The south-western. [volume] (Shreveport, La.) 1852-1870, 1868-08-26
The Radical Plot in Tennessee.

/ 49, STARTLING REvELATIoNs.
i We copy as follows from the Nashville Union ant
/ Dispatch ofsthe 7th
The following facts came into our possession yester
day. through source so reliable that cannot with
hold it from the public Taken in connection with thu
weknown fact that hordes of negroes have been drill
ing nightly in various suburbs of the town. it assumes
shape and importance not only startling but such az
demands immediate action on the part Of those who
fare charged with the protection of the city and it
people,
i person well known in this community for his ex
treme opinions and his proclivities to express them
a Radical without reproaeh such, living on Market
street, between Church and the Square, has declared
repeatedly that there are organisations already per
ected for the sole and special purpose of destroying
the town of Franklin, Columbia, Pulaski, Murfrees
boro and Nashville whenever the slightest occasion
presents itself, or whenever collision OF any kind
shall occur in either of the places named. Signals
have been agreed upon and lines OF communication
established The organisation is now measurably com
plete and is progressing daily This person states that
he is engaged in this organisation, and that when II
enters upon the execution of its purposes that it will
spare neither age, sex nor condton-that the houses
of all rebels shall be burned that women shall be
/ ished and their. children tossed into the Hames.
From other sources we are. cfedbly informed that
the negroes in the employ of the corporation have
prepared turpentine balls and other combustbes to de-
stroy the city whenever the signal is gyen and that
these materials stored in house occupied by
We further learn that these organisations led
and controlledby FIVE white men, whose names are in
our possession, some of them occupying official
positions of importance in the city government.
We have purposely refrained from mentioning any
namcs for the reason that think is due that the
matter should Immediately be brought before theap-
propfiate authorities in such manner as shall bring
about an investigation tits mot the purpose of this
oppressed community to aid in bringing war, but
tile contrary The facts above stated. however, have
come to us in such shape and upon such autfty as
cannot be disregarded. We call upon the Mayor OF
the city whose duty it is to protect the people, to take
cognisance of the matter We prepared to furnish
him with the names of witnesses Ii he refuses act
we shall call upon the citizens to organise for their
own defense against this daboiea plan Of destruction
and outrage and be ready to sweep from the commu-
nifty all who engaged in this atrocious and savage
villany. .-a - : ~ -
Unless prompt action is taken by the lawful author
tiles, shall consider them the allies of this hell
ish conspiracy and appeal to the people resort
the only -selfprotecten-lef to them in the
premises.
In addition to the above, we find the following dis
patch dated Nashville, August T. in the Western pa
pers: sxzas -S..
In the House bill has been submitted by the mill
tary committee giving Brownlow absolute power to
arm and equip as many regiments as he pleases. The
bill IS certain to pass apd it is equally certain that the
regiments VIII De IN part maze up Oh negroes. Hun
dreds Of the latter are armng here waiting for
chance to be mustered in while number of whites
are as busy as bees trying to positions Off
GERS. Petitions are pouring in by the dozen, signed
by Radicals and rebels, earnestly imporng the Legs-
lature not to- call cut the militia. They will all be
treated as those praying for universal suffrage that is
with indifference bordering contempt. Under these
circumstances it is not impossible that the Conserya-
tives in the State will entirely withdraw from the can
vass mainly for the purpose of preventing boodshed,
and under the decided impression that free election
is simply out of the question. If decision is arrived
at that the canvass will go on, with the militia in
the field, it will be simply impossible to prevent riot
and bloodshed. : There is division Of sentiment in
the Democratic ranks to what course to pursue.
rumor having gained considerable currency that
number Of Radicals whites and negroes, were banded
together to burn the city, committee of prominent
citizensme to day to make annvestigaton. Nothing
could be discovered to impeate any except half
witted man named Carper, who had threatened terri
BILE vengeance against the city.
The Press and Times of this morning contained al
legged details Of terrible outlages in Williamson coun-
ty, on lot of negroes, wherein one was shot dead
and number badly wounded. The Radical member
of that county has denounced the whole thing hoax,
and the grand jury of the county made investigation
to-day in which it found the story was abso-
iutely false from beginning to end. Probably nine
tenths of the Ku-Klux stories are really without