Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1871-11-04
Ku-Klux Again.

lao " aShiuStOn papers state that httutu'i
General Akerman has rctsgned from the Seat
Of the so-called rebellion in South Carolina.
lie has made an inspection Of the counties
which our High Mightiness has thought pro-
per to put under martial law. It's ascer;aiued
that the Invisible Empire does exist. and that
a majority Of the entire white men Of that sec
ton are either enrolled in its membership, or
under its control. Il is also discovered by the
energetic Aksrman, that the objects Of this in
visible institution IS set forth in its Oaths and
pledges arc the support Of the aRte-bell'na Con-
stitution aud resistance to radical invasion.
Treachery to the invisible empire is punished
with death lie also enUmerateS quite terIni-
dable catalogue Of OutIages committed in York
county in the last year, ten murdersh having been
committed and twenty colored school-houses
burned. But the yigilant Attorney also states,
that the most Of these outrases were Psrpstra-
ted in March last But very few have occur
red recently, showing, We suppose, that the
passage Of the benefcent act Of Congress as
the Ku-Klux Bill is called by the Radicals,
has had the effect to deter crime.
Many Of these misguided men have surren-
dered themselves to the U. S authorities, M
der the impression that they would be pardOned
BY the Executive. Ninety men had been ar
rested and confined in the York Jail. 1t is not
stated whether they would be granted hear
Ing or not, but he claims that the depart
ment of justice has the right under the Pres
ident's proclamation and the Ku-Klux law, to
hold them until the L. S. Court assemblies on
the 9th instant.
As the miserable conduct Of the corrupt
Federal officials is one Of the ayowed causes Of
Che formation Of the invisible Empire" the
astute Akerman informs General Grant, that
the punishment Of these officials is absolutely
necessary TO the success Of the Radical party
in that section, aud should 60 hand-in-hand
with the enforcement Of the benefeent act,
otherwise the party there would certainly come
to grief. The gist Of the whole matter like
the postscript Of lady's letter. is contained al
the end viz: the welfare Of the Radical party
and we very much suspect, that tits not so
much the protection Of the trOoly loil,' as
the winning over or retaining voters for Grant,
that has so worked upon the great heart Of the
administration as to cause it to put forth such
outrageous efforts to sustain its cause in
that unfortunate State.
As we have before said, we have nothing to
say in defence of regularly convicted murderers,
nor would we, in tho slightest degree, palliate
the outrage Of school-house burning. BY
no means-even though we are pretty sure
that many things are. taught in those same
school-houSes, very much cut Of the usual
course Of studies pursued therein. We accept
the Constitution as Il is, and shall ever abide
by its requirements Let Radicals DO the same
No good citizen will seek to prevent the pro-
per education Of the African race. For he well
knows, that in proportion as they become edu-
Gated, AID can thus inform themselves, will
they see that they are only made tools Of by
the earpet-baggers and scallawags for their
own political and pecuniary advantage; and
that their professed sympathy for the OPprcsS-
ed race is a bumbug. The Conservative party
in the South has everything to gain, and moth
ing to lose, by heartily cooperating to educate
and elevate all classes Of citizens, Irrespective
Of color, sex or previous condition