Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1870-12-03
WHAT THE wax UPoNTHE.'KU.

bayonet. The Savannah Nea0s of Nov.
80 says:
'sIhe energetic measures determined on
in Cabinet session on Friday last, when
virtual declaration of war was proclaim
ed by General Grant against the Kn-Klux
in the Southern States, and all the militia
ny force of the country placed under the
command of the valiant peace hero, Gen.
Terry, for their determination, viii be
understood, as explained by the policy
which seems 10 have been determin-
cd on ty the Radical party in reference
to the Southern elections. 1t seems now
TO be the determination of the Radicals
TO hold the Southern State governments
regardless of the will of the people as
expressed at the ballOt-box. In Alabama,
where the Radicals were defeated by
most decided msjorities by the Demo
Gratis, the incumbents of the State offices
refuse to vacate their positions, and are
supported in their usurpstion by United
States troops. In Florida where
the success of the Democrats in the cleo
ton is notorious, apprehensions are ex-
pressed that the carpet-bsgger Reed and
his villainous faction will set the will of
the people at defence; while in our own
State there can be no installing the deter
mination of the Radicals to defeat fair
election by any means in their power.
This revolutionary and lawless course on
the part of the Southern Radicals has not
been adopted without the concurrence OF
the leaders at Washington, and it is fair
to presume that having determined 10
perpetuste their political power by such
means they.haVe not failed TO consider
the preteXts and the means TO enable them
TO accomplish their purpose. The people
are to be goaded to resistance, and then
the military power of the Government is
to be brought into rcquisition TO suppress
disorder"
We sec no demonstration Of Federal
troops in South Carolina, where the
negroes that have been armed by Gov.
Scott, arc creating perfect reign of ter
Tor. Troops were sent TO Alabama to
influence the election, that is, TO secure
the SUCCESS of the Radical ticket, but it
had the contrary effect. As soon as Gov.
Smith applied 10 the commander of the
post at Montgomery for troops TO enable
him to hold the office of Governor, to
which he had not been elected, they were
promptly furnished, and were not with
drawn until public sentiment compelled
Gen. Terry TO order their withdrawal.
The course of Gov. Smith was so indie
feasible that even Radicals joined in con-
dclnning him. But the men concerned in
this conspiracy appear not to have abated
a jot of their purpose 10 wrest the State
from the lawfully elected agents of the
people. The Montgomery State Journal
(RadicaD says:
''We have before expressed our disbe-
lief in the wisdom of the policy which
Gov. Smith saw fit TO pursue in this mat
ter, but of course he has the right to pur-
sue that course which he deems best to
obtain an early investigation of the
wrongs which are complained of. If
what we bear be true, he certainly has
good cause 10 contest, and the Republican
party would demand it of him as their
standard bearer, though many true and
good mef honestly differ as to the man
ner."
Nothing was said about frauds or intimi-
dation until the Legislature was ready to
count the vote and declare the official re-
suit This is simply the resort of Radi-
cal conspirators to hold the State against
the expressed will of the majority of the
Voters of Alabama. Gov Smith ran
nearly three thousand votes ahead of his
ticket and yet he has permitted himself
TO be used as a tool to defeat the viii of
the people of his State, that the Radical
lease Of power may be extended. In
every Southern State where the Radicals
have been defeated they are calling upon
the Federal Government to interfere to
save them. They are gettingup Ku-Klux
ou,Tages TO justify this interference, and
our Savannah contemporary has hit the
nail square on the head in its Interpretation
of these movements and the course Grant
is pursuing in regard TO these States.
There never has been fairer, more quiet
election in Tennessee than that we had
last month, and yet the defeated Rsdi-
cal candidates for Congress are
preparing to contest thu seats of their
successful Democratic opponents. They
expect their Radical brethren in Congress
to give them the seats to which the psO-
pie would not eject them on the ground
less assertion that intimidation had been
used in the various districts Of the State.
And the old cry about Ku-Klux outrages
is to be raised, aud cases circumstantiaIly
gotten up are 10 be sent TO Washington to
induce Congress - reconstruct the State.
What infamy will not the leaders of the
Radical party sanction in order TO regain
power. II is time the honest men of that
party were frUwnlng upon these efforts
to harrass and exasperaLe the people. If
We are 10 be one people, they too must
submit 20 the rule OF the majority. ''Let
us have peace, " but Lei il be an honorable
peace.