The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1872-09-26

Ulseley naQ thoroughly Studl ed the whole
matter, had ample time to examine into
tne facts presented, after both sides of
tne story had gone before the people and
the huklux act had been enforced he uses
the following language in the Tribune:
The Kuklux trials which have lust
Oeen concluded at Columbus, s. c., reveal
social condition in that State which
SHOWS now low down are still the poor
whites, whose poverty and ignorance were
part OF the slave system. These trials
showed, too, how the vlndictive hatred of
freedom still clings to the higher classes
OF the South, and how easy it is for the
ex-slaVeholder to turn his oppression of
tne black man against the low class which
eefrlended him or hesitates to join in or.
canned society to drive him out. No
pooy can say that these trials have not
Deen fairly conducted. The prisoners
were defended by such eminent legal
counsel as the Hon. Henry Stanbery, ex-
attorney General of the United States,
apd the Hon. Reverdy johnson. But the
testimony brought out overwhelmed all
argument,and forty-seven of these wretch
es confessed their crimes in open court,
SIX others were convicted, and seventy
TWO lndictments,em over five hun
dred persons were found. The story of
brutality, crime, violence, and moral deg
radiation made up from the revelations of
the witnesses is too revelting for recital
IT is a dark chapter in the history of civ
lllzation; it is a burning disgrace to the
party which organized the conspiracy,
aided and abetted its agents, and did its
pest to suppress the evidence now pub
lIshed to the world"
About this time he urged the enforce
ment of the Kuklux acts to the very letter
and thus expressed himself on the right
OF the Government to do what he now
claims it ought not to do:
Il hold our Government bound by its
duty OF protecting our citizens in the fun
damental rights to pass and enforce laws
for the exterpation of the execrable Ku-
klux conspiracy; and if it has not the
power to do it, then / say our Government
is no government, but asham. I, therefore
on every proper occasion, advocated and
| justified the Kuklux act I hold it espe-
cialiy desirable for the South; and if If
does not prove strong enough to effect it,
purpose, l hope it will be made stronger
and stronger"
Thus it will be sean that Mr.. Greeley
! believed in the Kuklux law did all he
could to secure its adoption; favored its
/ strict enforcement, and advocated it's be
ing made stronger and stronger" until he
saw the White House before his vision,
and the votes of Southern Democrats
necessary to secure the prize. Then be
turns his batteries against the law he
helped to create, and denounces the Pres
ident for doing just what he urged should
be DONE
Southern Democrats may take either
horn of the dilemma they please. If the
Kuklux Khan did exist, as claimed by Mr.
| Greeley, then General Grant was right,
and should be entitled to credit for exc
ecuting the law. If the Khan did not ex-
list, then Horace Greeley stands before bis
Southern friends as liar and perjurer
Which will they accept? If the first
their only objection to Grant is removed
Ii the last, their only claim on Greeley is
destroyed.
The President, by solemn oath, is 6ound
to execute the laws of the land he has
not choice in the matter he must execute
what thei law directs, or he is liable to i'm
parchment. II an obnoxious law is pass
ed you must hold the parties who created
it responsible, not the party who executes
it. Greeley did all he could through the
columns of the Tribune 20 create the pub
lie sentiment that called for the passage
of the Kuklux law, and to repudiate his
record on that act for the purpose Of
gaining Southern support is too transpar.
ent piece of hypocrisy to deceive any
honorable citizen.
We leave Mr.. Greeley in the hands o.
his Southern friends. If they can recon
Gle his pledges now with his record few
months ago we are satisfied. But we d(
insist on one thing ii General Grant is t.
be objected to ON the grounds of executing
law that he was bound to enforce, lei
not MIR. Greeley be commended for his op
position to that law,when the facts prove
that he did more than any other man out
side of Congress to secure its passage anC
It's rigid enforcement.