Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1866-03-08
RoBBERIEs IN MISSISSIPPI.


Our neighbor State, lying South of US
is not in an envable condition, as re-
spects the rights and safety of property
The worst class of her people do not APP
pear disposed to settle down to the drudg-
cry of honest industrial life, but prefer
rather to pursue the desperate occupa-
ton of robbing and plundering. We
make this extract from the jackson
Clarion of a recent date:
We would earnestly call the attention
of the people 10 series of bold robbie
ries and outrageous proceedings that
have taken place and are taking place in
portions of our State. They ought to be
stopped. This can be done only by APP
pretending the guilty parties. We have
seen two reports that have been sent to
the executive office from two counties of
our State, and both neighbors of this
county. In one of them these villains
say that no Yankee shall cultivate cot
ton. They have taken from them their
mules and other property, and threat
ened their lives. This was in Warren
county. In Madison county, but few
days since, they went to the plantation OF
a Northern man and took from him
twenty-five mules. Unless the country
is rid of these scoundrels we may expect
TO hear of complaints after complaints,
and appeals TO the military authorities
for protection These complaints form
good basis upon which the radicals can
demand the retention of the military
among u.s. 1t behooves all good citizens
who reside in the neighborhood of these
outlaws to give that information on atfi-
davit which alone can form the basis OF
a civil officer action. These things must
cease, if we would have peace and quiet
The officers Of the law can act only upon
evidence supported by oath, 1t is the
duty of every good citizen who knows OF
these outlaws, to give the information
necessary TO justify an arrest. Let the
sheriff be in possession of a warrant and
our word for it, he will find every mem
Der Of the volunteer companies in his
county ready to respond TO his call for |
aid to help him enforce the law.
Such conduct as is here statedis the sort |
Of pabulum necessary to the existence of
the Radical party. Without some isolated |
cases of Southern violence they could /
not, as a party, hold together. They sup |
on reports of outrages, and fatten on in
vented horrors. The paid liars, who
swarm over our country in quest of ma
terial with which to feed the insatiate
appetites of those cormorants of con-
quest, need such exhibitions as those
stated above, to send to STEVENS and
SUMNER They constitute the best news
that can reach Boston and Plymouth
Rock. They make the Radical heart
leap with a stronger bound, and suffu Sc
over its cheek the smile of triumph
They come as mama to the Reconstruc-
ton Committee, and make the galleries
Of the Senate and House at Washington
vocal with happy voices They prolong
he exile of the South from its place in
the Union, and call down upon our heads
thevengeance of military law. 1t is our
own fault if we allow few outlaws to
raid over the country, robbing and muir
dering If we cannot break every bone
in their bodies, and thus keep the peace
and the property of all classes of people
secure, what propriety is there in our
assuming to govern ourselves2
We must turn over new leaf, aye,
half dozen of them, if necessary. We
cannot see any good reason why the sher-
ifs of the different counties, backed by
armed men under their command, can
not put down this trouble. A full COM
pany, under the direction of these officers,
in every county in the Southern States,
would render the presence Of the military
among us unnecessary, and would, no
doubt, cause its withdrawal. 1t will not |
do to neglect this matter Northern men
iciH live in the South, even if the Govern |
ment find it necessary TO furnish them
guards for their protection. That is moi !
all We need their energy, enterprise,
industry and money 1t is madness, or
ignorance, to suppose that the South is to |
become a sort Of Japan, into which a |
stranger cannot safely enter. Be either,
violent exhibitions Of it will cost us all
a great deal of trouble, if INDUCED in
The masses of the Southern people are
not averse to emigration. Wherever
they come from, they are welcome, if
they come with industrial intentions and
friendly sentiments. We are struggling
to get back into the Uniun. Our interest
demands it We have no fancy for that
control in civil domestic matters,
which emanates from shoulder-straps and
brass buttons. To free ourselves from
their domination, we must show that we
can govern ourselves in all things
THE FENIAEs FLANKED.