Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1869-08-04

IL his letter advising the blacks to
vote for SENTER and universal suf
frage, which contains several sound
and sensible reasons GU negro popu-
lation will do well to heed, Mr.. CHAN
MING RICHARDS takes occasion TO
make an allusion to what he calls
" members Of the infamous Ku-K1ux
klan" in no very complimentary
terms. But, he says it is simply 40
surd to denounce penalties against
persons who are unknown and cannot
be ascertained." Well if that is true
as to that prodigious myth, is it not
equally absurd to denOunce anathemas
against them, and to say sweepingly
" such men cannot be DISTINGUISHED
by requiring an oath, for they would
pay no regard to its obligation.p
How does he know that, when he
admits they were all unknown? Is it
impossible that honorable men should
combine for self protection against
constant, numerous and oft repeated
outrages, either under a mistaken or
well founded conception of their in
terests or their duty? Such denuncia-
ton is simply absurd or partiZan, as
well as commonplace. There were
beyond a doubt many excellent men
connected with that organization, as
viii be manifest in due time, when
their names can be disclosed. And,
after all, what did the worst of them
ever do, except in the interest Of
good order to attempt, by
Illegal means, the suppression of
crime? The truth is, that what is
known, or which can be eo%njectured
Of that organization with any reason,
goes cogentIy to show that its ends
and objects We're in aid Of the law,
and that all violations or Infringe
ments on the rights Of innocent eiti-
zens were forbidden by it. No single
innocent man is known to have suf-
fered at their hands. They never
interfered in any matter Of opinion,
never interrupted the ballot boxes
nor intimidated voters or good citizens
Of any shade of opinion from white
Conservative to black Radical. 1t
may be true that outrages were COM
mitted in a few instances by persons
in their disguise, just as outlaws hung
during the war on the outskirts of the
two armies, and under pretence of be
longing to n regiment or another
committed depredatiOns. But these
things, we are perfectly assured, were
not only never ordered, but positively
prohibited, and would have been pun
ished by any organization of citizens
of but a tenth their reputed numbers
which ii could have been possible TO
bring together. The day will come,
we are persuaded, when no further
aspersions will be east on what were
called Ku-KluX, when they viii appear
to have been an honorable organization
for at least an honest and defensive
purpose, and when it will be more an
honor to be known as an ex-member
of the Khan than as one of its revilers.
We advocate no illegal organization
or measures, and this especially wien
they are unnecessary, or when the Oc-
casiOn for them has passed away.
Yet we know there have been in
stances, both with individuals and
communities, in which it was neces-
sary that measures in selfdefense
should be swifter than the law. And
we know moreover, that at the time
of the supposed Ku-Klux Klan, those
who were most suspected or charged
with being its members were remark
able a law-keepers, s~crupulously care
ful to obey the law, as well as prompt
ly ready on all occasions to aid the
and guardians of the law. On
the other hand, we know equally well
that their more persistent and venom
Gus accusers were at the time in large
part either fattening from the public
crib or providing around the dwellings
and the hen-roosts of their neighbors.
On the principle that those who live
in glass houses should not throw
those whom Dir, RICHARDS
represents should, with himself, be
careful how they use infamous
language as expressive Of "infamy"
in men whose worth and virtues are
beyond their reach.