The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1871-10-28
ku.kluxism and Democracy.

Originating in Tennessee in 1867, the
secret politico- military order, popularity
known as the Ku-klux, has rapidly spread
over the entire South, assuming various
names, such as "The Invisible Empire, 5"
"The White Brotherhood, The Council
of safety" "The Invisible Circle" etc.
The labors of the Congressional Committee,
as we'll as those of the subcommittee that
have visited various localities in the South,
have brought to the surface and exposed
to the light of day mass of information
in the shape of sworn testimony against
this secret armed political organization,
which is too minute in details and too
cumulative in facts to be longer resisted
by the demagogues of the party with which
they are cooperating. Nor can interested
demagogues in view of the Overwhelming
evidences of outrage and violence to the
persons and property of negroes and white
Republicans, truthfully impute them to
mere neighborhood prejudice and personal
feud.
The sworn testimony discloses the la
mentable fact that in a majority of instances
the outrages and violence in question have
been perpetuated through the agency of
intelligent, c0Uert, and systematic Organizdtion
and direction. 1t is a noteworthy fact that
the more active scoundrels composing the
order are reserved for deeds of violence,
while the more influential and reputable
members make themselves useful in con-
trolling public sentiment, furnishing bail
bonds for arrested parties, securing suita-
BILE witnesses, and influencing .juries. 1t is
these so called respectable and reputable
people who assure newspaper correspond
ents and other inquiring minds that "every-
thing is lovely" in their region. The des-
peradoes of Southern society find a well
come place in the Khan, and furnish suta-
BILE working material when there is to be
shedding of blood and other deeds of vio-
lence. The fraternal relations which sub
sist between them and the influential chiefs
of this political brotherhood, has an effect
the very opposite of lettering them from
threatening the lives of good citizens and
disturbing the tranquility of our country.
The Ku-Klux order claims membership
of five hundred thousand in the South
Should it be necessary 10 make a liberal
allowance for exaggeration, we will never
theless find so large portion of the South
ern people, not tosay Northern Dem ocrats,
in close and active sympathy with the Or
ganization, and ready to CO operate with it,
that we may safely state its effective
strength at half million of men, who are
to all intents and purposes, in sympathy
with the Democratic party. The testimony
taken by the Congressional Committee
proves conclusively that the Ku-Klux Or
ganization has been devised and is employ
ed to extinguish Republicanism in the
South. This conspiracy is alike horrible
in its inception and frightful in its results.
1t has properly become matter Of public
selicitude. The accumulated and well
attcsted facts which have resulted from
Congressional investigation show that hec-
atombs of victims have been inundated
upon the altar of liberty and country to
this Moloch of Southern Democracy
Frightful as is the aggregate, the list is by
no means complete. Alas, that the facts
compel us to say that not less than ninety
nine per cent. of the long procession of the
warned, the whipped the wounded, and
the murdered were avowed Republicans,
and were maltreated Or murdered outright
because of their adherence to the Republi-
can party and their support of its candi-
dates, in spite of warnings and menaces!
A fearful responsibility develops upon
Northern Democrats So long as they
continue to hold out the hope to their
Southern brethren that, if restored to
power, they will adopt and pursue reac-
tionary policy, such as the ultra reaction
lists foreshadowed in the Broadhead letter
and still insist upon, just so long will the
Ku-Klux Democracy strive to render itself
serviceable to the common cause. Let con-
scientious Northern Democrats range
themselves at once on the side of oppressed
humanity and imperilled nationality, and
make explicit and unreserved announce
ment of their honest purposes through the
ballot, thus taking Sc new departure " in
the best sense of the term.