New-York tribune., 1871-03-28
STATEMENT OF A DISTINGUISHED KEN
TUCKIAN.
To the Editor of The Trfbun


TUCKIAN.
TO the Editor Of The Tribune.
SIR: The speeches of Senators Stevenson,
Morton Blair Davis and Others bring prominently De
fore the public the condition OF affairs in Kentucky ana
fortunately enable all interested TO form opinions based
upon the actual facts brought to light by this senatorial
discussion. As Kentucian, native born, by the way,
have the last 10 days closely watched and listened 10
all speeches made in the Senate relative to my State and
have read with interested attention all articles In the
newspapers concerning the deplorable condition OF
affairs in that portion OF general country known pess
by me. To say the least Of IL, Senator steyensons
speeches been noted more for barren fabrcaons
groundless charges than anything else, and no one
knows the fact better than the Senator himself To
show the utter OF truth in the assertions made by
Democrats relative to the condition OF affairs in Ken
tucky 1t need only be stated plainly, and challenge
contradiction:
First That the State Courts OF Kentucky have never
punished any person charged with participation In MOB
violence for hanging, shooting or assassinatng citizens
of that State
Second That the Legislature of that State has refused
20 pass any general special law relative to the sup
preston of mob violence in the State although 1t Is
publcly-known fact that not less than one thousand
persons have been murdered in that State by organized
fnobs.
Third That the State Legislature has refused even 10
glve eolored men the right to testify In Democratic
Democratic juries relative to criminal proceedings
brought against them by Kentucky chiyalry."
Fourth: That Immediately under the nose OF Gov.
Stevenson the Senator from Kentucky, the jail at the
capital the State has been opened and prisoners res
cued or murdered, and punished but no attempt
made by the Executive OF the state 70 nd out the ci
mails.
Fnh That the present Senator from Kentucky, while
Governor Of State found TO call out the
militia OF the State to suppress mob Violence ana ala
suppress 1t for s time by mastering into the State SER
vice whole companies OF men VIGOROUSLY engaged IN
hanging and shooting citizens of that state.
Sirth That the files OF the Kentucky papers show con-
clusiyely that Senator Stevenson when Governor Of
Kentucky had official knowledge, impaired by Demo-
cratic county officials OF the existence OF mob organza
tious in that State.
An unquestonaby correct conclusion is that the mobs
or Klans In Kentucky Democrats and render too
much and too valuable service to Democracy to be sup
pressed.
Within 20 miles of my residence than 80 persons
white and black, have been murdered by organized
mobs within the last four years assert positively that
Senator Stevenson cannot show that any RepuDcan was
ever engaged in this Wholesale murder OF untrled un-
convicted victims OF mob violence. II necessary, IL
might be shown that great number, II not oil OF the
persons assassinated Republicans The attempt or
Senator Stevenson to that the Federal Court In the
District OF Kentucky has failed to punish criminals
against Federal law Is ludicrousy false
that it scarcely deserves attention. sufficient
answer Is that the only persons ever punished
in Kentucky for hanging citizens OF the state
without law have been punished by the United states
Court The Senator cannot have forgotten that the Cap
tam OF one of the mob I'M
nropery called State Mitia-and II or 20 OF the mob
were indicted in the United States Court ana the zap
tain and several others tried convicted ana punished Or
whipping and shooting citizens OF that state NOR can
the Senator have forgotten that the only man ever ar
Ctotaf diat for ap-
parn9 i'm hanging citizens OF Kentucky was arrested by
United States Marshal, turned over TO state 0inclas
a. that the United states Court IN that State has always
been open to charges against any class OF criminals over
Tndge in that District and the less efficient and dis
fngshed Attorney SocitorG General OF the United
IN aord whatever protection the law allows to injured
The Of these upright and just executors OF
of KuKuxsm Kentucky than all OF Steyensons or Les
lies messages offers OF reward threats Of punshmen
of an organization kept up in Kentucky by those who
nagranty override all law II may be that these assas
snating mobs are KuKlux II may be that each organ
ization is local. But that there are organized mobs in
that state know because have seen them Ihat they
many a. three hanging at the ends OF ropes 10 trees
That they have and do whip people Know because
have seen the stripes the backs VI those whom they
whipped. That they have torn down and burned the
houses OF unofending colored people know, because
have the fragments and ashes OF demolished build
ings That these criminals have not been punished by
State authorities know because have seen them tried
evidence, although eye-witnesses and sufferers have
stood by ready Identify criminals thoroughly known to
them That United States Courts have punished oil these
criminals when possible under United States statutes,
know because have seen @ considerable number Of
them looking through Jail windows.
II Senator Stevenson Governor had tried 10 execute
the law, have doubt that mob violence In Kentucky
would have been extinguished Nor do doubt that this
exertion behalf OF law and order IL energetic would
have added $4,000 to Republicansm In Kentucky and
saved the lives OF numerous Radicals IL Ia scarcely
say anything about the ntimated ineiciency
OF the officers OF the u g. Courts Of Kentucky The rep
utaton OF Judge Bland Ballard for learning integrity
word in his behalf The legal ability and honesty OF CO
Wharton, u. s. Attorney and the ministerial efficiency
OF Gen. Murray u S. Marshal for Kentucky src too wen
and publicly recognized to make IL necessary 10 say s
single statute has remained nulhty when they &
had the power 10 enforce IT, II the statutes are ~ ~
enlarged as to give us. Courts jurisdiction III ha
Will 10 into q rapid and efficient decline.
Wdshing!on March Is, 1871.