The Portland daily press., 1871-07-24

EVERY day the present investigation of the
Congressional Committee proceeds, 1t hnds
abundant and cumulative evidence of the eX-
istance and spread of these disguised bands of
outlaws known as Ku Klux, throughout the
South. Every day the testimony of reliable
men goes to prove that any delay in the enact
ment OF the legislature of last Spring would
not only have been grave mistake, but Grim
inal negligence on the part of Congress. The
legislation has already had the most salutary
effect upon the cowardiy bands OF midnight
murderers, and a judcious but firm enforce
ment of the law against these outlaws will
avert reign of terror that was impending in
every one of the reconstructed States and al
ready begun in many localities.
There is one feature in the testimony of the
ex-Iebels themselves that is worth noticing
and that is the fact that several have testified
that the hope of the Southern leaders is yet
to overthrow impartial suffrage, some time in
future, either by the suspension of the federal
power to enforce it or by sweeping away OF
the Constitutional amendments that guaran-
tee it. This is frank admission, certainly,
but one that has been made by several lead
ing men. Until an Executive is elected who
will allow these States to practically nullify
the VX amendment, the Ku Xlux in then
own way were to effect it.
The WEATHER reports published in every
daily paper are now read with as much inter-
est and by larger class than are the stock
aud market reports. 1t is not possible to say
how far the reports of the United States sig
nal officer have affected commerce in prevent
ing marine disasters; but we do know that
no regular Geographic news published by
newspapers is deemed by the general reader
of greater interest and value than the "synop-
sis" and probabilities" The predictions
have SO generally proved correct, except in
case OF scattering showers, that many of the
readers of daily papers have come to guide
their daily work, SO far as the weather de-
ponds by them.
From what the system has accomplished in
the present stage Of its development, it may
be safely predicted that it will be SO utilized
as to be regarded of the utmost importance
by all those whose success depends upon
previous knowledge of what a day may
bring forth" among the elements. If it has
not yet arrived at that degree of perfection
that the farmer upon the strength of its pre-
dictions may courlgeously set the mower at
work upon the ten acre lot, confident Of a fair
day and good track, it will before five years.
The carpenter in the morning by consulting
the weather report cab tell whether or not it
will do to strip the old covering from the roof
and the painter can know if it will do to
spread his paint upon the outside of the build
ing, Let us hope too that the thrifty house
keeper, after she has consulted the weather re-
port in the morning paper, and learns that
rain and wind are certain, will forego the
pleasure of hanging out the family wash to
be dragged in the mire by the storm. Not
only to ''those who go down in Ships" will
this perfected system be blessing, but to all
classes whose business, pleasure, or health
be affected by fore-knowledge of the
Their of the day.
he amount of labor annually lost and the
lense amount of property that may be
saved or secured by this timely knowledge
will render perfected system of storm
signal,a greater institution than insurance and
hardly second to the postal service