Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1871-03-24


The following is synopsis of the re-.
port receptly submitted TO the Senate Az
Washington by the majority of the com. |
mitteo appointed TO inquire into the alleged |
outrages at the South. L1lf
The committee state that they were dl.
rected by the resolution to ascertain
whethcfA the alleged crimes were com
mitted by bands OF a political character,
and whether the persons and property are
secure in the Southern States. The com.
mittee-l,dess confined their labors princi-
pally. TO the State of North Carolina, from
which they have examined 80 witnesses
~ Republicans, 81 Democrats, two of no
party, six members of the Ku.Klux, in.
Guiding some of the most prominent men,
bers of either party. The report gives the
full history Of the origin and growth of
this organization which first appeared in
some counties of the State as early as 1857,
and continues 1t is not necessary to cite
from the evidence to show that an organic
alton itself secret, which, by the terms of
its oath, excludes all members of other
secret societies whose objects were 10 pro.
tect and preserve the Government of the
Uuited States, is of political character
What isfthat political characterY The
testimonyiis uniform that none but mem
bers of the Democratic or conservative
party in the State of North Carolina Join
IL, This being the case, the members and
press Of the political party which, accord
ing to the testimony quoted had forty
thousand of its adherents enrolled in their
camps, would be, to say the least of it,
under great temptation to palliate their
oftenses or to withhold denunciations
when crimes were charged against them.
fVhn CfNxfA,,,tffaa oax ha Of mir
blacks, and forty. four whites in the coun-
ties of Lincoln, Alamance, Catawba, Cra-
ven, Caswell, Chatham, Jones, Orange,
Rockingham, Rutherford, Wake, and other
counties, nearly all of whom were whipped,
and the pemainder shot, disabled, hanged,
or driven from their homes Besides these
specified cases of 0utrages, the testi
mony refers in general terms to
others,s committed in other counties.
1t is stated that there is enough
in a general confession to authorize the be-
lief that this organization, by whatever
pretence men are induced to enter it, stop
ped at no means however criminal to ac-
complish its purpose. The testimony
quoted, almost without exception, estab-
fishes that outrages perpetrated by these
bands indisguise were inflicted upon mem
bers ofithe Republican party, white and
Colored, and in some instances the fact
that they were of that party was given as
q reason for punishment; in others, the al
legged crime was pretext while in some,
such acts as keeping Sunday Schools for
colored children were given as sufficient
reason. In one instance negroes assumed
the disguise of the Ku-Klux to cover their
crimes, but they were detected, convicted,
and are now in the penitentiary. Some
witnesses also say that they have no
doubt that the disguise was assumed in
other cases by bad men, nearly all of
whom were whipped, and the remainder
shot, robbed, hanged, or driven from their
homes. Besides these specific cases of
outrages, the testimony refers in gen.
eral terms to others committed in other
counties This list of crimes suggests the
question whether they were committed by
members of the Ku-Klux organization by
its direction or with its countenance. The
testimony already quoted and referred to
shows that in many instances of murders
and whippings men were expressly voted
upon in their meetings and executed by
the. members. When it is remembered
that disclosure of their secret proceed
ings incurs the penalty of death, and that
all other secrets such as involve the mem
bers in the guilt of assassination, murder
and violence would be most sacredly
SudlAON, II 10 INV bhdp 81 liIelC
evidence has been procured bearing upon
particular cases, but rather that any should
have been ELECTED. The inquiry whether
persons and property are secure in the
State, is considered in two aspects: One,
Is the evil law adequate to protect those
wronged, and punish those who are guilty
of these crimes? Second, To what ex-
tent does this organization still exist and
commit acts of violence? Many persons
and some Of those whose testimony is
quoted, have stated that they believe that
persons and property are as secure under
the laws of North Carolina as
under those of Massachusetts OIL
Pennsylvania, with the exception oi
the outrages committed by the secret
armed, bands of the Ku.Klux. The state
ment is true. To what extent that
opinion is sustained as to these otfenses
when it is shown that over one hundred
crimes, ranging from murder to petty lar
ceny, have been committed by members Of
an organization made up of the adherents
of one political party; and that in no one
instance has there been conviction or pun
ishment, must be left to the reader of the
testimony herewith submitted Under
this state-of facts, it is idle to say that il
the past the victims of violence have beeI
protected or the public safety assured b,
the vindication of law and the punishment
of the guilty. The policy pursued
by Gov. Holden in the exercise o
power conferred on him by Law
TO secure the better protection o
life and property, and the conduct anC
character of the troops employed, ant
their officers, have been freely commented
upon by many witnesses; and while con
demned without exception by conserva
tives, seems also to have created som,
division OF sentiment among his politica
friends Cruelties upon persons are testi
fed to as having been inflicted by the off
GERS, which, if true, cannot be too strongly
reprobated. The officers deny them, ant
1t is to be observed that the witnesses VIII,
prove the most aggravated cases admit tina
they are members of the Ku-Klux Organi
Zation.
Frederick N. Strudwick Is a member O
the House of Representatives, whose nam
is invariably connected in the testimonl
with an alleged arrangement of membe
OF this order to assassinate Senator SHAFT
ner, who introduced the resolutions of i'm
peachment against Gov Holden, and he i
now upon his trial before the Senate
With what feelings of apprehension tn
class Of persons who have heretofore beel
the victims Of lawless outrages in Ala
nance County look to the result of thes
proceedings will be better understood b
giving the words of the citizens of tn
county than from any inferences of tn
committee. Mr.. Strudwick says; To tn
question, TO what do you attribute tn
occasion. of these outragesH Answer
WelliI attribute it to this, Just waiting fo
an opportunity. The feeling there agains
loyal men has not abated.
Question Upon what do you base tha
statement2 Answer; Upon statement
made by parties who say that when certai
things have transpired then theywi brin
certain men to account.
QUESTION: What things9 Answer
Whenever they have impeached the Gov
ernor of the State, and have convicted hir
and turned him out of office, and also tn
Judiciary Of the State, as they propose ;
do fho,a 4bax, mill talra nho.,o &c ,,oo,. q