Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1871-03-14
THE KU-KLUX BUSINESS.


The report of the investigating commit
tee into the alleged outrages in the South
discloses condition of things in North
Carolina, exceeding in lawlessness and
crime the rumors which have from time to
time reached Washington concerning the
operations of the Ku-Kiux organization
The State of North Carolina is completed
under the control of this murderous band
1t numbers some forty thousand bound to-
gether by secret oaths, and is enabled by
its numbers and organization to defy the
civil authority. No person who favored
the Union cause during the war or is re-
publican now is allowed 70 become a mem
ber Its purposes are political. All its
efforts are directed to the controlling Of the
State in favor of the democratic party.
To secure this it resorts to whipping. driv-
ing out of the State, and assassination. In
eleven counties there are one hundred and
thirty four specific cases of murder and
outrage upon individuals reported and
proved by ample testimony, and in other
counties there are similar cases found. 1t
is probable that these do not nearly repre-
sent all the enormities committed, for such
is the terror inspired by the power and
desperate character of the ku-klux party
that few have the hardihood to dare its
vengeance by testifying against it. The
lite Of an individual who discloses its wick
edness is in danger. The courts are
powerless before such an organization
Not one of its members has ever yet been
convicted of the crimes for which they
have been tried. Juries will not convict
them, either through fear of vengeance,
or sympathy, OF because they contain
members of the band who are pledged by
secret oaths TO stand by the criminal be he
ever so guilty.
The investigation did not extend to any
State bat North Carolina, but the commit
tee have evidence that the same organiza
ton exists and operates in other southern
States. In view of the facts presented i
is plainly the duty of Congress to provid,
some remedy before il adiourns. To al
low such an organization to continue it
work of ruffianism and of scarcely undis
guised rebellion against the authorities o
State and nation would be dangerous mat
ter. In Kentucky the attention of the
State government has been called by some
of the papers to the work of the ku-kux
and some show of an investigation has
been made, but the democratic authorities
have no stomach for prosecuting inquiry
and dealing proper punishment, because
they depend upon the rufians for theft
election. There is no power that can reach
the evil but the arm of the government,
and that should be stretched out in such q
manner as to wipe out the Ku-klux and
protect peaceable and lew abiding citizens.
Delay and tenderness upon the part OF
Congress will but make matters worse
In the elections of the year past terrorism
prevailed in many of the States, keeping
blacks and whites away from the poll,
under dread of violence aud making The
vote farce and falsehood. If the organ
ization is allowed to continue there will b,
no such thing as freedom of voice or ballo
at the polls. Practically it is about tina
now, and it is about time that stringen
corrective were applied. 1t is well tina
Congress has taken the subject in hand
and we trust no adjournment will be hat
until the measures demanded are adopted