The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1870-01-21
THE SOUTH.
A Reign OF Terror In Tenn De-
predafions by the UOlOred People.

predaiions by the UolOred People.
The Nashville Union of January 1S has the
following account which may very possibly be
an exaggeration of the real state of things:-
The indignities and losses of property to
which the citizens residing In the vicinity of the
Old Contraband Camp out on the Franklin and
Charlotte and Granny White turnpikes, have
submitted and sustained at the hands of thieving,
vicious, and depraved negroes, are almost in-
sufferable These outrages have been systema-
tically carried on and perpetrated ever since the
war to greater or less degree, but recently they
have increased and become more high-handed
and atrocious. EmbOldened from the fact that
no sort of protection has been afforded the citi-
zens, and no steps taken TO stop their nefarious
deyiltry, they commit every conceivable outrage
with impunity, both in open day and In the
night time. Within the locality of these vista
tions reside some of our BEST staunchest, and
most reliable citizens, who can of themselves do
nothing to prevent repettions OF the dlsgraceful
scenes. Their hands are tied. They know that in
their feeble and unprotected condition, If they
were to take the matter into their own hands,
or individually make themselves conspicuous in
the premises, their houses would be burned over
their heads, their families be turned out into
the pitiless storms of winter, or perhaps their
lives be taken at a moments warning. They
have suffered and endured until suffering is
their daily portion, and endurance is no longer
n virtue. There are several thousand of these
depraved negroes, embracing all ages sizes,
and sexes and conditions, who have no occupa-
tion whatever, and who live entirely upon what
they steal and rob of the white citizens. They
are armed and banded together, as they are
making their boasts through the neighborhood
that their time has come now. They hold meet
ings of nights, shout and yell, sing, dance,
whoop halo, and caroHse, and fire their guns
and pistols, making, pandemonium with their
hellish revelries. Hogs are shot down and cut
into chunks aud packed awaylfor use, without
the hair or hide being taken off. Fine COWS are
butchered and skinned and the meat appro-
priated at will. Horses are taken from the sta
rtI Nn fhA hass ln5a
to prevent it. Oats are taken from
the stack, fodder from the barns
and corn from the crib, to glut their hum
cry. maws. Poultry is taken from the
yards and chickens from the roosts, and their
necks wrung to satisfy the thieving appetitos of
these monsters. All kinds of vegetables are
taken from the cellars and beds where they have
been stored for winter use and appropriated in a
similar manner. Outhouses are torn to pieces
for fuel, and fences demolished for the same
purpose. These enormities have been carried
on SO long, SO persistently, and to such an ex-
tent that the vicinity is rapidly being denuded
of stock of all kinds, while there is scarcely a
chicken left to crow for day. Farming utensils
are absolutely carried off and destroyed, or
otherwise appropriated. We are assured by the
most reliable citizens living in the locality that
unless something Is done to put stop to these
damaging depredations 1t will be impossible for
them to remain there and that they will have TO
abandon their homes and seek abodes elsewhere.
These are citizens who have borne with us all
Lut CiidiHlblcb duu HAnlOEbuECb Luub uuNt
afflicted our State. If protection by our laws
be afforded to our people at all, they are GER
tainly entitled to part of it. Can nothing be
done for them? Is this state of things to con-
tinue1 Are whole communities of good and up
right citizens, with their homes interests, pro
perty, and families, to be given up to the merci-
less rapacities and midnight atrocities of armed
and threatening negroes without an effort In
their behalf or a step being taken towards theiI
relief? .'a o., rrfs.T .-.t| -1-s.lf
During the last few days these negroes have
committed more excuses in the localities indi-
Gated than they have at any time since the holi
| days, and have shown more audacity than per
haps at any time previous. On Sunday nigh
they tore hundreds of panel of fence, plank
and rail, from the enclosures of various parties
and appropriated the same for fuel and for othe
purposes. GardeLs and farm enclosures are thu
| left unprotected, and everything looks dis
| couraging for operations of the ensuing spring
They also on Sunday night went to the store Q
| Mrs. wainwright, who has been doing business IL
| the vicinity for some years. They effected OF
entrance through the window and carried of
everything, not leaving a ribbon. The stocl
| consisted Of some $500 worth OF goods and com
| prised pretty much the lady's entire property.