The Marietta journal. [volume] (Marietta, Ga.) 1866-1909, 1868-09-18

ture, and we told them that if they would
not call out the militia we would agresto
preserve order, and see that the laws
were enforced. Tho Legislative Com
mittee certainly led me to believe that
our proposition would be accepted, and
no militia organized. Believing this, 1
came home, and advised all of my peo-
pic to remain peaceful, and offer no re-
sistance to any reasonable law. It is
true that | never have recognized tho
present Government in Tennessee as
having any legal existence, yet | was
willing to submit to it for q time, with
the hope that our wrongs might be right
ed peaceably."
"What are your feelings toward the
Federal Government 7"
81 loved the old Government in 1861,
love the old Constitution yet. think
it the best Government in the world it
administered as it was before the war.
l do not hate it; am opposing now on
ly the radical revolutionists who are try
ing to destroy it. / believe that party
to lie composed, as know it is in Ten
nessce, of the worst men on Gods earth
men who would hesitate at no crime,
and who have only one object in views
to enrich themselves"
Gin the event of Governor Brown
lows calling out the militia, do you
think there will be any resistance Offer
ed to their acts9'' asked.
"That will depend upon circumstan-
ces. If the militia are simply called out,
and do not interfere with or modest any
one, do not think there will be any
fight. If, on the contrary, they do what
I believe they will do, commit outrages,
or even one outrage upon the people,
they and Mr.. Brownlow's Government
will be swept out of existence; not q
radical will be left alive. If the mill
tia are called out, we cannot but look
upon it as declaration of war, because
Mr.. Brownlow has already issued his
proclamation directing them to shoot
down the Kuklux wherever they find
them, and he calls all Southern men Ku-
klux.
"Why, General, we people up North
have regarded the KukMx Khan as an
organization which existed only in tho
frightened imaginations ola few politi-
Clans"
"Well, there is such an organizes
ton not only in Tennessee, but all over
the South, and their numbers have not
been exaggerated"
"What are its numbers, General :"
Gin Tennessee there are over 10000,
in all the Southern States they number
about $50, 900 men,"
"What is the character ofthe organi-
cation, may ! enquiries
ayes, sir. 1t is a protective, politi-
cal, military organization. am willing
to show any man the constitution of the
society. The members are sworn to
recognize the Government of the United
States. 1t does not say any thing at all
about the Government of the State OF
Tennessee. Its objects originally were
protection against the Loyal Leagues
and the Grand Army of tho Republic
but after it became general, it was found
that political matters and interests could
best be promoted within it, and it was
then made political organization, CIV
ing its support, Of course, to the Demo-
cratic party"
"But is the organization connected
throughout the State"
ayes it is. In each precinct there is
Captain, who, in addition to his other
duties, is required to make out list Of
names of men in his precinct, giving all
the Radicals and all the Democrats who
are positively known, and showing the
doubtful on both sides and of both colors.
This list of names is forwarded to the
Grand Commander of the State, who 10
thus enabled to know who are our friends
and who are not"
"Can you, or are you at liberty to
give me the commanding officer OF
this State 7"
"No, it would be impolitic."
"Then suppose that there can be no
doubt of a conflict if the militia interfere
with the people; is that your view !"
ayes, sir, if they attempt to carry out
Governor Brownlow's proclamation, by
shooting down Kuklux-for he calls all
Southern men Kuklux-if they 60 to
hunting down and shooting these men,
there will be war, and bloodier one
than we have ever witnessed. | have
told these Radicals here what they might
expect in such an event.. | have no pow
der 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 if
trouble should break out, not one of
IL - ...a...lI l.o loft nliua i haua toll