Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1869-04-16

q,
was taken up.
Mr.. Barrow moved to aLaend the sab5fi-
tute by inserting section 3 of the orieina;
bill.
Mr.. Colgrove was opposed to the ad0p-
ton of the substitute, as it would tend to
defeat the bill by making it necessary to
return it to the House, which had so much
business as to render it highly probable
that it would not be able to pass tue bill
this session. He was in favor of passing
the original bill, as it was much needed
In his county a band Of men with faces
painted had recently taken IL man from
the county Jail, and it had been reported
that he mad been taken out and killed
by negroes. 'Ina man subsequently, re-
turned. He had been taken ont by his
friends. lie was IL favor of PASSING the
original bill.
Mr.. Osborne Was opposed to inserting
sec. 3 in the substitute. It was extremely
wrong to give one citizen the power to take
the life of another. It would create much
bloodshed.
Mr.. LaSsiter said it was all i01isputablo
fact that legislation upon this subject was
necessary, and thousands of helpless
people were appealing to this Legislature
for protection. If men chose to go about
in disguise, committing the most atrocious
crimes, let their blood be upon their own
heads. It was our bounden duty to pass
this bin, and that promptly.
Mr.. Robbins said the great object Of this
bill was to execute summary justice upon
bands Of men who were going through the
country taking matters into their own
hands. He considered that this bill gave
the same power in the hands of other men,
How could g man in an excited state of
mind Judge correctly whether a man dis
guised was so with wrongful intent p
Again. if a Ku-Klux goes along the road
and citizen meets him and demands his
surrender, Mr.. Ku-Klux is going to kill
him right off.
Mr.. Shoff,ner wanted to know il the band
of Ku Klux that went through Graham the
other day, if they had known they woald
be fred on would not have surrendered
when told to do SO.
Mr. Robbins said no. If they had known
they would have been fired on they would
have fired first He Was as much opposed
to these lawless bands as any one, and
wanted them put down, but he should op-
pose this bill as leading to much trouble.
This bill was ineffective. It would result
in the killing Of the citizen instead Of the
man who ought 10 be killed-the Ku Klax.
He believed we had a government and Off
GERS who could keep the peace instead of
putting the law into every mans hands,
He would vote for the substitute although
he considered it ineffective.
Mr.. Barrow withdrew his first motion
and moved to strike out the two first sec
tions Of the original House bill and insert
the substitute.
Mr. Cook said the very same language
now used by the opposition was used 10y
them against the passage of the militia
law. This bill gave the right to every citi-
zen to arrest them and if they did not sur
render shoot them down. 1t was the tone
of this law to the tone which was given to
public sentiment which gave it its force
We put our stamp upon such things.
Mr.. Robbins predicted that if this bill
passed there woul not dead man be
found in North Carolina whose corpse
would not be found disguised. This would
be the plan adopted by every assassin, and
the assassin would escape under this law.
Mr.. Lassiter said the firm and decided
legislation of this body at the Summer
session had done everything to preserve
the peace of the State. It had prevented
scenes that would have been disgraceful to
North Carolina. Let the law come to the
aid of the innocent and arm them against
the wicked.
Mr. Lindsay said the only way to stop
violence was for public sentiment to frown
upon it. Nothing else would give peace
and quiet to the country.
Mr.. Moore, of Carteret, moved the pre-
vious question. Lost Is to Is.
Mr.. Jones, of Wake. said the fruits of all
this trouble could ..be traced right along to
rotten Democracy and secession.
Mr.. Love asked did not the gentlemen
aid in getting up the late unpleasantness.
Mr. Jones, of Wake, said, no sir, never.
man could do SO.
Mr. Robbins would like to ask the gen
tleman if he had not fought in the Confed-
crate army.
Mr. Jones, of Wake, had been in the
Southern army for twelve months. He had
stood by the Union as long as any man
could do 50. He was glad that the Union
had triumphed. Was the Senator from
Rowan glad?
Mr.. Robbins accepted the result.
Mr.. Jones said that was not an answer to
his question. Was the Senator from Row
an glad that we had a Union instead of a
miserable little &c Confederacy %
Mr.. Robbins said no man liked to be
whipped.
Mr.. Jones wished an answer TO his ques
ton.
Mr.. Robbins declined to answer.
Mr.. Barrow regretted very much that q
bill OF this kind was made a party matter.
The same thing was done when the militia
bill was under discussion. We were met
with threats that somebody else would or.
ganize. Now, we were told that if We
passed this law, those who would other
wise frown upon such violence would en-
courage it. Very we'll, let them encourage
it if they please. He was mortified at any
such speech being made upon the floor o.
the Senate. Any gentleman who valued
the reputation of North Carolina, woulC
frown upon such things and endeavor to
prevens such proceedings. He knew there
were objections, and serious objections to
the third section of this bill, but "desper
ate diseases required desperate remedies.
Should it be found to work badly, no Sen
ator would be more ready to repeal it thar
himself In advocating this bill, he die
not consider that he was advocating bar
barous law. If he did, he would sooner
lose his right arm. This bill was not aim
ed at any party, but was aimed at evil dis
posed persons. Many evil disposed per
sons had combined to drive out other anC
peaceably disposed men, and this should
| not be allowed if 1t took every man in thu