Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1877-06-01
International Question in the
Kemper County Tragedy.

A rather curious international question is in
volved in the recent dreadful tragedy in kemper
county, Miss, and one which is likely TO puzzle
the STATE department not little. Those who re-
member the details of the affair will recall the
name Of Mr. A. McCleland as one of the killed.
Now, this Mr.. McClellsnd was elderly gentle
man, native of Scotland and British subject.
When the Sheriff OF Kemper county formed his
posse eomi'Gtus on the eventful day that the CHS
olms aad tue other alleged participants in the as
,asslnatlon Of Gully were arrested he summoned
MeCieiIand, among Others, 10 make one Of the
force to guard the prisoners. 1t Is well known
that under such circumstances foreigner Is just
as liable as a citizen to be called upon by the
sheriff to assist in securing the preservation Of
he peace, and Mcclellan made no exception TO
hi, International Obligation. Since the massacre,
however the attention of tue Bnu,h government
has been called to the fact that OF is suit tcts
was killed IA an unju,tltiabie manner.
SO far tue te.ti nony adducel Is not clear upon
the point wuetuer Met LELAND tel Ia rcsI-tiu. the
assault ol tue mob upon the jail or wa, subse-
4ucuiiy siam Ia cold blood when overwhelmed by
ne mob. lie ndd started to 20 away from the
All ana had mingled w:u the crowd outside. In
sac lis case h, uc ith, While matter ul regret,
" ouid not have been the subJ~ct OF goyernmeutI.
interference. lie would have dleu IN the dis
charge OF duty when tue resident OF any civil
j l. q county l. u4oe to be called upon 10 perform
namely, That of sidIng the sheriff OF Otuer Off
Of tue law IN preservation ot The public peace.
But II lis taxing oil ACT ot isstsIuation toe
British gCyetnnent, winch spent a hundred mil-
mons OF dollars TO Iescue couple OF EagHsh
prisoners ia tue hands Of the Aoy sslnlan king,
IheodUrus, viii naturally want an explanation
nj
necessary to prove hat Mcclellan was a Brit
Ish subject, anu tut, fact ia, been pretty clearly
established by tue Brush Consul at New Orleans,
Who made inquiry INTO the case. As already said
thete Is a discrepancy Ia the testimony rs to
whether HI: ueath was III tue Regular course OF the
discharge Ot public duty Or the result Of law
less On the part vi one mote people cUn,tl-
tutDg part oil responsible COmmuulty. Bat
enough Is knO.n to warrant the BlItsA govelu-
meut IN asking OF The Uuued States that prUpcI
ILVestgatiou snail be made Into the circumstances
attending McCieiland's ueatn, ami au OH lal re
quest 10 that effect has been made to Mr. Eyalts,
~ which he has wltnln a lev DAYS returned an
swer III At due lnquliy will be III 4de. 1ue ques-
ton nov arises, Can the teaersl government CO.
cree the government oi the state oil AlIsslssppi
10 make tue lnVcstlg anon, and, If not, aud II
Great Britain should discover that McC ieilsn had
been assassinaed aud insist upon redress what
would be Tie Alternative OF the | lited states
1t is altogether unlikely, OF course, that anJ thing
serious " III ever come vi the matter, Oat the
pUcatIon II stands Is good subject Tor tue law
SCHOOLS to debate jpaStiHgioh C0rresgoAdeac.
Of the Nelo l0fk Herdtd