REPLY: Gowns used by KKK (long)
H-Civwar co-moderator Peter Knupfer (pknupfer@ksu.ksu.edu)
Sun, 24 Jul 1994 01:32:50 -0500
Date: Thu, 21 Jul 94 12:21:16 EDT
rom: Kittrell Rushing-Univ Tenn-Chatt <KRUSHING@UTCVM>
>
>Two citation from the old Confederate Veteran mention the Klu-Klux Klan. The
>earlist citation is a short one found in volume 13, number 5, page 237. The
>second citation is longer, and gives what almost amounts to a first person
>account of an encounter in North Carolina with Klansmen.
>
>Note that the author's description of the Klan robes as BLACK does not
>reflect the modern image of white-sheet clad klansmen...
>((or is it "klanspersons"??))
>----------------------------------------------------------------------
>>From the Confederate Veteran, Vol XXIV:7, 1916, 308-310
>
>(The method used to prepare this text for transmission on the internet was to
>photocopy the article from the original periodical. The photocopies were then
>scanned using an Macintosh Quadra and an Apple OneScanner. The text
>recognition software was OmniPage Direct. The software was set to indicate
>any unrecognized characters with the pound (#) sign).
>
> A CARPETBAGGER'S YIEW OF THE KU-KLUX KLAN
> BY A. J. EMERSON, DENVER. COLO.
>
> Albion W. Tourgee was a carpetbagger, but he was of a higher order of man
>than the rank and file of that speckled aggregation. He was a lawyer, became a
>soldier, and was later a district judge in Dixie. Afteruards he gained
>considerable reputation as a writer of books. One of his books, "A Fools
>Errand," was, I judge, widely read. He had a sense of humor. He calls himself
>the "fool" all the way through that book. He scorns and laughs at the "wise
>men" who were engaged in reconstructing the South. He thinks he could have
>done it better himself_ He has humor enough to laugh at himself. He says: "I
>was captain of the Peru Invincibles. Company B, of a regiment that did an
>incredible amount of boasting at the outset, a marvelous amount of running
>soon after, and a reasonable amount of fighting still later in the Civil War."
>Tourgee bought a home in mliddle North Carolina and set tled down as a
>citizen; but they still called him a carpet bagger. He tried to gain the
>friendship of his neighbors. There was too wide a gap between them. He was
>brave, bold, and free to speak his opinions and thoroughly Northern. They were
>Southern. He and they clashed. He be came very unpopular, but faced it without
>flinching I remember seeing him several times about 1868. At that time in
>North Carolina we had a "scalawag" Governor and what the people called "the
>kinky-head" legislature. Tourgee was our district judge, holding court in
>several counties. The people were so angry v ith him that no one as he
>advanced from his hotel to#ward the courthouse would speak to him. He comes to
>the square. .A lane is opened in the great silent crowd for him to pass. But
>no greeting is heard, no good morning, no hand stretched forth. He enters the
>courtroom. not a lawyer salutes him. He takes his seat on the bench; the
>sheriff opens court. The judge then hears his first salu tation, a lawyer's
>voice saying: "May it please your honor." The Governor (scala#wag) was
>equally execrating. His initials vere W.- W. When he went out of office,
>despised by the great body of his countrymen, his epitaph was:
>
> "Here lies W. W.,
> Who no more will trouble you, trouble you."
>
> Tourgee's life was threatened more than once. You would hardly expect a man
>thus detested and scorned by a people to be able to appreciate any of their
>good qualities. But he does. and this proves that he was himself far superior
>to ordinary carpetbaggers. As the Ku-Klux Klan has lately become a topic of
>fresh public interest, what Tourgee says of the Klan may help to clear away
>some of the clouds which hide from view the mysterious army that delivered the
>people of the South in their darkest day of trouble. I present some extracts
>from "A FoolUs Errand.S
>
> Judge Tourgee points out that there were at that time two parties in the
>various Southern States: one composed of negroes, ignorant and poor, a few
>native whites, and a few Northern men resident in that section. He was one of
>them. These are his words:
>
>"Either knaves or fools or partaking of the nature of both who might elect to
>become permanent citizens and join in the movement. Against them were to be
>pitted the wealth, the intelligence, the organizing skill, the pride and hate
>of a people whom it had taken four years to conquer in open fight when their
>enemies outnumbered them three to one, who were animated chiefly by the
>apprehension of what seemed now about to be forced upon them by this miscalled
>measure of ReconstructionQto wit, the equality of the negro race."
>
>NORTH AND SOUTH TWO NATIONS.
>
> "The North and the South had been two households in one house, two nations
>under one name. The intellectual, moral and social life of each had been
>utterly distinct and separate from that of the other. They no more understood
>or appre ciated each other's feelings or development than John China-man
>comprehends the civilization of John Bull. It is true they spoke the same
>language, used the same governmental forms, and, most unfortunately, thought
>they comprehended each other's ideas. Each thought that he knew the thought
>and purpose of the other better than the thinker knew his own. The Northern
>man despised his Southern fellow citi zen in bulk as a good-natured
>braggadocio, mindful of his own ease, fond of powcr and display, and with no
>animating principle which could in any manner interfere with his interest. The
>Southern man despised his Northern compeer as cold-blooded, selfish,
>hypocritical, cowardly, and envious."
>
>TOURGEE, CALLED CARPETBAGGER FINDS THAT IT STINGS
>
> "In order to express their abhorrence for such as dared to go from the North
>to become residents of the South without an absolute surrender of principles,
>one who was of more in tense v irulence than the others invented a new term,
>or rather reapplied one which he had already helped to make infamous."
>
>"The name itself was a stroke of genius. In all history there is perhaps no
>instance of so perfect and complete an instrument. 'Sans-culottes' is its
>nearest rival. 'Abolitionist,' its immediate predecessor, had the disadvantage
>of an etymological significance which sometimes interfered with its perfect
>application. 'Carpetbagger' had, however, all the es sentials of a
>denunciatory epithet in a superlative degree. It had a quaint and ludicrous
>sound, was utterly without defined significance, and was altogether unique. It
>was susceptible of one significance in one locality and another in another.
>without being open to any etymological objection. This elasticitY of
>signification is of prime importance in a disparaginG epithet; there is almost
>always a necessity for it."
>
>NORTH AND SOUTH CURSE CARPET BAGGERS
>
> "So the South cursed carpetbaggers because they were oF the North, and the
>North cursed them because the South seT the example."
>
>"In nothing has the South shown its vast moral superiority over the North more
>than in this. 'I pray thee curse me this people,' it said to the North, first
>of the abolitionists and then of carpetbaggers; and the North cursed, not
>knowing whom it denounced and not pausing to inquire whether they were worthy
>of stripes or not. Perhaps there is no othe instance in history in which the
>conquering power has discredited its own agents, denounced those of its oun
>blood
>and faith, espoused the prejudices of its conquered foes, and poured the vials
>of its wrath and contempt upon the only ass in the conquered territory who
>defended its acts, supported its policy, promoted its aim, or desired its
>preservation and continuance."
>
>NEIGHBGR TELLS JUDGE TOURGEE OF THE Ku-KLuX KLAN.
>
>"I heard the noise of horses, quiet and orderly, but many. looking from the
>window in the clear moonlight, I saw horsemen passing down the street, taking
>their stations here and there, like guards who had been tolled off for duty at
>specific points. Two stopped opposite my house, two opposite Mr. Haskin's, and
>two or three on the corner below. They eemed to have been sent on before as a
>sort of picket guard for the main body, which soon came in. I should say there
>were from a hundred to a hundred and fifty still in line. they were all masked
>and wore black robes. The horses were disguised, too, by drapings. There were
>only a few mules in the whole company. They were good horses, though; one
>could tell that by their movements. Oh, it was a. respectab le crowd! No doubt
>about that, sir. Beggars don't ride in this country. I don't know when I have
>seen so many good horses together since the Yankee cavalry left here after the
>surrender. They were drilled, too. Plenty of old soldiers n that crowd! Why,
>everything went like clock work. Not . word was said, just a few whistles
>given. They came like a dream and went away like a mist. I thought we should
>have to fight for our lives; but they did not disturb any.one here. They
>gathered down by the courthouse. After a while from my back window I saw them
>down about the tree. A signal was given, and just at that time a match was
>struck, nd I saw a dark body swing down under the limb."
>
> "This new reign of terror had come so stilly and quietly upon the world that
>none realized its fearfulness and extent. At first it had been a thing of
>careless laughter to the great, free unsuspecting North, then a matter of
>contemptuous ridicule, and finally a question of incredulous horror."
>
> "Always the same intangible presence, the same invisible power. Well did it
>name itself 'The Invisible Empire.' Un seen and unknown ! In one State ten
>thousand, in another twenty thousand, in another forty thousand; in all an
>army greater than the rebellion, from the moldering remains of which it
>sprang, could ever put into the field! An invisible empire with a trained and
>disciplined army of masked midnight marauders making war upon the weakling
>'powers' which the wise men had set up in the lately rebellious territory."
>
>COLONEL TOURGEE COMES NEAR SEFING THE Ku-KLux.
>
> It is night. Colonel Tourgee and Judge Denton are on the train which arrives
>at Glenville near midnight, to go from there by carriage to Colonel TourgeeUs
>home. A young girl is riding to the station to warn them of the Ku-Klux who,
>she has learned, are planning to meet them. She comes to the forks of the road
>and knows not which to take. She hears hoof strokes on all three of the roads
>and hides among the scrub pines bordering the roads. There were men all about
>her. Three of them came into the road so near her that she could easily hear
>all they said. One of the men spoke:
>
>"Gentlemen, I am the East Commander of Camp No. 5, of Pultowa County."
>
>"And I, of Camp No. 8, of Wayne."
>
>"And I, of No. 12, of Sevier."
>
>"You are the men I expected to meet," said the first.
>
>"We were ordered to report to you," said the others.
>
>"How many men have vou each ?S
>
>Thirty-two from No. 8."
>
>"Thirtv-one from No. 12.S
>
>RI myself have forty. Are yours informed of the work om hand ?"
>"Not a Word."
>
> The leaders went back to the intersection of the roads, mounted their
>horses, and the leader commanded, "Attention !"
>The men gathered closer, and then all was still Then the leader said in words
>heard by the trembling girl: "Gentlemen, we have met here to execute the
>extreme penalty of our order upon Thomas Denton. This unpleasant duty, of
>course, will be done as becomes earnest men. Colonel Tourgee, who is with him,
>is not included in the decree. I submit to you the question: 'What shall be
>done with the radical carpetbagger Tourgee?'"
>
>It was moved that the same decree be made against him as against Denton. The
>vote was taken. All were in the affirmative except one.
>
>The girl, with her revolver ready cocked in her hand, turned and cautiously
>made her way to the road which had been indicated as one to Glenville. Keeping
>on the shady side, she had gone about one hundred and fifty yards when she
>came to a turn in the road and saw in the moonlight one of the KU-KLUX
>sentries. He was facing the other way, but whirled and called, "Halt!"
>
>Almost before the word was out of the sentry's mouth she gave spur to her
>horse and shot like an arrow into the bright moonlight straight toward the
>black-muffled horseman.
>
>"My God !" he cried, amazed at the sudden apparition. She was close upon him
>in an instant. She threw forwara her revolver and fired. His startled horse
>sprang aside. and Lily, urging Young Lollard to his utmost speed, was flying
>down the road to Glenville. On, on she sped, arriving at the station in time
>to prevent Judge Denton and Colonel Tourgee from riding into the dreaded snare
>of the KU-KIUX.
>
>
>THE EXCUSE OF THE REBELS FOR THE KU-KLUX KLAN.
>
> ".Ah me!" says the Judge, "the excuse of the Rebels is sad, sadder almost
>than the bloody facts themselves. What is it? We were rebels in arms; we
>surrendered and by the terms of surrender were promised immunity so long as we
>obeyed the laws. This meant that we should govern ourselves as of old. Instead
>of this, they put military officers over us; they imposed disabilities on our
>bravest and best; they liberated our slaves and gave them power over us. Men
>born at the North came among us and were given place and power by slaves and
>renegades. They were incompetent officers. The revenues of the State were
>squandered. We were taxed to educate the blacks. Enormous debts were
>contracted. We did not do these acts from political motives, but only be cause
>the parties had made themselves obnoxious. Alas, alas that a people who had
>inaugurated and carried through a great war should come to regard anything as
>an excuse for organized thuggism!"
>
>You perceive, reader, that the Judge's effort to see his Southern neighbors as
>they saw themselves was rather a failure. But let that pass. He goes on to
>say:
>
>"Yet it was a magnificent sentiment that underlay it all, an unfaltering
>determination, an invincible dehance to all that had the seeming of compulsion
>or tyranny. One can but re gard with pride and sympathy the indomitable men
>who, being conquered in war, yet resisted every efl/ort of the con queror to
>change their laus, their customs, or even the per sonnel of their rullng
>class, and this, too, not only with un yielding stubbornness, but with
>success.
>
>One can but admire the arrogant boldness with which they charged the nation
>which had,overpowered them, even in the teeth of her legislators, with
>perfidy, malice, and a spirit of unworthy and contemptible revenge. How they
>laughed to scorn the Reconstruction acts of which the wise men boasted ! How
>boldly they declared the conflict to be irrepressible and that white and black
>could not and should not live together as coordinate ruling elements !
>
>"And then the organization itself, so complete and yet so portable and elastic
>! So perfect in disguise that, of the thousands of victims, scarce a score
>could identify one of their persecutors! In it we may recognize the elements
>that go to make up a grand and kingly people. They felt them selves insulted
>and oppressed. No matter whether they were or not, be the fact one way or
>another, it does not affect their conduct. If the Reconstruction which the
>wise men ordained was unjust; if the North was the aggressor and wrongful
>assailant of the South in war; if to degrade and humiliato her enemy the terms
>of the surrender were falsified and new and irritating conditions imposed; if
>the outcasts of Northern life were sent or went thither to encourage or induce
>the former slave to act against his former masterQif all this were true, it
>would be no more an excuse or justification for the course pursued than would
>the honest belief that these facts were true by the masses who formed the rank
>and file of this grotesquely uniformed body of partisan cavalry. In any case,
>it must be counted as. the desperate effort of a proud, brave, and determined
>people to secure and hold what they deemed to be theirtrights."
>
>--A. J. Emerson, Denver, Colo.
> Confederate Veteran, XXIV:7, 1916, 308-310
>
>----------------------------------------------------------------------------
>
>Kittrell Rushing
>The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga
>krushing@utcv.utc.edu