The Sumter watchman. [volume] (Sumterville, S.C.) 1855-1881, 1871-03-08
THE W.ATCHMAN
WEDNESDAY. MARCH 8.
A. A. GILBERT HUN
The Sumter Watchma'a has By
far the largest circulation (espe-
ciazy IN the surrounding country
ofany paper published IN Sumter,
and acas established IN 1850.
THE KU KLUX AS A REMEDY FOR
EXISTING EVILS.

The press throughout the State. with
out distiction, has expressed decided
disapprOval Of the recent terrible affair
at Union Court House. Some Of the
conservative papers-proba5ly the
larger number of them-have condem-
ned it, in severe terms.
In our recent issue, We had space but
to express our regret Of the occurrence,
and 10 advance the opinion that the
remedy for the ills from which We suf-
fer is not to be found in such course
of action, but the rather the agsravatlon
and continuation Of those ills, by
Strengthening the power over US, which
has been mainly Instrumental in bring
ing them upon US. A few reflections here
may not be Improbable.
If this we're the remedy-(thc sud
den and terrible visitation of death,
without trial, judge or jury, upon per-
sons charged with crimes particularly
heinous, and touching which we are
particularly sensitive)-and it were
worthy high toned, brave and intelll-
gent christian people, then there would
be no hesitation in full endorsement
by all the better sense Of the State, and
as such, common discernment would at
once indicate that the effective applica-
tion of it cannot be realized in the pre-
sent aegoe or extent of its practice. If
the principle be good ore-if there
be moral right in it, and moral and
physical good resulting from its employ
ment, to limited extent. then every
conception of reason and motive ofpoli-
cy, would indicate thorough applica-
tiou oft, with the confident expectation
of good results, to the extent to which
it was used and the success immediate
y attendant.
But the merest glance shows how
disastrous to the State and country
in a political sense, to say nothing ol
the morals inyolved-Would be the re-
suit Of comprehensive action in this
direction, were such immediate action
successful or otherwise. In order to
attain the end designed, (saying moth.
ing of the means used) it is clear that
there must.be force enough to overcome,
ultimately, the armies and navies of the
United States Government. And this
is not taking counsel Of our fears, by
speculation, but simply looking at tic
facts as Mcy exist, and drawing thcrefrom
the lesson indicated by common pru-
dence. The recent occurrence at Union,
by which eight or ten lives were taken,
has brought an order for regiment Of
U. S. troops to be quartered in the
State. Is it doubted that similar oper-
ations, on larger scale, would bring a
larger number oftroops And so on!
Aud hence the effort could but result in
wholesale disaster, aud more complete
crushing out of the power that seeks
in this way to assert aud maintain Its
influence. Al IS greater misfor-
tune could bat csult from a greater
movement, so the experience is the
same, in proportion, from smaller ac-
tioDs in the same direction. To express
the idea in more comprehensive or tnn-
damental sepse: That which is wrong and
produces evil results to au individual, is
Likewise wrong and will produce like
evil results, to a company, a nelghbor-
hood, county, State or nation /; and
vice versa.
10 sit in judgment as accuser, aud pro
ecutor, as judge, jury and ezecutioner,
is terrible power, and one, the em-
ployuiept of which, the better sense OF
the people could endorse only under the
most extraordinary circumstances, and
as an imperative present remedy aud
necessity only. Mob law is always
dangerous, and, however just the prin-
ciplo, in defence Of which the use of it
may be employed, is almost sure to lead
to excuses over which humanity mourns.
And especially, amid the Heterogeneous
and demoralized elements i'y which we
now find ourselves surrounded, is the
employment Of this corrective danger
rous resort. 1t bcgets q recklessness
and indifference to human life, produ
cins fearful insecurity to person and
property, is characteristic Of a semi bar
barrie age and country, and is in distinct
violation of one Of the leading CON-
mands of the Deoalogue.
Thers are causes, deep down, clearly
defined and terribly provocative, which
produce this unfortunate atate OF affairs,
aud which We apprehend, must be re