The Daily clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1866-1888, 1876-01-09


D Ience, which resulted In the death of a mum
T Der of persons, and which was followed
subsequently. by the pursuit and shootin.
OF others. by armed men riding through TIN
county. Impelled. through fear OF violence
men abandoned their homes, and fled bJ
hundreds TO this city for safety.
The fifth and following DAYS of Septem
Der found this city crowded with panic
stricken fugltlVeS, unconscious of offeuse
lmploring such assistance as would enabl,
them to return to their homes and shield
E them in the peaceful pursuit of their labors
While city full of refugees was one IL
luStratlon of the violence and the success.
of lawlessness another was to be found in
the fact that sheri1f's posse, which was sent
10 Clinton from this point, was headed by q
flag of truce.
At this juncture, business was suspended
Il and d1Squiet Or terror existed in the minds
of all. The authority of the county was par
alyzed. The sheriff reported his utter help
lessDess TO give the needed protection. Ii
!. then became the duty of the State govern
ment to furnish him the means TO overcome
and suppress the lawless bands, which. for
I some purpose other than the punishment of
| crime, or the pursuit of criminals. had es-
tablished SO lamentable condition of az
fairs.
The spirit which precipitated the Clinton
outrage, by no means had its origin then
and there. Previous to that day, the sher-
/ Ills VI Two duJdCelI counties naQ been eX-
| PEELED by force, or, what is substantially the
same, after encountering much lawless vio-
| lence, which no power at their command
| could control, had made their escape beyond
the borders of their counties, leaving them
| without the chief peace officer which the
/ law has made so Indispensable.
Nor was violence, or the fear of it, con
| ti1ed to two or three counties. Appeals for
! protection and aid came from all directions
The State was without militia or con-
stabulary force. Although previous polit-
zeal disturbances had occurred, of magni-
tude too great for local or State authorities
TO cope Wlth the sentiment against militia,
or other armed force, was so powerful and
so general as to prevent its successful or
ganizatlon. This hostile sentiment to main
tanning peace ard affording protection by
! force, was chiefly due to dread of Il con-
hlct OF races. While one part of the people
were thuS QlScountenanclng the militia in
/ the interest OF peace, another part was con-
verting the State into broad military en-
campment, which called forth procIama-
ton, bearing date of 9TH September, 1875
commanding, though Intellectually. their
disarmament. The evil day ANTICIPATED
when the State should need force and be
without it. had arrived.
Under such a combination of circum-
stances, which could exist only in a State
where the Inhabitants are of two distinct
races, with strong race prejudices and an
hHSOlIlohc, L W do COUSlIdllGu TO cali upon
the National Government for assistance TO
protect against domestic violence. This call |
was unsuccessful, 1t was followed by a |
succession of demonstrations BY the armed |
part OF the people towards the unarmed. |
causing feeling of insecurity and danger, |
when continued until and after the day of |
the election
A renewed effort to organize a military |
force, developed the deep-seated bitterness |
OF ne race issue, and the extent of the in |
timidatiOn which prevailed.
Nhlie appeals for aid and protection came
from all sides, and often from sheriffs ii |
was held by them that such forces as might
be organized under the State laws, could !
not be serviceable. On the contrary, the
conviction prevailed that they would only
preclpitate the conflict it was sought to
avoid.
The seizure of State Arms on their way to
the Capitol; the liability of seizure in send
ing them away from the Capitol, and the
necessity OF storing the few arms on hand
at the \ nited States camp, for safe keeping,
We're additional causes which embarrassed
ana prevented the organization of the mil
TIA: Consequently only a few companies
could be organized, and those with one ex-
ceptIon) but in one cOunCy-this the seat of
government. Many who took arms, did so
TO OBTAIN the means of selt-defense; few
were accustomed to their use, and instruc-
BILE 4'-'0 -'-- p az 'i'''-
me fund for militia purposes, appropri-
ated by the late Legislature, was sixty i
thousand ($60,000) dollars, but with the
CONDITION that fifty five thousand (550OO)
iollars should be used only in case the mil
tia should be called into active service
An early injunction from the courts IRE.
,enCed the expenditure of any part of the
after sum. .
The remaining five thousand (5,O0O) dol !
airs were soon expended, and there were
~ ~ /
u TINS county, the recruiting ground and
iepot, the few uDdisciplined companies !
Ormed within it. ,
Preparations had been made to protect
ne sherlH OF 4azoO county in his return to i,
us county, he having previously been :
rlven away. Deeming the means mad
quate, he declined to make the ATTEMPT 7
1e has not been atle to return TO this day
because or the attempt to organize and
se militia to protect citizens in the exer-
Use OF their rights and privileges, as be- ,
lowed upon them by the constitution and I
he laws, class of people rebelled against =
I. 10 aYoi threatened deeds of resistance i
M violence to State authority as well as F."
oWards county officials and individuals. q.
ia the possible consequences a committee
! prominent citizens, powerful in eontroll- :
X one OF the political organizations of the !.
tate, gave their pledges that they wenld II
40 al Ia their power to preserve peace and y
oou orGer, and secure fair election As y
thelr power Ito preserve peace and good !"
raer, anu secure fair election did not -
ltertain q doubt.
This novel and humiliating spectacle. in
lie government of a free people, was pre- a.
'nted regularly organized legal authority y
h9oie to preserve peace and good order
IA secure TAR election; the leaders of . y "
DItical organization assume 10 do If VIII 10
he accredited. ' &c
Inc deeds of violence already alluded to. &C
10 many similar ones of greater or less al
agnltude, IN various parts of the State. ~
10 the effect to intimidate many voters ~
ne extent of such intimidation may ha sl
dyed by the following facts: Ia
Ia various counties the meeting together ~
"a consulting of voters before election. an I'll
ipoItaht proceeding in government like Ii
led. apdhu- be
In one county not only was there no nre- en-
nlnary canvass, but the danger was re- ~,
rded SO great that no convention was held
Hot nrT e..