The Grenada sentinel. [volume] (Grenada, Miss.) 1868-1955, 1868-12-05
THE GRIMES OF NEGRO
NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. CON-
DiTION OF AFFAIRS IN THE
STTRJTRBS-OFM MOBIIE,
lFrem the Mobile, Ala, Times J

DITION OF AFFAIRS IN THE
/ SUBURBS OF MOBILE.
tFrem the Mobile, Ala, Times, j
The following letter of Coroner
Delchamps, which was yesterday
forwarded to Governor Smith, now
in this city, gives truthful account
of the lawlessness Of the negroes on
the outskirts OF the city. Life and
property are insecure, and unless ac-
tive and speedy means, are taken by
the proper authorities to check the
evil, trouble will undoubtedly ensue.
There is time when patience and
forbeaFanee cease to be virtues, and.
that time has nearly arrived De-
predations upon the property of
whites, murders, rape and every con-
eeivable species OF crime on the part
of the negroes, cannot be longer toll
Grated. Let the Governor look to 1t,
and look we'll If he wishes to pre-
serve peace in this community, who,
though law-abidlng and ardently de-
string peace, are firmly determined
not to be overrun by barbarous me-
groes, urged on by carpet-baggers,
scallawags and renegades;
MOBILE, Oct. %, 1868. - TO His E.T-
eelLeaeA R. IL. Smith, GoVeTRoT of
dlo6amd / herewith forward to
your excellency copy Of the testi-
mony adduced at the Inquest held
yesterday afternoon on the body Of
Archie Mclaughlin. Other testi-
mony was offered, but being merely
cumulative, was not reduced to writ
ing.
In bringing this murder most foul
to your official knowledge, i cannot
refrain from representing to your ex-
cellency the terrible state of insecu-
rity, both as to person and property,
existing at present in this country,
but mole particularly in and near
the suburbs of this city. A few facts
plainly stated will enable your ex-
cellency to appreciate, to some ex-
tent, the condition of our people.
Crowds of negroes, armed with
guns OF pistols OF all sizes, classes
and character, pour ont daily from
the city and spread themselves over
the suburban districts, game being
their avowed object. ! respectfully
represent to your exeelleney that the
only game which is to be found in
the open fields and thickly-settled
districts hunted over by these game
stalkers, consists solely of cattle,
pigs and poultry, and even these
have now become scarce.
The farms and gardens of our mar
ket men and others are daily ravag-
ed, and it is almost impossible for
them to carry ON their business. A
few days ago a negro trundled a
wheelbarrow to the vicinity Of the
city cemetery, killed a COW, skinned
and cut off a hind quarter, and with
his load trundled back to town, leav-
ing the balance prey for yultures.
So much for property.
On the 2lst ult., q poor widow, re-
turning home with a small quantity
of meal and bacon, purchased with
money obtained from the sale of
shingles she had made, in open day
light, yea, at midday, on the high
way, and in full view, and in close
proximity to houses inhabited by ne
grOes, was robbed and brntally raw
ished by a gang of colOred men, in
the presence of her little son, whom
one held. This most shameful out
rage took place just outside the city
limits and about mile east of Esla-
vas bridge, the scene of thc murder
of young Mclaughlin on the next
day.
4 These, and frequent similar outra-
ges have excited the people residing
In the vicinity of the place where
they were committed to an intense
degree. And as great part Of the
people living in the southern and
southwestern portions of Mobile
county are compelled to pass by OF
near Eslava's bridge, on their way to
and from Mobile, the dread which
these deeds have caused is wide
spread
1T is true that the greater number
Of the colored people in this country
are orderly and well disposed. But
there remain hundreds, if not thou
sands, who refusing to work, depend
for living solely ON what they can
beg, find or steal. OF these, it Is
patent thata large number are hud-
Ciled together, and seize every OppoF-
/ tunity to perform the most desperate
and laWless acts. Nor are there any
means by which the citizens of Mo-
bile county can throw the shield OF
safety around their persons or prop
erty. Any attempt to do so would
be held as an outrage against the
manhood rights of the blacks, and
| be positive proof Of the insubordina-
| tion of the whole race, Yet / may
| be permitted respectfully to represent
that SO anomalous and unnatural q
state OF things cannot long exist,
| The normal condition of man, and
! the only one long endured by him, Is
| one of peace and security, War and
4 pillage Is the exception, not the rule,
i and eau be endured no longer than
the passion can be kept aroused. A
| state of passive submission opposed
by one and the larger class Of active
and outrageous aggression from an
other and an inferior class, Is ar
anomaly that can result only from :
condition Of despair that can be bul
, temporary, and sooner or later mus
lgiye place to sudden and terribl,
bursts of violence, the natural resultl
OF long concentrated and unnatHra
repressed passion.
/ have the honor to remain, yer.
respectfully, your obedient servant
!. JOHN j. DELCHAAIPs, !.
Coroner Mobile County.
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