The Newberry herald. [volume] (Newberry, S.C.) 1865-1884, 1875-08-25
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The Georgia Troubles.


For the information Of our country
readers we print from the Unlon-
Herald the following summary Of the
troubles in Georgia, that have filled
the daily papers for few days past:
For several months the counties of
Washington, Jefferson, johnson and
Burke, in Middle Georgia, have been
asitated with fears Of negro iusur-
rectlon. A colored man, named Nor
ris, seems to be the chief cause Of
what trouble there has been. He
caused a placard to be circulated about
three months ago. calling upon the
Georgia militia to assemble to listen
to addresses from himself aud "Mr.
Major-General ?. Rivers, Of South
Carolina" There was some excite
ment at the time, but as no militia as
sembled. it died away. A few days
ago wild letter was found, purport-
ing to be written by Morris, though
it is unsigned as published. 1t orders,
IN incoherent language, a general mas
sacre of the whites. The circulation
of this letter and it's contents created
panic in Jefferson county, where it
was found, and both whites and ne
eroes seem to have been equally afraid
Of each other. The whites sent to
Augusta, Macon and Atlanta for as
sistance in men and arms. The ne
groes fed to She woods, but several
accounts agree in stating that they
were anxious to return to work if as
sured Of safety. Governor Smith
seems to have acted with great pru-
dence. He has avoided sending arm
ed men to the disturbed districts, but
has been active in urging all to abide
within the law. Judge 81. Y. John
son and Ex-Governor johnson and the
United States marshal have been ac-'
tive in 'srresting persons implicated
and ia calming the fears of the people.
In all the counties, except. Burke,
the excitement has subsided. Near:
Waynesville, in that county, Morris,
the leader Of the proposed insurreetlon,
is, said to be surrounded by $50 or
200 negroes. He is represented as
cply anxious to. escape, but is unwil-
ling to surrender. In Washington
county leading citizens have united in
a sensible address to the people of both
races. They urge forbearance on the
part of the whites, and return to
peaceful labog on that of the blacks.
In fact, considering all things, there
has been an excellent spirit shown by
the white people throughout the whole
trouble 7'' -'",'''; '.'.'.' '.'.'''' 80
We cannot refrain from expressing
the opinion that. when. sifted thor
oughly, it will be found that the sin
surrection'' had a no larger beginning
and no more terrible aim than the de-
sire of half deranged negro to exhibit
himself as 1najor:gene1al of militia.
The letter said to be from Morris may
have been written by some one willing
to see scare. Prince Rivers is not
such a fool as to meddle in so serious
a matter, and there was no authority
to use his name. Morris should have
emisrated to South Carolina couple
of years ago. He would have been
certain to ask for and receive an ap-
pointment as colonel on the staff OF
Governor Moses. We nave lots. Of
fiery fellows, whose eager military am
bition is fully satisfied by that homo
rary title,
We hope it is true that Prince
Rivers is not such a fool as to meddle
in so serious matter, but it is strange,
from the statements in our exchanges,
that his name could have been so free
ly used in all the orders to the deluded
negroes of Burke, Washington and
johnson counties, if he had not at
some time or other been ''mixed up"
in the affair. The negroes were made
to believe that they were ''acting IN
der the authority of and would be
protected by Major-General Of the
South Carolina Militia"
The latest news is that all is quiet.
The danger was fearful and exciting
while it lasted, and to the good temper
of Gov. Smith and the Georgia people
the country is indebted for suppress
sion of what might have been a pro-
longed trouble. It only remains to
punish the known leaders in the affair.