The New York herald., 1871-12-25
THE KU KLUX TRIALS,
Full Demonstration Of the Political Char
acter Of the American Vehmegerichte.

teua -~-~~-~~~-~~~>~-
Speeches Of Counsel for the Prosecution and De-
fence-Important Argument Of Mr.. Reverdy
Johnson-An Impartial charge-verdict
Of Guilty Against the Defendants.
COLUMBIA, S. O., Dec 90 1871.
The widespread excltement created by the Ku
Kiux trials exhibits no sign OF abatement. Az day
by day fresh and important developments are
elected from the crowd OF witnesses placed upon
the stand, the proceedings grow more and more In
teresting. And even the most scepucal are i'm
PEELED the admission that the reign OF terror
inaugurated by the Spanish Inquisiton and their
terrible mysterious agents the ceitnegeriche, never
has there been more complete or more cruel and
reentl ass organization than that OF the Ku Klux
Khan. The enorts Of the distinguished counsel for
the defence, Messrs. Johnson and Stansberry, TO
establish o justification for the "Brotherhood" on
the plea OF sef-preseryaton rendered necessary by
the lawlessness OF the armed colored militia. have
been completely oyerborne by the fact that
the Ku Klux c0ntederacy was In existence at
least two years prior to the enrolment OF the mill
tia The Ku Klux commenced operations Ia 1868
The militia were called ont and armed in 1870. The
political purpose or the Klan has been indubtably
shown. Nor can there be the shadow or doubt
that whatever OF lawlessness may be charged The
militia, yet that lawessness was but the expression
OF an irritation created by the raids and mercless
proceedings OF the Khan. tits charged by the Klan
and urged by the defence nat the execution OF Jim
Williams alias Rainey, the colored capta OF mill
TIA In which the prisoner Robert Hayes Mitchell,
now on trial. participated was resolved upon In
consequence OF certain threats uttered by tho de-
ceased. II appears from the evidence however, nor
has II been lost sight OF by the prosecution. that
these threats OF Williams were drawn from him by
the treatment perlenced at the hands OF the Klan
by the people Of his race. 'Tf," said he, 'tnese
raids continue and my people are whipped, mutt
lated aud outraged, win call out my company aud
retaate BY killing ana Staying from the cradle
up'" In his address TO the Jury to-day Mr. Johnson
could not refrain from expressing his adherence Of
the deeds which nave been committed by the Klan.
Words, ne SAID, failed MIN In his attempt to give
utterance to his Indignation. And, indeed, crimes
are charged to the Khan Of q nature too revolving
and too disgusting to be mentioned even at the bar
OF justice. a M a9ae2 N0ul
In his conclusion Of the arguments for the prose-
cution to-day, the United States District Attorney,
Mr.. d. T. Corbin, directed the special attention OF
the Court to that clause Of the preamble OF The con-
sttution OF the Khan, which declares their resolve
to uphold 'that constitutional liberty which had
been bequeathed to them In It's purity by FORE
the District Attorney can be adduced OF the poti-
cal design OF the Khan, II words convey any mean
ingf The constitutional iibertyn here meant II the
right 70 perpctuate slavery. Tho constitution s'as
bequeathed to us by our f0refatners" and prior to
the Introduction or the amendments, guaranteed
mot only Immunity but protection for the institution
OF aiaverJ. and when the preamble goes on to de-,
clare 1--WE oppose and relect the principles o. the
radical party" what principles can be meant but
and hfteenth amendmentss 1aow AZ Geisa7fS9
The avowsd purpose. then, OF the Klan ct the time
olits formation In ls6s and consistently manifested
In It's operations to the present tune. Is political
one. I'VE VIII make democrat Of you," they de-
clare to their victims, and demand ct tho same
time, .God damn you. win you swear, kneeling and
with hand raised, that you will never again vote
tho radical ticket~ Tne invartable reply IS. II
win DO anything save my ife,n and the wretched
victim is obliged to purchase NE at the expense Of
| involuntary perjury e. m64 Hna at n 6
/ Your correspondent discajms all partisan feeling
in relation these trials. Hs sole aim Is to place
your readers possession Of the truth ~ elected
by the daily proceedings Of the Court. Neither the
burning eloquence OF counsel In behalf OF the
cused nor the stern and critical denunciation OF the
government prosecuting officers should bias the
reporter. "Naught exte nuating or aught setting
down In malice y he should Keep ever before him
Of S which I public opinion IS moulded, ana sSst By its
agency everlasting lniamy may blast tue r0pufA-
ns e S S honor
The nrgt prisoner arragned before this Court under
me provisions Of the Ku KuT , acsRSosrs % t Hayes
divers other iii-disposed persons or YORK county
threaten @ Si and insimidsts James Williams MAZE c
GEN. Ac., because he exercised she right and privr
iege Of voting on the third Wednesday Of October
Mr Chamberlain, the Attorney General OF the
dence for the prosecution ~ splendid display Of
forensic eloqnence and legal ability. he argued
ali the others; that the voice Of one Of Them Inc
voice OF the conspiracy, and. therefore. de-
me nos crmes and ouraues ner
petrated, was liable under the conspiracy counts
% the M
In speech which can scarcely be considered as
confirming the high reputation the learned gentle
man has acquired for legal ncrmen or professional
astuteness. The argument was weak, and beyond
raising one or two good points as to deiecnveness
This morning. the weather beng mild and the sun
shining with cheering brilliancy, the, court room
commenced TO nll an early nour, and by the time
the Crier announced that the Session was about 70
the notabies present were Generals Wade Hampton
and M u. Butler, late Of the Confederate army and
sSs aa ssnc ns @
OF the court room assigned for the accommodation OF
the fair seq was group whose gay ana dsngs
Of tIe legal procecdiiss was perfect galaxy OF
queenly grace, Ike "some bright particular slar,n
shone mrs. chamberlain, wife OF the Attorney Gene
raj; Miss Burgess, beautiful blonde; Miss Bush
Mrs. Doty, Mrs Corbln, &c. A second glance around
the room enabled us TO discover Mr. Memminger,
ex Secretary OF the Treasury for the Confederate
States, and General simmons for twenty years
speaker OF the House OF Representatives OF south
Carolina
v hen the Court had been called to order Reverdy
Johnson rose and commenced MS address to the
jury. The enunciatfon OF the learned and venerable
gentleman was clear aud distinct lie neither fal-
tered nor wavered, and yet, although It might be out
% trick OF the IMAGINATION, there appeared rbc
certain constraint In his manner. which seemed TO
Indicate CONSCIOUSNESS OF the dificuties OF his
task. 4sr ntfrfrUa fIli.f rn.5@..e.st.e tf.....
Mr. Johnson commenced by direct appeal to the
good sense and native Intelligence Of the coiored