Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1871-05-05


the contemplated visit OF the Congression-
al Committee appointed to investigate the
alleged Ku Klux outrages in the South,
to probe these Ku-Klux stories put afoat
by Radicals to the bottom, by summoning
before our grand iuries all the leading
Northern men, all the Radical officials,
national, State and municipal, including
members of the Legislature, and Radical
editors, to testify what they know about
these alleged Ku- Klux crimes North
Carolina has suffered much by the e7i-
dence of her judges, solicitors, sherifs and
other officials before the Senate Outrage
Committee. They all agree that the grand
juries are at fault for the escape Of the
criminals that true bills will not be pre-
sented against them. Why not, as they
all speak with such absolute certainty of
the existence of the Ku-Klux and their
criminal acts, have them summoned be-
fore the grand juries, especially in those
counties in which they say men cannot ex-
ercise their rights of citizenship, and that
life and property of ''Unionists" and ne
groes are not safe.
For instance, Judge Russell says in his
evidence that he is certain that in his dis
trict the Ku-Klux have on existence in
Sampson, Duplin and Robson, and thinks
they have in New Hanover and Bladen. That
in Sampson and Dupliu, as we'll as Arson,
Cumberland and q few other counties in
the State their organization is go powerful
and terrible that citizens are not only out
ragged, but that many are deferred from
voting and many forced to vote against
their opinions. Now if Judge Russell
should be unwilling to call the attention
of the grand iuries to those matters in his
public charge it is perfectly competent
for him to go before them as witness,
and under the seal of secrecy enjoined by
their oaths of Office. to put them in full
possession of all the information he may
have. AS q sworn conservator of the peace
it is his plain duty to do 60. The oath
taken by the grand juror to keep secret
his own, the States and his fellows coun-|
sci, was designed to meet just such CON
dition of affairs as Judge Russell alleges
TO exist.
What we say in regard to Judge Russell
applies as we'll to Judges Settle, Logan
Henry, Solicitors Lusk and Bulla, Sheriff
Lee, and other peace officers who have tes-
tilted SO abundantly in regard to the disor-
ders in North Carolina. By all means, let
grand juries summon these and other Off
cials before them. Let us investigate this
matter thoroughly. Grand juties owe it to
themselves to disprove these ISLANDERS in
regard to their faithlessness and disregard
of their oath.
We are satisfied that in no instance in |
North Carolina have grand juries failed
to present true bills when proper and suf-
ficient evidence has been presented. It
seems that these peace officers who know
so much in regard to these crimes, have
failed to report them to the proper tribu-
nails. Now let the grand iuries seek them
and get from them all they know. Let
hem sift the matter thoroughly, and see
low much of this evidence is based upon
positive knowledge, and how much of it is
political hearsay, gathered from ignorant
negroes, false newspaper reports, and the
tale falsehoods of political mendicants,
Who SANDER our people for their own
elfish purposes.