The weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1869-18??, 1869-11-10
No More remporizing.

The papers of this State are discussing
Governor HolDEks proclamation regarding
the Ku Klux and the tone Of many Of them
has direct tendency to encourage the Ku
Klux to resist the authority Of the State
Such course is not only disgrace to the
paper which pursues it, but is antagonistic
to the welfare of the State. There is not
a good man in the State, no matter to
which party he may belong, who does not
wish that the Ku Klux may be put down.
There is not business man who does not
wish it, for he well knows that the continu-
ance of these outrages will materially injure
every business interest of the State.
The people wish the adjustment OF the
Ku Klux, for they know that the con-
tinuance of such an organization will bring
about a state of affairs which will impoyer-
ish the people, and inaugurate a reign of
terror throughout the State. If
Some of these papers have affected to
consider Gov. HOLDEN partial because he
does not mention the League as criminal
organization. This is not fair criticism.
We have never been defender OF the
League, but we should have censured Gov.
HOLDEN had he classed it in the same cate
CORY with the Ku Klux Khan. s.. rreu
The Ku Klux Khan is an organization form
ed for the express purpose OF committing
crime, and its erery act is in defiance OF the
laws,,both of the State and Nation.
The League is political organization
formed for the purpose of intoxicating 10y
atty to men whose unfortunate fate has
made it impossible to reach them by the
common modes of intelligence. As body
the League not only does not incite or COM
nit crimes, but, on the contrary, inculcates
obedience to the laws. 's
Thus it is manifest that to class the
two organizations under one head would
be to do great injustice to the League.
Another great mistake is being made by
the Ku Klux and their sympathizers; they
copstrue Gov. Holden's reluctance to take
step that will involve the shedding OF blood
as timidity. In this they are wrong.
While Gov. Holden deprecates the loss OF
human life, and hopes not to be compelled
to take step that will make it necessary to
use the military arm of the State, he will
most surely do his duty if the occasion de-
mands it. The military power OF the State
will be used to crush out the bands OF out
laws who are filling the country with the
reports of their crimes. . H
No threats will deter him in the perform
ance of his duty, and the enemies of the
peace of the State will be crushed out, even
if the general government has to be invoked.
The condition of affairs in Orange and
Chatham counties is such that it can no
longer be permitted, for it is burning dis
grace TO the State and to the nation. The
men who are now in arms to resist the laws
of North Carolina and of the United States
are not only outlaus but have fulfilled every
condition necessary to make them traitors.
They will be dealt with as traitors by both
the State and general governments, even if
there has to be gibbet for every tree in the
forests of Orange.
Peaceful measures have been tried with
patience that has almost seemed indifference
to crime, but they have been wasted, for
they were extended to men who could muir
der in cold blood. Every power of the State
and nation will now be brought to bear upon
them, and they will be crushed from the
face of the earth they have stained with
the blood of murdered men.