New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1883-12-22
4 KEKLUY CONFESSION.

II
There is curious and interesting sequel to
the recent Ku-Klux trials in Georgia. 1t Will
be remembered that these trials resulted III the
conviction of seven Democrats who had beaten
shot and otherwise matreated negroes VINO
voted for Emory Speer, an Independent Dem
ocratic candidate for Congress i'll 1882. Inc
Southern papers, Liberal as well as BOURBON,
were full of rage at the convictions, portrayed
the men as martyrs-victims of political per-
secution-and divided their bitter denunciatlons
between the National Administration, which
directed the prosecutions, and Mr. Speor, VINO,
having become District-AttOrney Ill the IN
tcryal, carried them on. L he prisoners were
called up the other day for sentence, and re-
ceyed an admOnition from United States Dis
trict Judge Mccoy, which deserves to go on
record with his charge to the jury at the be-
ginning of the trial, that attracted so much
attention in the North. The Judge said:
The offence Of which you have been convicted is one OF
the very gavcst character The freedom Of elections Is
necessity for the good Of this state and OF the greatest
importance to the whole people or what avail Is the
form Of Republic the machinery and parade OF Dallos
and elections n the voter NAV not his vote without
fear What l. the right OF suffrage worth If to be e1-
crccd under the fear that unless II be exercised 80 as to
suit the notions Of the the will be walked up at
night by lawlcss band. and DC shamcully and cruelty
beaten The acts Of which you have been found guilty
are not therefore ts Of violence; they are attacks
upon the very vitals Of the Republic and II permitted to
continue would make the right TO vote "A sham ana a
snare The circumstances render this case particularly
aggravated one The violence In the dead OF night.
I'm the presence ~ the wives and infant children OF those
maltrcatcd and the beating most cruel ana bloody
Indeed one could hardly suppose 1t possible that without
some special personal malice the heart OF man could nave
been capable OF such deliberate, bitter ana heartlcSs
cruelty ~ the evidence I'm this exhibits. That the
victim. were ncsrocs-iormerly slayes-poor, helpless
and ignorant 1t seems 20 me. asgravate' the offence
Their condition Of lie. their poverty, their Ignorance
ought To excite the sympathy of the good citizen Instead
or awakening the lower and more degrading purposes OF
their nature In view Of all these circumstances but es-
pccaIy in view Of the effect which the prevalence Of such
acts permitted would have upon the freedom Of cleo
tons and that those do them may know that they are
running the rial. Of no light penalty have not felt myself
Al liberty 10 treat this offence mere assault ana bat
terry but t. consider Il offence against liberty Itself
and 70 punish II accordingly.
This is a sermon upon bulldozng which ought
TO be re-read from the pulpit of every Southern
church until the best citizens" everywhere
are ashamed of such acts. The sentence was to
two years imprisonment IL was followed by
an unexpected disclosure. Five ont OF the
seven prisoners confessed their guilt, doing so,
as they said, to clear the other two who had
not really been parties To the conspiracy. Sem
tcnce was suspended rs to these, that the new
evidence might be considered. The Southern
newspapcrs would hardly like to reprint those
heated editorials now.