The Portland daily press., 1871-04-17
DAILY PRESS,
PORTLAND. s0f
MONDAY APRIL, II, 1871.
WASHINGTON, ID. c., April 18th, 1871.

ADJOURNMENT OF CONGRESS.
| &J 'uis time next week the present session
VIII nave closed. 1t begun in doubt. Travelled
WIN unsteady steps, has been attended with
'u,ou'ance' but closes with most important re-
su'' and larger degree of harmony than
o'en tne most sanguine of US could have ex-
pecteo. From the first hour there were many
reasons for fearing disorder and disruption.
we see now party with closed ranks, almost
illustrating the second stage of that pictur-
esque figure with which Butler closed his vic.
orous speech on the Ku.K Klux bill last weak
ara Hung back martial and old time def
ance at the opposition II was very striking
ana the effect was superb when he declared
'na' .ne Republican bugle OF late had only
sUuhoed tho stable call,"-but that when
ooots aud saddle" was blown eyerv man
ouu oe In line, mounted, ready and cage,
.ns trumpet call to Charge" sBoot, and
sauuie nave sounded and even Farnswor,b
| ~uno' forget the inspiration. He too vbaal.
n'o hne, and suppose will be ready ~ f,oh,
"no'ner mcclellan in behalf of other Hn,oh;.
sons, should occasion arise. --u''n'n-
| otor"y, erratic and even frapment.,n -
mas Deen this session its results are varr -,
portant E sen s-"'' arc very I'M
rHst' Inc House has most clearly indic.t
ed Its determination to favor and press 70 con-
.lusions some important fiscal chaages. The.s
include the repeal of the duties on coal ,a,t
tea and coffee. and the speedy abrouation os
the internal revenue system, except that nor.
ton bearing on spirits and tobacco. Tn. d.
c'' mas passed resolution directing its
nnance committee to conduct inquiries during
tue recess into the revenue system. exhrnal
.nu in'ernai' and report at the next session.
o'nor minor indications of similar character
snow serious minded feeling on these tonics
second, The important Ku-KIux Iegisla.
tion has been almost completed. IT viii \.
perfected before adiournment. do not he-
heVe tne Importance of this can be oyerrated
II view OF the possibilities involved in mi. a.
rocious conspiracy. lam certain of one thing
'nat the debates and subsequent united party
vote thereon, have not only strengthened the
Aaministration but demoralized the opuosi-
..on. The Ku Klux bill gives, with the inyes-
"gation that is to be made, the real issue of the
ensuing campaign.
Anird' Following and accompanying thisis
tne Amnesty measure, which It is believed
win pass the Senate as 1t already has the
house. am glad for one Of this. Under
present restrictions 1t leaves only about 1SOo
out OF the pole, and these are As a rule. the
really guilty ones, who were the aot;va rro-
moters and leaders of fragrant treason.
Fourth, There is the San Dom;n.o ,.,
squelched by the wise action of tba P,s.;s.n.
AS the question now appears, it was exceed
ingiy wise for the President to put the respou-
sibliity where it belongs, and il will be wiser
stiii for Congress to take it up early next ses-
sion and consummate the act of anuexation
This believe will be done. The nol;cv 4.
stronger to-day than it has been, and grows.
TOO. The quieting of this quarrelis a feather
lor tois session. 1t is 20 efectually quieted
tnat 1 look to see even Schurz wheel into line
with his old friends and associates. -.l -.
THE KU KLUx NvEsTIGAT1oN-lrs Srcrssrrv
brief document bearing date March 25tb.
ana Iust printed, sent by colored citizens of
frankfort, KY, affords in the facts it presents
some potent reasons for the enactment OF
the pending bill, and more especially for the
full and thorough investigation into the Ku-
Aiux rebellion, contemplated In the appoint
ment of the proposed joint Committee of In
vestigation., The memorial before me is sim
pie and plain. even pathetic in its "unyarnish-
Cd taie 1t is signed by six men, one of whom
Is a teacher, another keeper of livery stable.
and third is barber. They declare shat
lie liberty and property are unprotected
among the colored race" in Kentucky. .Or-
gained bands of lawless and desperate men.
mainly composed of soldiers of the late rebei
armies" are committing atrocities Of the most
irightful character. There is quaint pathosi in
the following: "We believe you are not famil-
lar with the description of the Ku Klux Klans
riding nightly over the country going from
county to county, andin the country towns.
spreading terror wherever they 60 by robbing,
whipping, ravishing and killing eur people
without provocation, compelling colored peo-
pie to break the ice and bathe in The Kentucky
raUer." The italics are mine. The curiouS
composition of the sentence may excite smile
out If the reader will aDalyze the action spok-
en- OF, the terror such deeds must arouse can
easily be seen. Let any one Imagine him.
self aroused from slumber ct night by armed
and masked bands, taken out and compelled
70 break the river ice and compelled 10 plunge
INTO the water beneath, under threats of death,
and it will be seen that there is power in tho
~SAo 70 oiS tOrC6 III the tOl
lowing: I'VE also find that for our services
to the Government and our race we have be.
come the special object of hatred ard presecu-
ton at the haEds OF the Democratic party
A detailed list Of various outrages occurring in
and about Frankfort for the last two years,
comprises over one hundred acts and involv.
es about two hundred persons, not one of
whom has been brought 10 punishment Over
one hundred Of these we're murders. more than
score being in broad daylight, done even in
the heart of villages and towns. Seven wcm-
en- were among the victims and two or three
others were outraged. These are only such
acts as the memorialists are cognEant Of aud
yet they show how extensive are the atrocities.
One fact is noticeable in the record At first
the crimes are set down as perpetrated BY
mobs; where 1869 and 70 are reached, they are
recorded as acts of the Ku-Klux, showing that
they begun in sporadic movements and have
gradually been organized into system
Crime grows il unchecked, by what Ii feeds
upon The investigation should be thorough.
| ly done. SPEcrAroR