Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1871-04-04
The Kul.Iux Conspirac, Admi,,ed.

The other day, Garrett Davis of Kentucky, de-
MED with extreme violence the existence of a
rebellious kulllux conspiracy in some of the
southern states and when he suddenly caught
the troublesome eyes of Gen. Butler fastened
upon him he fairly foamed and cursed. Demo-
Gratis, in and out of congress, have constantly
made the same denial, but not in every case
with equal profanity. Investigation has found
and presented to congress the evidence of the
existence and purpose of this conspiracy. The
testimony taken in the kuklux proceedings
against Gov. Holden of North Carolina was still
more conclusive. The conspiracy scarcely takes
pains to conceal itself. 1t is notorious, and any
denial of it is necessarily dishonest. But it has
been denied, because to admit its existence
would admit also that the government should
take measures 10 suppress it, And yet certain
friends of the kuklux assassins, when the con-
venienee of their argument requires it, freely ac-
knowledge that this kuklux conspiracy is in full
operation.
Mr. Memminger, notorious as the "conied-
crate" secretary of the treasury, has published
letter on the present situation of affairs in
South Carolina. He says very clearly that there
is a conspiracy to overthrow the government of
that state, and evidently hopes it will be sue
cessful, He explains that ''the cause of these
combinations" is opposition to the present state
government, and especially to the legislature.
In word, the kuklux conspire and murder,
because colored men vote and SIT as members of
the legislature and the only way to put down
the conspiracy is to put down all this as speedily
10 tbat =. h,,s
thing to be done dstranchise the colored voters
andput the legislature into the hands of "knowl
edge and virtue" meaning white men of his
own party and class. The constituency of the
legislature, he says, must be changed; and this
he would have done by means Of constitutional
amendment excluding from the ballot all who
can not read and write. At any rate, the
offensive colored voting must be suppressed;
and, at the same time he is not sure that he and
his friends can sufficiently restrain the kuklux
during the time required to effect such a change.
The New York World questions the feasibili-
ty of Mr.. Memminger's proposal, but admits
that the kul1lux in that state have organized q
rebellious and revolutionary conspiracy. 1t
speaks Of this conspiracy as a very dangerous
movement and says :-"The present govern
ment Iof South Cardinal can not stand; the
people are so agitated and indignant, that, UNI
less new government is constructed, the state
will be plunged into the horrors of civil war,
followed by anarchy" No republican has made
stronger statement against the kuklux con-
spi-ators than this. These assassins aim to
overthrow the state government, and the World
thinks they will do it, unless something is done
to appease their wrath and give them what they
demand. Meanwhile, the World denounces all
attempts of the national government to defend
the state and suppress the bloody conspiracy to
destroy it. The friends of order and union can
well afford to disregard such opposition as this,
and, without hesitation, enact and execute
whatever law may be necessary to battle and
punish these kuklux eonspirators.