Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1869-09-07
THE LATEDIsTURBANCEs
The Law Must be Enforced-spIrit of
the Press.
p.o, ,ha Po,;var Bulletin. SEM.


From the Bolivar Bulletin, Sept, 4.
During the first of the week consider
able trouble has existed in portions OF
| Rutherford county, between the two
races. Misguided negroes, acting upon
the advice of mean white men, became
lawless and unmanageable. When the
whites began to enforce order, the me-
groes, in large numbers, fled to MASKS
vile, where meetings were held, and
much gas consumed. at last accounts
all was quiet. as company of regulars
had gone to the scene of the late trou>
bles.
The troubles in Fayette county have
ceased also, but there is large number
of the Macon rioters still in Jail at Som,
erville. 49,
A few mean negroes are endeaVoring
to create trouble here, but it is no go.
From the Jackson Tribune. Sept. 4.
We indorse, cordially indorse the pros
clamation of Gov. Senter in regard to
outrages perpetrated by the Ku- Klux in
Rutherford. Every rascal found providing
around with mask on ought to be caught
and summarily punished. 1t is a game
fit only for silly boys, or for a bad class
of older persons, and should receive the
condemnation of every brave, true man.
We are glad no such organization exists
in Madison county. Our people appreci>
ate the critical condition of our States
history, and will act with prudence and
moderation. We hope that We will be
called on to record no outrages of any
kind in this county. If we behave our
selves we can save the fruits of our great
victory, otherwise they will, like Dead
Sea fruit, turn to ashes on our lips"
We are no alarmist, but we see a cloud
rising which it is our duty to avert by
common discretion and prudence.
From the Murfreesboro Monitor, Sept 4. I
If the laws of Tennessee are powerS
less to properly punish any crime-nO
difference who the perpetrator may be-
we have yet to learn it. Judge Lynch
is monster. His court convenes only
to convict. He thirstS for blood, and
will have it. Better that twenty rogues
go unwhipped Of justice than that one
should be executed or murdered without
law. Look at the precedent: One party
has as much right to lynch as another;
the lynchers may be lynched; pass
sion rules the hour, madness governs
all.
During the past week several citizens
have come to this office and asked US to
use the circulation of the Monitor to all
lay bad blood, and secure vigorous en-
forcement Of the laws. If there is VOL
ence being done to the peace of the
State, the persons and property Of her
subjects, where are those who are ems
powered and whose duty 1t is to drag the
rogueS to justice ? Are they dead, or do
they only sleep?
On the day Of the last election q party
Of negroes went armed to the polls at
Smyrna, in this county. A party Of white
men took their firearms, and, after dis,
charging them, broke them around trees,
which was eminently right and proper.
Were negroes to act with such impru-
dsnce Ior h of Mason & Dixon's line
they would be murdered. Out of this a
quarrel arose, which lately eliminated in
the killing Of negro. This was done
by rash, irresponsible young men, over
whom the property. holders have no COM
troll. The people of Tennessee are no
more to blame for it than are the people
Of Wisconsin blamable for the death Of
those negroes whom the pinery boys
lately on a steamboat shot, stabbed, and
pelted with coal, drove into the river and
drowned.
Such acts by the people of this coun,
try are magnified. 1t goes forth that
government at the South is anarchial,
and helps to carry the elections for
reconstruction By quarreling with
the negro we do ourselves positive inr
justice.
Render unto the negro all that is the
negro's. Many OF the race, to their
honor be it said, voted to disenthrall the
white man. "All the promises" says
Emerson Etheridge, "we made the negro,
let US now faithfully fulfill" Let US do
our duty with fidelity. Let justice not
be tardy to overtake the first who trans
cyreSSeS the law