Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1871-03-30
K. K. K.
The Bin Before the House for the Sup
pFtssisH Of the Supposed Ku-
KluX Khan.
It ConfeFs Absolute Powers On the Pres
dent, and Rsbs the States Of
ali Power.

The House Ku-Klux Committee,
says the st. Louis Republican, have
already agreed upon a bill which, it is
thought, will meet with Presidential
/ appreciation; and as sOOn as this ap-
! probation is formally signifed said
| bill will be driven through Congress
at double quick by the Unsparing use
of the party whip. The report says
/ that the proposed measure combines
in itself the strongest features Of all
the different
SCHEMES OF RECONSTRUCTION
legislation which have been discussed
during the last three months, and
| gives special prominence to one pro-
visO which may fairly be considered
as the sum and essence of Radical
ideas. so far as the South is concerned.
This prOvisO cOnters upon the eXecU-
tive
POWERS ABSOLUTELY DICTATORIAL,
such as were never before given to any
man since the foundation of the Gov
eminent, and such as are, by their
their tendency and inevitable cOnse-
quences, directly subversive of the
most sacred principles of that Govern
ment. Hitherto the President has
had authority to
USE THE ARMY AND NAVY OF THE
UNITED STATES,
whenever he received official noti6ca-
ton from the Governor Of any State
that riots or instructions existed
therein which the civil arm could not
put down. When it is remembered
that, with one or two exceptions, all
THE SOUTHERN STATES ARE FAVORED
WITH RADICAL GOVERNORS;
that these Radical governors are in
perfect han mOny with the Admins
tratiOn, prompt to notice and tele-
graph every % outrage" and equally
prompt to call for Federal troops on
the smallest prOvOcatiOn, it might be
thought that the existing regulations
were sufficiently stringent without
further reinforcement. But it seems
that
THE PRESIDENT LACKS CONFIDENCE
in his Southern friends; foresees an
emergency when he may differ from
them in regard to the dimensions of
the danger springing from ku Klux,
and other belligerent organizations,
and wants the reins entirely in his
own hands. This bill, should it be-
come a law, gives him all he possibly
can ask; be is to be
THE SUPREME JUDGE
in every case, and he is to have I'M
limited license ia the execution of
that Judgment. If, in his opinion, a
detachment of the regular army is re-
guired in Louisiana, Arkansas, Or
elsewhere, he can order one or ten
regiments to the spot, and bid the
commanders conduct the campaign in
accordance with his direction. The
Governor Of the State may refuse to
sanction such a course;
HE MAY EVEN PROTEST
against the use of military force, and
show that the local authorities are
perfectly competent to repress and
punish all violations of law; he may
bring evidence to establish the truth
OF his declarations, and beg that an
innocent and helpless people may not
be turned over to the tender mercies
Of a
LAWLESS SOLDIERY;
but proofs, protests and prayers will
amount to nothing il the President
wills otherwise. The rod IS given to
him alone, and he can strike or spare
as he may see ht.
1t is surely unnecessary to point out
III ABUSES
to which such a law is liable; abuses
that must certainly follow its enact
ment. A Congress which will pass
the KU-Klux bill in the shape now
contemplated, is a fit tool for unscru-
pulous ambition, and the nation that
viii indOrse it deserves to wear the
yoke Of tyrsnts.