal OF their talk about another
war by the rebels Is not without foundation but
great many men who fought against the govern. |
ment in tho rebellion are anxious for peace. |
The great majority OF the people, however |
aud now speak not only for Tennessee,
but for the Whole South-are as rebeious |
at present as they were during any period OF
the war. They hate the government OF the Union, |
and will not hesitate to seize upon the first oppor.
tunity they can avail themselves Of TO break loose
from it, Il
"Do You not think that an extension OF the fran
chise IN Tennessee among the whites would have O