Herald and tribune. [volume] (Jonesborough, Tenn.) 1869-current, 1870-12-15
KU KLUX OUTRAGES.

For a long time the Democratic news
papers of the South denied the existence
of the organization known as the Ku Klux
Khan, and accused the Republican party
Of the South of manufacturing news of
their outragcs for the purpose OF proVok-
ing reconstruction by Congress. There is
no doubt their operations we're to some ex-
tent exaggerated and by some persons for
the very purpose given above. Still the
fact that such an organization did exist
became too plain, and then an attempt
was made to cover up its evil doings al d
designs by saying it was a benevolent Or
ganization gotten up for the relief OF the
widows and orphans of Confederate SOL
diers. This was after a time abandoned
and the democratic press undertook in the
mildest manner possible, to reprove them
for such unseemly conduct. But soon af-
ter the political revolution of 1869, they
acknowledged that such an organization
had been in existence and had perpetra-
ted sundry outrages upon peaceable
colored citizens to prevent their going to
the poles and voting, &c, but at the same
time we were informed that their mission
was ended and that the organization was
disbanded and further that any distur-
bance that might occur in future need
not be ascribed to the operations of this
gang of midnight cut threats. as their
rights had beer secured and there was no
further need for the organization. For a
time there was a season of comparative
quiet and strong hopes were entertained
of a complete restoration of good feeling
between the different classes of citizens.
There was in fact at this time pretty
strong talk of putting the State under
marshal law and the leaders deemed it
prudent to hold their subordinates in check
for awhile.
But the old feeling of animosity toward
the colored race could not be kept down
long at a time, and as the talk of recon-
SLTuCIlOn uIQ ulcu OuIs d eCllCo VI ~
ges were commenced, and have been car
RED on up to the present time. But now
that reconstruction is again talked of the
democratic press have once more taken
the offensive, and proposed to put down
these lawless bandits by enforcing a law
which has thus far been a dead letter up
on our statute books. The Knoxville
Whiq of the 18th inst has the following:
-s7i This thing of masked men going to
a negro cabin and shooting or banging the
q miserable occupant, is worthy OF the prac-
tees of the dark ages when the passions OF
the bandit we're the law of society. 1t Is
Z a shame that the annals of our free coun-
try. in the most enlightened period OF the
world. should be blurred and blotted with
such records. We nave enactments to cover
these cases. Severe penalties are denoun-
ced, but still they go on. Nobody Knows
who the actors are. Many citizens are
afraid to move in vindication of the law
for fear of themselves becoming victims.
But this must not be. If nothing else
can be done. let the citizens III the locali-
ties where the ouIIdSeS laAo Pi"N0' oo"
bine to a man, and, if necessary form
themselves into vigilence committees for
the purpose of hunting down the out
laws and dragging them to justice.
Every mans house should be secure, his
person should be secure, his life should
be secure. not only against midnight prowl-
ers, but against even the fear of harm. 1t
is the duty of the civil officers to institute
adjective system, and ascertain if possible
the names of the outlaws. 1t is the duty
OF the grand juries to indict them, and