New national era. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1870-1874, 1872-05-23
Snail We Surrender 10 the Ku-
KIuX!

In the absence of the Enforcement Act
Ku-Klux Klans overran the South killing,
manning, and burning. To be true to the
Union, to be in favor of justice, to be Re-
publican, Or to have fought on the side of the
Union were offences for which that intelli-
gence and worth of the South, Mr.. Greeley
and the Liberals are so anxious should hold
office, organized murderous societies to pun
ish. BY their treason the rebels had at least
forfeited all political rights, and if those rights
are restored they should be restored not on
the demand of the criminals at the point of
the bayonet, the assassin's brutality, Or
incendiary's torch. Yet this is what the
Liberal Republican party is organized for,
viz: surrender to the Ku-KluX Khan. It's
votaries declare the Enforcement Act uncon-
stitutional and odious find excuses for the
Outrages of the Ku-Klux because the old time
leaders of the South, the men of intelligence,
are excluded from office. Men who used their
intelligence and leadership, their official posi-
tons to plunge the nation into conflict that
has filled the land with mourning and entailed
upon us a debt of such magnitude as to appal
the occupants Of every field of industry in the
nation.
Liberal Republicanism says that if we
would have peace in the South, if we would
do away with the Ku-Klux Klans, we must
allow leading traitors to hold Office instead of
men from the Northern States and negroes.
The Liberal Republican party would use the
strength Of the nation for defending and ex-
alting rebels who, unless their demands are
complied with, will continue to kill loyal men
and women, continue to burn down school
houses for the education of the negro. What
is this but war on the part of the rebels ?
And what would it be but cowardice, shame
full cowardice on the part of any nation to ac-
cede to any demand coming from rebels in
such an attitude of war?
duty of rebels to give evidence that they ac-
cept the situation before the Government ex-
tends to them full pardon for their crimes
against it. We have not that evidence.
Loyalty is only safe at the South to-day be-
cause of the Enforcement Act and General
Grant. Remove one or both, and we have
no evidence from any demonstration of the
rebels that peace will continue to reign in the
Southern States.
We do know that outrages upon LOYALTY
could not be punished under the State gov
ernments, and it has been shown that the
intelligence of the South by its high position
aided in protecting from punishment all en-
gagged in these outrages that have been a
shame and disgrace to civilization. Has the
intelligence of the South ever acknowledged
that murder and arson committed in the in
terest of the Lost Cause are wrong and should
be stopped? If such acknowledgment has
been made we have failed to note it. Judp-
ing from the arguments of Liberal Republic
cans, the understanding with the rebels is,
that if the Government will give all who were
engaged in the late attempt at the life of the
nation the right to hold office, they will for
ever stop the murders and arson which have
been checked by the Enforcement Act. and
the energy Of Grants administration. Can
the people of the United States, without for
feiting all title to respect, enter into such an
agreement? Is it not the duty of the Gov
eminent to demand respect for all its laws.
from Southern, as well as Northern people.
from disloyal, as well as loyal?
Whatever disabilities the South labors nm
der were brought upon themselves by them
selves, yet We are willing to relieve them
from those disabilities if they will show be-
fore we DO it that they intend to become good
citizens, and to respect the rights of eyery
citizen of the United States.
The Liberal Republicans mean to surrender
to the rebels under pain of continuance of
Ku-Kluxism.
The Republican party and General Grant
mean that the laws shall be respected and
enforced, and that Ku-Kluxism shall Weld To