Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1871-03-24
The Ku-Klux Outra ges.

The recent difficulties in Chester and other
Counties 10 South Carolina, together with the
rcport Of the Seuate Committee, to inquire into
the alleged outrages committed by the Ku-Klux
Of the South, synopsis Of which will be found
on the fourth page of this paper, there is not the
shadow of a doubt that such an organization is
in existence throughout the Southern States.
1t is folly to indulge 10 false delicacy, or in a
sickenng catering to the popular beliefs of locali-
ties, when the rights and liberties guaranteed
by State, and by the United States, are daily
disregarded.
W. had hoped that Congress would take some
action to abale this evil, before it adjourned,
bat the prospects now are tn at no such action
will be taken this session. The question must
be squarely met, and no time is better than
when the illustration Of this spirit are almost
daily reported, certified by crimes that are dis
grace to country calling itself republic.
There is no excuse for these acts Of violence
There is no redeemng feature in any motive that
incites men 10 commit them. There is not one
palliating circumstance to allay the spirit Of
condemnation, which is brought forth from ev-
cry man who loves his country and the princi
pyes Of liberty which it guarantees.
Itis no excuse for those communities which
allow these horrid crimes to go unpunished, or
for those men who commit them, to escape the
legal and social result Of such crimes, that there
has been a change in the status of the people of
the State within the past few years.
Further than this, even though it is easy to
conceive of the feeling that is harbored by those
who have felt obliged TO abandon lifelong asso-
Citations, and to live under a new form of gov
ernment, and amongst new people, in maLy
respects, all right thinking people say, emphatic
ally, that this is no way to accomplish any end,
no matter what that end may be. Such attempts
will be as fruitless of results as tree Of stone,
save such as are most to be. dreaded, viz, total
and absolute political annihilation. That, final
ly, this must be the result, if these outrages and
violations of the law are continued, there can be
NJ doubt.
History has universally shown this to be true,
In those cases where the condition of things was
similar TO that of this country, and history, in
this country, will attest the fact that it is use
Less and insane policy "to kick against the
PrTcks."
The Initiative step for the people in the troub-
l,soms localities is to rid themselves OF the con
csitsd and time idea, bred iu the bone though
1t may be, that anything good can come from
f,rcbe resisting of law, and that the State of
South Carolina is (to use a igurative express
sion) two-thirds of the world, and owes no allie
glance to anybody, when that allegiance dus
shall conflict with any peculiar notion or plan
Of preconceived duty.
The end will not always justify the means.
No one who has watched the course of the pub
lie press, or kept run Of the systematic outbreaks
and the murders throughout the Southern States
lin fact, no one who knows anything about the
matter-can for moment doubt that, ever since
the reconstruction laws were put in operation,
there has been an organized movement, of
dangerous character. to resist them, by force il
need be; not combined only as the particular ne
csssity may iu their opinion demand, but organ
led.