Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1873-03-21
A Ku-KluX Renaissance.

Though the cessation of organized perse-
cution of white and colored Republicans in
the Southern States was unquestionably
owing to the fact that Gen Grant was re-
elected, some Liberal" papers we, see, are
disingenuous enough to still assert that the
present quiet proves that the reports of Ku-
Klux outrageS We're campaign inventions. 1t
isnot 50 easy. however, TO wipe out the damn
ing record. \ week or so ago the Legisa-
ture of North Carolina was discussing a
general amnesty bill for all so-called politi-
cal offenders. During the debate, mem
Der of the house opposed provision of the
bill which gives pardon to persons guilty of
willful and deliberate murder, and in the
course Of his remarks gave the particulars
Of the murder Of State Senator John W.
Stephens, in June, 1870. For cold-blOOded
horrifying fendishness, the details Of the
crime have seldom been surpassed. The
speaker stated that public Democratic
meeting was in progress in the courthouse
at lanceyville, the county seat of Caswell
that Stephens was in attendance on that
meeting; that a prominent Democrat of
Caswell approached Stephens with a
smile, and asked him to 90 down stairs
with him. Stephens assented, and they
went into a room formerly occupied by the
clerk of the court Of equity; that as soon as
they entered the room the door was locked
that there were in the room eight white men
and one negro. Stephens was surprised to
find the room full of men, and was struck
with horror when rope, fixed as lasso. was
~. l. L L.
was told by the spokesman of the Ku-Klux
crowd that he must renounce his Republican
principles, leave the country or die. Stephens
saidhe could not give up his Republican prin-
ciples; that he believed they were right, and
that the republic would prosper if they were
carried out; that he could not leave the
country and State, because his all was there;
that the colored people looked upon him as a
Republican leader, that they depended on
him, and that he could not desert them.
Stephens was then told that he must die. |
lie then asked to be allowed to take a last |
look from the window Of the Office, at his |
home, and any of his family that might be |
in view. The request was granted, and |
when Stephens stepped to the window he |
beheld his quiet home and his two little |
children playing in front Of his honse lie |
was then thrown down on a table, two of |
thS huhAIA I4- 1uc rope /
was ordered TO be drawn tighter, and the |
negro was ordered to get bucket to catch
the blood This done, one of the crowd
severed the jugular vein, the negro caught
the blood in the bucket, and Stephens was
dead. His body was laid on a pile of wood
in the room, and the murderers went up
stairs, took part in the meeting, and
stamped and applauded the speeches"
1t Is not surprising that the house, after
listening to this sickening story, hesitated
to pass bill which would give pardon and
amnesty to these murderers. The legisla-
ture is largely democratic and naturally
nclines to look at the Kuklux disorders as
The result of carpetbagism, out it is to its
honor that it will set the stamp of honest
Indignation upon such outrages