The Camden journal. [volume] (Camden, S.C.) 1866-1891, 1872-04-11

lust as n.uch believe at that time that they
did abandon those trials and came away be-
fore they were ended. as l believe that the
trials took place; and must say in frank
ness that l belive it yet.
The question that MIR. johnson seems to
send to US in this way, by way, of South
Carolina and Missouri, is one of the precise
meaning of words. 1t seems according to
his letter. that fused the wore" abandoned"
He says he did not abandon; he stayed un-
til he had accomplished his mission, which
was to raise legal question, and came away
then. I called it abandoned" That is a
choice of epithets or adjectires. 1t reminds
me very much of criticism that was made
upon the bravery of the American soldiery
at Bladensburg on certain occasion during
the war of 1872, where some ofthe participa.
tors in that noble exploit which abandoned
the capital (ifI may use the word abandoned
again) to the mercy of the British, fed.
One Of the officers was being complained of
about it, and he said no. the Army did not
fee by any means. bat the Americans did nat
seem to take any interest aud went away
Laughter
Now think ma justi6dc again in repeat
ing as this matter seems to be forced upon
the Senate. that after certain stage in the
development of those trials was reached:
which showed the extent of the conspiracy,
and after horrible atrocities which human
language cannot describe in horror, had been
known to them, these gentlemen found it
convenient to leave the continuance of this
defence to other parties, having raised, if
you please, their legal question. thought
il. was all honor to them. If they think it
is doubtful honor, an they ought to have
defended them further that is aquestion of
taste which l al. not to discuss here.
Then, as to Kershaw, | did not state that
he appeared. on these trials; that Kershaw or
any Of these people were connected with
the Klan. Kershaw was not on trial;
neither was Butler. What | stated, was
that the judicial officers of the United States
in taat district had, as I was credily inform
cd, in their possession the evidence which
would 60 to convict these persons of being,
believe. the advisory board. of this. kSn,
whatever that may be. That was what ]
stated; andif it is necessary / repeat that l
an thus credibly informed And when the
United States will furnish that curse ridden
people with the judicial means of carrying
on those trials, with fnrce. enough, judges
and marshals and the other appliances of
Justice to 90 through with the trials, l have
very good reason to believe that evidence OF
that kind will be produced.
l do not undertake to say that that evil
dencc upon trial would turn out to be suf-
fc:ent to convict them, or would not turn
out to be perjured; I only said. in discussing
a public question that had relation to that
subject, that We ought to be careful how We
took steps when we had such information
That is all. l hope as much as the Senator
hat these people when they are tired will be
found to be enti ely innocent, but l do not
undertake to pronounce any opinion either
upon their guilt or Innocence. Nothing
would make me-, more happy than to find
them perfectly innocrnt.
Mr.. Robertson. I desire to say word;
The Vice President The Senator. from
Sooth Carolinr desires to add word.
Mr. Robertson. I said at the time these
gentlemen were assailed that in my opinion
they were innocent; that they were gentle
men of character and position and education
still think so. In personal conversation
with myself they told me they held them:
selves in readiness TO answer to the laws OF
their country, and it is very hard that
they should. be assailcd for ar act for which
they themselves claim to disdain. 1repeat
my assertion that think they are entitled d
at least to be deemed innocent until they
are proved guilty by the laws Of the country,