Des Arc weekly citizen., 1868-10-13
THE CAMILLA RIOTS. Letter In DeEense of the People
 by Hon. B. HI. H1ll.

" The following was written to, and ap- peared in, the New York Tribune of the 25th inst fk 9f4 a
 To the Editor of the Tribune:
 Sir: I have read all you have said in the Tribune on the subject of the collision at Camilla, in the State of Georgia. l beg permission to make statement which will present this whole affair in it's true light to you and the Northern people. Early in the canvass the whites of that State, (nine-tenths of whom are Demo crats, received positive information that the negroes were being encouraged to arm themselves and hold nightly drills in military styles. They were told that the object of the Democratic party was to re- enslavc them, and that they must resist its success by force, and especially kill ne- groes who should vote the Democratic ticket. Very soon this cause, which originated in the leagues, was openly pio- claimed. White and colored speakers at public meetings advised the negroes to get ready to fight, and were reminded that they could use the torches for dwellings, as well as the guns and axes against peo- pie. A painful rumor obtained currency that the acting Governor (Bullock) was in sympathy with, if not actually aiding this movement. l do not know that this was actually so. This state of things naturally created alarm. Several out breaks were attempted, and several con- spiracies to kill white people were detec- ted, and the negroes, when arrested in different portions of the State, said they had authority and orders to this effect. We also most satisfactorily obtained infor- nation that the object of the few whites who melted the negroes to their crimes was two-fold. lst. To place the negroes, by discipline and excitement, beyond the influences which might induce them to vote with the Democrats, or not to vote at all. 2d. To provoke collisions expressly to influence the Northern people with charges of Rebel outrages." 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 occurred. In the next place, if the ne- groes became demoralized by these politico-military organizations and frequent assemblages, the crops would net be well gathered :; and Democrats owned the crops, and their impoverished condition made them anxious to gather as much as possi- ble for the anticipated high prices. But lastly, we knew that the result 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 the passions of the Northern people. Our property, our safety, our families, our maturing crops, and our party policy all combined to make us anxious--unusually anxious--to Keep he peace. How could we effecfually keep the peace None but those who felt the responsibility will ever know the difficulties with which our situa- ton invested this question But we re- solved by common concert and counsel
 l. To bear every insult, and even out rage, possible, and never to resist or re. sort to force in any form, except when actually necessary to protect property, person, or family.
 2. To stop, by the constituted State authorities, all these nightly drillings, secret military organizations, and armed assemblages, of every character, as calcu- lated to break the peace.
 We had no confidence that the Gov ernor would voluntarily aid us. There fore, letters were addressed to the Legis- lature urging action. The Legislature did act by passing resolutions requesting and urging the Governor to issue bis pro- clamation, but in style and with false charges which greatly confirmed the worst fears of the whites as to his sympathy with those movements.
 But we had the proclamation, and we hoped that all threatened dangers would disappear. Now, there was not the sligh- test desire, as you seem to think, of inter- fearing with the constitutional right of black and white Ito keep and bear arms," or to have Republican meetings-as many and as long as they desire We only desired to prevent military drills, and organizations not authorized by law, and armed assemblages calculated to break the peace and these we desired to prevent by legal authority, executed by the cipil c6i- cer. You now have the exact reason why the Sheriff met the approaching. armed procession, and after exhibiting the Gov ernor's proclamation, told the leaders they could hold the meeting peaceably, but begged them not to attempt it in violation of that proclamation.
 Camilla is very small village of not exceeding, would sly, 300 inhabitants