Iowa voter. [volume] (Knoxville, Iowa) 1867-1874, 1871-04-13

politically or otherwise, in those
States. And as to the complaints OF
Ku-Klux outrages which come from
these last mentioned States, I have
no greater means Of information than
any other citizen Of Iowa who
troubles himself to read the published
statements concerning them.
It afforded me pleasure to say that,
during my Southern trip, l was
kindly received and courteously
treated by men of all parties, and l
was induced to believe, and do yet
believe, that Northern men who go
there on legitimate business, or for
the purpose of becoming citizens, are
as secure, in person and property, as
they would be in any other portion
Of our common country. And I 90
not now believe that any general pr
prevailing sectional prejudice exists,
in the States l visited, against the
people of the North; and l am con-
yinced that most of the animosity
exhibited there toward men from
the North is mainly of an individual
or personal character, and has, TO a
great extent, been justly excited by
the conduct of irresponsible adven-
turers and demagogues, who have
located there for temporary purposes,
and to achieve political elevation.
As Northern man, / should feel
perfectly safe in travelling through
the Southern States anywhere from
Texas to the Carolinas, although !
might not be entirely secure, in GER
tain portions of them, were to
settle there and take an active part
as a Republican politician. l was
assured by gentlemen who occupied
prominent positions under the Con-
federate government, many of them
military leaders, that it was their
true policy and desire to invite and
encourage Northern enterprise, cap
ital and intelligence among them;
and l could perceive no reason for
doubling the sincerity of these
expressions. Leading Republicans
in New Orleans informed me that,
except in a few parishes in the upper
portion of Louisiana, there were no
disloyal organizations in that State,
and that now, AS general rule, the
people are amply protected in the
enjoyment of their political rights
and opinions. In conversation with
Hon. J. =. Newcomb, Secretary ol
State of Texas, and with Col. j. &.
DeGrass and other prominent citi-
zens, / was assured that, notwith-
standing the disorders and crimes
heretofore SO common in that State,
a firm and vigorous Republican
administration had finally succeeded
In restoring a comparative degree OF
orderand personal security. Similar
statements were also made to me by
citizens of Alabama and Mississippi,
as to the condition Of things in those
States. From the information thus
derived, ! came to the conclusion,
and so expressed myself, that what
ever lawless or disloyal combinations
existed in the States mentioned,
were composed Of desperadoes, act
ing outside Of political organizations,
and committing their depredations
Unfortunately upon the members
of all parties. 1 inferred that If such
organizations were used as political
machinery and for the accomplish
ment Of partizan ends, it was only i'm
certain districts OF country, and that
the cases were exceptional. This
opinion / still entertain. In these
matters, however, IL is possible that
my credulity may have been some
what imposed upon, and that my
conclusions were too hastily adopted.
But, as ! understand it, the state
ment l made in the conversation
referred to, and not the accuracy Of
my opinions, is the matter in dispute.
The foregoing, as / think Captain
Mccormack will concede, embraces
the substance Of what stated to him
on this particular topic. ThecOnver-
sation xas not pri ixata Ard be Vie h
ted no obligation in giving it public
ity. If he chose, In the exercise of
his editorial privilege, to use 1t for
political purposes, ] have no right TO
complain; but for his conclusions
and inferences from what was stated
/ am, Of course, not responsible.
In justice to myself, l. perhaps
ought to add that the opinions here
in expressed were formed during q
period of unusual quietude in the
Southern States, and sometime before