Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1871-09-15

Colonel Merrill's testimony gives the
names of sixty-eight victims of violence
in York County since October last, six of
whom were killed, and shows the actual
number to have been from three to four
hundred. His letters and that of Hon A.
b. Wallace, which l enclose, informs me
that since the committee left the Ku-Klux
have renewed their deeds of violence and
crime in that county; whipping molten
sive men for no other cause than their
political opinions and the color of their
skin" and burning a negro school house.
This state of insecurity was, am salts
fed, as great in Union County as in either
of those above named, one witness having
testified that the county was in effect under
ku-klux rule; that no order issued by the
Klan would be disregarded. AS showing
the state of feeling in that county, the
number and power of the organization,
aud especially to give the views of those
who think it no part of their duty to have
such ofenses as are committed by the Ku.
Klux prosecuted, submit to you the tes-
timony of r. W. Shand, Esq, prominent
Democratic lawyer of that county. have
no report of any renewal of violence in
that county since the visit of the commit
tee. Information has been sent me of oc-
curTences in Chester, Fairfield and New
berry counties, which would indicate that
the cessation of lawlessness is but tempo.
rary.
The state of public sentiment in the
counties of Spartanburg, Union, Laurens,
Newberry, Chester, and York is such that,
if these outbreaks continue, there is no
hope of protection from the local tribu-
nails, and l earnestly invite your Excel
lency's attention to the testimony sub
mitted, with view to action for the pro-
lection of those who have 80 long suffered
without redress. The cruelties that have
been inflicted in Spartanburg and York
Counties are shocking to ohumanity-crimes
that ought not to go unpunished in any
civilized country. Their perpetrators are
at large and unwhipped of justice. AL
though inquiry has been made in their
midst, and the enormity of their crimes
exposed, and the consequences of their re-
netition foreshadowed, the members of
these lawless organizations have again re-
sumed their arms and their midnight raids
of brutality and assassination.
In these counties of Spartanburg and
York crime has run riot with impunity !;
all warnings have been disregarded, and
the Efforts of the well disposed citizens
have proved unavailing. submit whether
the time has not come, in view of these
facts, when the people of these counties at
least should be informed by proclamation
that the limit of endurance has been reach
ed, and that the whole power of the gov
ernment will be exercised to protect its
citizens in the enjoyment of the rights and
privileges guaranteed TO them by the Con-
stitution
Reluctant as am to do so, the facts
proven before the committee in these coun-
ties, the state of feeling witnessed there,
the warnings given the citizens, and, in
the face Of this, the speedy reappearance
of the same criminal disorders which
have been the subject of investie alton,
defyipg the execution of the laws, render
ing life insecure and property but of
nominal value, impel me, in justice to the
suffering people who have endured 60
much, and in mercy even to those whose
sympathy with or Indifference to their
wrongs may arouse retribution more ter.
rible than they dream Ola retribution !
would go to any lawful length of power
to prevent; all these considerations impel
me to call your attention to the facts con
tanned in the testimony, letters, and sffi
davits submitted, and to ask whether they
do not justify such proclamation as tC
these two counties as is required before
the exercise of the power conferred upon
you by the fourth section of the act ol
April 25, 1871.
AS there are outrages reported in Other
counties, and there is some hesitation
among the military officers as to theil
right to arrest persons found armed and il
disguise upon the highways until after
called upon by the civil authorities, lei
me also direct your attention as to, whether
you have not the power of issuing explicit
instructions giving authority under the
third section of that act to the military tC
make arrests of persons found in disguise
aud arme6, and to hand them over to the
Marshal, directing the military officer tc
lodge such information with the United
States District Attorney as will enable
him to proceed at once and obtain the
evidence upon which TO prefer indict
ments. Respectfully,