New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1875-09-16
The Mississippi War.

hleslsslppl, and in that vicinity were b,
yond all doubt the outcome Of a prea
ranged plot to break up Republican NEE
lug and silence Republican speaker. s
much at least may be gathered from th
accounts written by Democrats, aud pul
ilshed in Democratic papers. Arrap cement
had been made for Republican harbecu
at Clinton, when the Democrats propose
that there should be joint discussion o.
the occasion. The proposition WAS accepted
and it was arranged that the Democrat
speakers should open the discussion occu
pying the stand Tor an hour, that the r.
publican speaker should then have tn
stand for an hour and quarter, and tina
the Democrat should have & quarter of a,
hour to close the debate. Although a ma
Jorlty OF those present were Republicans
the Democratic speaker received respecttu
ntion. and at the end of his opeujpl
speech he said he had never before adj
dressed 40 large an audience that bad beel
so quiet and attentive. The Republic a,
| speaker then took the stand, and he ,at
not been on his feet II ore than five nlnl,te
when the shooting began. 1t is not pre-
tended that he said anything offensive. Or
the contrary, it is admitted that his re
marks were courteous, and highly compli
mentary to his Democratic antagonist
These facts are fatal to the theory that the
dist Irbance was instigated by the Repuh
licans for political effect. If the row had
| originated with the Republicans, it would
naturally have begun while the Democra,
| was speaking. In fact, this theory of the
| origin of Southern shooting bees is absurd
IN view OF the results which almost inyari.
ably follow. Negroes do not set themsel yes
up as targets for white marksmen for DO.
litical effect. They think toe much of life
tor that.
Accounts do not agree as to the circum.
stances attending the commence ment OF
the shooting. According to one account
somebody in the crowd gave the lie to the
Republican speaker, "when the color line
was strictly drawn, and the firing becan
simultaneously on both sides" According
to another account, white man produced
whisky bottle in defiance of the regula-
tlons made for the occasion. and a nep
constable attempted to enforce the regula-
tions, when the shooting began on the white
side. This is the accepted Democratic &C.
count. At any rate, the firing began very
soon after the Republican speaker took the
stand, and it is estimated that in a verv
Jew minutes not less than 500 shots were
fired. The widest confusion prevailed.
The negroes fled in every direction for
safety, and very soon the grounds were
held by what is politely termed "a guard of
citizens" kilograms we're sent by the whites
TO Vicksburg and other points, and before
long armed bodies of whites were pouring
into Clinton, the 'reinforcements' from
Vicksbnrg alone mum hering about two hun.
dred. There was no more trouble that day
Fhe meeting had been broken up and the
negroes were hiding in the woods or seek
ing safety in their cabins. But on the next
day, Sunday, grand ''nigger" hurt began
Some accounts say that fifty. and Others
that hundred, negroes were killed How.
ever that may be, it is not denied that a
good deal of shooting was done, nor is il
pretended that there was ANYTHING iu the
conduct OF the negroes to Justify such mur-
derous proceedings. They were not organ
iZlDg or threatening violence, and not a
white man was hart, except during the first
OF the fight on the barbecue grounds. With.
out put tlng faith in the representations of
Governor Ames, or the extravagant stories
published by such papers as the Inter-
Ocean, there is testimony enough from Dem
ocrauc sources to warrant the belief that
there was good deal Of cunning for n q
gers for several days after tie barbecue,
and that there was no provocation for it
except in the fact that some of the groes
at the barbecue had dared to do some of
the shooting themselves.
1t is not likely that United States troops
Will be sent TO the scene of the disturbances
IN response to the appel OF Governor Ames
There certainly will not unless the "dolnes-
tic violence" becomes much more serious,
Inc administration, or at least the Attor-
ney General, has learned that it is unwise
TO act with precipitation ill cases OF this
KIND, and that it is best, as general rule,
to let the people of the Southern States
take care of themselves. Nothing can be
more destructive of the manhood Of a DC O.
pie than dependence for protection upon
outside aid; and outside projection is gen
orally very Intellectual Even the more
Intelligent negiO3s are beginning to real.
ze this and to speak in term OF strong
n rh.>-
whenever they get into trouble
Send for United States troops,r ex. |
claimed colored man the other day. 1--WE |
lave had too much of that. Troops do |
more hunt than good. They can keep the |
peace while they stay. But the SIGHT of |
hem only makes bad men more savage.
md as soon as the troops are gone things
re worse than ever. Ii the people need
protection against bands of armed men, let
hem protect themselves. If the White
1eaguers in Mississippi are too strong
or the sheriff, let Governor Ames do as
Governor Beyeridge did. Let him organize
he people for selI-defense Just as soon as
IS understood that the people are able
nd willing to defend themselves there will
70 no more trouble. Until that is under
TODD, all the troops in the country will do
o good"
Fred Douglass seems to look at the
natter in about the same light. He is re-
orted as saying:
III the negro must die at the South, nv
dVice 70 them is to sell their lives as dearly
S possible. Let it be seen by those cowardly
lobocrats that in attempting to slaughter
lack men they invite the knife to their own
iroate, and fire and rapine to their own
earthstones, and they will cease"
Douglass betrays more vindictive spirit
IAN the Chicago negro referred to above |
ut his advice is not unlike that given by
lr. Matt Carpenter when he was waited
pom by delegation Of colored men in New
rleans. Mr.. Carpenter informed them
iat they had the right to defend them
'lves, and advised them 70 exercise the
ght If they were assaied, instead Of de-
ending upon United States troops for
sfety. And his advice is sound. The blacks
ust not depend forever upon the paternal
,vernment at Washing ton 1t is a poor
liance, at best, and it is liable to fail en-
rely at no distant day. They must rely
BON themselves. They must either defend
leir lives or migrate to some place of
tety y.-Chicago Times.
From ths, Riu Scout