Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1869-08-28

Negro Riots.
EprroRs LEDGER: The late riot a
Someville, we think, deserves more thar
a mere newspaper summary Of facts. i
is no light matter or subject of considera
ton, that peaceful, quiet, unoffendine
community, without inhmation OF threat
ening danger or apprehension OF coming
evil. should be aroused from their quiet
ude by an armed savage and oanniba
mob, their lives put in jeopardy. their
property threatened with destruction
and their homes with being burned to
ashes over the heads of their wives and
children. The mere desire on the part
of one or two individuals to avenge the
death of a fallen companion or relative,
could. in no view, be considered a sufh-
Gent preiext for sudden and general
uprisinc of one entire class of a commu-
p;,v for the determination of the lives
and property of the other class. But
such a pretext was INDUCED by the ne
groes of Fayette county against the quiet
villagers of Macon in the late riot.
What excuse shall We offer for them, or
how account for their extraordinary con-
duct2 Shall we excuse them on the
ground of ignorance No. They have
been reared to manhood and womanhood
by an enlightened, Christian people, and
certainly ought to understand the import
of the Commandment, "Thou shalt not
kill" The true cause of these riots ex-
ists in desp-seated hatred ever enter
tanned. cherished and cultivated in their
hearts against the white man.
Naturally incapaoitated to appreciate
a true conception of moral or Christian
idea, they are the creatures OF supersti-
ton, and the dupes of every designing
misauthrope with whom they happen TO
be associated. Hence their haired, IN
above instances, is partly traeeabia to the
influence and teachings of the late miser-
able aud inglorious Radical party, and
partly to the svarms Of ignorant, deluded
and superstitious negro preachers, the
Northern fanatics, as we'll as the South
ern Methodist Church, has of late years
aaaVned upon the country. 10 support
Of the al Owe facts, we refer to the present
customs of negro worship. Instead OF
usine the selected and orthodox
bymus of the different churches in their
congregations, they lay them aside and
use 10 their stead miserable, meaniess
iargon of orang- 0utang African ssdo'
montade. alike devoid Of meaning to the
Christian as themselves and their songs,
if we allow the expression, are being
sung in their churches in Memphis from
seven Mt evening Iniii sig O'CLOCK IN the
morning-greaiiy to the annoyance of
the people in their neighborhood.
Could Luther or Calvin be resurrected
end suddenly introduced into one of
these lao called ~orshipping assemblies,
he would certainly eoncigde be bad
fallen Into D den of devils, instead OF
congregation of Christians
Negro insurreetions and riots have
universally sprung from the teaching of
a white misanthropist or negro preacher,
aud been led by ? chiValrous sable min
lister, and the Someryille riot is but his
tory repeating itself.
These evils ought to be removed. We
are, however, no advocate of depriving
the negro OF the benefits of Christianity,
bnt we do think the safety Of all com
munities where negroes are numerous
demand that this very irasmmable mate
rial should be taught by sn enlightened
Christian ministry. OBSERVER.