Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1875-09-14

ton 10 riot or to encourage rioters.
They are the landed proprietors, the
manufacturers, the merchants and busi-
ness men OF the State, and IL concerns
their most intimate interests to have
! the peace preserved. The best proof OF
! the good disposition and loyalty OF the
white people Of Mississippi to the State
and general governments which / can
| give you IL the magnificent crops now
about to be gathered in every part of
the State from the Tennessee line to the
gulf the fruitful results Of peaceful and
industrious habits.
Reporter-How about the white
league?
Mr.. Keating-I never heard Of white
league in Mississippi until within the
last few dsys, and do not believe there
is such an organization in the Slate.
My reason for believing so lies in the
fact that the Conservative-D Demo.
cratic convention, recently held in jack
SOD, the State capital, utterly refuse, by
an overwhelming vOLe, to indorse the
color-line. 1t was there ASSERTED, In The
resolutions adopted almost unanim gusIy,
that the white people Of Mississippl we've
opposed to any policy that wCud debsr
any citizen of the State from co-opera-
ton with them, no matter what his
color or previous political faith might be.
L know the people of Mississippi to be
truthful and hOnet people, and l prefer
TO accept their public svowGl OF policy
TO the mere statement Of any one man
living, especially when that man is
Ames, who is alien in every respect to
the people owe r whom he rules.
Reporter-Then you mean to say that
the white people Of the State have never
organized either for offensive or defen-
sive purposes against the blacks?
Mr.. Kesting-I 60. II such an or
ganiZstiOn had ever existed, believe
my position iSsuch that / would neces-
sarily have known it.
RepOrter-Wss there not a white
league at the Vicksburg riot?
Mr., Keating-NO; there was no
organization OF the whites until after
the negroes bad organized into military
companies and moved upon the city ~
VicksbuTg, under instructions given by
Ames, as his fellow Republicans charge, |
TO engage in riot and blOodshed. The !
whites were then organized for defense, |
and, / believe, many, II not most OF
their leaders, were eX-Officers of the |
Federal army.
RepOrter-HOU appear TO think Ames |
to be unpopular with his own party?
Mr.. Kesting-From what can gather
from statements OF Republican leaders
and Republican papers he is very up-
popular. In fact, believe he is decid- |
edly unpopular.
Reporter-How do the white people
regard him?
Mr.. Keating-With contempt.
Reporter-In what way has he in
CURED such contempt?
Mr.. Kesting-By a want of sympathy
for the people, and want CT ability for
the office he holds.
RepOrter-Hsve any charges of Of
hctA corruption ever been preferred
agsiust him?
Mr.. Keatipg-Yes, and worse than
that, the instigstiOn OF q riot that ended |
in loss of several hundred lives, for
political effect and party ascendency.
Tnis last statement | make upon the
Of the United States district
attorney, residing at Holly Springs, who
was formerly colonel in the Federal
army.
Renorter Returning to the Clinton
riot, l want to ask If you think there is
danger Of further trouble?
MI ACotAub II "CIc III Tic bSCIclS
of the Republican party In Mississippi
/ could tell you. Not having the conf
dence of the leaders Of that party, l
cannot, So far IS the Democratic. Con-
party Is concerned, not having
had anything TO 10 with the riot at
or that - \nTub g, they will,
Of course, have L, .iAs " 10 with any
possible future disturbances. 1t is COM
posed of a peaceful and law-sbiding
people.
RepOrter-Awhile ago you referred to
the crops Of the State. Will the crops
prove more remunerative than those of
other years since the war?
Mr.. Keating-They will. The cotton
crop will not only be larger, but the
corn, wheat and fruit crops are such as
have never before been realized in Mis-
sissippi. The farmers have shipped fruits
and wheat, and will be this fall prepared
to ship corn abroad, such is the super
abundance which has resulted from their
industrial efforts. II this does nCt
speak peace and peaceful disposition,
then we must regard every indus trious
people as upon the verge of revolution
and bloodshed.