Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1875-09-15
rHr MrssIssIppI SITUATION.

1t rests with the people of Mississippi
the white people-whether they will
carry the next election and throw OF q
despotic and reckless State government
which hangs to them as a relic OF the
war, or by some indiscretion give AmeS
and his crowd the advantage and so open
the way for Federal interference. we
know that the great body OF these peo'
ple are peaceful, l~aw-abiding and concil-
iatory, almost to Q point Of'submission.
They have been under bdyonet rule for
many long years and have in some meas
ure become reconciled 10 this state OF
affairs as al edict Of fate not to be
averted. On the other hand there are a
few hot-headed, impulsive persons in
their midst for whose mistakes all are
made responsible, and it should be the
earnest aim of those most vitality con.
cerned 10 control this small class. There
is no question but what Mississippi al
fairs are rather critical. The true
people have taken matters in hand
all over the State and it let
alone will carry the coming election
most gl%oriously. The Radical leaders
see and feel this, and will do anything
on earth to provoke a difficulty and
break up the. Democratic organization.
This is their last and only hope. The
people, therefore, should exercise the
utmost caution and 6rmness for the
next few weeks. That they should
maintain a bold front and let the negroes
know that they are prepared to defend
their homes and property successfully,
we unhesitatingly assert; but let them
not be the aggressors, but sustain the
law, stand by the civil officers, obey
every and process cheeriully
and maintain the right at all hazards.
The world understands pretty we'll by
this time that reports from Mississippi
are highly colored usually for effect, The
false Acknowledgements after the Gin
ton trouble that fifty negroes we're shot
down in the woods yVicksburgers is gen.
orally d~iscredited, and the Government
80 far gems but little inclined to propth
carpet-bag dynasty any longer with Fed
eral bayonets. The country has long
since grown tired Of this sort of thing,
and no interference can be justified I'M
less the people permit themselves to be
provoked into some false step. Let'them
keep cool and keep their powder dry.
The negroes should know by this time
that, With all their drilling and arming,
they are no match for the white race
when it comes to an open conflict. and
that their Radical masters care not how
many Of them get killed so the party is
benefited. AmeG would see twenty
five or thirty" Of his best colored friends
slaughtered with delight if that would
give him control of the Federal troops
now in the State. Another thing we
will mention: Rumors of negro insur'
r%ections are not always facts, and threats
uttered under the Influence Of mean
whisky do not constitute outrageS.
II the negroes are ~boisteroHs and
threaten vengeance in a community, lei
the leading white men act prudently
control the young, hot-headed set and
wait for some overt act. We are assured
that they are well orgapized in p%olitica.
clubs nearly all ever the State and abun
dainty able to take care of themselves
One united judicious effort will carry the
State and redeem it forever. This surely
is worth a superhuman effort.