midnight
because they are men of both parties ; some of them men who direct and control , and might easily suppress the Klan . No , no , Cal , judged out of their own mouths , by their words to their victims , with some of whom I have conversed , their ruling motives are hostility to the Government , to the enjoyment of the negro of the rights given him by the amendments to the Constitution , and by the laws which they are organized to oppose . -LSB- E -RSB- Their real object is the overthrow of the State governments and the return of the negro to bondage . And tell me , Cal , do you look upon these midnight attacks of overpowering numbers of disguised men upon the weak and helpless , some of them women , as manly deeds ? Is it a noble act for white men to steal from the poor ignorant black his mule , his arms , his crops , the fruit of his hard labor ? '' -LSB- Footnote E : See Reports of Congressional Committee of Investigation . -RSB- `` No , sir , '' returned Calhoun half-reluctantly , his face flushing hotly .