New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1876-07-23

" NASA "VAO O0sOA WV W NY SVAA WHY 0AAN
that he must come to me. I did, however.
go to meet him, and he asked me if the
men would give up their arms would
guarantee the safety of the town. said
had nothing whatever to do with the town
and could give no guarantee of any sort. a.
had no command or authority; but would
say "a citizen that, in my Judgment, if
they would do that there would not be the
slightest trouble, and he said that he
thought that right, and would 90 and ad.
wise them to that course.
In about ten minutes the report was Cir
culated that the negroes refused to give up
their arms and intended to fight, and few
minutes thereafter the fight did ensue. The
negroes we're fortified in their drill-room in
brick building known as Sibley's corner,
and they raised yell and fired from the
windows, which was responded to by the
whites and general firing took place. Not
very great while after the firing began
Mr.. McKie Merriwether, a most estimable
young man, was shot through the head and
killed
Not negro had then Deen touched, and
Merriwether's death naturally infuriated
the already excited crowd, and they were
under the leadership of no one During the
firing some parties unknown to me brOu yht
over piece of artillery, and fired four or
five times at the building and returned.
The firing of the negroes from their posi-
ton then ceased. [ left the crowd arrest
ing the negroes. How many were killed l
do not know.
"This collision was the elimination of the
system of insulting and outraging the VIII 70
people which the negroes had adopted there
for several years. Many things we're done
not be justified, but the negroes sowed the
wind and raaneA tha whirl wind
II did not attempt to accomplish by force
what could accomplish by peaceful means
l was not the leader Of this body of inturi-
ated men. I was there il the line of my
profession. The collision was a sort OF
spontaneous combustion. l thought saw
it approaching. and did all that any human
being could to prevent 1t.
II have no objection to being sadd!ed
with whichever responsibility fairly attaches
to my conduct; but l have no idea of per-
hitting newspaper reporters, for the sake
OF sensation or any other purpose, pre-
senting me az the leader of mob, when
was no more the leader and no more
than any other person who
might have been there in the lima of his
duty.
M. C. BUTLER"
During the reading OF the letter the chair
man said:
The five minutes of thu gentleman from
Georgia Mr.. Hartridge) has expired.
Mr.. Garfield, Mr.. Kassou and others-Lat
the whole letter be read.
There was no objection, and the Clerk re-
sumed and concluded the reading of the let
ter.
Mr. Jones. o. Ksntucky-I desire to say
a word or two on this subject. am very
glad that letter has been read, for know
the man who wrote it. and have known him
from infancy.
In regard 10 this trouble at Hamburg it is
to be greatly deplored, and no one in this
country depiores it more than do. l have
a love for the State Of South Carolina.
was reared upon her soil and | venerate her
ancient name and fame. Even now, when
believe she is under one of the most
governments the sun ever shOne
upon. have a sympathy for every human
being that inhabiss that land. l am a friend
of the colored man, and whenever the col
ored race in South Carolina desire anything
for their civilization or elevation, l will be
one OF the first men to come to thel: rescue
in proper sense and spirit.
have no doubt the exact truth of the IN
fortunate occurrence at Hamburg has been
told in that letter. l vouch for every word
Of it. read yesterday in the public Jour
nails the letter which was sen. up here and
very imprudentiy asked to be read to the
House by the member from South Carolina
Mr.. Smallsl l believe it to be q SANDER
and lie. Does he know it to BE- true. He
does not. In my judgment, i. is q mere
fabrication tor political effect.
But, sir, as far as NJ. c. Butler ia con-
cerned, to call him Ku-Kiux would be An
insult to the most honorable blood II
America. I have known his family all my
life. They have been in every war of this
-,
have been distinguished soldiers. heroes
and statesmen. as he is one to-day, He
was gallant and brilliant officer in the
Confederate army from tae firing of the
first gun of the war to the last: and when
the war ended he surrendered like soldier
and hero, and he behaved himself as
soldier and a hero ever since. He was one
Of six or seven brothers who went to the
front. and believe but three survived the
conflict In addition TO the noble Butler
blood which runs through his veins, ne in
aerits through his venerated mother, whom
we'll knew. the blood of the gallant Com
nodore Perry, of Lake Erie fame. He has
been eminentlv conservative and loyal ever
since he surrendered his sword.
Why, sir, the Conservative party in South
Carolina five years ago sent here tn have
1s disabilities removed. They we're re-
moved at my instance, and the ran him tor
Lieutenant Governor upon the Conserva-
i've ticket with r. B. Carpenter, who went
rom Kentucky into South Carolina, and
who was always most loyal Union man.
Mr.. Buckner rose.
Mr.. Jones, of Kentucky-I will no. allow
myself to be interrupted. Sir, if there be
! man in the Union wnoIn we can recognize
IS the proud chevaller-sa'aS peur ct sans
.eproche-it is N. &. Butler, OF South Caro-
ina.
l repeat that I have known him from
,oyhood. l knew his father and all his
great uncles-all distinguished and honor
lble men What is stated in that letter is
literally true. would vouch for NJ c.
3utler the world over.
Mr.. Rainey-Mr. Chairman, no member
IN this floor can deprecate more heartily
han myself the opening of this discussion.
had anticipated that when this Congress
! salutary effect upon the entire Democratic
ts deliberations without agitating these
questions affecting the lives and liberties of
American citizens. But it appears to me
hat so long as the negro has vote in this
go long as he has voice in this
government it is necessary that he should
N every proper occasion appeal to the
country in behalf OF those rights.
Sir, regret as much as any man here
hat outbreak at Hamburg. l regret that
ne proceeding was measurably counten-
need by q cavalier who has descended
rom noble stock-the very best that
,eopled the soil of Carolina. When make
mis- assertion I am not influenced by any
,artision prejudice; 1 do not speak from
learsay or mere conjecture. l am sustained
n what say by the Democratic papers of
,0ufh Corolina I have in NV hands tho
vews and Courier, the leading Democratic
,aper of the State, which contains an artj-
le from the Augusta Chronicle and Consh-
stating the very fact that Cen
raj Butter went from Hamburg across the
ridge into Augusta. saw young men over
here, and said to them: Things over in
look saually: young men, we may