The weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1869-18??, 1870-06-01
The Senate Enforcement BilTA Well.
T,med Rlov nj the Kuklur.

Tfmed BLOW AT the huklnxs So
We observe that the Senate passed en-
Saturday morning last, at Z o'clock, after a
session of nineteen hours. bill for the en-
forcement of the fifteenth amendment by a
large majority. The bill will now 60 TO the
House where it will certainly be made a
law.
The Washington Chronicle of Sunday
morning says: ~
The Senate bill, before being put upon
its passage, had been perfected with unusual
pains in committee, and is undoubtedly
more comprehensive and more practical
than the House bill. It reems to leave no
room for any violation or evasion of the fif-
seenth amendment. Every copceivable of.
Tense against the political rights provided
oy that bcnefcent measure eeems tn berpro-
vided with an adequate punishment
The Senate bill not only provides for the
enforcement of the fifteenth amendment, but
provision originating in the House, and
proposed by Mr.. Sherman during the last
discussion, makes it much more .comprehen-
siye and effective for good This amendments,
81 to IL, provides that any PERSONAL eIec.
lions for members of Congress, or electors
for President or Vice, President, who shall
vote and not be entitled to vote, or who
shall, by any means, induce Q, compel an
election officer to receive unlawful yefes,
and any election officer refusing or omit
ting to do any duty imposcd by this act
shall be indictable, and ON conviction suffer
fine not exceeding five hundred dollars, OF
Imprisonment not exceeding three years, or
both, and pay costs. The same penalty is
provided for an unlawfully registering OF
causing the registering of any person not
entitled.
This is is most necessary and most adj
mirahle provision To have such law in
the statute book, and properly enforced
throughout the country would be worth all
the labor and expense involved in whole
session Of Congress. Persons who drove
such fieurishing business in New York
last week, getting SIS for every repeating
operation. win find they haven ''iosingjofieei"
with such statute staring them in the face
Other provisions, engraffcd upon the Sen
ate bill during the closing hours of the dis
cussion, will have most beneficial effect, II
they shall pass the House, for instance; Mr..
Morton's amendment making it misde.
meanor, punishable by fine and imprison-
ment, for any person to intimldate colored
voter by threatening to terminate his lease,
or ejecting him from houses, lands or other
property. Also, Mr.. POOLS amendment pro-
viding fine or Imprisonment not exceeding
$4,000 and ten years, and a perpetual dis
qualification for office, of any persons band
ing together in disguise to intimidate or de-
prive any person OF the rights to which he
is entitled by the fifteenth amendment.
These provisions were happy thoughts of
the distinguished Senators who proposed
them, and will tend to make intimidating
and Kukluxing by no means pleasant or
profitable cmplOyments."
1t will thus be seen that Congress is taking
steps in the right direction for the suppress
sion of the infamous bands Of assassins who
have stained the soil of our State with the
blood of loyal mcn. The nation moves
slowly, but it will move surely, and crush
all who oppose it. The murder of Outlaw,
and Colgrove and Stephens, and many,
many others, will yet be avenged and justice
meted out to those who have taken the Law
into their own hands.
Senators Morton and Pool deserve
thanks for their amendments, and the blcs
sings of hundreds of humble people will
fall upon their heads for the good work
which they have accomplished.
1t may now he read upon the wall that
the Kuklux organization is to be annihila
ted. Its work of intimidation, sconrging
and bloodshcd must cease. The reign of
terror is nearly over, and we will have
peace, with law and order.
So soon as it becomes apparent that such
is the intention of Congress and the mean
ing of this bill, VIC expect to sec the walls
of wrath from the Sentinel and other papers
in this State, poured upon the head of John
Pool and the other members of Congress
from this State There was but one way to
suppress the Kuklux said the Sentinel, and
that was for the King and the President of
the Leagues to shake hands and ,disband
their organizations. But Congress says there
is another way, since the King OF the
Kuklux fails to make his appearance IN this
State And chat way ia to i1sPri.on and
fine and perpetually disfranchise armed as
;assins. The federal law will be carried
,ut. Gen. Grant will see TO its execution.
Life will be rendered safe and the posses
session of property secure; and the cowled
band of assassins, who infest Caswell and
other counties, will be brought to justice.
The day is near at hand, for the dawn is
breaking.