Herald and tribune. [volume] (Jonesborough, Tenn.) 1869-current, 1871-08-10
A REGISTRY OF HORRORS s.

- OE re
The Joint Committee of Congress on
the Ku Klux outrages has peer in ses-
sion at Washington. for two long months.
A Subcommittee also visited the States
where the revolving crimes of these out
laws have been most frequent and terrible,
making a careful and minute examina-
ton in the places where they were COM
mitted. We publish in this issue, the
eleven CHASTITY and incontrovertible facts
searched out amidst the most fendish hates,
reckless passions and shocking barbarities
that man can cherish and commit. The
light of day, though used to the reeking
slaughter of battlefelds and the destroy
ing sweep of terrible calamities, almost
shudders with electric aversion to reveal
these atrocities. Civilization is Mortified
at the recital. and humanity imploringly
inquiries if the ferocity of the lion and
the tiger are to supplant all her enrolling
sentiments of brotherly respect, and her
high and holy emotions of fellow-feeling.
Wherever this Congressional Commit
tee extended their investigations they
found the fearful presence of these law
less bands. At every turn. they were
confronted by the disguised Knights of the
lash, bludgeon and the pistol. The heart
less ministers OF savage rufianism and
murder thronged their way, as spirits from
the regions of the damned. More rapa-
cious than the Eastern Ghoul, they found
these inhuHan monsters preying upon life
itself. The terrified and outraged victims
came to meet them, and told their dis
tressing tales of suffering, persecution and
fear, in MANNED limbs and scourged and
mutilated bodies. In many localities
where the Committee went, anarchy and
lawlessness reigned supreme. and disorder
lacked no element of social and political
decentralization to render it full and abso-
Lutte.
As appears in the vast amount of testi-
mony collected, the object is to disable
the Republican party and thereby add
strength to the Democracy. By this bloody
system of terrorism, oppression and perse-
c%ution, the inscriptions leaders in the i'll
fated rebellion expect to recover their lost
fortunes and by a regained possession of
the National Government essay a second
time the disruption of tie Union. Should
the Democratic party, in the coming
Presidential election, carry the Southern
States in a body and a few of the North
ern, their success would become almost
positive and established. But it is i'm
possible to carry all the Southern States
by a fair and honest election, and hence,
White Republican and colored voters
must be frightened from the polls, even
if arson, scourging and numbering must
be resorted to, to produce the required
intimidation. The painful and disgrace
full history of the past Presidential cleo
ton, as regards the South and Louisiana
particularly. is undeniable proof of this.
Prominent democrats in every South
ern State. are identified with these Klans,
whilst scattered all over the North, are
ready and apologizing sympathizers. Not
w~ithstanding, the charge that all Demo-
Gratis arc Ku Klux would be too wide
sweeping and libelious. We believe that
there are thousands of Democrats in the
country that utterly abhor this v~illainous
manner of forcing an election, and the in
controvertible and startling exposures of
this Congressional Committee will bring
them to a quick sense of the duty of sever
ing themselves from this new born conspi-
racy against the Union and the peace, lib
erty and safety of a large number of its
citizens.
"Forewarned is forearm9d," and it is a
duty, of the most pressing urgency, with
the Republican party, to prepare for COM
bat with this gigantic and growing power
of evil and danger. Political considera-
lions aside, it is the most formidable men,
ace that has ever threatened the lives,
rights and liberties of a people. 1t is Row
in feeble infancy and let it be manacIed,
throttled and destroyed before it gains
the strength of a giant.