Year: 1868




The Ku-Klux Outrages-RepOrt of the
Investigating Committee.


The Committee appointed by the Tennessee
Legislature to investigate the outrage3 AM
murders by the Ku.Klux Klan, ani to ascertain
the necessity tor the passage of the Militia bill,
to give armed protection to all citizens from
further depredatlons, have recently made their
report. 1t confirms the worst statements in
regard to the condition of affairs in Tennessee,
and says that there, has been one murder a day
for the past six months. The report would ill
eight columns Of THE EVENING TELEGRAPH. and
We are forced, by reason of scarcity OF room, to
give the following summary and recommends
tion of the Committee.


Your committee regret that the limited time
at their disposal has prevented them from giving
to the subject matter referred to them more
complete and thorough examination.


The number OF outrages which have been per
petrated in many counties of Middle and West
tennessee, during the past few months, have
been so numerous, and of such an aggravated
character, as almost battles investigation. In
these counties reign OF terror exists, which is
so absolute in Its nature that the best of citizens
are unable or unwilling to give. free expression
TO their opinions. The terror inspired by the
secret organization known as the Ku-KluX Klan
is so great that the officers of the law are power
less to execute its provisions, to discharge their
duties, or to bring the guilty perpetrators of
these outrages to the punishment they deserve.
Their stealthy movements are generally made
under cover OF the night and under masks or
DISCUSSES, which render their Identification diff
fCult, II not impossible.


Added to the secrecy which envelops their
operations IS the fact tnat no information of
their murderous acts can be obtained without
the greatest difficulty and danger in the locali-
ties where they are committed. No one dares
to inform upon them or to axe any measures
to bring them to punishment, because no such
one can tell but he may be the next victim of


The members of this organization, with their
friends, aiders, and abettofs take special pains
to conceal all their operations.


The moving principle by which they are actu-
ated, appears to be hostility to the State and
national authorities, and in the minds of those
men who have voted for "Brownlow" or the
Republican ticket" or to be radical" is the


Your Committee believe that during the past
six months the murders in Tennessee, to say
nothing OF other outrages, would average one
per day, or one ifor Every tWentyioqr hours;
been perpetrated by the Rlan referred to, and
few, if any, have been brought to punishment.
A number OF counties in the State are entirely
at the mercy of this organization, and rowing
bands OF nightly marauders bid defiance to the
civil authorities, and threaten to drive out
every man, white or black, who does not submit
to their arbitrary dictaton.


To add TO the general laWlessness of these
communities, bad men of every description
take advantage of the crcums tances surround
ing them, and pprpetrate acts OF violence, from
personal or pecuniary motives, under the plea
OF political necessity.


Colored laborers have been driven from Their
homes by dishonest land-o 4ners, in order to
deprive them of their share of the crops they
cultivated and the Wages they have Justly
earned by their labor. Other ourages OF
similar character are daily committed, and the
officers OF the law are unable or unwilling to
prevent or redress them. Your committee are
convinced, from the evidence before them, that
a resort to some measures that will correct evils
OF such enorm!ty, is an imperative necessity.
The testimony they have taken is but a small
part of the evidence which might be laid before
hn oh fn
necessity which exists for legislative action for
the prevention and punishment of acts of Nio-
lence, for the protection OF life and property,
and Tor the due execution of the la vs. A large
number of cases brought to the attention of
your committee have been passed over un.
noticed, because time and space would not perA
nit their investigation. But they are satisfied
that no further evidence Is necessary to con-
vince every thoughtful mind that more than
ordinary means are requisite, under existing
circumstances, to secure peace and protection
to persons and property,


The object sought to be obtained by the esta.
blishment of government is the peace OF society.
Individuals surrender portion of their liberty,
and submit to the restraints of legal enact
ments, for the general good of all concerned.
Laws are made for the protection as well as
the punishment of crime.


If civil law and civil authority are not suff-
cient for the accomplishment of the purpose in
tended military force must be called TO their
assistance. The first and highest duty of every
government is to protect its citizens in the en-
joyment of their persons and their property,
without regard TO their individual or political
opinions If civil law is set at defiance and its
agents overpoWered or intimidated by evil
doers, it becomes the imperative duty of the
government TO call to Its assistance the strong
arm of military power Citizens have q right TO
appeal for protection 10 the government under
which they live, and that government which
refuses to listen 10 their appeals or to afford
them that protection to which they are enti-
tied, is unworthy OF the name and foreits the
confidence of men OF all shades OF political OPT
MON. If the ordinary means OF enforcing the
laws are insufficient, 1t becomes the duty of the
government to adopt such measures as may De
necessary TO accomplish that object, no matter
how severe those measures may be.


Your committee believes that the Governor
should be invested with full power to call out
such military force as may ne required TO
secure obedience to the laws, and II the calling
out of sucn a force shall be necessary, the
responsibility will rest upon those who violate
the laws, and refuse obedience to the constituted
authorities OF the state. 1t is the sworn duty
OF the Governor to see that the laws are faith.
fully executed, and Tor that purpose ample
means should be placed at his disposal. Much
as we may regret that any necessity should exist
for calling in the aid OF the military force, yet
when all other means fail to secure the end,
aim and object OF all government, we have then
no choice lett us in the matter.


we, therefore recommend the passage of the
bill which has already been reported by your
committee. WILLIAM j. SMITH,


Chairman the Senate Committee.


WILLIAM f. PRossER,


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