Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1871-04-27
THE KU-KLUK BILL.
Proofs that the TyFshRICal Measure Of
CoHgFsss Was ret Necessary.
An Able and Convincing G0mbllailsa from
the New YORK Pest, ReBublIosu.


The Constitution Of the United
States authorizes governors Of States,
in the absence of the legislatures, to
call upon the President for help in
putting down violence.
The supporters of the Ku-KluX bill
acknowledge this, but reply that the
governors Of the States are in SYM
Dathy with the ku-kluX. But, un-
fortunately for this assertion, the gov
ernOrs Of those States which it is said
are a prey to violence and disorder,
are Republicans. Here Is
LIST OF THE SOUTHERN GOVERNORS.
Alabsms-Robert B. Lindsay, Demo
crst.
Arlzsnsas-Poweu Clayton, Republican
resigned and succeeded by another Re
publican.
Mfssouri-B. Gratz Brown, Repu blicsn.
FlOrids-H arrisOn Reed, Republican.
Georgis-Rufus B. Bullock, Republican.
Louisiana Henry G. WarnOth, Re
publican.
Alississippi-Jsmss L. Alcorn, Rspub-
licau.
North Carolina Holden, succeeded by
the Republican lieutenant-gnyernOr.
South Carolins-ROb6rt X. Scott, Re-
publican.
Tennessee-DsWit c. Senter, Republi-
Texas-Eimund J. Davis, Republican.
Virginia-GiIbert C.. Walker, Conser-
FeEtuoky-John W. Stevenson, sue
cseded by a Democrat.
We find here that Of thirteen Gov
ornors OF Southern States, ten are
Republican, one is q Conservative, "
and two are Democrats.
We find that from Alabama, which
has a Democratic Governor, and from
Virginia, which has a Conservative"
Governor, no kU-kluX Outrage5 are
reported. Tennessee, since the last
election, has been quieted. Missouri,
in which a special amnesty act was
carried at the last election, is quiet.
But, as the
DISORDERS OCCUR
in those States only which have Re
DUbiicsn Governors, how is it that
those Governors do not call upon the
President, as they have the COnstitu-
tioual right to do? Governor AlcOrn,
Republican. says officially, that there
is no necessity for the interference OF
5he Federal arm. We have a right to
presume. from the violence Of the
other Governors, that they are Of the
same opinion. The
ATLANTA ERA,
a Republican journal, which has re-
nominated Grant for the Presidency,
saws, in its number for April 18th:
at is alleged that Mr.. Hill did not
vote either on the resolution autbOriZ.
ing the appointment of an Outrage
Committed OF upon the Ku-KluX bill,
1--WE regret this chiefly for Mr..
HUTs own sake. We had a right to
tsTDect that be would be in his place,
ard vote against the last-named meas
u0a. since il is not such ss can be ap'
proved by enlightened Republicans
in GeOTgia.
HOur State is now
A MEMBER OF THE UNION
and. as such, is entitled, under the
Constitution, to all the rights and
UoIitical considerations due any Of the
Northern States. Our State laws are
ample for the protection Of life and
property; and the true remedy for the
exceptional cases of disorder lies not
10 a Congressional police system, bui
in the enforcement of our local laws
Reconstruction is over. The time is
past when Congress can institute triali
Tor n1isdpmeanOrs and felOnie5 il
Georgia. auv more than in Massachu
sets or Pennsylvania. 1t would bC
as competent Tor Congress TO provide
A POLICE SYSTEM
for the suppression Ct disorders a.
Scranton, in Pennsylvania, as at any
point in Georgia. Both States are
now upon the same footing, and vi
have a right 70 expect that our Sena
Tsrs and Representative ia Congress
Wiil be In their places, and by their
votes, vindiCate the Constitutional
righla OF the State"
la ether Southern States the Re
publican journals also oppose this Ku-
Klux legislation. The Charleston Re
publican for tLstance, opposes II.
Are not uhese reasons OF the strong
est kind against the passage Of the
Ku-KluX bill2
1.-THE President should sign this bill
giving him, as it does, enormous, dan
gerous, and unconstitutional pOWersr
Snd sign it In the face Of the remOn
strauces of Southern Republicans
would he not stand condemned, be
fore public opinion, a. grasping aitel
the most dangerous and
UNCONSTITUTIONAL POWERS,
and tb.st without the shadow Of an
excuse. "a Is own party in the States IN
which he pretended that this legisla
ton Il necessary, opposing It?
Let him and Jet Congress remem
Der, also, that the Northern Republic
can press, though pot unanimous
against the bill, gives tt very halting
and doubtful support; and the ablest
Republican Journals, the Chicago
Tribune, the Cincinnati Commercial
the Springfield Republican, the Boston
AdDertissr, the Portland AdUertiser,
the Minneapolis Tribune, the Detroit
Tribune, and many Others, oppose it.
The Buffalo Commercial AdUertlssr
says:
aThe majority Of the Republicans
Al the North viii not tolerate any
more
INTERFERENCE
with the rights OF the Southern States
II such a step Is directly or indirectly
calculated to promote the success OF q
set OF political adventures. Somt
speeches made by the Southern Re
publican In Congress seem to indl
Gates conviction that the North stands
ready 10 keep the South always II
hot water, il necessary to support
them in official position. There never
was a greater mistake. The Northern
Republican party is determined thai
the questions settled by the war shall
remain settled; 10 INSISTS that the
measures provided for protecting the
country against another rebellion shall
not be disturbed; Il stands prepared
to employ
MEETs
II necessary, 70 enioEes the laws sly