Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1868-06-24
d .oFFICE-FIRsr NATIONAL BANK.
The Proposed Military ,Assassinations.

From the National Intslligsncsr.l ie -Aa
We publish in another column some
extraordinary facts in relation to the
arrest, seizure and trial of American
citizens in Georgia, and the comprising
of their lives by acts % vile, so unscru.
pulous, 90 murderous in their base and
cruel intent, that we feel as if we were
transported back to the scenes Of centu-
ries ago, when the rack was brought in
to extort confessions from the accused,
or the witnesses who had failed toincul-
pate in accordance with the desires of the
court. Well did Mr. Webster say that
military commissions are always organ
ized to convict, when these are the deeds
that we witness as their fruit. -. lad s.
Not long ago bad man named Ash
burn was killed in house of ill fame OF
Columbus, Georgia. Leading Q life of
shame and violence, he was ut war not
only with society, but also had his spe-
cial friends with those who, like himself,
followed life Of crime. Fallingthus in
low haunt of vice, the natural pre-
sumption that he fell by the hands of some
of his own set was confirmed by the ex-
pressions aud acts of these parties. To
the Conservatives of Georgia that such a
man was prominent Radical leader aud
agent was daily argument that was to
them invaluable, just as is the character
and sntecedents of such persons as Hum
nicutt, Hollenden, Matchett, Conover,
Ashley, and others whom this party de-
light to honor But il suited the pur-
pose of Radicalism to ascribe this murder
or killing (for the exact facts have never
transpired) to members of the Conserva-l
tive party at Columbus. M ivt.B
la free country, governed by laws, a
false accusation against citizen may
be dangerous under special circum-
stances, but there are very many safe
guards to innocence. The citizen is
arrested, but he has right to know at
once the nature Of the accusation against
him, to be present at the examination of
the witnesses, to have counsel, to have
visits from counsel and relatives, to be
tried by q jury, with known rules of evil
dence; whatever is done against him
must be done in the light of day.
How different is this easel Without
any proof four respectable citizens are
arrested aud confined in separate apart
nents at Atlanta, denied all commune
cation with friends save under military
surveillance, and all opportunity to con-
fer with counsel. Two white men are in
Fort Pulaski, confined in cells, and
denied all access to friends or con nsel.
To-day, we believe, these six parties are
to be brought out of their dungeons and
hurried, to trial for their lives before a
military commission-one of those in
stitutions which Mr.. Webster says " are
always organized to convict" ~.
Such statemento OF facts is sufi ciently
horrible, disgraceful to us as q people,
damning to every officer and agent con-
cerned in it. II is hardly possible to re-
alize that such thing can be while we
dare to hold up our heads among civilized
nations, and claim that this is land OF
liberty, to which we have proudly invited
the oppressed Of all nations. s.-r
But this is only part Of this infamous
record. Whilst these men are thus Tin.
INJURED in dungeons" cut of from access
TO friends aud counsel, their enemies,
with nrtful and incesssnt malice, have
been busy in procuring false testimony.
Large aud extraordinary rewards are
offered for testimony, and lest base men
be not found ready TO earn this blood
money, the uniform Of the nation is de-
graded by the military apprehension of
ignorant and impressble negroes, drag
ging them BY force before asecret mili-
tary board, and there BY threats, curses,
starvation and solitary confinement, en-
deavoripg 10 extort from them the false
testimony upon which the lives Of inno-
lcent men may be taken away. The tes-
timony we publish to-day establishes
these facts. Il demonstrates the charac-
ter of the government under which these
people Of the South are now living.
Let every man ask himself, under such
a system, what safety there is for the life
or liberty Of any man, however pure or
hIameless mar be his conduct Any nan
il liable TO Be convicted BY these base
instrumentalities. No man 70 safe for
one moment And nov shall We fold our
arms because these things hsppeu 20 nen
Ear Of. whom We have not seen, Of whose
names ue have barely heard. and possi-
blv would never have heard bat Cor this
dss.ardly ouirAgsf II We do not make
the case our own, II We do not mark o.
by our Own Indignant protest and repro
baton. thea are We By eur silenoe The
aecom plioes Of these tyrsntG ln this
matter neither ne nor Congress nor The
President can escapes jusl and solsmu
responsib bilify 4 eiihsr fsiis 10 DO bic pAri
toward arrestipg this act OF stroeity.
While We read. this crime, this fncrstibls
shame. this deed q cruelty and coward
ice nav be pushed 10 its eousummation.