Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1871-04-06
The Ku.Klux Outrages at the South.

THE following is synopsis Of the re.
port recently submitted to the Senate at
Washington by the majority of the com.
mittee appointed to inquire into the alleged
outrages at the South.
The committee state that they were di-
rected by the resolution to ascertain
whether the alleged crimes were com
mltted hy bands of a political character,
and whether the persons and property are
secure in the Southern States. The com.
mittee have confined their labors princi-
pally to the State of North Carolina, from
which they have examined 81 Witnesses
20 Republicans, 81 Democrats two Of no
party, six members of the Ku Klux, ir
Guiding some of the most prominent mem
beers of either party. The report gives the
full history Of the origin and growth of
this organization which first appeared in
some counties Of the State as early as 1867,
and continues: Ii is not necessary to cite
from the evidence TO show that an organic.
alton itself secret, winch, by the terms Of
its oath, excludes all members Of other
secret societies whose objects were to pro
tect and preserve the Government of the
Cuited States, is of a political character.
Whist is that political character? The
testimony is uniform that none but mem
bers of the Democratic or conservative
party in the State of North Carolina ioin
1t. This being the case, the members and
press of the political party which, accord
ing TO the testimony quoted, hal forty
thousand Of its adhere hts enrolled In their
camps, would be, 10 say the least of it,
under great temptation to palliate their
otfenses or TO withhold denuncations
when crimes were charged against them
The committee gave the names of ninety
blacks, and forty four whites in the cnuD-
ties of Lincoln, A!amance, Catawba, Ora
ven, Caswell, Chatham, Jones, Orange,
Rockingham, Rutherford, Wake, and other
counties, nearly all Of whom were whipped,
and the remainder shot disabled, hanged,
or driven from their homes. Besides these
specified cases of oHtragcs, the test.
mony refers in general terms TO
others committed in other counties
1t is stated that there is enough
in general confession to authorize the be
lief that this organization, by whatever
pretencc men nre induced to enter it, stop
ped at no means however criminal TO ac-
complish its purpose. The testimony
quoted, almost without exception, estab-
fishes that outrages perpctratcd by these
bands in disguise were inflicted upon mem
beers of the Republican party, white aud
colored, and in some instances the fact
that they were of that party was given as
Il reason for punishment; in others, the al
legged crime was "A prCteXt while in some,
such acts AZ keeping Sunday Schools for
colorcd children were given as sufficient
reason, In one instance negroes assumed
the disguise of the ku x lux to cover their
crimes, but they were detected, convicted
and are now in the pcniteutiary. Some
witnesses also say that they have no
Al hut ba 10,
other cases by hnd mon, nearly all Of
whom were whipped, and the remainder
shot. robbed, hanged, or driven from their
homes Besides these specific cases OF
outragcs, the testimony refers in gen
cral terms to others committed In other
counties. This list of crimes suggests the
question whether they were committed by
members Of the Ku-Khlx organization by
its direction or with its cOuntenance The
testimony already quoted aud referred to
shows that in many instances Of murders
and whippings men were expressly voted
upon in their meetings and executed by
the. members. When it is remembered
that disclosure of their secret proceed
lngs incurs the penalty of death, aud that
all other secrets such as involve the mem
bers in the guilt of assassination, murder
and violence would be most sacrcdy
guarded, it Is remarkable, not that 50 little
evidence has been procured bearing upon
particular cases but rather that any should
have been elected The inquiry whether
persons and property arc secure in the
State, is considered in two aspects: One
Is the evil law adequate to protect those
wrongcd, and punish those who ARE guilty
of these crimes? Second, 70 what cN.
tent does this organization still exist and
commit acts Of violence Many persons,
and some Of those whose testimony is
quoted, have stated that they believe That
persons and property are as secure under
the laws Of North Carolina as
under those of Massachusetts or
Pennsylvania, with the exception OF
the outrages committed by the secret
armed bands Of the ku kluN. The state
mcnt is true To what c\t.ut that
opinion Is sustained rs to these uHpnaga,
whom it is shown that over one hundred
crimes, ranging from murder 10 p.ty ur.
ceny, have been committed 10y members Of
an organization made up OF the odhnIonls
OF one political party and that in no one
instance has there been conviction or pun
ishment, must he left to the reader ut the
testimony herewith submitted Under
this state of facts, it is idle to say luug IN
the past the victims of violence have bpyH
protected or the public safety assured Try
the yindicntnn of law aud The punishment
of the guilty, The policy pursued
by Gov. Holden ia the exercise Of
power conferred on him by Law
TO secure the better protection ot
life and property, and the conduct and
character of the troops employed, and
their officers, have been freely commented
upon by many witnesses; and While CON
dcmned without exception by uonEeryN,