The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1872-12-25
!. WEDNESDAY MORNING, DECEMBER rs, 1872.

regret that be had done 30. and praying In tn
most feeling manner for mercy from the court
The distrlct-attorney submitted af1davils Z
show that the prisoner had been an actlV
member In the transactions Of the klans.
Mr.. Duncan stated that The party making
the affidavit had been up before about ever.
court and United States commissioner for vio
latlon of the internal revenue laws and wa
now under charges for violation Of the en-
forcement acts, and If necessary he could pu
the commissioner Gu The stand to testify tina
the party making the affidavit was not en-
titled to belief under oath.
In reply to q long questioning of the Rev
Ezell by Judge Bond, among other things he
said his connection With the Khan had existed
but about three months;he repeated the oath o.
the khan, which Is the same as has been here.
tofore given, binding the parties TO oppose
| the Republican party, to stand by the constl'
tuition as originally made by our forefathers,
TO do all in their power against The thirteenth,
fourteenth and fifteenth amendments, protect
women, DO, with the penalty Of death for dt.
vulging any of the secret signs, passwords or
grips. When he Joined in 1871 he had heard
that bis continuance With the klanl lasted until
the Ku-Klux w was passed; he had not In
hnenced personally any OF his congregation
or neighbors 10 join; meyer went on q raid,
and never saw one; no one belonging to the
khan could attach any blame to him; thought
by Joining the khan, and participating 10
the deliberations of the councils, he had
he had visited ether klans and participated In
the councils; never was at q grand council;
these latter were formed by sending up from
subordinate Rlans proper persons as delegates;
had visited the other klans for the purpose,
among other Vows. Of stopping outrages; had
always advised quiet In the ~.nelehborhood and
10 the country; clouds OF remorse and sorrow
now troubled his mind that'he mad ever been
connected with such an Infamous organlza-
lion; he was opposed 10 mob law, and re-
garded 1t as q dangerous precedent. The
Judge wanted to know If this opposition 10
mob law, and his dI"scoutinuance with the
klan, old not date from the time the act OF
Congress was passed; which, In substance,
was replied to 10 the affirmative. The priso-
ner stated That since he had sat IN this courG
and heard the hprFid details, he had ahpddered
organization. The Judge wanted to know II
he had not heard OF outrages COM
mltted by II before he Joined, to which
INQUIRY In substance the answer was given,
but that be never had advis, d or taken
part in any such proceedings. His frat knowl.
edge Of the Elan was In 1879; he Joined ABOUT
the second week In March, 1871. One reason
WHY H6 uhu JOlaCu q ~ law AeA ANehN w.
the dolngs OF several young men, and he
thought he might. by belonging to 1t, exercise
a restraint over them; be joined TO know what
they were doing; he bad felt concerned. IA
voice among tue spectators, THAT'S too
thln.nl He had q congregation; did not know
how many OF them belonged to the khan; al.
most ever body belonged TO 1t in that neigh
borhood; never had preached particularly
from the pulpit against the organization; Gid
not think it would have been safe to have
done 30. but had quoted such passages OF
Scripture es would apply condemning lis pur.
poses; did not believe he was sale outside OF
the klsni he now was free to acknowledge
that he ought not to- have Joined II; never
knew of any other clergyman belonging to 1t.
The Judge. Didn't the Rey, Mr.. Carpenter
run away BECAUSE b. was afraid OF his being
arrested for belonging 70 ~
Rev. Ezell. He Is q Methodisti am q Bap-
list minister!
the Judge. Then even. II you did not agree
In theology, you agreed 10 the creed OF the
Ku.K.u1 Khan, did you
Prisoner. Had heard q Ku-Klux whistle;
did not know as every member was obliged
to be provided with one, had dlsgnises, but he
never wore one; the duty OF the council OF
three was 10 decide npon the cases reported;
had sat In such councils; they sent the cases
up 10 the grand council; he had been present
in the khan when the. case OF Quinn was
discussed; also one other case; was not aware
that the public press Of hls cnunty knew any
thing OF the existence OF the organIzatloDi
did not know of any man who belonged TO
the press who had been connected with the
Ku.Klux organization, aud it was unfortunate
Tor MIN that he ever had any connection with
II: felt many things had been done by the
party That had brought nothing but sorrow
upon the party; but believed he had kept
some from being disturbed, and others rom
committing acts they would nave regretieoi
had attended no meeting after June Isl, when
he advised the breaking up OF the order.
Judge Bond. This was alter the aot OF Con-
gress had been passed, was 1t, not?
Prisoner. Yes; after the Ku-Klux bill ] ad-
Ylsed them to break up.
The Judge. II 1t was o charitable or . good
organization why the need OF breaking 1t up!
Prisoner. Your honor knows how guilty
parties have beeni I desired them to abandon
The ouLrages.
The Judge. Mr.. Ezell, ! find myself placed
In o very embarrassing position; other parties,
your Interiors In Intellect, influence and
everything else, these prlsoners nave sen
fenced here, these young men, had q right 10
look up to you for adVicei insleaa OF Ibis !
have found that you nave oren = MEMBER Oh
the Klsu, sitting In Its councils. You appeal 10
me tor mercy; you could have used your
influence for the preservation Of peace and
Inc protection of peaceable citizens. You
must make your appeal for mercy 10 the Pres
idpnt. The sentence OF The court is that you
be fined $500, and Imprisoned for the period
Of Eve years.
W. @. Wnitesldfs was found guilty In two
counts In The York raid, and sentenced TO q
ane OF 500, and imprisonment for five years.