The Portland daily press., 1873-01-10
A Ku-Klux Preacher
a BAPTIST MINISTER CONVICTED OF oPER-
ATING WITH THE BRIGANDs.

AIlNd WITH The bhlGANDS.
A letter from Columbia, S. c., to the Gin
cinnati Commercial describes the trials OF the
Ku-Klux brigands, and tells the case OF
clergyman who was convicted of comphcity
in the misdeeds of the Klan:
The next case was that OF heV. Jonl u ..
EZell, prominent Baptist min ster OF spar
tansburg, man of ability, intelligence, and
influence with his flock. His col sci SUBJ
mitted afiidayits and petitions in T. behalf,
praying for mercy. The reverend gentleman
himself read written statement, telling all
about his connection with the Klan. He had
joine because nearly everybody else in the
country belonged to it, and he thought it a
good thing. He repeated the oath of the
Klan. binding the parties to forever oppose
the Republican party; to stand by the Con-
stitution as originally made by our fore
fathers; to do all in their power against the
the Thirteenth, Fourteenth and Fifteenth
Amendments, protect women, regulate socie-
ty, prevent crime, etc. The penalty for di
vuging any secrets, oaths, grips aid pass
words of the Klan was ceath. He had Joined
in 1871. Had never been on raid, never
saw one, and nobody could complain of any
act of his; but by joining and participating
In the Klan councils he had prevented many
other Klans in adjoining counties, but had
never ATTENDED a grand council, which was
made up OF. representatives from subordinate
Klans. He said he was now sorry that he
had ever belonged to such an organization
that it had turned out to be not so good a
thing as he supposed. One object in Joining
was to restrain young men and prevent them
from going to extremes.
At this voice among the negroes ex-
lain hot Sc, 10 4.
Judge-"Have you now L congregation p
eyes, sir; my church and congregation
are at Spartansburg.
"How many of your congregation belong
to the Ku-Klux ?''
81 don't know, but most of them, sup
pose. Nearly everybody in that neighbor-
hood had joined the Klan, and among them
are, of course, number of my congrega-
tion."
''Did you ever preach from the pulpit
against the organization or any of its acts ?"
"No, sir; for if had been disposed, such
a course would not have been safe. Nor in
deed, did believe there was any safety out
side the Klan."
''Do you think you shouldnot have Joined ?''
From the turn matters have taken, I
think / would have been better off not to have
joined?"
"Did you ever know any other clergyman
to belong to it P"
ftNo, sir.''
''Didn't the Rev. Mr. Carpenter run away
for fear of being arrested for belonging to
it?'
"Oh. yes, but he is Methodist; I am a
Baptist minister [Langhter
''Then, even if you did not agree in theoE-
ogy, you agreed in the creed of the Ku-Klux,
didn't yod?"
swell, yes, sir; it would appear so.'
'Did you ever advise the breaking up of the
organization ?''
the Klan since June last, when advised that
it be broken up.'
"This was after the act of Congress was
passed, was it not?''
eyes, sir.''
''If it was a charitable organization or
good organization, why the need of breaking
it up?'
Because in some localities it was being
carried too far"
The judge was silent for a moment, not
sure what conrse to take with the SORROW
stricken preacher who stood pale and peni-
tent before MIN. He then said: s'Mr. Ezell,
find myself placed in very embarrassing
position. Other parties, your interiors in ilr-
tellect, influence, and everything else; these
prisoners mere l have sentenced, these young
men had right to look up to you for advice,
and you should b I've counseled them to have
kept clear OF such murder us organization
Instead Of this find that you have been
member of the Klan, sitting in its councils
and encouraging 1T with your presence
You appeal to me for mercy, although you
show 40 good reason why you should have
mercy. You must make your appeal for
mercy to the President. I can show you no
leniency here. The sentence of the court is
that you be fined $500 and be imprisoned five
years.
1t fell pretty heavily upon Mr.. Ezell, and
my heart went out in sympathy for him. He
is a man of family, has always stood high in
the church, and is beloved by the congrega
ton. If he is bad man at heart there is
nothiny in his mild, pleasant face to show it.
asked Democrat, citizen of Columbia,
what sort of a man Ezell was. "Just as good
a one as God Almighty ever blessed our wick
ed earth with" he replied. A few moments
after asked a promine 1t Radical official he
same question He replied: ''Ezell? Preach
er Ezell? Why. sir, he's one Of the.
rascals in South Carolina.''