Year: 1871

u4aLOll lCt l. J
Hon. Jos. II. SLoSS, Washington, d. c.;


Ny DEAR SIR-Intending to remain a
day or two in Washington on my way
to New York, | concluded that in a
personal interview | would be able to
present to you in more satisfactory
manner my views upon the matter to
which you invite my attention in your
letter OF the 18th inst. On further re-
Election, however, ! deem it proper to
communicate with you in writing


1t is unnecessary for me to say deep
ly regret that small and otherwise in
significant band of political malcontents
should have the power and influence to
prolong unnatural and unhappy antag-
onism between the State of Alabama
and any of the departments OF the Fed,
eral Government / had sincerely and
earnestly hoped that we had arrived at
period in our history when the asperi-
ties and irritations Of the past were rap
idly yielding to a more kindly spirit
to that spirit of friendship and concord
which should bind closely together the
citizens of all sections Of the Union,
and which is so essential to the mate
rial prosperity and social welfare of the
whole nation. And | still trust that
the malignant and unpatriotic purposes
of the enemies of our State and revilers
of our people will not only be thwarted,
but will receive rebuke from Congress
which will end them forever. cannot
believe that the great Government OF
the United States will be diverted
from its high and sacred duties to
achieve petty revenge for few restless
and bad men in Alabama-men who
have the esteem Of no race, the
confidence of no political party. The
charge that Ku-Klux organization
controlled or interfered with the State
election in November last is destitute Of
the least semblance Of truth. | hazard
the opinion that in no State in the Union,
and at no time from the origin Of the
government to the present day, has
there ever been an election where a
political party recognized in more emf
nent degree the freedom or purity Of
the ballot-box than did the Democratic
party of Alabama on the Sth day Of
November, 1870. The very fact that
William II. Smith received more votes
than General Grant received in Ala
bama for the Presidency is suggestive Of
one Of two things, either that the
charge referred to is false, or that the
Ku-Klux Klan was impotent to accom-
plish its designs. The truth is, the men
who assert the existence Of Ku.Klux
organization in the State of Alabama
are themselves witnesses Of their own
fiction, for it does seem to me that the
terrible "diabolism' of the Klan, if it
existed, would select its victims from
among those who so eagerly labor for
its overthrow. Yet, ask which one Of
those who 80 bitterly arraign and de-
nounce it, has ever been subjected to its
scourge? No, no, Major, the Ku-Klux
organization has long ceased to exist in
the State of Alabama That there
was at one time such an organization
in the State is generally conceded, but
that it was disbanded, at least eighteen
months ago, there is little doubt. Two
years ago last fall, l saw four or five
horsemen in disguise passing the
Franklin House Of Tuscumbia. Never
before nor since have | seen any of
them.


That men have occasionally disguised
themselves, in order to perpetrate crime
with impunity, or to wreak personal
revenge there is every reason to believe,
but that there has been any such COM
binations or conspiracies for political
purposes | can positively and unequiv-
ocally deny, without the fear Of success
ful controversion. There is no desire
or disposition on the part of the people,
or any portion Of the people Of Alabama,
to use violence or to exert unfair influ-
ences in controlling elections. No
where are men Of all races and color in
fuller enjoyment of the free exercise Of
the political franchise.


But it is said the Union men are in
danger. This is utterly untrue; it is
not respectable nonsense, as you are
well advised. Why, two weeks ago |
sent TO the State Senate three names for
confirmation as Brigadier Generals Of
the State militia; one of them an ex-
officer Of volunteers in the Federal
army, and his nomination was COM
mended by leading Democrsts. Union
men, care not whence they come, are
as safe in Alabama as the most ardent
secessionists. Villainy is the only
source of danger to either; politics en-
tail no peril. have written you hur-
riedly, but hope TO see you in Washing
ton. Very respectfully, yours, DC,


RoBgRT r LTSDsAY