National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1875-09-23

the follow ing assertion for that purpose s,
SIN q word, Republican State officials are not
willing to trust their political opponents as
posse eorlitGtus to enforce the laws and protect
their own lives and those of their color. With
out resorting to the exercise of all the powers
possessed by them In the manner which the
law presumes, with no reference TO creeds,
politics or color, they at once throw up the
sponge and call upon the protecting arm of the
General Government for assistance. It Is the
very distrust of the motives of the white peo-
pie in this State that has brought about the
present unfortunate condition of affairs, and
which will eventually destroy the Republican
party, and then the blame will fall at last upon
the proper shoulders"
Ifthis explanation were true, and if there
were no reason why the Republican Off
Gals should not trust their political oppo.
nents as posse comitdtus, it would serve as
sufficient foundation for the utter con-
domination of Gov. Ames and his admins
tration. But good and sufficient reasons
why they should not trust them do exist.
Most positive proof of their existence we
find in the further statements of the CORE
spondent in question. In explaining the
condition Of affairs before, during and after
the slaughter at Clinton, he says:
'sTo justify this slaughter, rumors Of negroes
assembling and advancing to attack and to
burn towns fill the air and occupy the tongues
of men who know better and who ought to use
their influence to put them at rest. Many ig-
norant men are thus led to believe that such
things are possible, and direct their animosi-
ties against men who are reported to be brave
and capable of undertaking such an attempt.
This hatred is especially directed against white
Republicans who are accused of suggesting
such things, and prominent black men, lead
ers of clubs, who are accused of organizing
and preparing to carry out the behests of the
white leaders, ard whenever a riot ensues, the
lives of these men are never secure, though
the white Republicans have thus far as rule
escaped harm"
He admits, in other words that such
condition of feeling among the whites is
provoked by false accusations, exaggera-
ton of rumors, and the circulation of i'll
cendiarY tales, that they all become unwar-
rantably excited. The result is that they
exhibit certain hatred which is especial
ly directed against white Republicans. If
for moment that Governor Ames would
be justified in trusting such political oppo-
nents as these as q posse comitdtus to pro-
tect the lives of colored men they are GER
tainly mistaken. He might as we'll call
upon wolves to protect a flock of sheep.
But the correspondent proceeds to relate
what he describes as an amusing incident
in connection with the affair:
"One of the most amusing and ludicrous
scenes presented during the present excitement
occurred on Sunday last. At the suggestion of
= A1.N az,
gestion received the approval of the Governor,
a posse coKlitdtus was formed, to proceed to
Clinton and ascertain the state of affairs there.
This posse was composed of whites, all Demo-
Gratis, tCho preferred that no negroes should 90,
and went under the direction Of a deputy sher-
id, O Ultite man, as either the sheriff did not
rant to 90 the posse did not iCish him TO 90, as
he lcds black man. This party left jackson
mounted, with an Immense white banner dis
played in front Of it, either as flag of truce,
or perhaps 1t might have been intended to act
in double capacity, to indicate that the horse
men were both Lwhite-liners and also on an
errand of peace. The idea of a sheriff7s posse
emblem used in war in time of peace ~
So, here we have it. When Gov. Ames
did call for posse, or approve of the sug-
gestion of several Of the best white citizens
that one should be sent to Clinton, the
posse did not wish the sheriff to 60 because
he was black man And the posse went,
not under command of the sheriff, but with
every indication that it was composed Of men
who were laboring under the excitement to
which allusion is made above, and were
therefore ready to do murder, the same as
the original rioters themselves If this
does not prove that the White Liners have
complete control, not only OF the 'fgno-
rant masses, but of the "best white citi-
zens," we are at q loss to understand Ii.
And these facts, it must be remembered,
are furnished by correspondent who starts
out with the avowed object of convicting
Gov. Ames of having made a mistake in
not exhausting all the resources for the
restoration of order at his own command
before calling upon the General Govern
mentl He further says:
"Again, in order to assure protection to ne
groes, who, alarmed, were unwilling to return
to work, the chairman of the Democratic ex-
ecutive committee, who resided at Raymond,
the county seat, opened up bureau of pass
ports and issued to applicants passes, which
certified to the fact that the bearer had not
been at Clinton and was therefore entitled to
protection in his desire to return home and re-
sumo work. This certainly indicates q most
unusual condition of affairs and presupposes
that an innocent negro who attended politi-
cal meeting at Clinton, and who bore no part
in the disturbance there, is not entitled to the
same consideration at the hands of the afore-
said committeeman as another negro, who
probably desired to be at the mass-meeting at
Clinton but who was unable to borrow the
means oftransportation to attend"
Assuredly such a presentation of affairs
as these few lines contain requires but little
comment. They tell their own story. The
Democratic political organizations of the
disturbed sections have so completely
usurped all authority that no protection to
the life of colored citizens is afforded, ex-
cept by passports issued under the authority
of the chairman of the Democratic execu-
tive committee. And those passports are
only issued to persons who were not parti-
cipants in the Clinton meeting If this
does not mean that the blacks shall not
enjoy even the right of peaceable assem-
blage, what, in the name Of everything or
anything that is honest, does it meant 1t
certainly proves that not one half has been
told of the extent of the Vaccinations of the
Democracy to prevent a full, free and legal
registration Of voters. Meanwhile the
Government spends thousands of dollars to
indicate an insignificant consul from con-
structive insult In Tripoli; but is powerless
to protect the lives and rights of its citizens
on their native soil. The weakened Re-
publican press of the country join with the
Opposition in disappearing the facts of
the case, and another State is lost by the
agencies Of brutal butchery, assassination,
riot and intimidation to the Republican
party.
EDITORIAL AFTERTH0UGHT.
Senator Thurman says that his selfrespect
forhidr his haino saan in the comnanv of SAINT