The weekly clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1863-1882, 1876-08-16
(coxrINuID FROM FIRST PAGE.

that they had personal knowledge Of the
killing of either of the seven men who
were massacred on the night of the 9th
of December.
"a The committee find, especially
from the testimony of Captain Montgom-
cry, supported by numerous facts stated
by other witnesses, that the military or
ganization extended to most Of the coun
ties in the State where the Republicans
were in the majority that it embraced
a proportion not much less than one-half
Of all the white voters, and that in the
respective counties the men could be
summoned by signals given by firing
cannon or anvils, and that probably III
less than week the entire force Of the
State could be brought out under arms.
90 The committee find that IN sever
al Of the counties the Republican leaders
were so overawcd and inundated, both
white and black, that they were compell-
ed to withdraw from the canvass those
who had been nominated, and to substi
tute others who were named by the Dem
ocratic leaders, and that finally they
were compelled to vote for the ticket so
nominated, under threats that their lives
would be taken if they did not do it
This was noticeably the case in Warren
County, where the Democratic nomina-
ton of one Flanagan for Sheriff was rat
flied at the Republican county conven-
ton, held in Vicksburg, the members
acting under threats that if it were not
done they should not leave the building
alive. Similar proceedings occurred in
other counties.
O0.) The committee find that the can
didates, in some instances, were compell-
ed, by persecution or through fear Of
bodily harm, to withdraw their names
from the ticket, and even to unite them
selves 0stensibly with the Democratic par
ty. j. w. Caradine, of Clay County, was
compelled to withdraw his name from
the Republican ticket, and to make
speeches in behalf of the Democratic can
didate and policy. An extract from his
testimony is herewith given as follows:
They told me that | would have to 60
around and make some speeches for them;
that | had risen up great element, or
some kind Of feeling, in the colored men,
that they never could get out Of them for
the next ten years to come with the
speeches | had made, and that / had to
go around and make some speeches in
behalf of them III some way, or else /
might have some trouble. They told me
if | would do that | could command
some respect among them, and have no
further trouble with them.
%. What did they say would be the
consequence if you did not go with them
and make speeches? A. They did not
say if did not do it what could be done,
as 1 remember but they came to my
house and fetched buggy for me, and
told me had to 60 with them and make
speeches for them And they said. You
know what has been said and what has
been done you have got to go along, if
you don't want any further trouble |
then got in and went along with them,
and they did not really appreciate my
speeches at length but | went along
with them and made three speeches and
they had some fault to find with my
speeches at last, but | have never had
any trouble with them since"
Ill The committee find that on the
day of election, at several voting places,
armed men assembled, sometimes not
organized and III other eases organized
that they controlled the election, intimi-
dated Republican, ,voters, and, in fine,
deprived them of the opportunity to vote
the Republican ticket.
The most notable instance of this form
of outrage occurred at Aberdeen, the
shire town of the county of Monroe. At
halfpa o'clock on the day Of the elec
ton, cannon, in charge of four or I'VE
cannoneers, and supported by ten or
twelve men, Il portion of the military
company of that town, was trained upon
~ ri, +l,,4
position during the day, while the street
was tFagersed by body Of mounted
armed men, under the command of Cap
tain Z. O. Sykes, of Aberdeen. Cap
Sykes testified that he did not know the
men under his command, but admitted
finally that they were probably from Ala
bama, and that they had come there
upon the suggestion or the request Of a
Mr.. johnson, who was member, as vas
also Captain Sykes, of the Democratic
committee of the county Of Monroe.
Captain Sykes had also, given orders
that tue fordways across the Tombigbee
River, over which the negroes from the
east side having the right to vote at
Aberdeen must pass, should be guarded
by squads from the military company
under his command.
During the night preceding the cleo
ton the draw in the bridge crossing the
river was turned, so that there was no
passing troIA the e&st to the west Of the
Tombgbee River during the early part
of the day Of election
AS a matter of fact. the Republican |
voters who had assembled abandoned the |
polls between 10 and II o'clock in the |
forenoon, and Captain j. W. Lee, the |
Sheriff of the county and Il leading Re |!
publican. man who had served during /
the war in the Confederate army. aban-
doned the polls and took refuge in the
Jail, of which he was the custodian.
This statement in regard to Monroe
County is set forth in detail by Captain
Lee, aud is corroborated in all essential
parts by Captaip Sykes, Democrat,
day. Similar outrages we're perpetratcd
in Claiborne, Kemper, Amite, Copiah
and Clay Counties.
(12.) The gravity of these revolutions
airy proceedings is expressed in the single
fact that the Chairman OF the Republi-
can State Committee, General Warner,
owes the preservation of his life on the
day of the election to the Intervention of
General George, Chairman of the Dem
ocratic State Committee, as appears from
a dispatch sent by General George, to
A1essrs Campbell and Calhoun, and
reply thereto. both of which are here =
given:
"To Campbell and Calhoun, Canton,
'4If Warner goes to Madison, see by
II hot l..
nearly through now, and are sure 10 wiz. i,