Wyandot County Republican. [volume] (Upper Sandusky, Ohio) 1869-1903, 1872-02-01
The Ku.Klux.

Ha1pe,'s Weekly for January 81 con-
tains an illustration, engraved from a
photograph from life, showing three mem
bers of a band of Mississippi Ku-Klux,
who are under indictment in that State
for the attempted murder of family by
the name of Hunicutt The Weekly saws
These men were captured last Septem-
Der in Tishamingo County, Mississippi,
by G.. W. Wells, United States Attorney
for the Northern District of that State,
assisted by United States Marshal J. II.
Pierce, and his deputy, John MCoy.
The illustration is doubly interesting as
showing the disguises actually worn by
these miscreants. They are not, however,
always so elaborate in their brigand toilet.
A white blanket or sheet. thrown over the
head, with holes for the eyes, is usually
sufficient.
1t is gratifying to know that the Gov
ernment is putting forth efficient exertions
to bring to justice these miscreants in
every part of the South troubled by their
presence. While there is evidence that
the better portion of the Southern people
discountenance the outrages committed
by the Ku-Klux bands, it is no less evi
dent that nothing short of the most ener
getic and summary measures on the part
VI lllC gtuCIdi ullllS
to an end, and give protection to peaceful
citizens, black and white. The outrage:
committed in Kentucky, Mississippi and
the Carolinas by these brIgands are too
notorious for denial In the recent trial'
at Columbia, South Carolina, one of the
counsel for the prisoners, the Hon. Rev
erdy Johnson, felt compelled by the evi
| dence to tise this extraordinary language
| toward his own clients:
"Neither my distinguished friend Mr.
| Stanbery nor myself are here to defend
or justify, or palliate any outrages tha
may have been perpetrated in your Statt
| by the association of Ku-Klux. I hdu
listened acith horror to some Of the testina0n!
aol,ich has been brought before you. The out
RACES proved hare been shocking to humanity
tAgs ddsHG Hestaer Of justification nor eecuse
they riOlate eUery obligation aehich Ian an,
nature impose upon men. These men ap
pear to have been alike insensible to tn
obligations of humanity and religion; bu
the day will come, however, if it has no
already arrived, when they will deepl
lament it. Even if justice should no
overtake them, there is another tribuna
from which there is no escape. 1t is thei
own conscience, that tribunal which set
in the breast of every living man, tha
still small voice that thrills through tn
heart, and as it speaks gives happiness G
torture-the voice of conscience-th
voice of God"
Had this language come from the lip
of Federal Judge" or a ''militar
satrap," it might have been characterize
as exaggerated, or suspected of violeI
partisanship; but forced by irresistib
evidence from the lips of the prisoner
own counsel, it must be accepted as col
elusive testimony to the truth of IL
charges against these lawless disturbers
the South.
Recent intelligence from Kentuck
shows that the Government can not be tC
prompt and energetic in its measures
protection. On the night of the I'd ins
band of twenty Ku-Klux made a ra
upon some negroes near Frankfort,
that State, whipping one of them and o
dering the others to leave the neighbo
hood on pain of death. One farmer w
warned to employ none but white labo
ers. 1t is the declared purpose of the
outlaws to drive the negroes from Il
county. But the day is past when SUI
threats can be carried out. These oU
laws will speedily be taught that the Go
ernment will protect peaceable citizens
the full enjoyment of their rights, life al
property, if it takes the whole militia
power of the nation to do it.