Ashtabula telegraph. (Ashtabula, Ohio) 1874-1880, 1874-10-10

without inquiring whether they were loyal or dis
loTal-expending in such relief thirteen millions
of dollars and the Northern people contributed hber
ally to relieve the distressed.
The Southern people had courted, and they were
prepared to meet the fate, of When they sub
Iniited they expected judgment, and they knew not
whether their lives would be spared. The clemeney
of the Government and the generosity OF the North
ern people, surprised and delighted them They gave
thanks publicly and privately, and era of good
will and peace seemed at hand.
RECONSTRUCTION.
But here the question of reconstruction arose, and
grave differences were ound among statesmen and
peope North and South as to the electoral basis
which the States should be restored. One view was
that only loyal white men should be trusted with SUI
fage. Another that only loyal men, white and black,
should vote Another that all should vote. Another
that only white men loyal and disloya should vote.
The struggle was long and arduous, and was finally
settled on the basis of equal rights
Whatever may be said Of the policy Of that settle
ment it is certainly according to Republican and
Democratic principles and other settlement could
have endured. Any other would have been tempo
rary and have kept us in continual agitation until
should have reached the solid rock of equality.
But it was tremendous shock to Southern society
greater even than emancipation.
For there we're many freedmen, and even free-bOrn
colored in the South, who occupied
Here was a measure bringing TO level the master,
the freedman and the slave; and In several States the
slaves were a majority.
1t was to have been expected that : race which had
been bred to absolute control the negro,
ing natural superiority, would all available
against such reconstruction. They helpless to
contend openly, and hence they resorted 70 elande
slime devices
To resist and avenge reconstruction, the "Knights
of the White Camelas" the invisible Empire of the
SOUTH and other secret societies, known under the
name Of Ku-Klux, were formed and spread through
the rebel States They have existed ever since,
and still exist in various guises. The extent TO
which these Klans have outraged the rights of free
men and loyal whites has never been realized Those
who have learned the published facts find it impossi-
bic to impress the truth on the public mind. The
testimony is unquestionable. The facts are historic,
but they 50 strange and horrible that you reject
them.
The fact that in 1868 the Ku-Klux Klan had en-
rolled hall million men, that the Kans secret,
oath bound penalty Of death, to follow and
obey unknown commanders, even unto eoid-blooded
murder, assassination, massacre.
That they have since the committed thousands
and thousands of outrages ranging through all grades
OF violence and cruelty scourgng branding manning,
shooting, drowning burning, until their victims are
estimated by moderate men at not less than twenty
Thousand.
These facts are certainly far stranger than fiction,
yet know them to be true.
They are attested by volumes of evidence the greater
part of which sworn before me.
In the single State Of louisiana before the Presden-
tial election in 1865, there were within two months,
two thousand outrages. The recent massaeres IN
Northern Louisiana but as the echo OF what oc-
CURED in 1868
The late riot in New Orleans is the third the least
bloody though the best planned and bodest since the
In 1865 New Orleans was for days and nights scene
osaughter and for weeks there was no security in her
streets.
The trouble N New Orleans, throughout Louisiana,
and in other Southern States are bat the renewal
and continuation OF what has been done from the be-
ginning Of reconstruction and they arise from the same
general cause.
1t is opposition to the exercise of equal rights as
citizens by the freedmen-What they call negro gov
ernment;;
This feeling is excited to action by various
bad men In power official incompetency, election Of
kkafw RIcf oNffn a0
ton of colored children efforts Of freedmen to secure
equality on railroads and at hotels. bad negro
region exeited-for the negro must be very good or
they not tolerate him. 1t is much as they can
stand 10 have him free and equal when he is at his
best. Trouble grows out Of resistance by the freed
man to imposition, injustice, outrage. Any symP-
toms of combination by negroes, no matter fOE what
purpose Of seprotectiou is regarded as ominous Of
of races and if the negroes talk think Of
fighting, the whites begin to fight Certainly this is
dangerous condition of society and 1t presents the
most difficult problem Of the times
Let US look at the cause.
The people of the North do not understand the deep
indignation of the Southern whites at the recoDrue
ton measures conferrng suffrage and othce on freed
men. 1t seems to US thing OF course quite natural
that all men should have equal rights but should
not forget how slavery affected the master.
It fostered pride, Wilfulness and violent passions
Generations of absolute rule human beings breda
of petty tyran Southern society bad become an
oligarchy of spoiled princes.
When they struck for Independence and failed,
their slaves freed and placed equality with
them and thus enabled where in the majority, 10 rule
over them, make the laws hold the ofees, and wear
the honOrs.
This was the most severe and fearful punishment
which could have been inflicted upon that people We
have but faint conception Of the anguish they have en-
dured There is greater torture than the humilia
ton of proud heart There is no greater humiliation
than to subject the master to the slave Here is the
Nemesis, the aYenger of all Of sisvery's Wrongs-the
freedman in power over his old master.
The blindness of the whites to their interests in
creased their misfortunes. They suffered from such
hot consuming hate that they refused to take part in
Government, even when requested by the freedman
to do so. They have treated every Southern white
who supported reconstruction with such scoIn and
contumely, that respectable Union avoid office.
1 know Southern Urionsts in every Southern State
honest, capable, and popular-Whom the Repub-
hcsns would nominate and elect, but such men can
not be induced to face the storm. Thus power falls
into the worst hands, because good dare not hold
Office.
have reviewed this page of history to show that
the conduct Of the Southern whites springs from
feeling deeply imbedded in the human heart. The
country is shocked at these fresh outbreaks be-
cause 1t is so long since the war ended-nearly ten
years, decade. Time enough, if time alone would
Suffice but it will not. Time its indiher
ent to results and only affords opportunity for
to help himself.
We see that something must be dore Violence
must cease. We must have peace. How can it be Sc
cured and maintained2
THE REMEDY.
Idonot apologize for and would not paiate the con-
duct Of the Southern whites; bat we must consider
the cause in order to find the cure
The wiser and better men Of the South have been
gradually gaining ground The empire of reason over
passion is extending, and unless some unfortunate
event shall happen to preeiptate conflict we hope
for continual improvement, and finally for the day
when Southern public opinion will be so healthy and
strong as to preserve order without force.
do not anticipate what is called war Of races, be-
the freedmen will fight without white lend