The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1872-08-14
Ku Klux Prisoners In the Albany
Penitentiary.

Ku Klux Prisoners In the Albany
Our readers will remember that few days
ago Gerrit Smith visited the Albany Peniten-
tiary. He subsequently suggested to the
President the release of three persons con-
fined for violation of the Ku Klux law. In
acting upon the matter the United States At
torney General commissioned the chief of the
government detectives to make detailed ex-
animation Of all the Ku Klux convicts in the
prison and report the facts, with his conclu-
sions For this service Colonel Whitley had
exceptional qualifications from his previous
knowledge Of the main facts, and his keen
perceptions were not likely to be imposed
upon by appeals for unmerited sympathy or
pretended innocence Of Intentional crime
His report, now submitted, will be handed to
the President on his next visit to the capital.
He names eighteen whom he thinks might
properly be pardoned One, an old and infu-
entail man named Brown, whom Gerrit Smith
thought sufficiently punished, he concludes
should remain in durance, and as to forty-six
he gives no opinion. One other, whose re-
lease Mr.. Smith asked, has been removed on
the summons of that higher court whose
judgments and process no mortal power
can gainsay. Mr.. Smith judged death
would soon claim this prisoner, and
therefore counselled President Grant to
authorize his return home to breathe his last
among his kindred. But the memorable tyrant
came sooner than was anticipated, and the
Ku Klux died in q narrow CELL While we do
not question the crimes of these prisoners or
even the necessity of the Ku Klux legislation
and the proceedings subsequent, in view of
the wretched and alarming condition of affairs
license had degenerated into the rule Of mob
law, and no man life was worth pins pur-
chase, yet the conviction is irresistible that,
the law and the national authority having
been indicated, pardon for all the offenders
would best serve the public interests These
acts of violence were altogether political in
their object and nature, and are quite distinct
from ordinary malefactions. In the treatment
of similar cases the young Spanish King has
set President Grant q noble and wise example.
Recent insurrectionary attempts violently and
persistently resisted the royal power, even
seeking to assassinate Amadeus with his young
and lovely Queen. The gallant Savoyard con-
quers the hatred and malicious malice of his
assailants by unsought amnesty, and, if we may
trust the reports, that gentle measure turns
sworn foes to faithful friends. Let President
Grant throw open the prison doors to these
Carolina Ku Klux and he will thereby add
more largely to his vote than Boutwell, can do
through the public Treasury or Wilson with
winning words of honeyed oratory. If the
harvest of November is to correspond with the
first fruits of August the President should send
those sixty-six prisoners as his emissaries into
their home districts to persuade their brethren
and friends to vote for the President who
dares be merciful and who can forgive. In
this way the conqueror at Appomatox may win
hearts in the Carolnas with great accessions Of
supporters at the polls He may thereby
largely contribute towards the last victory he
covets, that of the ballot box in Mover ber.
Let not our Republic fall behind Euro
pean monarchy in the prerogative of
mercy. Let the conduct Of President Grant
be more liberal than the judgment of his
chief detective.