Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1871-10-12
The Kul,iux TrInIs.


which the enforcement of discipline brings.
The KukIux Trials.
The result OF the kuklux trials in North Caro- |
lima seems to be a conclusive evidence of the |
wisdom of the legislation on that subject by the
present congress. Ii has proved beyond posi-
bility of doubt by the most preiudiced, what no
candid person doubted before, the existence OF
an organized conspiracy, whose members COM
mitted the most atrocious outrages, and were |
shielded from justice by the connivaaccI Through
fear or sympathy, of many men who were con- |
sidered respectable and good citizens These |
crimes were not committed because the state |
laws were defective; it is hardly possible to con-
ceiye of a government which should fail to pro-
vide, in theory at least, penalties for such acts,
but because the laws, good in themselves, were
not enforced for the want of energy and good
faith in the officers charged with their admins
tration. The whole state government, from the
legislature to the constable, was in league with
the Indicators or overawed by them.
The trials were in the circuit court, Judge
Hugh L. Bond presiding, They prove that
there is public virtue enough in North Carolina
TO enforce the laws, if it is encouraged and led
by faithful officers. An upright and fearless
judge, an incorruptbe and diligent district at
torney and trustworthy marshals, can find
grand jurors TO indict, witnesses who dare to
testify, and jurors who are not afraid or un-
willing TO convict on competent evidence. The
state authorities had utterly failed, through
puslllanimity or lack of inclination, to do any
thing effectual towards checking the spread of
this development Of crime or Furnishing its per-
petrators. This was the contingency, contem-
plated by the constitutional amendment, of a
state denying to class of its citizens the equal
protection of the laws In this emer-
gency the authority of the United
States was invoked to secure justice and
protection. Congress responded to the call with
the kuklux law and the officers in North Car
DINA have done their part by putting this law
in force. Five hundred men accused of out
RACES upon the persons and property of peacea-
bic citizens were arrested. Judge Bond made
the grand jury understand that these men were
to be treated precisely as other persons charged
with ordinary offences, without any special con.
sideration for their position in society, or any of
those other circumstances that are apt TO be so
potent with southern courts. Hundreds of in
dictmenGs were found, and some thirty members
of the kuklux have already been convicted
and sentenced to the pententiary for various
terms.
This was shock to the conservative people
of North Carolina. They do not question The
legality Of the proceedings, the yeracity of the
witnesses or the sufficiency of the evidence; but
they are grieved and hurt to find SO many of
their friends and neghbors on the way to prison
for long terms, They profess to be now for the
first time convinced of the reality of the kuklux
organizations, and that TOO is an unpleasant sur
prise to them. A number ofthese members ofold
and arisocratc families, leading democratic poll
tlcians, have written to Judge Bond begging him
TO suspend the prosecutions until the November
term. They admit that the evidence is conclu-
siVe against their friends, but represent that the
sentences already passed are enough for an
example and warning, and promise that if their
request is granted, their influence, which they
claim is quite strong enough for the purpose,
will be used to break up the unlawful organiza-
tons, discountenance disorder and bring about a
reform. But Judge Bond tells them that these
cases, if postponed, would greatly embarrass
the civil business of the next term and cause
needless expense to the government; that it
would be unjust TO the witnesses, many of whom
have been summoned from a long distance, to
send them home again, unless he were sure, as
he cannot be now, that they would be as safe
from violence as he will be at his own house.
He thanks the gentlemen for their promise to
aid in restoring order, reminds them that their
influence, valuable as it undoubtedly is, has not
been sufficient for that purpose, and has no
doubt that they will be glad of the
assurance that they will hereafter be
sustained in their efforts by all the
authority OF the United States courts The
trials are still going on, and the kuklux will
not probably be much more heard from in North
Carolina Judge Bond will. we believe. shortly
hold court in South Carolina, with equally good
results, no doubt. The work he is doing be-
longs properly to the state courts. The oeces-
sity for the interference Of the United States
authorities arises from the neglect or incompe-
teDce Of the local magistrates and officers
When they become honest and efficient in the
administration Of the state laws, which OF them.
selves are good enough interference of this kind
viii cease because it will be no longer needed.
Delaware was a good deal scared, Monday, es
pecially that part oft lying around Wilmington
Il was SO violently shaken that several chimney!
were thrown down, panes Of glass ratified dowr
IRON windows, and one man standing in the
streets was thrown into the gutter. There was
general emotion Of astonishment, followed by
speculations in regard to the cause of the shak
ing. Report said Dupoups powder works had
blown up; and there soon came man who
stated positively that he saw the explosion. and
assisted in removing one of the persons killed
But it was Immediately shown that this fellow
lied atrociously, and that the powder work
were uninjured Finally, the scared "Blu