New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1868-09-25
LETTER FROM THE HON. B. H. HILL

SIR: / have read all you have said in The IRIB-
UNE the subject of the collision at Camilla in the
State of Georgia. beg permission to make state
ment which will present this whole affair in its true
light to you and the Northern people
Early in the canvass the whites of that State mime
tenths of whom are DemOcrats) received posihre IN
formation that the negroes were being encouraged to
arm themselves and hold nightly drills in military
style. They were told that the object of the Demo
cratic party was to reGnslave them, and that they
must resist its by force and especially kill
negroes who should vote the Democratic ticket.
Very soon this canard, which originated in the
Leagues, was openly proclaimed. White and
cOlored speakers at public meetings adj
vised the negroes to get ready to fight,
and were reminded that they could use the torches
for dwellings well as the guns and axes against
people. A painful rumor obtained currency that the
acting Governor Bullock was in sympathy with, If
not actually aiding this movement / do not know
that this actually This state of things natu-
rally created alarm Several outbreaks were at
tempted and several cOnspracies TO Kill white peo-
pie were detected and the negroes, when arrested IN
different portions of the State, said they had au-
thorty and orders TO this effect We also most salts
factorly obtained information that the object of the
few whites who melted the negroes to their crimes
was two-fold LIST. To place the negroes, by disci-
pline and excitement, beyond the influences which
might induce them TO vote with the Democrats or
not to vote at all I'd To provoke collisions expressly
10 influence the Northern people with charges OF
Rebel outragesp Now the interests and the
policy of the whites was just the reverse
In the first place, it was Democratic property, and
Democratic families which would be endangered If
riots occurred. In the next place, if the negroes
became demoralizod by these politco military organ
natons and frequent assembages, the crops would
not he wen gathered aud Democrats owned the
crops and their impoverished condition made them
anN ous 70 gather much possible for the antici-
patcd high prices. But lastly. We knew that the
r.-uIt of the Presidential election depended chiefly
on the vote Of the Northern States and we
were exceedingly anxious TO avoid every possible
occurrence which could excite tho passions
Of the Northern people Onr property, our safety.
our families, maturing crops, and our
pariy policy all combined to make us anxous-unu-
sually anxious-to keep De pace. How could we ei-
fectually keep the peacei None Int those who felt
tho responsibility viii ever know the difficulties
with which situation invested tins question But
We resolved by common concert and counsel.
First: 10 bear every insult. and outrage
possible and never resist resort 10 force IN any
form, except when actually necessary to protect
property person. or family.
Second: To stop. by the constituted State author-
ties al these nightly drlngs secret military organ
izations and armed assembages, of every character
as calculated TO break the peace.
We had no confidence that the Governor would
voluntarily aid Therefore letters were addressed
TO the Legislature urging action. The Legislature
did act by passing resolutions requesting and urging
the Governor % issue his proclamation forbidding
these armed demonstrations. The Governor issued
his proclamation, but in a style and with false
charges which greatly confirmed the worst fears OF
the whites to his sympathy with these movements
But we had the proclamation. aud we hoped that
all threatened dangers would disappear. Now there
was not the slightest desire. you to think of
interfering with the constituonalr right Of black and
white TO Keep aud bear arms or TO have Repnbli-
can mectings-as many aud as long as they desire.
We only desired 10 prevent military drills, and or
carnations not authorized by law. and armed assem-
blapcs calculated to break the peace and these We
desired o prevent by legal authority executed by the
GIRL officer. You now have the exact reason why the
Sheriff met the approaching, armed procession, and
after exhibiting the Governors proclamation told
the leaders they coud hold the meeting pcaccahly,
but begged them not attempt it in violation of that
proclamation.
Camilla is a very small village of not exceeding, l
woul say 30 inhabitants-black and white-men
women, and children.
A large asscmbage Of negroes gathered from sur
/
armed. and to be excited by nlammatory speeches.
and many of them by other canses. placed the peo-
pie families and houses of that little village IN dan
ger of pila0e IaIc and burning with the alternative
If prevcnted of fearful Rebel outragcs,' to Kill
negroes and prevent free speech scattered all over
the North just the state election was approaching
! which il was believed would determine the Presi
dental election!
! I know both Pierce and Murphy, the two white
| men who conducted this whole affair. They are OF
! the most emphatic specimens of what are termed
carpet baggers. Before the passage of the Recon
strlction measures. there complaint heard
| against them. These measures diStIdnchtsed every
! intelligent white citizen who had held office in that
country. Pierce settled rs "a Bureau agent in Lee
! Comfy. and Murphy IN DOugherty County, adjoin-
ing the county in which Camilla Is situated; and IN
! the COMMITTEES of Lee and Dougherty there are five
neurocs 10 one white have no idea that one dozen
! white Republicans could he found III the three c0un-
ties Thus you see at glance the temptations offered
| to Pierce and Murphy 10 get Offices by the
large negro votes Accordingly since the passage of
tbr r.construction measures these men have sorted
! with the negroes. Pierce was for time candidate
for Congress at tho last election lie has now re-
ceiyed the nomination for that position from con
vention of negroes Murphy was elected SherlH ny
the neoroes at the last election but was unable to
give the bond He is now, believe, on the electoral
ticket We have narrowly escaped several bloody
riots in that region before Our people here beesed
these MN especially the latter, melted them. They
were both distinctly in view, with others when we
counted the difficulties in the way of preserving
peace and when we sought to secure the procla-
nation
But in spite Of that proclamation and all the re-
monstrauees of our people, aud the fears OF our "o
men and children, they persisted in holding armed