Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1869-01-18
A

The topic Of general conversation IL
the militia Of Arkansas and their do.
ings. AS of special interest in this con-
neetion, we make a few extracts from a
second letter Of the special correspond
ent Of the Radical Cincinnati CONNER
clai whose first was resd a few days
since with much satisfaction by the sub
scribers of the APPEAL. This inde-
pendent and candid gentleman says:
have spoken before OF the lawless-
ness which exists in many counties, and
the II of open violence which pre-
vail. The declaration OF martial law,
and the occupation of these counties by
militis, is q measure that has beef
adopted by the Governor for the purpose
of quelliDg these disturbances. In the
fret place, its consEtutionality admits of
question. Secondly, its policy is un-
dOubtedly iDjudicious. Gov. Clayton
says that lswless people must have harsh
treatment TO make them respect the
Government. This is true, but in Ar
kansas the lumber OF lsw-abiding eiti-
zens is much larger than the ungOveTn-
able ones; consequently where one gull
~ man has received punishment, ten in
noeent persons have suffered. Even
this statement falls far short of the &C.
tual fact, and in many cases, the real
guilty parties have gained by this meas
Ure.
This is the truth without coloring.
Read Whist he says OF CATPERsoN's
band and tAeir operations in the south
west:
In the southwestern part Of the State
Q band Of b0Tder-rufisns under the lead
ership Of 8 man named Baker, for some
time previous to the election, was in the
habit Of making depredatiOnA in that
section Of the country. This band wss
composed Of criminals from Texas prin-
ciply, and other States. They espoused
no p~Oljties-in fact were capable OF Moth
ing but robbery and pillage, end deserv-
ing OF nothing but hanging. They kept
the country in continual excitement, and
blood was frequently the issue Of quar-
rels in which they engaged. They
owned no property nor had any interest
IN the welfare oftha country, which they
departed as sOOn ss the militia made its
appearance, leaving the honest and in
dus.Tious inhabitants to pay the penalty
Of their iniquity. The gallant Gen.
CatteTsOn, with his army O Ssate troops,
succeeded IN catching two Of the real
criminals, who were shot, but the rest
escaped. In the execution Of those two
men good was done by way of warning
ID Others offs similar character, but there
benefit ceased and evil commenced. The
militia commenced then O system of rob-
b5nG the country IN aChjch they geTe quar-
tered Innocent men OOhO had offered
their services to protect the civil officers
az the execution Of their authority UOere
strippsd Of everything that ercited
the cUpidity Of the 'miiSh." In some
eases OoHlen had rings taken from their
fingers and je10elTy from their persons.
So much for those OF the southwest.
Here is his last as to the runians in the
In a previous letter / spoke Of the op-
Of militia in the northern dis
tricts, which were and still continue to
be sven woTss than those described in
this article. Asth1t district IS c0mpIgte.
y sacked, they S0tU be dis6anded ia q
fe5O days.
OF PORTER, and his report, and the
generally peaoeable disposition of the
he says:
The published letter Of Gen. Porter,
States Army, deserves little OF no
attention. He stayed in Arkansas Only
lne day, seeing only the Governor ard
ais immediate advisers, and formed bis
from their statements. The
Of all parties acquiesce In the
OF Gen. Grant, and expect to
awe peace and tranquility under his
administration.