Clarion-Ledger clipping

Stewart, Isham; Ku Klux Klan (19th century)

For public information, we have copied an Executive proclamation which is published in the Official Gazette as an advertisement, offering sundry large sums for the detection and apprehension of a real live KuKlux, under the absurd law passed at the late session of the Legislature. The Governor professes to have information that members of an organization known by that name committed acts of violence in some of the Eastern Mississippi counties. We do not believe that such an organization exists in our State. The only live KuKlux who has been detected in violating the law, is the son of Isham Stewart, a leading Republican and African member of the Legislature from Noxubee county. Why has the Governor not despatched his faithful prosecutors, Luke Lea and federal District Attorney Jacobson to take care that the son of Isham does not escape punishment? In truth all this sound and fury about Ku Klux outrages are gotten up for political effect. The Radical rulers are only disappointed that there is not some substantial ground for the clamor which they are endeavoring to raise concerning alleged atrocities, for their own benefit.