The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1871-06-05

and mad 70 be
DRAGGED To THE FRONT
by conscrpt officers and then disgraced the name
OF men and soldiers. AT the beginning, NY impress
sion is that the Ku Klux was merely political Or
ganizatlon. and before outrages took place EN-.
braced many respectable citizens; but since that
time the organization has got beyond the control OF
its leaders and Is now under the influence OF
q class who are
and Indifferent 10 the real welfare OF the community
IN which they live.'
40 You think that 5000 regulars would be enough
ernorin
zone thousand troops are all that are necessary
that is. II thew have authority To make arrests but
without the aid OF the United States Court 10 prose-
cute the parties arrested
TEN THOUSAND TROOPS WOULD DO no GOOD.
They would simply protect those within the reach
OF their gunS-no m0re.n
"Do you ANTICIPATE any Ku Klux trouble in the
None whatever. There may be individual diff
hculties, resulting IN death. and SO on; but appre
mend the existence OF no organization"
in your opinion. II these outrages should contl-
nue., would the
UNION LEAGUE OF THE STATE,
which, I understand, Is composed almost exclu-
sivev Of negroes, assume belligerent attitude ~
1T Is very difficult to say what will be the result
sooner or later. Even the most AFFECT worm may
turn in self.defencc when it is least expected"
mrtiaT'
General wlnsmlth, who was Confederate major,
and General W. J. Whipper'' "a colored man and
member OF The Legisature).
''IIaye yop recently given any instructions 10 any
general officer OF your militia having reference 10
az HAVE NoTn
''Do you intend to do sof'
al shall he governed by circumstances. I hope
however, that no emergency will arise which viii
render 1t necessary for me TO call out the militia
resort TO martial law: for | have firm belief tnat
the conservative element OF the State, without
regard 10 political afiauon, will unite In putting
down the men who are disposed to disturb the
peace and quiet OF the communities In which so
much violence has occurred The recent action OF
the Taxpayers Convention is very healthy, and II
sufficient time be given 1t will have It's proper effect
The members
WERE REPRESENTATIVE MEN,
and regard them as pledged to use all their tnnu-
ence to restore harmony and que existing ais
orders.
.'Have You authority under the Ku Klu- bill TO
put the state under martial law''
81 have not; but by communicating with the
President OF the United states he. under the power
conferred, may at his pleasure, take such step.n
.'Were such an event 10 occur would trials
By JURY DE ABoLISHEDY
81 think not. That Is one or the results only OF
put would not martial law result in trials by
military commissioner
would result simply in suspension OF The writ OF
habeas corpus. leaving the civil courts IN undis-
to try prisoners, but without authority on the part
OF the Judge to release them from jail before trial"
.Should outrages on colored men continue for any
length OF time DO you think the blacks would rise
and defend themselves, or that
WAR OF RACES
~ scarcely think that. but believe they would
retallate.n
'Are the blacks not now organized in certain
way ~
Yes they are. All they want is some one TO en-
courage them, and retaliation would have taken
place before this time. But for the good counsel OF
those who have had more experience than them.
selves am confident that, whatever might have
been the consequences there would have been a
widespread retaliation, and in such manner too,
that perhaps even the Ku Klux could
NOT HAVE MET AND CHECKED IT'D
"Have YOU any knowledge that arms have been
quietly shipped into the State for the white menf'
ayes. have received Information that within the
last six or eig months large numbers of arms have
been received IN this State"
"DO you believe those arms were wanted for do
mestic use, or are they Tor another and
MORE DANGEROUS PURPoSE?'
las an excuse for their importation the parties re.
ceiging them claim that they were to he used
against the organized militia In the even. OF trouble.
II is true that the militia are composed pretty
largely of colored men, and some OF them through
ignorance may have acted mprudently. Like all
people who have been deprived OF a privilege, they
seem TO have put a much higher value upon it wnen
granted than those who are accustomed to 1t. and
the consequence was that the colored men carried
the whites became annoyed and aroused. Whether
their apprehenslons we're well founded or not have
no means OF knowing, but am disposed to think
THAT THEIR FEARS WERE GENUINE
without In my opinion, any foundation for them.
As for myself l have never entertained the idea
that there would be anything Ike an organized
effort the part OF the blacks to invade the rights
and privileges OF the white men OF the State; nor
unless 1t is in selfdelence. The more Intelligent
among the coIored people know that such an
general government
THROWN AGAINST THEM
II they became the eggressors. Iney Know that an
attempt to produce war OF races would destroy all
the sympathy that exists for them, without refer
ence TO their political arlliauon and, being so
largely IN the minority. they would stand no chance
whatever In the contest. Hence have never enter
tanned the least fear that sucn war would origi-
nate with them. That they may become ambitious,
and where they have majority may attempt to ex-
crcse control over the political affairs OF the COM
nunity in which they 1--we, have doubt That
disposition CD their part as demonstrated by the
experience OF the past is to force men into import.
ant positions who are, by education and experience,
WHOLLY UNITED FOR THE PURPOSE,
and thereby render the administration OF civil gov
amples OF that IN the past two or three years But
while have recognized nay obligation TO the repub
lcan party, and as the Executive OF the State acted
IN accordance with the long practice OF parties 10
dispose OF public patronage among the friends OF
destructive of the best public interests 10 apply the
rule. Hence have filed m2ny OF the onices-such
magistrates and other county ofdcers-wlth
ARE NOT IN ACTIVE AFFILrAT1oS
with the republican party, and yet whose general
they would discharge their duties faithfully and
impGrtally toward ali classes of cltlzensp
'H3ye many OF these men disappointed YOUR
number Of magistrates throughout the state who
had been old magistrates-inen not In sympathy
But so GUca COMPLAINT
resulted that the Legislature OF ls697o abolished the
appointment Of what are known as trial justices. the
Governor nominating aud the Senate confirming.
The several Senators were thus made more or less
responsible for tae character OF the men selected
NOW MANY TRIAL JUSTICES
arc there In the State; are there over 200Y"
.ADout go But the number varies in each coun-
ty. IL Is not q saaried ONCE
"Do YOU suppose that any OF them honestly real
lie as much as
FIVE THOUSAND DOLLARS YEAR
have heard That some OF them do sor'
~ have no means OF snOwing.o
honestlyr'
'Tnat would be difficult question to answer"
"have you found any complaints, Governorr
eyes, In the city OF Charleston; more frequently
than anywhere else. That Is, not from present trial
justices, but from Old ones.u
ais there any state law which limits the fnes they
impose ~
Gan fees and fines are regulated by law"
''Do the state militia receive anything"
''fney do not. They are simply enrolled militia
as In other Slates.r
.'Does General Anderson, or the State troops,
RECEIVE A SALARYf'
che docs, as Assistant Ad utant General. $1,000