The Jackson standard. [volume] (Jackson C.H., Ohio) 1847-1888, 1873-09-25
From the n. Y. Tribune.J
Kentucky Ku-Klux.

The disclosures Of the Louisville Courier
Journal respecting the condition of affairs
in Owen, Henry, and Franklin counties,
Kentucky almost stagger belief. For the
past four years that portion of the State
seems to have been harried at pleasure by
a band of masked ruffians, umbering
anywhere from two dozen to two hun
dred. Some of them are certainly we'll
known all through the neighborhood,
and their operations have been conducted
with so much bravado that if justice had
been alert they must all have been in
Jail long ago. And this we must remem-
Der was in no remote and thinly peopled
region. 1t was at the very gates of the
capital, in the very superbs of Frankfort.
Within mile or so OF the seat of govern
ment the law becomes absolutely power
less.
How far the crimes of these desperadoes
are inspired by hatred of race and how
far they are prompted by mere lust for
plunder is not very clear, and perhaps it
is not very important. The special cor
respondent OF the Courier-J Journal, who
went through all the disturbed d region in
the disguise of a sheepdealer, furnishes
detailed list. of over one hundreds.out-
RACES committed in the years 1870. 1871,
1872, and 1873, ranging in degree from
Der of cases farmers and others were
compelled to discharge negro laborers.
Peaceable and industrious negro families
were dragged from their homes, whipped,
and expelled from their neighborhood.
White men were also driven away
Houses and mills were set on fire. But
with these deeds of violence were COM
bined so many other crimes, such as rob-
berry and rape, that the actual character
and purposes of the midnight raiders be-
come somewhat doubtful. Probably they
combined political business with private
profit and personal pleasure.
We do not understend that any men,
Der of this band has ever been brought
to Justice. One was arrested for murder
in 1871, but his companions immediately
took him from the Jail. Anothe" has re-
Gently been released on .fUc hundred dol
lars bail to appear and stand his trial for
the assassination of a colored man last
July. The courts seem to be utterly in
efficient. Constables and prosecutors
are undoubtedly intimidated; and we
read that the terrified inhabitants are
abandoning their homes, sacrificing their
farms, and moving into the large cities
for protection The Governor issues
procIamations, and the bandits laugh at
them; and many timid and disheartened
people are calling tor the Interposltlon OF
the army of the United States. 1t is a
burning shame that such demand
should be made in great commonwealth
like Kentucky. The duty OF the State
executive to enforce the laws and pre-
serve order is perfectly well understood,
and there are ample means at his dis
posal for doing it. If he fails in that
duty, there is surely spirit enough in the
Kentucky Legislature TO hold hum to an
account. The practice OF running to the
paternal Government in Washington for
a squad of soldiers to serve a justice
writ, arrest a chicken thief, and punish
drunken marauders for assault and bat
terry, is one oil the mischievous relics of
reconstruction with Kentucky, at any
rate, ought to have rid herself of long ago
If a State has not the energy to enforce
her laws, she might better not make any.
until anarchy has taught her the value
of orderly government.