The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1902-02-23
THE LEOPARD'S SPOTS
CONTINUED from Page Nine.)


them to order for business"
Five days later the prisoners were ar
raigned before the United States judge,
Preston Rivers at Independence. Not n
scrap OF evidence could be produced
against them. Governor Hogg was pres
emit, with a flaming military escort. He
held stormy interview with Judge
Rivers.
IF you discharge these prisoners, you
destroy the government of this State.
sir" Numbered Hogg.
Are they not citizens OF the United
States? Does not the Fourteenth Amend
ment apply to a white man as we'll as q
negro?" quietly asked the Judge.
yes, but they are conspirators against
ons."
Then prove 1t In my court and I'll
hand them back TO you. They are enti-
tied TO a trial under the Magma Char
ter and our Constitution"
"Ill demand your removal by the Pres
ident,' shouted Hogg.
Get out OF this room, or III remove
you with the point of my boot" Numbered
the Judge with rising wrath You have
suspended the writ Of habeas corpus TO
win political campaign. These coun-
ties are in better condition than at any
time since you became Governor The
Ki-Klux Khan has broken up your
Leagues. You are fighting for your life.
But I'll tell you now. YOU can't sns-
pend the Constitution OF the United
states while I'm Federal judge in this
State. am not henchman of yours To
do your dirty campaign work. The cleo
ton Is but ten days Off Your scheme Is
plain enough But If you want to Keep
these men in prison it will be done on
sworn evidence of guilt and warrant,
rot on your personal whim."
The Governor cursed, rayed and threat
ened in vain. Judge Rivers discharged
every prisoner and warned Colonel Berry
rs rsonally against the repetition of such
arrests within his jurisdiction
When these prisoners were discharged,
q great mass meeting was called 10 give
them q reception In the public square OF
Independence. platform was hastily
h,,ilt In the square and that night nve
thousand excited people, men ana wo-
men. crowded past the stand, shook nahds
xc,ts, the men and cheered till they were
onstration In helpless fury from his room
hoarse. The Governor watched the dem
In the hotel.
The state burst into a fame OF excite
r,ent that fused In its white heat the
whole Anglo-Saxon race.
In vain Hogg marched and counter
marched his twenty thousand state
troops. They only added fuel TO the hre.
II they arrested q man. he became
forthwith a hero and was given an oVa-
ton. They sent bands OF music
and played at the jail doors, and the Ia
dies filled the Jail with every deiicacy
that could tempt the appetite or appeal To
the senses.
The day before election found Hogg ana
y,egree in panic of fear with the GER
tainty OF defeat. exposure and feion'
cell yawning before them.
Two DAYS before the election the prayer
meeting was held at eight O'Clock In the
Baptist church at Hambright. 1t was
the usual mid-week service. but the at
tendance was unusually large.
After the meeting, the preacher, Maj.
Cameron and eleven men quietly walked
back to the church and assembled In the
pastors study. The door opened at the
rear OF the church and could be approach
ed by side street.
Gentlemen" said Maj. Cameron. i've
asked you here tonight to deliver to you
the most important order have ever
given and to have Dr. Durham az our
chaplain to aid me In impressing on you
its great urgency"
Were ready for orders, Chief" said
young Ambrose Kline. the deacon's son.
.'You are to call out every troop of the
Khan in full force the night before the
election. You are to visit every negro
in the county, and warn every one as he
values his life not TO approach the polls
at this election Those who come will be
allowed to vote without molestation. All
towards will stay at home. Any man.
black or white, who can be scared out
OF his ballot is not fit to have one. Back
OF every ballot Is the red blood OF the
man that votes. The ballot Is force. This
is simply a test of manhood. 1t will be
enough to show who is lit TO rule the
State AS the masters of the eleven
township lodges OF the Khan you are the
sole guardians OF society today. When
civilized government has been restored,
your work will be done, as was the work
of your fathers and their kinsmen who
with violence took the law in their hands
and destroyed tea in Boston harbor,
raised the flag OF revolution, and estab-
lished this nation.
Eve will do it, sir" cried Kline.
Let me say, men" said the preacher,
that l heartily endorse the plan OF your
chief. His word is your supreme law In
this crisis. See that the work is done
thoroughly and it will be done for all
time. In sense this is fraud. But 1t
is the fraud OF war. The spy is fraud,
but we must use him when we fight. Is
war justifable?
1T is too late now for us to discuss
that question. We are in a war, the most
CHASTITY and hellish ever waged. war on
women and children. the starving and
the wounded, and that with sharpened
swords. The Turk and Saracen once
waged such war. We must face it and
fight II out Shall we flinch?"
NO! no." came the passionate answer
from every man.
You are asked to violate for a mo-
ment statutory law There is higher
law You are the sworn officers of that
higher law
The group OF leaders LETT the church
with enthusiasm and on the following
night they carried out their instructions
10 the letter
The election was remarkabIv ouiet