Nashville union and dispatch. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1866-1868, 1868-08-09

anCe called in. Hopes are entertained Tor
his recovery, though the case is extremely
doubtful
The Torch and TurPentine Business.
Mayor Alden, on Thursday, as stated
yesterday, thought proper to investigate
the allegations contained in the UNION
AND DISPATCH, in reference to Radical
plot 10 burn this city, in case Of any politi-
cal outbreak or disturbance. We learn on
good authority, that the investigation by
the Mayor, in reference TO the supposed
plot TO burn the town, was carried on in
the presence Of several gentlemen selected
by the Mayor Sheriff Donaldson, Messrs.
Whitworlh, Colyar and Spurlock, being
present, with Capt. Hays, who was in
vited Believing that the facts az they APP
peared will satisfy the community, we will
give them as near az we can.
The proof shows that a colored man, who
owns property, communicated to a white
citizen in whom he had confidence, that
the town was in danger, that a ColOred
friend who boarded at his house had re-
vealed to him that there Was a plan on
foot to burn the town in case Of a dis.
turbance.
The coIored man, when brought before
the Mayor, stated the fact tina, such reve.
lation had been made 10 him by a party
connected with the Fire Department, who
boarded with him that it was made IN
CONFIDENCE, and he believed the revelation,
the party stating that tItrpcntine ball7 had
been prepared.
The party implicated "a M king ths
revelation was called on, but denied III,
whole thing, saying that he was drunk j
he ever made the statement
The statement Of many highly reputable
Witnesses was to the effect that John Car
per has many negroes about his house
both day and night; that he advises then
that they are not able 10 fight the whites
that they can only do so successfully by
burning; that their remedy was, in case 0
a riot or fight between the negroes ant
white people, 10 burn the town and kill al
of both sexes, old and young; that firms
the town would keep the men busy putin!
out the fire.
The evidence further shows, that Carpe
claims to have set this plan on foot, AM
that it embraces several other towns; AM
that Carper has frequently said he was pre-,
pared to lead it, and would do it.
The proof shows that Carper Is a bold
daring man that he is Out-spOken; tina
he is truthful and reliable in business mat
| 4 h.. har r,nltN
in him. Many persons think he il partially
crazy. Some Of the witnesses think he ]
a ulonomaniac on the subject of the negroe
ruling and killing people.
There was no proof duplicating othe
white men, nor, we are glad TO say, PEI
sons connected with the city government
in this plot. Facts were stated about 9th
ere. but the absence Of witnesses deeme
important prevented full investigation q
to them.
There was much proof showing ths
large bodies OF negroes are daily drilliu
in and about the city, and that the IL
crease IN the colored population in Nash
Vile was very large.
The suggestions to the Mayor by gentl,
men present were to the effect that an II
QUESTION Of lunacy should be sued Of
against Carper, and If he was found to be
8 lunatic, he should be confined if not, the
b. different proceeding should be had.
{ These facts, meagre as they are, sho
that the publication in this paper were we
. grounded. The Mayor has shown a con
mendable spirit in the investigation he il;
made. His address upon the subject, whiC
: will be found in another column, we thin
/ Ia, ti,. fave
ish and anxious state of the public min
resulting from the nightly drilling of negr
mobs in and around the city. The fac
Ia ELECTED by the brief investigation as abo'
- given, and the wish Of all good men
avert the calamities apprehended, call'
for assurance from the Mayor that the wa
!; like preparations on the part of the negro
would be stopped. Everybody knows tn,
if twenty, or fifty, or n hundred Of our ii
frauChised citizens were TO meet on ol
Al commons and 60 through the forms Of
II warlike organization, they would be su
h pressed at once and summariy, If the a
e. Ihorities had the power TO do It. Ever
II body knows that bands of negroes d
N being trained for an unusual purpose, a
lie that the meaning is hostile 10 the peace A
q | good order Of this community, Neltf
the foregoing statement OF the eyiden
,r ELECTED, nor the address Of the Mayor,
,t appreheud, will meet the demands
the case. II the acts referred TO are heyO
the city jurisdiction, then the conscrvat
At Of the peace Of the county and State Shot
:, act. The issue is rapidly approaching
~ point where the public will be compel
IN to consider only one question, and thai
e. whether the people shall protect the
re selves, or leave il TO the authorities.
the latter do not, the former certainly "
Il Is now within the power of the authI
las ties to vindicale the authority Of law, I
ID serve order and protect the lives and pr
! | erty of the citizens. We warn them
unless they act, that when the time arrl
le- they will protect themselves.