New-York tribune., 1869-01-04

FOR HIS N1C1IM-A FEW OF THE
GOV. CLAYTON WILL ENFORCE THE LAWS.
IFR0M OUR OWN CORRESPONDENCE
LITTLE Rock, Dec. 25.-In view of the terrible re-
ports of legalized outrage that flood the country
from sources bitterly hostile to loyal reconsruction
il were meet that something of the true condition of
affairs in Arkansas be known As in most OF the
Southern States originally, society proper was di-
vided into three separate and distinct classes: First:
The aristocratic or leading class, comprising the
more intelligent and leading men, professional, po
litical OF otherwise; the landed and slave aristO-
Gratis, and most of the adventurous settlers from
other States. Second: A middling class comprising
mostly small but independent farmers Of compara-
lively little education but OF kindly heart and ster
ling integrity. Owning few or no slaves they had
little interest in common with theirmore aristocratc
neghbors and formed in times Of Rebellion, as now,
the main Union element of the State. Third: The
great mass of ignorant, degraded inhabitants
known in common parance as "poor white trash"
From that seeming trait of human nature engen-
dered by ignorance and degradation of hating and
despising those deemed of still lower grade this
class as a general thing manifested bgoted and
brutal hatred for the blacks. This feeling OF CASTE
insidiously worked upon by the political leaders
through ncendary appeals TO their most bitter preJu-
dices eliminated in an intense and vndictive feel
ing of revenge aud hatred toward anything and
everything savoring of Abolitonisn, as placing the
hated and despised blacks n level with them
selves From this class came also the great mass of
the rank and file Of the Arkansas Rebel forces, as
also the hordes of guerrillas, bushwhackers, and
river assassins of the war; lying in wait to shoot
down the unsuspecting Federal who yentured beyond
his lines, TO board and plumber the small trading
craft, 10 shoot indscriminately among unarmed wo-
men and children. and make deliberate target of the
III Il IL. fl.ftf
doubt the more brutal Of the assassins linked with
and acting behind the mask of a secret banded or
ganization known far and wide as "Ku-Klux,' but
here termed knights of the White Camelia"
Here too il were well TO observe that through very
many sections Of Arkansas very much of lawessness
existed even before the Gangs of desperadOes,
comprising noted counteIfeiters robbers. and horse
thieves, as we'll rs outlaws from the neghboring
States, had their wcll-known rendezvous in various
directions and literally set all law at defiance. Into
the rebellion rs for continued aud more ex-
tensive depredatons this element, a natural con
sequence entered heart and soul. The close of the
war found them again returned 10 their favorite
haunts increased an hundred fold by the more rcck-
less and discontened spirits OF rebellion. With the
organization of an immense secret banded association
throughout the State, under control of the same
master spirits that formerly literally bounded the
people into rebellion, this lawlcss element naturally
fraternized, and naturally, also soon became the
more desperate spirits Of the order.
Tie arstocratic and leading classes always in
tenscy bitter and proscriptiye toward Republicans.
having saked their all upon the die Of rebellion and
lost, naturally returned dcspondent but none the
less bitter still. Looking upon themselves as the
rightful lords OF the soil and insanely blaming the
hated Yankees for all the myriad OWLS of the
they had themselves promulgated; tho viewing Of
such persons in their own former scat Of power was
certainly far from calculated 20 promote q feeling Of
love and yeneration. Had IL not been for the foolish
and pernicious teachings Of Andrew Johnson how
ever. and the insane hopes FOR resumption Of their
former political control. thus ins.duou-ly worked
upon and fired TO a fever heat without doubt. oil
would soon have settled down into a condition Of
peace and security at least eqna 10 that existing be
fore the war Taught. however by the highest mag
nate II the land TO look upon themselves still, de
spite the taint Of treason entitled TO all their former
political prominence the same old leaders OF rebellion
again began their Inccndlary harangues and teach
ugs through which to awaken all Of the yindietiye
feelings and terribly bitter mcmories of the war.
Reconstruction came as tho final stumbling-block
to all their hopes and desires Upon il, therefore
aud rs advocates and representatives coDtercd
all OF the former malignant hatreds and preiudices
OF the war As an effect OF my TOlcy.' tue former
myfmidons Of rebellion were so melted against the
State Government ~ Illegal, unjust
and oppressive, and forced upon them only by the
strong arm of power in the hands Of their bterest
enemies "a to be quite If not literally prepared for
omen insurrectiOn Tho Knights OF the White
Camelia." under control Of the more incendiay
political leaders Of the times, spread itself rapidly
over the State and absorbing The moro bitter Of the
intelligent class the great mass Of the young and
unthinking spTigs Of dcfunct aristocracy, with
thousands of the third or poorer classes mentioned.
and the former desperadoes became monster power
in the State. Assassinatiops shootings, outrages,
and ntimidations Of the more prominent white
Republicans and obnoxious blacks, became Of almost
lail yEoccnrrence. So powerful, IN fact dld thls
organization become that without doubt
IL at one time seriously contemplated
the overthrow of the State Government.
Powell Clayton as Governor. unexpectedly without
doubt. manifested degree Of determination TO up
hold the Government as reconstructed entirely mn
looked for by those who hoped ana prayed ioT nis
overthrow. Armed with the necessary power by his
legislature suitable force oi mlntla was oLgannso u
for suppression Of lawlcssness throughout the state.
W here the most awlessness was found to exist, the
militia moved in, martial law Was proclaimed, weak
kneed officials thrust inside, and the power OF 'ne
Government upheld. OF course, in the exercise oi
such desperate remedy, innocent persons 10 some
extent suffered with the guilty. Such fs tie hat'na
elect OF all extreme sanitary hie"T"o" "'' ~"
suffer for the general good. -,
! Ii is claimed by the Democratic leaders all OF
whom are bitterly opposed 10 reoonsiTnctl9n, that
the better class of citizens deprccate al aWless Ot-
RACES Ii is also claimed that such citizens are VIII
ing TO aid in arrest of all guilty PERSONS. and tat
militia is wholly unnecessary I9i sucn p'Ip99e NV
have been committed the citizens have generally
been prompt TO meet and pass rsoations deprceatng
the event Such resolutions: printed in SOME ,eno
cratic onrnal are the last Of the affair far as q
lens are concerned. The fact is tho citizens either
in these outrages or are TOO nnch inti-
dated by the agencies employed. 10 manifest The
nroner moral conrage TO reder any asslsance 10 hl-