Knoxville weekly chronicle. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1870-1875, 1871-10-25
Kuklux In North arolina.

""hiuA III atOltuAs
For the information of those who do not
credit the statement of theexistence of l<u-
klux klans, we publish the following let
ter from a number of prominent Democrats
in North Carolina, together with the point
ed and determined reply of Juge Bond, of
the Circuit Court of the United States,
for the District comprising that and other
States
RALEIGH, n. c., Sept. 80, 1871.
Hon. IL. L. Bond, Judge of the United State
SIR; We have the honor in the inter-
est of the peace of the people of North
Carolina to address you this note.
The fact thatasecretu unlawful organization
called KukluX or Invisible Empire exists
in certain parts of the State has been mani
tested i'll the recent trials before the court
over which you preside, We condemn,
without reservation, all such organiza-
tons. We denounce them as dangerous to
good government, and we regard 1t as the
eminent duty of all good citizens to sup
press them. No right-minded men in
North Carolina can palliate or deny the
| crimes committed by these organizations,
but we think if further prosecution of The
persons charged with these offences was
continued until the November term, it
would enable us to enlist all law-loving
citizens the State to make an energetic
and effectual effort for the restoration of
| good order. We assure you that before the
November term of the Circuit Courtw be-
lieve that this unlawful organization will
be effectually suppressed.
In presenting these considerations to
| your Honor, we declare that it is our duty
and purpose to exert all the influence we
possess, and use all the meansin our pow
| err, to absolutely suppress this organization,
and to secure lasting and permanent
! peace to the State The laws of the coun-
| try must and shall be indicated. We are
satisfied and give the assurance that the
people of North Carolina will unite in ar
resting and forever celebrating an evil
which. brings nothing but calamity to the
State. In the name ola just and honorable
people, and by all the considerations which
appeal to good men, we solemnly protest
that these violations of law and public JUS
tice must and shall cease. We have the
honor to be, &C., yours, &c,
Thomas Bragg, William NJ. Ship.
6e eDfsH g. F FeT%ng' Viii y f. Batte
James p. Bachelor, r. H. Battle, Jr.
b. +. Moore, ID. Nj. Barringer.
REPLY or JUDGE BOND.
RALEIGH, n. c., Oct. 2. 1871.
GENTLEMEN: have the honor to ac-
knowledge at the hands of his Excellency
Governor Caldwell, the receipt of your let
ter asking me to postpone the trials of the
cases now pending in the Circuit Court
under the enforcement act / have given
your letter the long and careful considera.
ton to which your eminent position in
North Carolina and the importance of the
subject to which it relates, entitle it but
i am unable to comply with your request.
These cases are very numerous, and if not
: tried now, will at our next term so encum-
! Der the docket as to obstruct all civil bust
ness. The city is full of witnesses sum.
moned from long distances who have re.
: manned here for several weeks at large cost
and it would be great hardship to make
7 them return here again, and it would be-
i unjust for me to send them home unless ]
knew they could return with the same
feeling of personal security that l mysel
should have on my own return home. This
/ do not know, and though you give M
= assurances that before the next term of tn,
i. Circuit Court "the Invisible Empire" shall
be effectually suppressed, it is not sup
pressed now, aud | feel that the enforce
ment of the law should continue. / hav,
h come to this conclusion with less reluct
: ance because | am sure gentlemen who ar,
so sincere in their desire to relieve NortI
Q Carolina this disgraceful and infamous
U association will not remit their labors t
suppress it, as they assure me they have
q the power to do, because the court sits
week or two longer to assist them in thei
q undertaking. / am glad to hear from you
y that the recent trials have manifested tina
n this secret unlawful organization exists il
q some parts of North Carolina. 1t cannot
o but aid you in your effort to suppress it, tC
point out by these trials to you who are the
0 guilty persons who compose it. | hope
gentlemen, you will agree with me that il
0 is best to do so.
With great respect l beg to remain
U yours, very respectfully,
l.CGH l.. BOND.
n Judge U. S. Circuit Court.
0 To Thos Bragg, George V Strong, Dan
: iel G Fowle, Jas p Bachelor, VIM. N
| Ship, M w Ransom, VIM II Battle, h
q III Battle, Jr., b f Moore, and ID M Bar