Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1871-07-26
w CES ER
WEDNESDAY. JULY Sc, 1871.

In congress and in the newspapers, it has
been the policy of democrats" so called, to
deny the existence of kuklux klans in the
southern states This denial is extremely fool
ish, to say the least in view of the abundant
evidence of its falsehood; and, as political de-
vice, it tends only to show the country that the
men who use it are friends and defenders of
these kuklux klans. Nevertheless, this method
of supporting the klans and their bloody do.
ings, is pursued steadily; the best ability of
democratic" congressman and democratic
newspapers, is used to hide the kukluX fra
ternity from observation, and discredit every
fact which brings TO light the existence and
business of the organization. OF course, if the
men who do this so freely had control of the
government, they would uphold and protect
this kuklux brotherhood and make it as sue
cessful as it desires to-se. In the same way,
and with the samesSspirit, they worked against
the governmepf and encouraged secession trea-
son, dssii16g the war.
The congressional committee of investigation
has already made discoveries which disturb the
equanimity of its " democratic" members. OF
course, it is impossible for any committee to OBJ
tain complete history Of these banded thugs
of pro-slavery treason; but so much has been
discovered by the present committee, that "dem-
ocrats" beholding it have lost their selfposses-
sion. The other day, some of them undertook
TO create a diversion by circulating falsehoods
which they did not scruple TO invent. They
said or caused to be said in certain special dis
patches, that witnesses summoned at their re-
quest were not allowed to testify. The cOrrec-
ton of this INSCRIPTIONS lie, brought out the
fact, that witnesses summoned to testify in be-
half of the kuklux, have refused to appear, or
have been induced to avoid giving testimony
when it was discovered by the selEappointed
guardians of the kuklux misCreants that they
were unwilling to testify falsely. Among those
summoned to testify in Washington recently,
are the following persons F. N. Strudwick,
reputed chief of the 'klan" in Orange county,
n. c., who made his appearance, after attempt
ing to refuse, but disappeared on the day pre-
vious to that fixed for his examination; W. L.
Saunders, another North Carolina 'chef,"
who has, up to this time, avoided obeying the
summons; Plato Durham and II. W. Guion, of
the same state, have pursued a similar course,
and so has General A. K. Wright, of Georgia;
Mr.. Avery, of Sparansburg, S. c., came TO
Washington, but fed with Strudwick from an
examination; and ten or twelve Others sum-
moned by tine democratic members of the com
mittee," have refused to appear, although the
summons has been several times repeated.
In the southern states, it appears to be i'm
possible to find supporter OF the so called
democratic" party, who is not also friend and
protector of the "kuklux klans." The truth is,
these 'klans" work in the service of such men
and are important agencies of the party they
uphold, their purpose being to discipline the
colored people, especially the colored voters, put
down the republican party, fight the reconstruc-
ton measures, and undertake any villany that
may seem to be in their line. Before the rebel
lion, no man could act or speak freely in those
states, save in harmony with the views of the
ruling Shareholders, without being put
to death or mobbed. Freedom was not
tolerated. and the actual meaning of the
kuklux thugs is that the same class
intend that nothing contrary to their will shall
be tolerated now. In defiance of their will,
slavery has been abolished, the constitution
and the laws have been made to guarantee and
protect civil rights, and the government aims
to defend freedom. The old slave-holding class
can not undo all this, neither will it accept the
change; but it can organize and support "ku-
klux klans," and this it does without scruple.
Therefore, we hear of kuklux outrages, and
find in the southern states a combination always
active to protect and encourage those who per-
petrate them.