The Paducah evening sun. [volume] (Paducah, Ky.) 1906-1929, 1908-04-13
Scriptural Test Put to Grand Jury
by Circuit Judge Thomas B. Cook
at Murray in Night Rider Inquiry.

entered into without further Interrupt
/ ton.
Before entering into the night rider
subject, Judge Cook made the usual
charge bearing upon all violations of
the law and was especially strong on
the point regarding the Illicit sale and
use of whisky and the carrying con-
cealed deadly weapons.
His reference to night riding was
preceded by the law against trusts,
and he called upon the jury to indict
any agent of trust that might be
found operating in Galloway county.
But, gentlemen, though trusts and
combines may have oppressed the
poor people of the land and may be
responsible for the present condition
there Is nothing in that, that would
justify you in excusing man for the
laying on of violent hands or of the
destruction of private property" said
the court. The subject of night rid
ing having been entered into. the
court took up the matter in its threat
ening letter stage, and declared that
this Is most heinous offense, wheth
ler there was motive or not, and de-
clared that the recipient must live in
constant fear and suspense, not know
ling whether IL was real or in jest, and
he quoted the law that it must be
punishable by fine or Imprisonment.
even though sent "by friend 10
friend" If there is a motive then IT
becomes a felony and is punishable by
confinement in the penitentiary for
not less than one nor more than five
years.
Taking up the situation in Gallo
way county, Judge Cook said that he
had been away from the county and
did not personally know of the situa
ton. His information came largely
from the newspapers and declared
that there can be no doubt that all
the excitement and talk would not
have arisen had ther been no raid
ing"
He denounced Ku Kluxing even
though It brought about a good result
you may say that the association
Is not responsible for the conditions OF
that it is. | am not here to condemn
or to praise any man, because he is a
member of II or not If he is he has
not the right to destroy property il
its name or to force his neighbor to
join or sign a pledge.
Gentlemen, II is a condition and
not a theory that confronts us, and q
situation which we must meet"
Here Judge Cook read the text OF
the Ku Klux law, which he said COW
ers the situation, and he called atten-
ton to the fact that though mem
Der never commits single depreda
ton, though he never attends raid
the simple banding together is a VIC
lation and a felony punishable by
from one to Is years in the peniten
tiary.
''You have said you are law-abid-
ing, you have said you were not
afraid to do your duty, and I believe
yOu w IT, PNiSohobt hhO" "
cry man on this jury. You have been
my clients and | believe l can talk &c
you as few in my district. l know
that | can talk to you from an honest
heart and that 1t will reach an honest
heart. This is my home and you my
friends"
After impressively reciting Sir Wal
ter SCOTS ode to "My Native Land.
he continued. "Your neighbors and
friends may be involved in the night
rider outrages, but if you do your
duty and be true to your state and to
your God, you must indict them Il
there is evidence, even IL like Abra-
ham you sacrific your own son. If cir
cumstances demand You may be ex-
orsed from acting on that case; but
do not finch from your duty. If you
do you are guilty of treason to youi
country and perjury in the sigh OF
God
mo matter whether he goes dis
guised or not, he who goes to the