New-York tribune., 1871-06-28


COLoRs-HIs ADMISSIONS AND CoNTRADIC-
TIoNs BEFORE THE CONGRESS COMMITTEE.
IBY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUERl
WASHINGTON, June 27.-N. B. Forrest, the
Rebel General examined, to-day, before the Ku-
Klux Committee. He shown copy OF The Cinesn-
natl Commercial printed In August 1868, containing
report Of conversation with him in Memphis, in which
was represented to have replied follows to the
respondents questions:
Why, General, we people mp North have regarded the
Ku-Kux organization which existed only In the
frightened imaginations OF a few politicians
Well Sir there ID such organization, not only In
Tennessee but all the South, and its numbers have
not been exaggerated.
What are its numbers, Generalf
In Tennessee there are over 10000 In ell the Southern
States they number about $4,000 men.
What is the character OF the organization, may In
auIre -,
zatlon. willing to show any man the constitution
OF the society The members to recognize the
thing at all about the government OF Tennessee Its
objects originally protection against loyal leagues
and the grand army OF the Republic butt after 10 became
general 1t found that political matters and interests
could best be promoted within it, and it was then made
political organization, giving its support of course, to
the Democratic party
But is the organization connected throughout the
State.
Yes is Tn each voting precinct there Is Captain
who In addition TO his other duties, required TO make
out list OF OF in his precinct, giving all the
Radicals and all the Democrats who are, positively
known, and showing all the doubtful both sides and
OF both colors This list OF is forwarded to the
Grand Commander OF the State who is thus enabled TO
know who our friends and who are not. =.
Can you or are you at liberty TO- give me the name Oh
the commanding officer Of this State
No; it would be impoltic.
In September OF that year, Gen. Forrest IN etter
modified the report as follows;
said IL was reported and believe the report, that
there are 10000 KuKuX in Tennessee, and believe the
organization stronger In other States.
When asked concerning these reports today he made
general denial of the report and alleged that lie dld
not say more than 20 words TO the correspondent.
member OF the Committee then questioned him in regard
to the several important points of the conversation, ana
he admitted the substantial truth OF them all. When
asked then the 20 words conversation, he said
that he reckoned" that he should have said 20 minutes
During the whole of his examination he stouty denied
that he was Ku-Klux. One Of the Committee at length
asked him II he was knight OF the White Camea. lie
promptly replied. ayes" but Immediately corrected
himself and denied IT When, however, he was asked
what order he did belong to- he replied the order OF
Pale Faces" He denied that he knew Of any Ku-Klu1
in the South and said that he bad dsbanded them
in the Spring Of 1868. His letter written in September
s6s was then read to him again. and he reckoned that
1t was in the Fall. This an Important admission as
1t proved that even though he told the truth is char
liable to suppose he did it proved by Of their own
number that the Ku-Klux at work during the Presi
Dental campaign.
Gen. Forests examination throughout and especially
when crossquestioned, full OF contradictions ana,
taken altogether was somewhat damaging to him. AT
one stage Of the examination he remarked that he sup
posed that he was not obliged to answer certain ques
ton II It eliminated himself Senator Scott read TO him
the law requiring testimony to be given, even under
those circumstances when after some hesitation ne sad
he thought lie would not base 1T that plea but that
he did not remember. His memory also failed him when
asked the names OF any other members Of the KuKlx
He could recall the Of only few who have since
died and whom it would therefore, do the Committee no
good to know
The Committee also examined Mr.. Smith, Postmaster
at Meridian Miss and Clerk Of the Court at the time the
riot took place there last March His testimony threw
considerable light the causes leading to that riot IL
will be remembered that the reports OF the affair at the
time we're nearly all from Rebel sources, except that OF
the Mayor whose letter printed in The TRIBUNE.
From Mr. Smiths testimony 1t appears that after the
abuses which the Ku-Klux in Alabama had heaped upon
the negroes during the election last Fall, many OF the
latter fed into Mississippi and some OF them settled In
Meridian. In the Spring the labor OF these men
was needed in Alabama, and some OF the Ku-
Klux undertook to take them back They seized
two negroes in Meridian, bound them and took
them away. The Mayor called on the Governor Tor
troops to protect the negroes and this attempt on his
part made him obnoxious to the KuKluX, and brought
down upon him their vengeance After the two men had
been taken away, the negroes held meeting at which
speeches were made calling them to stand up for their
liberty and rights II they assaed even though they
we're obliged protect themselves with arms This adj
vice. which, under the same circumstances, would have
been all right II given to white men, was "ineendary"
when given to negroes and the speakers were arrested,
and were on trial for making "incendiary" speeches
when the riot occurred The subcommittee will 90 to
South Carolina this week.