The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1871-08-14
ACCEPTING THE SITUATION DEFINED.
Condition Of Affairs in Mississippi Political
Prospects-No Such Organization as the Ku
Klux Khan Course Of tbs Southern De-
moeracy in the Next Presidential
Election-They Will Stand Aloof
from the Management
WHITE SULPHUR SPRINGS, /


ernment at Richmond Mr. Thompson was selected
as Its financial agent I'm Europe, whittier he was
sent TO negotiate the cotton bonds with what sue
s already known TO the readers OF the HERALD.
Upon the close OF hostities (ater the amnesty pro-
camaiion} Mr.. Thompson, like most OF the
Southern representatives in Europe returned
10 his home, renowned public life and settled
down to the qu,etude and retirement OF a planter,
which he has steadily pursued 10 the present.
In appearance he Is not striKlngly impressive but
In conversation there Is an earnestness about him
that carries force and conviction with what he says.
He Is about sixty years of age. above the medium
stature portly in build, and has jovlal and pleas
Ing presence. coming, as he does, fresh from the
cotton States called upon Mr. Thompson q few
days since and found him at his cottage on Virginia
row. where ne was amusing himself In quiet game
OF cards with his wife and daughter while the chill
dren Of the latter were playlul!y gamboing on the
porch, making very happy domestic scene. Upon
explaining to MIN the nature OF my visit Mr. Thomp-
son seemed disposed to suspend his amusement and
politely requested me to be seated; but this de-
clined and made an appointment with him
an hour later, ct which time found him at leisure.
After some preliminary chat the subject Of my visit
was again preached, upon which he smiled and ex.
pressed Willingness to give all the information
required as to the condition, feeling and political
sentiment OF the Southern people; but, he added,
~ have strong aversion to being mentioned iii the
public prints and never wish 10 be mixed up with
public affairs again."
"what Is the present political condition Of affairs
In Mississippi 2" asked
"Well, 1t Is just favorable as could be expected
under the circumstances. There is very little, or
should say no political excitement there at present
Everything works quietly aud peaceably, and |
think thar in very short time good feeling ana
harmony will triumph over the animosity created
between the races by adventurers and sooundrels
from the North"
TIE KU KLUX.
"In your judgment is there any such organization
In Mississippi as the Ku KluX Kan ?"
"No, sir, ~ laughing, 'rhere Is not Just after the
war, as Is well known. and az. In fact after every
similar revolution, our country was swarmed with
horse thieves, vagabonds and robbers OF every de-
scription In many instances the rohoerics AMI out
RACES were nasrant and the disorganized condition
almost nos impossiole to dotect them. Agan at one
time, under resolution OF Congress, we were en-
trey without civil officials. In this state OF affairs
the citizens having protection foe either life OF
properly, organized themselves INTO quasi vigilance
committees, and in numerous instances suminarlly
punished no Offenders. Then when We did
get civil officers they were such graccess set
that instead OF mending matters they but made them
worse. me worst characters were allowed TO go
UNIV hpped OF JUSTICE thieves under indictment were
turned scot free and criminals who were convicted
until the good citizens We're at the mercy OF rowing
desperadoes II was necessary under these circnm-
stances to adopt some means OF protection, ana IN
no instance was punishment Administered where iG
was not deserved. This gave rise to the cry, 'Ku
Klux, but in my experience have never known
Ol any persons who were moestcd on account OF
their political opinions. Indeed, will say that dur
ing the period when the state was without any
officials at all there less CRIME and less punish
ment Than at any other time since the close OF the
war until very recently"
"Were these punlshments inflicted by men
"No. They were often openly done in the broad
daylight but more often In the night, Tor the reason
easily efeced at that time. have yet to hear OF
any military, or even seml-miiary organization in
my state suc,i as the Ku kluX Kan Is sad to be-.
THE NEW DEPARTURE.
oDo Won approve OF the new democratic depar-
ture and do you think that SOutnerners generally
IL do not dlsapprove Of 1t, because the leading
features OF the new departure have become settled
on which we were defeated last time. The Southern
people will and do now acquicsce IN this new depar
nent part IN either the formation OF platform OF
the nomination Of a candidate. They have learned
Serious D 5ianaer In the last Presldsntlya
campaign b the active part they ssr took IN It
friends but will rather follow exactly IN the course
laid down by the Northern democracy. | ever
doubt the policy OF sending delegate, nom vo on'
ton, as their presence might In some way einbat
rass the Northern wing OF the party. But we ar
ever Is Determined upon by the Northern de
| mocracy, keeping entirely aloof from the manage
| ton of the platform, or nomination OF tue candi
date. SO far as the amendments are coneerne,
they were put in the constitution ny fraud ana o.
| force, but they arc there, in form AMI
\ UNDESIRABLE IN FACT.
It would be foolish. nuilcons and impoitlc to sti
not choose to yet rid of them by revolution There
FORE while we of the South do not dsapprove o! the
! new departure, 1t is simply on the ground That W
| m q
ACCEPT TUE SITUATION. .
YSS Spk n ina s a'' Of the
THAT term accept the situation IL perhaps, les
understood than any other hackneyed pont acS
sraIaent, which does not exist. The constltuiio
and the laws we are all, as good c!tlzeps, bound
obey until the one Is amended Or the others re
pealed. while We propose positively 10 accept a
That has been done, theoretically VIC are opposed
these infrinsemcnts upon our rights u,., ;,
the choice OF the Southern people as candidat
"That eni unable to say; nor am sufficient
| Informed as TO the names put forward. There are
number OF prominent gentlemen IN the democratic
party any Of whom would make a good Preslden
constitution and laws without usurping them
a man who Will faithfully discharge Ia
that higher power than the constitution authorize
be conferred upon him; who VIII be check upon III
ment; who Will endeavor TO lessen the present Of
pressivc taxation and administer the government gen
orally for the welfare OF the people. Mr. Hendrlck
Senator Thurman or Governor Holman, either q
them would make good President, and wouit
from their known patriotism aud staiesman5hil
unite the party and draw out Its full vote"
THE kU kLUx LAW.
what will be the erect OF the Ku Klux law
the next Presidential clectiOnyo
.swhile do not believe that there VIII be ar
cause the part or the democratic party 10 requir
It's enforcement, still am satisfied that prete,
| VIII every where be made 10 use II. without TIT
infamous law the radicals may possibly lose the cle
ton; with II Grant cannot ne defeated. II place
the control OF ms own election In his own hands
| virtually makes hin Dictator, which he will be,
enect, n elected with the aid OF or under that lay
| Then you anticipate intimidation at the polls ~
| ayes; cer;anly IN the southern States and perna
In the Northern States. Every arti1ce known
political trckery VIII be resorted 10 by the radica
, with view 10 employ force aud use federal bay
| nets Ia the elections. ! should not bc surprised
| riots were gotten up In al the principal cities
| the south wnerc tue democrats are IN the majorit
| United states troops would then bo called into a
] tion boodsned will ensae, and on these grounds I
RADICALS Ia congress will throw out the vote OF
! states in the Electoral College. This ku Klux Ia