The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1866-07-31


THE MHMPHf9 AAssACRE.
The Congressional Investigating Committee
have made full report of the results of their
investigation into the Memphis riot, alias
properly massacre. This isn't the showing Of
irresponsible and unknown newspaper core
spondents. 1t is made by members Of Con.
gress of National reputation and upon reports
gathered from various reliable sources.
These investigations into the true state Of
Southern sentiment are not made in partizan
spirit 20 foster sectional asperitiss; not for
the purpose of humiliating the South or de-
priving its people of any rights, but after the
strife through which We have passed, and
knowing how severely and narrowly the life
of the Republic has been saved, it has been
the imperative duty OF the representatives Of
a loyal people to make sure and enduring
their loyal work and it Is equally the duty
Of the people to sustain their representative
therein.
No portion of the people have right to
commit treason; nor to endanger the exist
ence of the Government. Because their mil.
itary power has been broken is no reason why
rebels should claim or be conceded the RICH,
to consummate by politics the end they
sought by arms; and it is the duty of the
Nation to protect all its people and give re-
publican forms of government to its citizens.
The report shows that the riot was the re-
suit of the determination of the Memphis
rebels and Butternuts to exterminate the col.
ored population of that city, and the disor-
made the pretext. When the massacre com.
menced the negro soldiers had retired peace.
ably within the tort and there was no distur-
bance existing anywhere. II could not be
claimed that the victims of the massacre
were parties to the dsorderly conduct of the
soldiers, nor that they had in any manner
been guilty Of riotous behavior General
SToNEAAN bears witness for them that "they
assembled in no bodies and were engaged in
no riotous proceedings"
Then follows the record of the violence
committed during the days of the reign of
that rebel mob. We have no heart to follow
1t. 1t shows in fearful colors the damnable
spirit of the reconstructed, sickenine chron-
icle of the causeless, brutal killing of men,
women and children-the innocent, unarmed
and defenseless, pleading for their lives and
crying for mercy; the wounding beating and
inaltreatng of a still greater number; burn.
ing, pilagng and robbing; the consuming of
dead bodies in the flames, the burning of
dwellings, the attempts to burn up whole fam.
HES IN their houses, and the brutal and re-
voting rayishings of defenseiess and terror
stricken women.
Here is specimen: RACHEL HATCHER. a
colored girl sixteen years old, had entered a
neighbours house which was a-6re, and was
carrying out the furniture to prevent its being
burned.
while in the house. engaged in an act of
benevolent heroism, the savages surrounded
the burning building, and with loaded revo-
uers threatened to shoot her. In piteous
tones she implored them to let her come out.
but one of the crowd-the wretch Fender
grast-said: mo, if You don't go back I'll
blow your damned brains OUT As the
flames gathered round her she emerged from
The burning house, when the whole crowd
hired Mt her as fast as they could She was
deliberately shot, and fell dead between the
two houses. Her clothes soon took FIRE, and
her body was partially consumed, presenting
spectacle horrible to behold. The mother
OF Rachel was, in the meantime, inside her
own house, trying to get out a man who was
wounded that night, and who she was afraid
would be burned up. When she came back
she saw the dead body of her daughter. the
blood running out of her mouth There was
an lrishman about her honse at this time by
the name Of Callahan, with the largest pistol
IN his hand she had ever seen. He demand
ed that her husband should come out until
he could shoot him. But his life was saved
at that moment BY the appearance oftw reg.
ulars, who told them to go to the FORT
Thus went on the carnage until forty. six
blacks and two whites we're killed, seventy
five persons wounded, FIVE women violated
and ten maltreated, one hundred robbe ries
committed, and ninety one houses and cabins.
four churches and twelve school houses
burned.
General SToSENAs and others bear witness
to the predominant rebel sentiment at Mem.
phis.
From the evidence gathered the committee
seem to be fully justified in the conclusions
10 which they come, and which we publish |
hereafter. That they fail to show that .sMy
Policy is just the safest and most advisable
thing for the country, is the more unfortunate
Tor the said policy, but it will not prevent the
report OF the committee and their conclu.
sions from receiving careful attention by a
people to whom the safety of the Govern.
mentis of more moment than the election of
ANY number Of Moses to the Presidency.