The Opelousas journal. [volume] (Opelousas, La.) 1868-1878, 1871-10-28
Letter OF the North Carolina
Democrats.
pafeivf, " r CaDtap,tcr IN IS'


Hon. II. L. Bond, Judge ofthe Z. S. Circuit:
We have the honor, in the interest of the
peace of the people of North Carolina, to
address you this note
The fact, that secret, unlawful organi-
zation, called the Ku-klux or Invisible En-
pire, exists in certain parts of this State has
been manifested in the recent trials befo,e
the court over which you preside. We con-
denim, without reservation, all such organi~
cations. We denounce them as dangerous
to good government, and we regard it as the
eminent duty ofall good citizens to suppress
them. No right.minded men in North Ca
rolna can palliate or deny the crimes COM
mitted by these organizations, but we think
if the further prosecution of the persons
charged with these offenses was continued
until the November term it would enable US
to enlist all lawloving citizens of the State
to make an energetic and effectlal effort for
the restoration of good order We assure
you that before the November term of the
circuit court we believe that this unlawful
organization will be ettectually suppressed.
In presenting these considerations to your
honor, we declare that it is our duty and
purpose to exert all the influence we possess,
and use all the means in our power to abso-
lutely suppress this organization, and to Sc.
cure lasting and permanent peace to the
State The laws Of the country must and
shall be yindicated. We are satisfied, and
give the assurance that the people of North
Carolina will unite in arresting and forever
obliterating an evil which brings nothing
but calamity to the State. In the name Of
just and honorable people, and by all the
considerations which appeal to good men,
we solemnlv protest that these violations of
law and public justice must and shall cease.
We have the honor to be ETC., yours, etc.
Thomas Bragg, William NJ Shipp,
George Y. Strong, NJ. ", Ransom,
Daniel G. Fowle, Will. IT. Battle.
James B. Bachelor, r. Fl. Battle, Jr.
B. F. Moore, d. NJ Barringer.
REPLY OF JUDGE BOND.
=. Raleigh, n. G., October g. Gentlemen
I have the honor to acknowledge at the
hands of his Excellency. Governor Caldwell,
the receipt of your letter, asking me to
postpone the trials Of the cases now pending
in the Circuit Court, under the enforcement
act. have given your letter the long and
careful consideration to which your eminent
position in North Carolina and the impor-
tance of the subject to which it relates en-
title it; bnt | am unable to comply with
your request. These cases are very nume-
rous, and, if not tried now, will, at our next
term, SO cucumber the docket as to obstruct
all civil business. The city is full of wit
nesses summoned from long distances, who
have remained here for several weeks, at
large cost, and it would be great hardship
to make thsnl return here again, and it
would be unjust for ,ne to send them home
unless knew they could return with the
same feeling of personal security that my.
self should have on MY return home. This
do not know, and, though you give me as
surances that before the next term of. the
Circuit Court. the g Invisible Empire" shall
be efectually suppressed, it is not suppress
sed now, and feel that the enforcement of
the law should continue. have come to
this conclusion with less reluctance because
| am sure gentlemen who are sincere in their
desire to relieve North Carolina of this dis
graceful and Infamous association will not
remit their lahors to suppress it, as they as.
sure me they have the power to do, because
the court sits week OF two longer to assist
them In their undeamking. am glad to
hear from you that the regent trials have
manifested that this secret, unlawful organi-
zation exists in some parts Of North Carroll
ma. 1t can not but aid you in your effort
to suppress it. to point out by these trials
10 you who are the guilty persons who com
pose it. hope. gentlemen you will agree
with me that it the best to do So
With great respect / beg to remain yours,
very respectfully, HUGH l.. BoNp. .
| Judge United States Circuit Court
| To Thomas Bragg, George V. Strong,
Daniel G. Fowles, James B. Bachelor, Will
liam Fl. Battle, II. Fl. Battle, Jr., B. F.
Moore and D. NJ. Barringer.