Iowa voter. [volume] (Knoxville, Iowa) 1867-1874, 1871-03-23
rha x..Klux Klan.

The Ku.Klux Klan.
Now th,t Southern Democratic
newspapers are protesting against
the acts OF the Ku-Klux, It is pfota-
Bile that the existence Of such an
organization will be admitted even
by the Denocsatic press Of the North,
a class Of journals that have stead
lastly maintained that the reports
published in regard to Ku-Klux out
RACES were the fabrications Of carpet
baggers and scalawags-base ISLANDERS
designed for political effect.
That the Ku-Klux organization
extends through all or nearly all OF
the Southern States admits OF NO
question; but the manner in which
its members conduct their operations
varies greatly In different localities.
In some sections of the country their
proceedings are comparatively HARM
less, consisting merely Of nocturnal
demonstrations for the purpose of
frightening the negroes in order that
they may not dare to wander over
the country at night, the masquera.
ders believing that the closer the
colored population keep to their
homes during the hours of darkness,
the better 1t will be for the integrity
of the hen-roosts and smoke.houses
of their white neighbors. In other
regions the Ku-Klux associations are
nothing more than secret political
societies, with blood-curdling initia.
tory ceremonies to strike terror into
the souls of new members, and, very
likely, no lack of bloodthirsty
speeches in their meetings, with
most insignificant results. But in
some parts of the south the Ku-Klux
are desperate men who hesitate at
no description Of outrage or murder,
and under the protection Of their
disguise defy all authority.
In South Carolina the order Is sup
posed To be led by men Of wealth
and social position, and their apollo.
gists say in their behalf that the State
Government being In the hands Of
the blacks, there is no redress to be
had by the whites for 0utrages COM
United on them by negroes except
through the action Of this self
appointed tribunal, which has taken
upon itself the functions of a vigil
ance committee. But even II this
were true, it would not In the least
excuse the summary manner in
which unfortunate blacks and OBJ
noxious whites have been murdered
IN cold blood without the least pre-
:ence Of q trial; while the impunity
which has attended the unlawful
career Of the Ku-Klux in that State
has led the vilest class of thieves and
outlaws to assume that character as
/ cover under which to commit
and outrages upon the
blacks and whites alike. The Ku-
Ixlux themselves acknowledge this,
|, nd In proclamation recently print
I'd in various South Carolina papers
they say that private grudges have
been grstified, laborers have been
frightened away, and robberies have
been committed by parties assuming
10 belong to the order, but whom
hey disclaim and threaten with
But II 1t had not been
or the state Of terrorism created by
This organization, the unauthorized
Of its powers by thieves
and robbers would be no protection
or them,
In Kentucky the influence of the
Ku.Klux is manifested in n blind
md brutal warfare on the whole
black race, whom they seem determ.
ned to drive from the State. These
champions of the Cauca-
sian blood display their superiority
over the blacks by stealing from the
negroes, by torturing them, by burn.
ng their dwellings, and by unpro-
,oked and brutal murders Of indus.
rious, peaceable, and unoffending
.olored people. More cowardly and
.trocious outrages have hardly ever
,een committed by the uncivilized
'avages Of the Plains than those of
which the. Ku-Klux of Kentucky
nave been guilty during the past six
months; and the authorities Of that
state do not show the slightest dis
to, interfere with these in
amous proceedings. 1t Is but a few
lays since,.a band of these fellows
ntered Frankfort-the State capital,
|. h ava TIM II nyiclafllra IL nOW hold.