Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1872-02-02
The Ku.Klux.

Ha1poTs Weekly for January 27 con
tains an illustration, engraved from n
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 says:
These men were captured last Septem-
Der in Tishamingo County, Mississippi,
by @. 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 80 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, il is no less evil
dent that nothing short of the most ener-
getic and summary measures on the part
of the general government can bring them
to an end, and give protection to peaceful
citizens, black and white, The outrages
committed in Kentucky, Mississippi and
the Carolinas by these brgands are too
notorious for denial. In the recent trials
at Columbia, South Carolina, one Of the
counsel for the prisoners, the Hon. Rev
erdy johnson, felt compelled by the evil
dence to use 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 that
may have been perpetrated in your State
by the association of ku-Klux. Adge
listened toith horror TO some Of tie testimony
'ohich has been brought before yoN. TIE out
RACES proped hare been shocking to humanity;
they admit neither efJaSt{fieation nor trcusej
they ctoLdte eyery obJigatton Which lao and
nature impose upon men. These men APP
pear to have been alike insensibleto the
obligations Of humanity and religion but
/ the day will come, however, If it hs not
| already arrived, when they will deeply
lament it, Even if justice should not
overtake them, there is another tribunal
| from which there is no escape. IT their
own conscience, that tribunal which sets
in the breast of every living man, that
still small voice that thrills through the
heart, and as it speaks gives happiness or
torture-the voice of conscience-the
voice of God"
Had this language come from the lips
of a Federal Judge" or n 'milhary
satrap" it might have been characterized
as exaggerated, or suspected of violent
partisanship; but forced by irresistible
evidence from the lips of the prisoners
own counsel, it must be accepted us con
elusive testimony to the truth of the
charges against these lawless dirturbers Of
the South.
Recent intelligence from Kentucky
shows that the Government can not be too
prompt and energetic in its measures Of
protection. On the night of the cd inst
a band of twenty Ku-Klux made raid
upon some negroes near Frankfort, n
that State, whipping ont Of them and u-
dering the others to leave the neighbq-
hood on pain of death. One farmer was
warned to employ none but white labor
ers. 1t is the declared purpose of these
outlaws to drive the negroes from tie
county. But the day is past when such
threats can be carried out These out
laws will speedily be taught that the Coy
eminent will protect peaceable citizens in
the full enjoyment of their rights, life and
property if it takes the whole military
power Of the nation to do il