The Saline County journal. [volume] (Salina, Kan.) 1871-1893, 1871-04-20
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whether the French people can govern
themselves" would it not be eminently
proper for us to stop and put the qucs-
ton directly home whether the Ameri.
can people can govern themselves" The
outrages perpertrated in the Carolinas
would seem to justify the opinion that
the Federal government is inadequate to
sustain its sovereignty over that portion
of the domain. Who is to blame? Lawless
bands are traversing the country from
one end to the other, committing Outra
ges that would almost shame the French
insurgents. Courts of justice can moi
brook the assassin crimes, nor does thu
State government seem to make them
less. Five years have passed away since
the rebellious States were conquered
and still quasi intestine war is raging
there. We think it is about time thai
some demonstration of Federal authOri
ty was manifesting itself to protect the
innocent Union man in his life and liber
ty. 1t would seem that u proper dispo
sition of troops would prevent thes'
many murders or is the military arm o.
the government sham? 1t is time tina
some power should intervene to teacl
the rebels that the man who sacrihcet
home, property, treasure, blood and al
most life itself for his UninOn sentiments
was not to be dragged from his bed al
night by masked bands of assassins' and
shot in cold blood, and while wilterins
in his gore, should hear curses and NAL
edictions tor his answering loyalty and
devotion TO the old flag. Can these
things be scatter all the sacrifice OF blood
and treasure, of friends and kindred for
the preservation of our government and,
the uniform supremacy of its laws from
ocean to ocean, and from the lakes to the
gulf Can it be that the war is not yet
ended and that we mnst fight the battles
ovre again.
We are not entirely CONVINCED that the
better class of Southern people approve
or indorse the action of these mauraud-
ing bands. Still the proof is not salts
factory who is at the head of them. There
must be, either directly or indirectly, en-
given to these ruffians by
men Of property, standing and influence,
or they would have long since been sup
pressed. The latter would not sit down
and allow these outrages to be perpetra-
led about them, if they desired to see
and peace restored. They
would rise up en- masse and drive away
.hese ingrates, that forgetfuIness of
he past might be encouraged by the
sunlight of prosperity and peace, which
must be wished for by those who are hon
'stly willing to sail under the old flag
gain
Such disorders will not fill up de-
'lcted treasury, bring harvcsts to neg
ected and war-torn fields, or restore
he pristine wealth ruined in the South
asst by the "invading army" The su-
of law and order can only bring
ack what they have lost, and without
hem soon, the country will never sur
i've the shock it has received by the war.
depopulation of the entire country Of
Il their enterprising, refined and inteli-
ent people that are now there will be
he result, while immigration will not {
EEK such inhospitable shores. A night {
arker than Egypt will hover over that q
sautiful land, and peace and prosperity +,
, far from its borders. II
We hope that the Ku-Klux act will t
, carried into strict force by the govern b
ent. Many laws are passed that be- a
me imperative, for the reason that a
ey were never enforced. We sincerely t
,pe that this one is not to be placed in j
e same category. 1t Is full time that
much Federal clemency and oversight
as being done away with, and that the
edding of innocent blood was prevent =
by necessary force. !