The Daily state journal. [volume] (Alexandria, Va.) 1868-1874, 1871-10-11
Important Movement in North Carolina -ku-
kluxism TO be Put Down.

The following letters are those alluded to
in our editorial columns of yesterday
There can no longer be doubts, in the minds
of even the most incredulous, of the living
existence of Ku-Klux in some of the South
ern States.
We ask especial attention to the letter of
Judge Bond in reply to the one from the
eminent Democrats of North Carolina
which stamps him at once as man of firm
determination to vindicate the laws of his
government:
LETTER OF THE NORTH CAROLINA
DEMOCRATS.
RALEIGH, N. O., Sept 80, 1871.
Hon. H. Il. Bond, Judge Of The United States Cir
cult:
sir-We have the honor in the interest of the
peace of the people of North Carolina to address
you this note
The fact that u secret, unlawlul organization,
called the Ku-klrr or Invisible Empire, exists in
certain parts of the State, has been manifesto i'll
the recent ials before the court over which you
preside. We condemn, without reservation, all
such organizations. We denounce them as dam
gerous TO good government, and we regard it us
the eminent duty of all ,he good citizens to sup
press them. No right-minded men in Moth Car
by these organizations, but we tbiu'i if the fur
ther prosecution of The persons charged with
these offences continued until the November
term, it would enable us to enlist all law-loving
citizens of the STATE 10 make an energetic and Ell
fectuaI effort for the restoration of good ORDER.
We assure you that before the November term OF
the Circuit Court we believe that this Unlawful
organization will be eilectually suppre sed.
In presenting these considerations to your
Honor, we declare that it is our duty and pur-
pose to exert all the influence we possess and use
all the means in our power, to absolutely sup
press this organization, and to secure Il lasting
and permanent peace to the State. The laws OF
the country must and shall be Yiudcatef. We
are satisfied, and give the assurance that the
people of North Carolina will unite in arresing
nothing but calamity to the State. In the name
of list of honorable people, and by all the con-
sideratons which appeal to good men, we
solemnly protest that these violations of law and
public justice must and shall cease. We have
the honor TO be, &C.. yours. &C.,
Thomas Bragg, William M. Shpp,
George V. Strong, M. w. Ransom,
Daniel G. Fowle, win: II. Battle,
James j. Bachelor, II. Ii. Battle, Jr.,
B. Il. Moore, ID. M. Barringer,.
REPLY OF JUDGE BOND.
gat RALEIGH, N. c., October 2, 1871.
Gentlemen: have the honor to acknowledge
at the hands of his Excellency Governor Cald
well the receipt Of yonr letter asking me to post
pone the trial of ithe cases now pending in the
Circuit Court under the eni0rcement.act have
given your letter the long and careful considera
tion to which your eminent position in North
Carolina and the Importance of the subject tt
which it relates entitle it; but am unable tt
comply with your request. These cases art
very numerous, and if not tried now will at our
next term so cucumber the docket as to obstruc
all civil business. The city is full OF wit
summoned from long distances wht
have remained here several weeks at large
cost, and it would be u great hardship t
make them return here again, and it would bt
unjust for me to send them home unless knew
they o0nld return with the same feeling of per
Ssnal security that myself should have on my
own return home. This l do not know, ant
though you give me assurances that before th'
next term of the Circuit Court "the Invisible
Empire shall be effectually suppressed, it is no
suppressed now and feel that the enforcement
of the law should continue have come to thi
conclusion with less reluctance because l an
sure gentlemen who are SO sincere i'll their desir
to relieve North Carolina of this disgracefu ant
infamous association will not remit their Labor
ITO suppress 1t, as they assure me they have tn
power to do because the court sits week o
two longer to assist them in their undertaking.
am glad to hear from you that the recen
trials have manifested that this secret uhlawfu
organization exists in some parts of North Care
lima. 1t cannot but aid you in your effort to sup
press it, to point out by these trials to you VIII
are the guilty persons who compose it. hope
gentlemen, that you will agree with me that it
best to do so.
With great respect l beg to remain yours, yer
respectfully, HUGH l.. BOND.
Judge u. S. Circuit Court.
TO Thomas Bragg, George " Strong, Daniel G
Fowle James b. Bachelor, Vim. M. Shipl
M. w. RANSOM Wm. III. Battle, r.. H. Battle
Ur Moore and n M T3arrnppr