The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1872-06-01

In a debate in the Senate of the United
States a short time ago on the testimony
taken in several of the Southern States by
John Scott's Ku-k,ux Committee. that gen.
upon the character of Gen. John B. Gordon.
of Georgia, by the assertion that he (Gordon) }
twas among the organizers and earliest lea
ders" of the Ku-klux organization, and that
General Gordon had refused 10 tell all he
knew on the subject" These positive and
damaging statements coming to the notice Of
General Gordon, have elected from him the
following reply. 1t is direct in its denial of
the charges made by Mr.. Scott and is manly
in its tone. leaving the Pennsylvania Sena-
tor DO possible excuse for his indiscreet and
unwarranted assault. Gen. Gordon having
been prominent rebel officer, John Scott
imagined that he could assail him in the
Senate chamber with impunity, but he has
doubtless discovered that he was laboring
under very great delusion:
New 1oRK, May 20.
Hon. John Scott. United States Senator from
Pennsyl ylrania:
SIR: Nv attention has been called to some
remarks made by you in the United States
Senate on Friday, the 18th inst. in which you
allege that General J. B. Gordon, of cor
gia. was among the organizers and earliest lead
ers'' of the Ku-Klux.
Not satisfied with the prompt denial by two
OF your brother Senators, you sought, in fur
,her.nce Of y political o ject which ia apparent
throughout your remarks, still to impress the
idea that General Gordon refused TO tell all
he knew upon the subject" and you affect to
believe that / had concealed facts within my
know ledge for dishonest purposes.
II is not for me to Contrast my motives, my
honor integrity with yours. but your persist
ent reiteratIUn in your place in the council
chamber of the nation of statement already
stamped as a ialsehood demands some notice
from me. Y GU cannot be ignorant of tho fact
that distinctly stated in my testimony that
knew nothing OF any such order as 'ku>kluX."
save What have seen in the newspapers that
| had belonged to an organization of gentle-
men, the nature OF which was that of police
for the preservs alton of the peace III tho GisOr-
ganiz:d state of our society that there was
political idea in it that it had never within
my nOwledge called meeting of its members;
that had never seen or heard Of disguise in
! Georgia except those worn by two captured
robbers, who were members of and fit repre-
sentatives of your own political party as it ex-
lsts in many portions Of the South, and these
Two. believe, are now i'll the Georgia Penis
teniary. his is my impression stated in
my testimony before the investigating commit
tee in Washington.
If your vision sir, had not been distorted by
prejudice, which | respectfully submit is un-
worthy the high position you hold as a repre-
sentative OF great nation, you would have
seen upon your Southern tour wha: every
honorable n Northern man who goes amongst US
sees, viz. that whatever crimes have been
committed i'll the South the direct out
growth OF the wrongs perpetraled by the inia-
nous State goYernmeuts you have set up over
US.
challenge your denial of the following
facts Whatever apprehensions were felI at
the cessation OF the war for the peace of society
and the safety OF citizens, in consequence of
the overthrow Of our local governments the
dishanding OF an army suddenly made paupers,
and the emancipation of a whole race OF slaves,
these apprehensions were all soon alayed
The kindiest relations existed between the
two races peace and an observance of law
were everywhere found. And rever, sir,
until your carpet-bag governments, through
the fears and cuDidity of the poor deluGed
negro, had embittered him against us, and by
his aid and yours had robbed our trea surie-
pluudered our corporations, blighted agri
culture, blasted our hopes. and hung debt like
a miI!stone about our necks-never until then,
and until the administration of law became a
mockery and political subserviency a passport
10 Executive ciemehcY LOT crime, was the
peace in the South eyer broken or i'll will
engendered between the races.
And il is this diabolism you would continue
in the South. Like the tormentor in the
Spanish bull-fghts, you continually fly the
bloody flag in the face of the negro, and goad
the white man to desperation with the bayonet,
that the inevitable coLfict may furnish the
excuse for the perpetuatlon of your despotism.
l pray that the American people may Iebuke
this spirit in the coming elections, and let the
reign of constitutional government be once
more inaugurated.
But be that as it may, l shall not permit you
by my silence to bolster up the fortunes of a
political party by thus dragging my name into
notoriety, without asking you to carry also the
responsibility OF the willul falsehood you have
perpetrated in the effort. l am, sir, very re-
spectiuIly yours,
]. Il. GORDON, of Georgia.