New-York tribune., 1875-08-23
PEACE RESTORED IN GEORGIA.

THE PRISONERS TO BE DISCHARGED.
CAUSE OF THE PANIC-UNDEFENDED CONDITION on
TIE NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. ACTION OF THE CITr-
ZRNs AND GOV. sMITII-THE COUNTIES QUIET
UNwARRANIED USE OF THE NAME OF GEN.
RIVERS
lBY TELEGRAPH yRoM STAFF CORRESPONDENT OF THE
TRIBUNE
AUGUSTA, Ga, Aug. 22.-The threatened war
OF races which caused much excitement and alarm In
half dozen counties of Georgia last week. and which FOR
few days seemed likely to lead to serious consequences
for one for both races, has happily been averted
without violence bloodshed. AS far as can be
ascerained here in Augusta, 1t originated In an
insane desire the part OF three or four idle ana
turbulent negroes to gain noorety and power these
men took advantage OF their prominence and influence
among the people OF their race and Of the ignorance and
credulity Of their followers and by manipulating the
military or semimilitary organizations to which
majority OF the coOred people belong, were able TO draw
into the plot great number of naturally quiet and law
abiding negroes These latter had cause for discon-
tent and grievances TO redress They do not know,
even now of any for the contemplated uprising
The alarm OF the white people in the counties EN-
braced III the plot perfectly natural Ihe agricui-
ural population of the South is much more scattered
than in the North Southern plantations are generally
larger than Northern farms and the proportion OF land
not under cultivation Is greater The result is that the
dwellings of tire white people often at considerable
distances from each other. In the event OF serious
trouble they would be very difficult 10 de-
fend Besides this, the colored population
in the cotton belt of this and adjoining states
far outlubers the Whites ana while the latter knew OF
uo cause for hostility the part of the blacks they did
not know into what the freedmen might Dc lea
Various things occurred excite apprehension Letters
were found, the contents OF which have already oeen
made public Confessions were made by some OF the
negroes first arrested. Vague rmors and reports were
circulated that large bodies OF armed negroes were
marching through the country camped in the woods.
Exaggerated stories that always gain currency on such
occasions aud grow with every repetition also added
fuel 10 the flame, and really increased the danger that
conflict w0uld actually take place.
The discovery tic plot of course put an end at once
to the possibility OF its execution But this has been the
point in than in the South, since the close
Of the war; where the serious trouble has actually peSun
Unnecessary shooting undertaking, and lynching have
in many eases seemed 20 be the almost inevitable result
of excitement such as has prevailed in this vicinity
during the past week and it the fear that such
scenes as occurred in Grant Parish ana Cousha't IN
Louisiana and Western Tennessee, would be repeated IN
Burke Washington and Jefer son Counties IN ts otale
that gave the welwishers Of Georgia the most concern
This danger, If 1t ever existed has now entlfeIy
passed, and the people have been saved from
\ DISGRACE Which would have been greatly,
dopoyed by every good citizen OF the State white ana
black Residents OF the counties in which the excite
mert and alarm prevailed assert that Illegal violence
toward any the prisoners never talked OF or con-
empated Public sentiment has all of the time been IN
favor of resorting only TO legal means Of punishment.
The prudent course of smith, in refusing to sendt to
the disturbed counties any men from Augusta
or otIcr places. tended probably as much
AS ANYTHING preserve the peace HAD seVera nun
red mon gone from Augusta or elsewhere 10 Wayhes-
boro and sandersve Thursday last the danger that
some ,ndscreet or drunken fellow would have committed
some act OF violence and perhaps precptated serious
conflict would have been very great.
Gov smith attended by two members Of his staff Wis
tied sandersve yesterday. The people OF Washington
County white and black turned out in great numbers 10
receive him. In speech, which he made from the Court
house steps, he advised the negroes to be
av-abding, and coanseed the white people 10 DC calm
and orbearing and TO let the law be vincated IN the
propar manner The effect Of his speech was excellent
About one hundred cgroes now In Jail In washing
ton County hut ALL except few ringeaders, Will be I'M
conditionay released tomorrow Ofth seventy arrested
in Rurke County all but four five have already been
,c ronfesons OF the negroes who have been arrested
assert that the three leaders in whose names all orders
were issued were Joseph Norris candy iiafas, % anu
Prince Rivers OF South Carolina. Rivers noids MAJOR
generals commission in the South Carolina militia and is
member Of the Legislature M Gf tna ,rom re and
positively denies in card ens mat ne nap aayns Hsasts
who know him well believe that he tells the truth His
influence with the negroes is very great & put " mas mas
always been on the size ol peace an. so ,a 90 Gonap
rsrolina ever since ITS organization; but even In times
Of Great popular excitement and when he himself has
been threatened he has called 1t out He took no
mart in the troubles which occurred In Edgeed County
last Fall, although he was acquainted with those
nnco cod I'm IL on both sides. 1t Is hardly
nrohable that he would think Of coming
over into this state for any such purpose.
The report that he give the plot his support Win
10 600 soldiers was calculated to give the negroes
courage impress them with the importance OF the
Undertakings but probable that his name was used
wholly without his knowledge consent. Norris who
probably planned the whole affair, has not yet been
arrested Candy Harris has voluntarily surrendered, and
demands an investigation OF the accusations against him.
Judge Herschel " johnson will hold special term OF
the Court In Washington County on Monday, the 3Oth,
for the investigation Of the whole affair Reports from
ali he counties represent the excitement abated, aud
no further trouble Is anticipated.