The Van Buren press. [volume] (Van Buren, Ark.) 1859-1914, 1868-10-30

- We runo the Iolowing report VI
the assassination Of JAMS HIEps and the
wounding Of Brooks, Of Helena, in the
Little Rock Gazette Of the Gath. We re-
greet 10 hear OF this affair and trust that
further Information win not confirm the
report Of the article:
Information reached this city on yes
tcrdsy Of the murder Of James Kinds
and the wounding Of Brooks, OF Helena,
near Indian Bay, in Monroe county. II
true at all We believe that the deed was
perpeuated by the radicals themselves
Tor effect on the presidential election
north. That party is resting under .
heavy onus. They plan and execute a
msjority OF the outrages perpetrated in
the State for the purpose referred to. The
false reports constantly sent abroad, and
the utter failure Of the authorities to bring
any one to justice, would seem to corrob
orate this view. The announcement BY
the northern press, that "a late loyal
member Of Congress had been assassina
ted while peaceably riding along the
road" would undoubtedly have its effect
among those not better Informed. An.
other strong motive for removing one or
both Of these men, who are the favorites
among the radical negroes, would be the
securing Of their position Of influence
with this strong political element by some
competitor, and the excitement that would
be produced on the minds of tue igno-
rant members of the loyal league At all
events the only class who could possibly
reap any benefit from such a deed would
be the Clayton government in Arkansas,
and the radical party north, while it could
only prove hurttul to the interests of de
mocracs at home and abroad,if either in
stigated or winked at by them. II is not
10 the interest of any democrat or promi-
nent citizen of Arkansas to harm single
hair on any mans head. We deplore the
occurrence which appears to be true.
1t will be remembered that Kinds Con-
gressional district was gerrtmandercd by
his own party in the last legislature for
the express purpose of throwing the coun-
ty in which he resided Pulaski J into &
white district, thus Overslawing him.
Brooks was prominent candidate for the
United States Senate against b. F. Rice,
the successful candidates, Kinds pos
'essed great popularity with the negroes,
and Brooks is undoubtedly the ablest
man Of his party in the State, though not
popular with it. We are satisfied that
the deeds we're perpetrated at the instiga-
ton Of the radical leaders to get rhi of
troublesome competition in the party and
for political capital north,
No possible benefit could have Injured
to the democratic party from the murder
of these two men, as they had both been
shelved, politically, by their own party,
For this reason they were disconnected
and were makfnga canvass for no other
purpose than to array the mass of the ne
gro population against the central mana
gers, Rice d. Co. They were capable of
doing them great injury. Kinds, just be
fore his departure, had gone openly about
the streets of Little Rock, asking to be
told how he could get into the Ku Klux
organization. He said he understood the
organization was instituted for killing off
the scoundrels Of the radical party that
he knew numbers of them who deserved
killing and wanted to join the ku kluxes
to aid in the determination of Rice d Co.
Brooks was equally indignant, but enter
tanned deeper resolves in silence.