The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1866-05-12
COMPILED LIVERY DAY FOR EVENING TELEGRAPH.
The Memphis Riots.

There is no longer any question as to the
character of what we're at first called the negro
riots at Memphis They were negro riots in the
same sense in which the outbreak in July, 1868,
in New York, was negro riot-that is, the
negroes were the victims OF both. Just what
disturbance occasioned the conflict in Memphis
will not probably be known, nor is it of much
consequence But it is plain from all accounts
that disturbance, originally triaing, was made
the pretext for general assault upon the negro
population of the city, which was continued for
two days and nights. In this assault, the police
the hremen. the city authorities, and the unor-
ganized mob acted in concert and were animated
with the single purpose to do the greatest
amount of damage to the negro population and
to their dwellings and churches and school
houses.
The atrocities of the mob were not unworthy
OF its great New York prototype, which was,
perhaps, the most savage yet heard OF in a clyi.
llzed city. Most of the negroes who were shot
were butchered on the second day, when there
was no longer any resistance, and when the
negroes were seeking safety in concealment aud
fight. We select lew specimens of the plea
santries IN which the mob iudulged:-
Robert Jones (colored) had just come in from the
country, and standing at the OF Beal and
Causey streets, in the forenoon. A man, appearing
to be policeman, took his pistol and 500 in money,
and as he turned to leave, thrust knife into his
back, under the shoulder blade Another, standing
by, known to be policeman, made no arrest OF the
Iobber"
Which shows that the police, unlike our
police in 1868, were on the side of the mob.
"a negro was shot IN the knee near the corner of
Howard's Row and the levee. This was done by a
well-known individual for the sake OF amusement,
and was laughed at by the citizens saw it."
The individual is so well known that the
paper from which we quote does not think it
worth while, or does not dare, to give his name.
But these instances are nothing to the elaborate
ingenuity OF other cruelties.
"a large number of houses in South Memphis
occupied by the blacks and some in other parts OF
the city, were burned. No effort was made to stay
the flames In one case, four negroes were fastened
up IN house and the house set on fire.
"a colored man on Alabama street informs us
that his house was broken into and about two hun.
dred doLars in money taken, and he beaten over
the head; and the same party broke into his neleh
boris house, killed him, locked the wife and chill
dren in the house, set it on fire, and burned it
down."
That is almost as good as burning Colored
Orphan Asylum.
"a house near Mr.. Rankin's schooIhouse which
A cOOred girl II years OF age named Rachel Hat.
chell, who had been scholar OF AIR. Rankin, was
sick in this house, and on running out was knocked
down, shot, and thrown INTO the fire. Her body lay
IN the ashes Yesterday morning, burnt TO a crisp,
excepting her head and shoulders. Some one had
Kindly thrown shawl over this hOrrid spectacle"
The reign of terror was complete throughout
the city, aud the violence or threats of the mob
extended beyond the negroes, and reached to all
who were their triends:-
rioters that when they had destroyed the colored
school-houses they woulo kill the teachers. The
threats were so violent and the rioters having shown
themselves capable OF any brutality, it deemed
prudent that they should North They all LETT
Tor Cairo on the ST. Louis packet. Many Of the
officers on duty here sent their wives away with
these ladies'"
What destruction was actually wrought on
the property OF the negroes themselves is thus
summed up:-
"Ihe riot was kept I'D all Wednesday night
armed of no
ners. Many were halt drunk. The great feat OF the
roughs was the burning of the colored school houses
churches, and homes. They seem TO have acted in
concert, and TO have carried out programme which
had been previously arranged. This is shown by
the clean sweep which was made OF every building
used Tor coored school or place OF worship by the
colored people, but most strongly by the conduct of
the rioters on the burning OF the Collins Chapel
This cOoIed church stands on Washington street,
and cost $1,000"
The extracts we have given are from the Mem
phis Post, paper which the Copperheads may
discredlt because it is loyal. They are abun-
dainty confirmed by the admissions and apollo
gles of the Rebel sheets. The Bulletin says:-
"The testimony in regard TO all these particulars
is most conflicting, but all agree on the thing
tnat those who engaged IN the riot were persons on
irresponsible character, and 1t will be unfair to
charge these untoward disturbances to the good,
law-abidng citizens OF the city OF Memphis"
Which is equivalent to saying. We have no
defense to offer Tor the mob except that we did
not belong to it, The AUalancte far more eX-
plicitly declares:-
'Ghe rioter who claimed to belong to the I54th'
sought TO shield himself from cupabiity behinu the
jair name OF an honorable body OF men and had he
been member, he would have esteemed its lame
too highly 10 confess connection with a mob guilty
OF so many eXcesses.
1--WE have heard many ex-soldiers of the South
tclare that they would prefer military admInis-
traton OF municipal authority to that which dis
Praces the city and State, and by ts utter incapa
city, gross Encouragement, and preiudices OF It's
agents, has brought upon Memphis lasting evils.
The true remedy for all mlsfOrtunes, now con-
tempated, consists in the reformation OF the city
chatter"
We might continue both quotations and com.
ments to any extent, but we leave the case to the
jury on a traction of the evidence and without
any argument at all. Against the city of
Memphis the verdict viii be guilty OF murder
and arson without an effort by an organized
authority TO prevent or 70 punish either crime.
The Industrial Problem in the South.
From tie Times.
An English gentleman, writing to a religious
contemporary, makes the following instructive
remarks-
~, iYnnrpsged with tho 4h.4 Al.