The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1871-05-27
Tho Iku Kiu. Sensation.

Tho Iku Kiux Sensation.
The Republican, neWspapsEs OF this
State are constantly disogssinglthe opera
lions OF the Ku Klu1. and sensational
Headings are pataded before their readers
Ton every OCCASION that ia 6fferod, to Prove
the existence osia lespread: :organiza-
ton throughout the State under fhis
mysterious guise. Even private Difficult.
ties are magni6cd into Ku Klu3 outrages,
and the people Of the North learn through
this channe! thst South Carolina is daily
witnessing the most horrible deeds OF
bloody revenge against Republican Of
tice-holders Now, We are free to admit
that there have been too many OF these
lnwless gangs in some sections OF the
State, but tho truth is not near SO bad
MS the Radical journals arc disposed TO
believe. It has become the fashion to
send Ku Klux notices, with n skull aud
cross-bOnes, and horrid imitation Of q
coffin, to every obnoxious character who
has rendered himself locally infamous by
his official conduct or private misdeeds.
Iu many instances. these warnings are
the poorest kind of jokes, as witness tire
attempt OF o Republican .office-holder in
Georgetown to frighten Congressman
Rainey and his other political associates.
aforesaid Congressman play the Ounce,
OF the Washington Chronicle, enclosing
copy of tho terrible warming It is
n very poor joke. however, and yet it
serves to point moral to sensational
journalists, if they would only heed it's
Significance. Is it not possible that
portion OF the Rndical party are, seeking
by this method to rid themselves OF
fUrmidnble rivals within its ranks? Or,
il this is not the object. do not these
bloody epistles. proceed from desire to
| feed tue Ku Klux sensation, and Thus
pcrpetnnte their power over the deluded
negroes. by proving the dangers through
which they are passing for the sake Of
Repub|icnnism ? SO mnoh for these
notices emanating from within the folds
OF the Rndioal party, whether intended
rs jokes or for some covert purpose. But
we havo no doubt that majority of the
warnings which come to light are sent
by persons outside of that party. And
yet, what do they amount to? In GER
tain cases, the effect has been to drive
away pestilent characters from the neigh
borhood. but the greatest number result
in simply nothing at all. The recipients
never hear Of their dread pursuers again,
aud the whole affuir ends in q little furce.
Where has the genuine Ku Klux ever
given warning OF their approach2 We
believe there is such an organization.
and that it was originally intended for
the publication of tho country and the
protection Of good citizens against law
less characters. But it's purposes have
been sadly perverted, and in this State
there are numerous dnads attributed to
to this org g,nizatiop never contemplated
for moment in the secret recesses of
that mysterious band. Indeed, we con-
fdently believe that only one Or two in
stances OF retrlbution may be rightfully
charged to the Kn Klnx. And yet there
have been numerous oulrages perpe-
trnted. Now, whnt is the remedy 1?
Tho unconstitutional and Inwise power
placed in the hands Of tho President will
not bring about better state of things
Tho experience of State authorities, i'm
mediately after hostilities ceased, when
they we're assisted by nearly onerhalf as
many troops as now compose tue United
Stctes army, attests the intility of Mt
tempting to put down these ontragts by
force. Counter organizations snch as
are now suggested will not accomplish.
the object, for AZ general conflict may
shortly be expected in that event But
VIC Say 10 inc NAUTICAL 1OnrnalS keep tho
peace" in your columns, by refusing to
publish the exciting, sensational nara
tives which have disgraced them for the
Lust several weeks. Avoid the sembancc
OF Injustice, and rely upon the sober, re-
fecting portion Of the population to
bring order out of chaos. All this pan
dering to tho sensational is destined to
feed the fAme. md the people will not
hold you guiltless if the maclstorm is
reached, and the State is p.undged into
an ilfternecine war.
| Every Democratic newspaper in The
State, when tho occasion has offered, hrs
condemned the so-called ku Klnx ont
RACES III unmistnkeab]e terms. In com
mon with many others, We have not been
called npon to give expression to our
opinions on this subject, except in u
genernl wny, ns this locality hns been
entirely freed from this unhappy condi:
ton Of affairs. But there is m impcra-
tive demand for peace Tho State needs
rest from plnndering officials, burden
some taxation. and aggravating. sense
less commotion. Tho demand is for
calm, dispassionate action, deliberate