Daily union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1865-1866, 1866-05-30
TEE MEMPHIS RIOTS OF
GEN. STONEMAN'S COMMISSION.

1t will be recollected that Immediately
after the riots in Memphis, Gen. Stoneman
organized a mixed commissions of citizens
and military officers, to investigate and re-
port upon the origin and causes of that I'M
fortunate outbreak That report has been
forwarded to Washington, and the special
correspondent Of the Cincinnati Enquirer
has the following in reference to its con-
| tents:
The report Of the commission appointed
| by General Stoneman to investigate the
causes Of the Memphis riot has been receiv-
ed at the headquarters of the army.
From the report, and from another source
of the highest authority, | can affirm conf
IDENTIFY that the outrages upon the negroes
were the legitimate progeny of the Radical
reign in'Memphs.
The proofs show that for some time past
the third regiment of United States colored
| artillery has been on duty at the post of
Memphis, and consequently Government
| agents, PrOvOst-marshals and officers of the
Freedmen's Bureau have been supported and
their orders executed by the officers and sol
dicrs of this regiment. 1t is apparent that
the faithful discharge of these duties would
bring them naturally and unavoidably in
contact and conflict with the law-breakers of
the worst class of the community, and that
mortal hatred against this regiment was thus
generated in the breasts of this class of the
population. The animosity thus created has
been increased by the iniudicious utterances
of both parties TO the controversy, and under
the bellows applied from either side must
inevitably have been blown into n strong
fire.
Memphis is a city Of 10000 population,
out Of which 5000 can vote under the rgor-
Gus and nhoard-of prescription imposed by
the Tennessee franchise law. The rowdy
element Of the city elects the Mayor
and other city officials, and they compose
entirely the fire and police departments Of
the municipal organization. 1t is useless TO
attempt 70 describe the natural and deadly
cEmity existing between these rowdies and
negroes, and il can be easily seen how this
bitterness could be increased 10 violent out
breaks by contact with this colorcd regiment
faithfully executing the orders of their su-
Ieriors The riots, so-Called, were simply
an onslaught upon the negroes by the police
and fire companies of Memphis, melted and
instigated 70 violence by the inCendiary
harangue5 of a Mayor of their own choice
and equally worthless city officials, and the
returned rebel soldiers had nothing to do
with the outbreak.
The Mayor elected by these 5000 regis
tered voters, merits and receives the con-
tempt Of the substantial citizens and proper
ty holders of that city, who, if they had
voice in the election, would agree more will
lingly 10 take the responsibility Of preserv-
ing peace and order in their community.
The truth is simply this, that The distran-
chisemcnt Of the citizens of Memphis has
resulted in the domination of a low and
worthless class. with honorable exceptions,
who are directly responsible for these dis
urbanccs. and whose chosen Mayor Is an
even more guilty particepS er'Haiais. Such is
substantially the information received here
in official form, and it is believed the Con
gressional committee will likewise find evi-
dsncp COMMUNICATING these statements.