The New Orleans daily Democrat. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1877-1880, 1877-05-06
THE KEMPER COUNTY TRAGEDY.

The recent affair at DeKalb, the lead
ing facts of which have already been
given to our readers, has brought Kemp
er county into prominence as the scene
of one OF the most appalling and dra-
matte of the many incidents Of unre-
strained passion, violence and lawless-
ness which have stained the annals OF
our country since the late civil war.
We have instituted inquiries into the
facts and histories OF the actors In this
fearful affair. and have thus learned
enough to satisfy us that the tragical
conclusion at DeKalb was but tho clos
ing chapter Of an old personas feud
between two native Mississippians.
who, with some very estimable quail
tiles, united a strong tendency to
resort to personal violence for the
settlement OF their difficulties. Too fire.
quently it happens in the excitement OF
political controversies In which our peo-
pie have been involved that these feuds
are given political direction and char
acter. Men In the bitterness Of their
hate too often invoke partisan preju-
dices and employ political pretexts and
disguises in order to enlist sympathy
and cooperation in tn merits OF private
and personal quarra and revenges.
Such practices are utterly repugnant to
all manliness and true courage and can
not be too severely reprobated.
We learn that all of the principals en-
gagged in the affair at DeKalb were
natives of the State and had been promi-
nent in political affairs, and that the
quarrel between Gully and Chisholm
| was an old sore dating as far back as
the war, wherein both were engaged on
the Southern side. Both were brave
and desperate men. Their private feud
was infamed by political antagonism.
Chisholm after the war became a
Radical and, being man Of wealth.
seems to have acquired q large influ-
ence In the county and district. In
the last Congressional contest he was
the Radical candidate against Gen.
Money, the Democratic candidate.
Chisholm's wife and family were all
Mississippians, and so were Gully and
his family and DR.. Rosser, and, we be-
lieve, Gilmer and the others who were
killed or wounded in the affair.
The conduct OF the mob in assaulting
Chisholm was doubtless the prompting
OF an honest and just sense of horror at
the assassination of man held in high
esteem, but, like all such precipitate acts
of excited masses Of people, 1t was not
controlled or directed by that prudence
and reflection which refuses to accept
and act upon suspicion and rumor In
prejudging, convicting and Furnishing
men who have had no hearing and are
frequently innocent Of the acts imputed
to them.
The frequency with which these in
sensate and unjustifiable judgments
are executed by excited masses ought to
impress those charged with the admin
istration Of the law with the necessity
Of a vigorous repression Of all such law
less modes Of administering popular
justice. Hence, we are gratified to learn
that Governor Stone, of Mississippi, has
fastened to the scene Of the late
tragedy to investigate the facts and to
bring to punishment all the parties i'm
plicated In this setting aside Of the law
and trampling upon the authority Of the
lawful tribunals. We hope his exam
pie will be followed by all our Southern
Governors in all similar cases.