The weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1869-18??, 1870-08-31
Tho Alarm of the Kuk,u, c..

The Alarm of the Kuklux Consn,,.-
:. could not hare heretofore exposed
knowledge Ihad Of the order I Joined, as Ss
fore stated, or any of its proceedings, oithout
endangsring my life"
This extract from the sworn confession of
DIR. JOHN A. Moore, Democratic member
of the Legislature from the county of Ala
nance, furnishes the key to the alarm and
uproar in which the Kuklux leaders are
now involved. 1t furthermore furnishes the
full ustifcation for the military movement
against this organized and dangerous band
Of conspirators, murderers and assassins.
They trusted to inspiring such terror in their
victims, and among the people, as to pre-
vent their giving information to the authori-
ties or testifying in thecourts. What might
be wanting to their safety from this means,
they expected to supply by false swearing
for each other, and by the position, infu-
ence and legal trickery of ex Governors and
lex- Judges, of whose support and co-opera-
tion they had been fully assured.
But the military increment Was step
that they had not anticipated, and its ef-
feet in giving assurance of safety to good
citizens had not entered into their calcula-
tions. They and their eminent friends have
been quick to see the danger. The pub
lished confessions of Mr.. Boyd, Democratic
nominee for the Legislature from Alamancc,
and of the other prominent citizens of that
county, showed that the only safety of Tur-
ner and the other members of the Khan de.
pended absolutely on breaking the effect of
the military movement, and if possible in
tlmidating Governor Holden, the Judge
and the friends OF the State government.
For if a leading Democratic member of the
Legislature and member of the order, and
the Democratic nominee for the Legislature,
also member of the order, were induced to
disclose the facts relating to the horrid
crimes of the Khan, and even the avowed
partizan character OF the organization, what
might not be expected from others-espe-
cially from the victims of their cruel out
rages2
/ This view OF danger has caused intense
alarm. Their first move was to charge the
military movement with being to influence
the pending elections. This charge, how
ever absurd, was known to be likely to gain
credence with their party friends amid the
excitement of a political contest, and was
sure to be taken up and boldly asserted in
every neighborhood in the State, by the
noisy or over Jealous cross roads politicians.
They hoped, by the tumult thus raised, 10
deter the Governor, and perhaps, intimidate
him. But bis firmness in continuing to
develop and expose their infamies has in
creased their alarm to condition bordering
upon phrensy. They resort to the most I'M
blushing fasehoods as to the treatment of
prisoners the private conversations of the
Governor and his friends and advisers, and
; to the most coarse and unexampled and
, slanderous abuse of the State authorities
and the judiciary. But the greatest humil-
. iation to them and their eminent friends
must have been endured, when they ap-
, pealed to the hated government of the
United States, and sought refuge under the
detcsted 14th Amendment" nigger" Amend
! ment.! Their alarm and extremity must be
great, indeed.
But the firm and steady hand of deter.
mined Executive is upon them. Ex-Gov'
, errors and Ex-Judges, falsehood, clamor and
threats are in vain. The authorities ART
e surrounded by great difficulties and per
e plexities, inseparable form contest will
e such an extensive conspiracy OF murdcrers
: puriurors and oath bonnd assassins led OF
u and protected by men, who, until forfeited
by treason, have heretofore had the highes
), honors from the hands of the people. Blu
d difficulties surrounding the Executive ant
: the Judiciary will be appreciated by tn
y people of North Carolina and by the coun
/. try at large.
G Now that the elections are over, let til
!, poopIo await the development of facts
: Truth is more tardy than talsehood, but
r is more powerful. The effort of the K
v Klux leaders is to suppress the truth, or fail
r ing in that, to prejudice the minds of til
e, people against receiving it. They mistak
5. thecharacter of North Carolinians. Thougl
/ deceived in the recent elections, and to
O less extent still deceived, they will yet turl
with indignation upon those who have dc
l. ceiyed them, filled the State with Ku Klu,
!, conspracies, murders and crimes, AM
c brought disgrace upon its fair fame, tina
Il can he atoned only by the punishment Q
&c the Infamous perpetrators.
:, The military movement has struck tn
o guilty at the point upon which they cacu
It lated for their escape Witnesses are be
ginning to take courage. 1t is no longe
d certain that members of the Khan can b
l. secured on juries. The public is guarded
n against the proof of abb and the perjur
of confederates in guilt. The meshes of tn
d law are being drawn closer and closer. Th
o time has come when the high and infuen
h tial lnstigatorss and abettors of the Klal
It must do their part, with all the power, sub
e terfuges and appliances they can bring t,
bear, to shield their tools and operatives il
It the work of crime and blood. They ar
If responding to the emergency with restiv
i zeal and painful earnestness, that betray
o completely and personal interest in the re
8 suit. The hand that struck the knife into tn
heart Of Senator Stephens is no more guilt!
y than the hearts uhich conceived and the head
II which directed the Ku Ktuz movement.
PERTINENT REMARKs.-We learn that il
= the course of his remarks before Judg
Brooks, in reply to Gov. Graham. Mr.. Baily
7! counsel for the State, remarked in substanc,