They in turn were made to feel the effects of a merciless social proscription.

For this some of them cared not at all, while others or their families felt it keenly.

One woman missionary wrote that she was delighted when a Southern white would speak to her.

A preacher in Virginia declared that "the females, those especially whose pride has been humbled, are more intense in their bitterness and endeavor to keep up a social ostracism against Union and Northern people." The Ku Klux raids were directed against preachers and congregations whose conduct was disagreeable to the whites.

Lakin asserted that while he was conducting a great revival meeting among the hills of northern Alabama, Governor Smith and other prominent and sinful scalawag politicians were there "under conviction" and about to become converted.