The weekly standard., 1870-06-22
IInsurrect1on, Rebellion and IRE

InsurrectIon, Rebellion and Treason.
+ 1t is evident that some steps should be
taken to put down the Kuklux Klan in this
State. 1t is, therefore, determined to raise
State troops for that purpose, and to deal
with its members in a summary manner.
The public safety demands it, and the work
must be done. else bad will grow; to worse,
and scenes of anarchy and bloOdshed will
become as frequent as the tick of the death
watch.
That men, who are disguised, uniformed
and officered, and who control Counties
through their organization, are not insurrec-
tionists, rebels and traitors. is beyond con-
troyersy.
1t does not require a man or set of men
to don the rebel gray, to go into camp and
drill, to shoot down Union men in day
light,-to make them insurrectionists and
traitors to the government. If such were
the case the Kuklux would escape un-
harmed, and the laws remain dead letter
upon the statute books of North Carolina.
But we hold, that when set of men put
on uniform at night, and under the COM
mand OF officers, and in obedience to an
oath, scour whole County, in defiance of
law, with intent to murder lnoffensive citi-
zens, that such men are insurrectionists and
traitors, and that the Constitution demands
their immediate arrest and punishment.
Further, when they place the people of
entire Counties in state of subjection to
their commands, and take the control of
local affairs into their own hands, we hold
that such Counties are in a state of insur-
rection, and ought to be garrisoned with
State troops, until peace is restored and the
offenders brought to justice.
Because of these opinions, which arc iu-
controvertible, We heartily endorse the action
of the Governor, and VIC hope that he will
perseverc until his authority is recognized,
feared, obeyed and respected all over this
State ...-.
We conclude this article by copying the
following from the Newbern Times We
wish that other. Republican papers would
speak out as heartily as the Times has DONE
Let the facts be laid before the people
THEY need information upon these points.
The Times says: "There are some people
very much surprised and manifest much un-
easiness because Governor Holden has deter
mined to put down lawlessnes and murderers
Hui ct aTmis" They complain that it
will cost money and the State cannot
= afford it. We admit that the State
cannot afford it, but we would ask the sim
pie question, can the State afford to lose its
population by the hands of assassins and by
moons of emigration because the people
cannot live in peace? We answer emphati-
cally and positively-No We have tried to
imagine we were Kuklux and hold our
selves responsible mentally for the state Of
things in this State. We have gone so far
as to imagine we were traitor to every.
thing holy and good in mans nature, and
then tried to frame slight excuse for these
scoundrels who have caused so much
trouble and expense, and the nearest we
can get to it Is to exclaim, =" hanging is toe
good for them" 1t is wonder to US that
"uOlC oCOliOns uO uuL lloC W O llldu uuu
hunt them down as they would wild
beasts. Can it be true that North-Caro
lima is SO demoralized by the teaching:
of demagogues that whole communities
wink at murderers and give succor and
comfort to the enemies of society and
Goda God forbid that this should be true
but we must say it looks as if it were so il
some sections of this State. We say to the
Governor 60 on. Hunt them down, bring
them to justice, every honest man in the
State will back you and thousands will
bless your name. Let justice be done i
the Heavens fall. God will approve th'
course you are about to pursue. Let speedy
action and hard blows do the work toe
long delayed"