The Daily state journal. [volume] (Alexandria, Va.) 1868-1874, 1872-10-09
THE KU-KLUK OUTRAGEs.

We have avoided as much as possible all
illusions to Ku-klux outrages in the
South since the commencement of the pres
ent campaign, for the reason that we
desired to stir up no unnecessary bitter
ness and asperity among those whom we
recognize as neighbors and friends, though
differing from them in politics as
widely as they could wish to have us, and
yet not more widely than we could wish,
with the eternal principles of right and JUS
tice recognized as the basis of the govern
ment under which we live. But when
leading and prominent public men among
us openly deny the existence of such organi-
cations as the Ku-klux and charge that
they are mere 6 Radical roorbacks, I" star
ted for the purpose Of .justifying the unwar-
rAntable Intervention of the Federal govern
ment in the affairs of the people of the
South, it becomes our duty to repel this
accusation, and-to show that the Admins
tration would have been guilty of gross
and criminal neglect of duty had it not
moved promptly for the protection of the
people against these forms of popular out
| rage.
The facts of record are that in fourteen
counties in North Carolina eighteen MUIR
ders were committed by these Ku-klux
bands, and over three hundred whippings.
In nine counties in South Carolina, forty
murders and over two thousand other out
RACES. In twenty-nne counties of Georgia
seventy-two murders, and one hundred and
twentv-six whippings. In twenty-six coun-
ties of Alabama, two hundred and fifteen
murders, and one hundred and sixteen
her outrages. In twenty counties of
Mississippi, twenty.three murders, and
seventy-six other outrages and in single
CO lnty in Florida, one hundred and fifty
three murders. Thus in ninety-nine coun-
ties there were four hundred and twenty-six
murders committed, and nearly three thou
sand other acts Of violence.
So well established were these facts, and
so fragrant and diabolical were the acts
COluflilttSu, tiieS tuc iiob. ItcNCiuy coLh
son, who was employed in the defence of
some of the prisoners, said in his argu-
ment to the jury: "But Mr.. Attorney
General has remarked, and would have
you suppose, that my friend Geferrng to
the Hon. Henry Stanbery, also retained in
their deience,) aud myself are here to de-
fend, to justify, or to pallate the outrages
that may have been committed in your
Safe South Cardinal by this association of
Ku-klux. He makes great mistake as to
both of US. ] hare listened Uith unmi.red
| horror to some Of the testimony aehich has
been brought before you. The outrages prored
are shocking to humanity; they admit Of
neither ercuso nor justification; they riolote
eee,y obligation aVhich lap and mature inn
pose upon man; they sho,c that The par
ties engaged acere bpaaes, iasenSible 10 the
obligafion Of humanity and religion"
This was the testimony borne by the
two eminent legal counsel employed by
Wade Hampton and others to defend the
Ku-klux at Columbia, South Carolina-the
one an ex-Attorney General Of the United
States, and the other no less distinguished
IN the walks Of craftsmanship and high
professional bearing. How any newspaper
editor or public speaker can openly deny
the existence of tho Ku.klux organization.