New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1876-08-18

mitted to President Grant with instruc-
tons to employ the whole force of the
government to enforce, may be produc-
tive of serious consequences to those who
violate the law.
DISCUSSING THE HAMBURG VERDICT.
The American people have heard with
horror of the tragic occurrences at Ham,
burg, and have brought in an unqualified
verdict of guilty against the self-accused
murderers of the helpless colored prison.
ers in cold blood. This verdict will
stand forever in history as the condemna-
ton by brave and enlightened people
of cowardly and barbarous act. The
wicked deeds done at Hamburg can no
more be explained away than the blood
of the helpless prisoners which there
sunk into the earth can be again recov-
cred and made to warm the veins Of the
victims But, feeling that som ething
must be done to blunt the sharp
edge of criticism, sort of preliminary
examination has been had at Aiken. All
the lawyers of the place ostentatiously
offered their professional services to help
the accused persons out of their difficult
ties. The <leading members Of the COM
munity" promptly testified in behalf Of the
distinguished criminals, while the wit
nesses for the prosecution were limited to
few of the most stupid and ignorant
negroes who could be persuaded to 60 to
Aiken for the purpose. With all the law
yers on one side, the 'leading members
of the community made very good
showing, while the negroes acquit-
ted themselves about as the witness for
the prosecution did in the Grant parish
case. It is true they were all clear
enough on the point of the slaughter;
plenty of witnesses testified to the
death of sixteen or seventeen ne
groes, and to the presence of a large
number Of white people from Augusta
they saw them attacking the building in
which the militia company had taken re-
fuge; saw the assault; heard the guns
and saw the prisoners shot down while
attempting to run the gauntlet, Indian
fashion. But when it came to the great
test questions such as chow old are you ?
Who was your father? What was the
mediate cause of the massacre? How
many of the attacking party were from
Augusta and how many from other places?"
the witnesses completely broke down.
This left some doubt upon the minds Of
the volunteer counsel whether there had
been any difficulty at Hamburg or not.
Perhaps if Butler had not written his SELF
accusing letter, there would have been no
difficulty in proving that there had been a
great negro conspiracy, which resulted in
horse and killing young
white man without any further casualties.
1t is certain that General Butler, with
the aid Of the Aiken lawyers, made it ap-
pear that the negroes were the aggress-
ors. There being nobody present to
contradict this position it was taken for
granted; and we all know the conse-
quences to Georgia or Carolina negro
of being even suspected of aggression.
Death is very mild punishment for the
offense where "noble blood" prevails.
Again, it was shown plainly that Doc.
Adams company was not enrolled in
proper form as part of the State militia.
This defect in the commission of militia
officers was gravely and, as it appears,
successfully pleaded as an excuse for one
of the most brutal massacres ever heard
of. What would be thought Of the Picayusne
or any other New Orleans journal if it
should set up such plea in defense Of
the killing of seventeen members of the
Washington Artillery; or one of the Hiber-
MAN companies, or Father Matthew tenn
perance society, a procession Of Masons,
Odd Fellows, or any other body of men
that is in the habit Of parading the streets,
and interfering with buggies, street cars,
furniture carts and drays. Yet none of
these are militia companies. They ought,
according to the logic of the Aiken exam.
nation, to be severely punished if they
chance to even frighten mule on one OF
their parades! Like the colored people Of
Hamburg, our fancy companies are fire.
quently found parading the country with
out any conceivable necessity. And yet
they are permitted to live. Our distance
from Augusta gives them safety.
A long time was thus spent in trying to
throw dust upon the blood split at Ham
burg. Everything said by q prominent
citizen was declared proved on the spot,
while the testimony of the States wit
nesses was generally set aside as untrust-
worthy because the witnesses could be
easily made by the sharp lawyers to hest