The Sumter watchman. [volume] (Sumterville, S.C.) 1855-1881, 1871-03-01
THE KU-KLUK-KLAN.
ORIGIN AND Aims OF TIE MYgTE.
RlOUS ORGANIZATION.

ORIGIN AND Aims OF TIE MYyTE.
RIOUS ORGANIZATION.
The Real Feeling Among tho people
Of Upper South Carolina.>A Highly
Interesting letter from Union.
UMos, 8. c., February 16, 1871.
TO THE EDITOR OF THE CHARLESTON
NEWS.
The mystery which surrounds the
movements of the Ku. Xlux-Klan, has
led the superstitious to regard them as
spirits of the disembodied, while the
educated, beyond the field Of operation,
have believed tho whole story to be a
myth. Of their existence, as an Or
ganized body of living men, We, who
have seen them, entertain no doubt.
OF their numbers and exteut, it is i'm
possible to speak. There must be one
thousand in days march Of Union.
You have them, no doubt, in Charles.
ton, and they certainly can be found
throughout Georgia, North Carolina and
Tennessee. They occasionally leave be.
bind them letters explanatory Of their
purposes. Those Of them who operate
10 South Carolina, say that they want
peace, but must have justice; that the
courts are guided by weak judges; ard
juries composed Of ignorant negroes
that thief, convicted with much cost
of time, money, and labor, to the prose-
cutor, remains at the penitentiary scacre-
ly q week, aud then returns home
With a pardon, prepared to steal again.
They say that when their race have
justice, and are no longer robbed by
public thieves, their mission will end.
There are some erroneous opinions
entertained as to the feelings of the
people of Upper South Carolina towards
the Ku.Klux. They are not a band OF
| cut throats and desperadoes, as some
suppose; nor, Oh the other hand, are
they universally approved Of by the
white people here. They are men Of
frmuess and nerve, who strike because
they believe it necessary for the protec-
tion Of their life, property aud liberty
they strike at night, because circum-
stances render it imperative. But very
many citizens disspprove and condemn
the acts of violence committed by the
Klan. We fell the oppression Of the
present State government, but we would
no; have it overturned with violence.
We might indulge in hard words agains,
the Ku-Klux, but we find that they
dispise our structures, and the State
officials believe all Of rs to be members
Of the band, no matter how much We
abuse it.
Now, sir, before We can successfully
oppose and end this evil, We must ap-
preciate the causes. 1t is bad practice
to ADMINISTERS remedy before We make
diagnosis. FIVE went back to first
causes, We would indicate the Recon
struction acts, the greatest political
blunder Of the century, as the inciter Of
the Ku Klux. In our State, however,
the organization would never have
taken root five had been spared the
late ipiquitous election laws, tho arming
of negroes with guns and cartridges
(:he latter being unnecessary for purpo
ses of driil.) the gross frauds Of the
| election iu October, the numerous par
dons issued by the Governor, and the
wholesale robbery BY State officials oi
money vrung from our people BY enor-
NOUS taxation. And again, it is vel!
known that Joseph Crews, prominently
conn ected With the State government
houored BY the speaker Of the House.
aud the travelling campanionof our Gov
ernor, in feet encouraged murder, arson
and rapine, last summer, in Laurens
What might have been the consequence
of that advice, it is fearful to contemplate
He may be more successful next sum-
mer.
Iu September or October last, June
Mobley, member Of the Legislature, TO-
formed his negro friends that ten white
men should be killed for every negro
murdered. Little did June think that
his threat against our race would &C
literally be fulfilled against his own
The aatimms Of the black race aud their
advisers towards the white people may
be also gathered from the murderou'
plans of Crews and others (then and
uov Stste o@cisls) towards citizens oi
Union and Laureos, 50 recently exposed
through your eolumss BY Kerrigau and
his men. 1t waa only ~ further proof o.
what We already felt, that the white race
vsuld be taxed out, driven out or killed
out-by negroes and their aliies--ii
possible.
Here were the causes which operate
to.plane the Ku Klux 10 Soath Carolina
The murder of Mat Stevens gave them
erest s.reugth. It vas foul murder
the foulest ever known in this State. A
one armed, inofsusive white man, oi
good character, who toiled honestly fol
ais daily bread aud did harm to no oue
he vas uaylaid and cruelty murdered
because be bad = s'vhite skin" The
uutdsrers we're bedy Of negro militia
as least twenty Eve, and more probably
iotyin number iustigated, the white
peeple Of Union believe, and may il
tiue Be able to prove, BY EIlick Walker
captain Of militia, aad JHne'S. Mobley
10 iegislator. Bad a. this murder was
it ives sigo Of worse things to ses th'
eut;re negro race Of Uuiou in active
Isyaupcthy vi,h the uurderers. Had i
he.,s. iefi, nth thn neproes. not one o