New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1869-12-08
THE OUTRAGES IN GEORGIA.
REPORT OF MAJoR-GEN. ALFRED TERRY


OF Georgia, s In view OF the recommendation In the
Presidents message and In further OF the bill to be
taken in the Senate tomorrow OF the hghest interest
| 1t is dated Aug a. 1869, and is as follows:
SENATOR WILSON ON oUTRAGEs.
Soon after assumed command Of this Department
letter from the Hon. Henry Wilson TO the President OF
the United States referred to me, with instructions
TO investigate and report upon matters therein men
toned The following copy Of that letter, and Of the
Endorsement placed upon It by the General Commanding
the army
DEAR SIR: Can nothing be done to stop the Ourages in
animated the people mere in the canvass than the idea
that the Rebel ourages should be stopped They were
many OF best friends say that do nothing to stop
them, and that we rather say nothing about them L
voted friends will grow dissatisfied Cannot procama-
tion in regard Georgia be issued Cannot these crm
so%ef II G acad be- Attempted G"ra this day
needed IN that the worst OF all the states for the security
OF the friends OF the country. Yours truly. -
HEADQUARTERS OF THE ARMY, WAsIISeTON,
Respectfully referred to Commanding General, Depart
w. T. SHERMAN, General.
Ihave delayed making report thus called for until
the present time, In order that might become &C.
quaned with the condition Of affairs In Georgia before
expressing any opinion. Now 1 have reluctantly come
to the conclusion that the situation here demands the In
terposton OF the National Government. in order that
life and property may be protected, the freedom OF
speech and political action secured and the rights ana
Liberties OF freedmen maintained THIS opinion s based
complaints made TO reports OF officers detached
to investigate the alleged outrages and upon the
high position from different parts OF the State In those
representations must repOse confidence some OF whom
have given re information only under pledge OF secrecy
the state Of affairs in their section being such that they
feared extreme personal violence should ~ become
THE KU-KLUX KHAN.
In many parts of the State there practically gov
ernment the worst Of crimes committed, and at
tempt made to punish those who commit them. Muir
ders have been and frequent and the abuse in various
ways Of blacks is too TO excite notice. There
can he doubt of the existence OF numerous nsurrec
tionary organizations known "a tho "ku-Ku1 klans"
who, shielded by their disguise by the secrecy OF their
movements, aud by the terror which hey INSPIRE perpe-
rate crimes with mpunity. There Is great reason TO
believe that IN some local magistrates are In sym
pathy with members OF these organizations IN many
places they oyerawed by hem and dare not attempt
TO punish hG b, TO such offenders by ey P5o
in all cases disposed and had they courage to do their
duty for the same influences which govern them equally
affect jurcs and witnesses.
now TIE CRIMINALS ESCAPE.
A conversation which have had with wealthy
planter gentleman OF intelligence and education, and
political opponent OF the National Administration, will
illustrate tins difficulty While deplOring the lamentabe
condition Of affairs In the county In which lie lives, he
frankly admitted TO mo that were the most worthless
yagabonds IN tho county 10 be charged with crimes
against the person Of Republican or negro neither ne
other OF property within the county would
dare 10 refuse TO give bail for the offender nor would
knowledge OF his guilt That very many OF the crimes
which have been committed have no political bearing,
believe; that some OF them were prompted by political
annosty aud that Of the numerous ourages upon
freedmen result from hostility 10 the race, induced by
their acknowledgements. think cannot be controyerted
The same difficulties which beset the prosecution OF
criminals encountered by negroes who seek redress
for civil injuries IN local Courts Magistrates dare not do
their duty toward them and Instances are not wanting
where IL has been beyond the power OF Magistrate
presence. while e8ggcd In the trial OF his desire
II TO be understood that IN speaking OF hagstrates IN
iaap 70 IN Indigo ~ he
gentlemen Of high character and have every conn
dene that y VII 30 ss SI ds eTss aGS dah@o
control grand and petty jures they cannot compel the
verdcts The executive OF the would gladly inter
pose give 10 all citizens the protection which their
hight, but under the Constitution aud laws no has power
neither 10 act directly In bringing the offenders to JUS
lice, compel subordinate officers TO do their duty
rUBuC SENTIMENT IN THE STATE
do not suppose that the great majority OF the people
Of the state either approve OF the commission Of
these crimes believe that not only would they gladly
see good order restored peace and quiet maintained and
law indicated but would lend their aid to secure these
ends we're they controlled by their fears Governed
however by their apprehensons. aud having no conf
dence that the civil authorities will afford them prOtec
ton IN many counties they suffer these evils TO exist
without an effort To abate them, aud meeky submit 10
the rule OF q disorderly and criminal minority.
While have been in command OF the Department.
have cudeayored to take no action when could not 90
Justified by letter of law even II Georgia should be held
be restored TO it, original relations TO the General Gov
eminent have confined myself 10 giving support 10 |
the civil authorties ana moving desa Hin hsTa
their presence would exert good lnnnehee, ana
where they would be ready To act III properly called
upon. think that some good has IN THIS way Deen ac
comp.hed but tue great eyl MAJ ny no noas Deon
reached. As Department COMMANDER can GO no more
for whatever may be the status OF Georgia aud what
ever NAV bo the powers which officer assigned to the
command Of tho Third District created by the Recon
structon acts would possess II u only an oheer 80
assigned who could exercise them. They are not vested
In me by my assignment to the command OF lhe depart
neut Where therefore, the civil authorities are In sym
pathy with oyerawed by those who commit crime
ia
Commanding the Army 10 the reports ia regard To tue
attempt made Warren County Ia secure the arrest ana
punishment OF persons charged with crime, when arc
this day forwarded
why TIE GOVERNMENT SHOULD INTERFERE
Itapp,ars TO me that tho national honor Is pledged 10
the protection of loyasts and freedmen of the South
am well aware that protection OF persons and property is
NOT ordinarily one the functions OF the National Gov
erpueut Int when Il remembered that hostility TO the
supporters OF the Government Is put manSs'atlOmH ~
hostility 20 Government ITSELF ana that tne prevail
ing prcndlce against blacks results from tho Emanc
Ton ac of the Government IL would seem that such pro
lection cannot be denied them II II be within the p%HGr
of the Government to give know OF no way IN "hlch
cTcse of the powers conferred on military commanders
W me Genera then enters into long discussion whether
These powers can still be exercised IN Georgia, and treats
OF all flaws bearing upon tho question with meh Ngor OF
cson that they may still bo decreased ana closing MS
report ~ fOloWh:
now To RESTORE ORDER
In conclusion desire 70 express my conviction that
Tho only way 10 restore good order IN the State Is TO
snme military control 1t for the time being, aud u
tmatey 10 provide by law that tho Legislature shall ro
assemble as Provisional Legislature from which all
tnelge persons shall be excluded and 10 which all
el,gie persons elected TO Il, whether white or black,
shsl he admitted such legislature would, believe
enact such law, and Invest their Executive with such
as would enable him TO keep the peace, protect
ife and property, aud punish crime Inc process Oi re
Inning military control would, 10 appears TO me- De
Very simple one All that would be required an order
,ro tbe President cOuntermandinR General orders NO
~ Office July 49, 1863, and orders No.
~, beadnuarers Third Military District, July "a ls6o,