New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1866-05-11
THE MEMPHIS RIOTS.

There Il no longer any question Us W lnc S'o00oA
of what was at first called the negro riots at Memphis
They were negro riots in the same sense IN which the
outbreak in July 1863 in New-York, was negro
riot-that is, the negroes were the victims OF Doth
Just what disturbance occasioned the conflict III
Memphis will not probably be known, nor Is II oil
much consequence. But it is plain from all accounts
that disturbance, originally rihing, was made the
pretext for general assault upon the negro popula-
ton Of the city which was continued for two days
and nights In this assault, the police, the hremen'
the city authorities and the unorganized mob acted IN
concert, and we're 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 lts
great New. York prototype, which was, perhaps the
most savage yet heard of in civilized city Most OF
the negroes who were shot were butehcred on the
second day, when there no longer any resistance,
and when the negroes were seeking safety in conceal
mcnt and flight We select cav specimens OF the
pleasantres in which the mob INDUCED;
Robert Jones (coored) had inst come in from the country
and was standing Of Beal and Causeyss IN
isto and 500 in money and he turned TO leave thrust
knife into bis back under the shoulder,olade Anotnsr
standing ny, AuONh " W Po"Np"'"' N"'"~ ~
robber'
Which shows that the police, unlike our police 10
1868, were on the side of the mob.
negro was shot in the knee near the Of owards
Row and leyee This done By well known ndyluua
for the sake and laughed at By the citizens
who 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. Bat these in-
stances are nothing to the elaborate ingenuity OF other
cruelties.
large number OF houses South Memphis occupied BY
the blacks aud parts OF the city were burned
No effort was made 10 stay s ss bs honso e1 on FIRE
colored man Aabama'st Informs US that ms mouse
broken into and about two hundred doaIs IN money
taken and the head and the same party Di0Se
into his neghbos house killed him. locked the we and chill
dren in the house. set on fire ana burned it down
That Is almost as good as burning Colored Or
phan Asylum.
house near Mr. Iankns school house. which was burnt
on Tuesday fired during the night coiored girl
years Of age named Rachel Hache who bad been scholar
fMr Rankns was sick in this house. ana on ru1nnR oav
lay the ashes yesterday morning burnt TO crisp except
ing her head and shoulders some one haG Ahu! 'afO"u
shawl over this horrd spectacle
The reign OF terror was complete throughout the
city, and the violence or threats Of the mob extended
bevond the negroes and reached to all who their
friends:
when they had the coored schoohouse they would
kin the teachers The threats violent and the rioters
deemed prudent they should 20 North. They all lett for
Cairo on the ST. Louis paske. 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
The riot was kept up all Wednesday night Crowds of
armed citizens were gathered a. the corners. Many
half drunk The great feat of the roughs was the burning OF
cooTed schooouses churches and ZONES They seem 10
b.va a,fad in
which had been previously arranged ms shown o. he
eSore school or place Of worship by tie coored people
strongly by the conduct Of the rioters on tae burning OF
the Collins Chapel This coIoed church stands on Washing
ton. ST., and cost 5000
The extracts we have given are from The MemPhis
Post paper which the Copperheads may discredit be.
cause il is loyal They are abundantly confirmed by
the admissions and apologies of the Rebel sheets.
The Bulletin says:
Tho testimony regard all these particulars IL most
in the riot were persons irresponsible character aud will
charge these untoward disturbances to the good
law abiding citizens Of the city OF Mempais.
Which is equivalent to saying, We have no de-
Tense to offer for the mob except that we did not be-
long TO it. The Aralanehe far more explicitly de-
clares:
The roter who claimed belong to the l5ih sought
shield himself from the cupaby behind the fair OF
honorable body Of mem aud had he been member he would
have esteemed Its fame too highly to confess connection with
mob guilty of so many excuses.
have many exsoders Of the South declare that
they would prefer military administration of municipal
tory which dsgaces the city and State and by its
utter incapacy gross msmanagemcn and preudces OF its
agents has brought Memphis lasting evils The
remedy for all mortunes now contemplated consists in the
reformation of the city charter.
We might continue both quotations and COM
ments to any extent, but we leave the case to the
Jury on fraction Of the evidence and without any
argument at all. Against the City Of Memphis the
verdict will be guilty of murder and arson without an
effort by any organized authority to prevent or to
punish either crime.
.r Musical.