New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1871-06-16

Eacn Ok tnom VIII repay th0ugnt1ul stuuy
but we call especial attention to the following
extract from his last wherein he exposes
recent Ku-Klux operations in the north
western counties of Georgia. He SAYS:
"From all the information gather appears that
In addition to the political anmosity entertained toward
the negroes another cause operating In the counties
where these crimes committed to produce the per
secution practced upon the Coorcd people, and that "a
desire among the Poor Whites TO drive them ayav 40
that they shall into competition with them as
laborers These Poor Whites, Crackers they are
called compose the active force Of the KuKlux organ
zation. They have become impressed with the belief
that II they drive out the negroes, the good lands
now cultivated by the Blacks shares for the planters
will fall into their hands. They now own or
squat upon little farms Of poor barren upland, that
with hard scratching. barely produce enough for
them to eat They naturally covet the better lands Of
the planters and think they have hit upon way Of get
ting possession Of them. On the principle where
they soc negro employed In any capacity where he Is
earning good wages they hate him. and want to him
off, that his place may be obtained for one OF themselves
They frequently warn White men to discharge their
negro hands and beat tho negroes to force them to
leave Negroes who have acquired little farms OF their
own are especially detested by these rufflans.
"The reason assigned for the exceptionally bad condi
ton of the northwestern counties s that they the
scene of predatory guerrilla warfare during the Rebel
accustomed to murder and robbery There but few
negroes In these counes there is not the Of
had feeling against them that exists In South Carolina,
where they have taken control OF the county onces
without regard to their capacity to fill Them Political
animosty however still many Of the ourages
Two White men we're whipped in Chattooga County, last
month for the sole crime Of being Republicans At the
election in December, the KuKlux were efficient In
keennp from polls In the section referred to-
In Floyd County OF voters only $50 voted ana
in Chattooga County only Is negroes voted out OF about
ao 1t is solely on account Of the political results IL
accompshes that the Kan Ia allowed 10 eNst Dy tne
influential and respectable citizens, who could suppress
it in week II they would The planters are opposed 10
IT, because 1t nereres with their aborers Many OF the
best farms arc uncultvaed account OF the sorgan
lzaton of labor caused by the KuKux but the planters
isolated as they are and exposed to night attacks nave
not dared to set on foot any movement against the
order. In tho towns, where such movement snouiu
originate with the officers OF the law the sympathy VI
the people Is emphatcay with the Ku-Klux. Inc ntte
courthouse towns in Georgia are hotbeds OF Rebel Sent
ments which are fosered and stimulated by the lawyers
and politicians who have nothing tolose by the disorders
they encourage. The planters are conservative, ana
want peace and good feeling with the negroes without
whose labor they ruined.
"Tle real leaders Of the Ku-Kux the Courthouse
and tavern politicians and the rank and file Is composed
OF the idle ignorant and worthless Poor White element,
found anywhere In the United States They are depor
ably ignorant; but have desire for education for
themselves or their children They wretchedly poor
but the desire for wealth never stimulates them 10
steady labor. They without ambition TO better ther
condition They cruel and vindictive, ana
in every way deserve their appellaton OF the low
down people. To understand the Ku-Klux problem,
the existence and character Of this class in Southern
society must be borne in mind; for, without 1t,
Ku.KIuxism would be impossible. To parade at night
in a mysterious masquerade. terrifying peaceabie
people, has strong fascination for men OF this Glass;
The Governor has in his Office number OF ku-klux
uniforms captured recently In Chattooga county, mo
costume consists Of red flannel owsers, black blouse
trimmed with red and gathered at the waist and black
cow covering the face and falling down to the breast
with cape behind. The holes cut for the eyes are Dor
dered with white and the mouth protrudes piece
of red flannel representing long tongue. For mead
piece real horns sometimes worn and often COM
mon felt hat or some uncouth device OF paper. man
of considerable nerve would be frightened by the APP
pearance at night OF band OF trcked out In THIS
dismal and fantastic garb and 1t is easy to imagine with
what terror they inspire the ignorant negroes on
the plantations who that their errand Is always
Violence and often murder The mystery OF the organ
ization and the fantastic disguise has naturally great
charm the KuKlux; and to this Is added spice OF
danger a sense OF power and decided pleasure In
breaking the laws and deying the authority Of the Rad
ical State Government which they have been taught by
such men as Stephens and Toombs to look upon as ty
rannica usurpaon which had no claim to their oDed-
ence or respect"
Here is information which the whole Amer
lean People need, but which is Systematically
withheld from One-half of them. Hence, honest
and passably intelligent men to this day be-
lieve the Ku-Klux organization and its crimes
the coinage of Radical politicians and journal
lists. And, being told that the Ku-Klux act
was utterly needless, and only devised to ena-
BILE Gen. Grant to reflect himself by coercing
the voters of the Southern States, or falsify-
ing their verdict they more than half believe it.
The first necessity of the times is q candid
and faithful, not superficial and one-sided
expose of the actual condition of the South.
Without a full and clear diagnosis of the dis
ease, the doctor and the quack are alike I'M
qualified to treat it. But let the whole truth
be plainly and fairly set forth, and the public
judgment thereon can hardly be other than