The New Orleans daily Democrat. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1877-1880, 1879-08-16
THE YAZOO AFFAIR
A Mass Meeting of the People of
Yazoo County Refute the SLAM
derOus Charges Made
Against Them.
And Justify Their Action in Protect
ing Their Firesides and Family
Affairs From Race War.

At called meeting Of the Democratic
citizens Of Yazoo county, held August 5, to
take steps to refute the charges and reports
circulated relative to the Dixon affair, q COM
mittee Of fifteen was appointed to draw up an
address to the people OF the country, giving,
from their point Of view d correct account.
The following Ia the report:
Whereas, many false reports have been pro-
mulgated through the newspapers, not only
in this State, but throughout the West, as to
the occurrence which took place here on the
twenty-tifth Of July last and feeling and
knowing that gross wrong has thereby been
done to The people Of this county; now, we,
the citizens Of Yazoo City, as an act OF justice
to ourselves as well rs to the people Of this
county, feel 1t our duty to give true state
1nent Of the affair, as well as the causes when
led to It. The people who assembled here on that
day were no lawless and infnriated mob, but
men of responsibility. intelligence and prop
erty, VI honest vocations, identified with the
prosperity and material interest Of the coun-
and good order Of It's society. a race issue
had been inaugurated by Ill. nj. Dixon,
n man of violent and desperate char
aeter, whose career here has been marked
reckless OF human life and Of the law. This
man was the originator and leader Of this
race issue. or so-called Independent party,
assuming first the name OF independent
Democrats; and was o candidate FOR sheriff
Of the county. The people felt. that II this
course on the part OF Dixon continued. that 1T
would sooner or later culmlnate In ACTUAL and
bloody conflict. Our best citizens looked with
glomy forebodings to the recurrence of the
scenes of anarchy, strife and bloodshed which
marked the race contest Of 1875. They con-
template with horror the saturnalia 81 law
lessness, crime and misrl1le which would fol
low the navigation OF such man and his
satellites into the government OF the county.
III avert these calamities, and from an In
stinet of self-protectlon, and to save the
reputation and character OF the county, 70
avoid more strife many citizens did assemble
here on the twenty-fifth OF July. From
their number they sent four unarmed men
to Dixon. who was at his house, TO request
him to leave the county. This he refused TO DO.
Within less than half hour after their re-
turn to the assembly on Main street, some
he would pledge himself to withdraw from
the canvass Three Of Dixons friends, with
one citizen opposed to him. then repaired to
Dixon's house, distant a quarter Of mile,
obtained d card OF withdrawal and We're ne
turning to the crowd on Main street, when
they were met by three gentlemen who in
sisted that Dixon should IN addition pledge
himself not to raise the race Issue again,
which he (Dlxon) agreed to; We deny and
charge the statement as wholly false that
any armed men opposed to Dixon entered or
were near his premises ON that day. No
armed men were In view OF his house during
the whole day. 1t is not true, as stated in the
sensational reports Of this affair, that the
mayor or any one else with shotguns arrested
the mob from crossing his threshold, because
there was no mob at his house. Neither did
the assembled citizens hold parloy with him
They simply througha committee demanded
that he should leave the country, which he
refused to do, and right on the heels Of
this refusal lie authorizes his friends
to say, for reasons set forth In his card,
that he would withdraw. 1t is not be
cause Dixon was an Independent that
OF the strife between the races that he was
snrendpring; because he was appealing to
the preiudiees of the negro and arraying them
In solid body against the whites, and be-
cause his course would have led, as we be-
lieve, to the spilling Of Innocent blood, both
whites and blacks. We declare ourselves op-
posed to mob law and violence. But the Al
mighty has given us the right or self-protec-
ton and self-defense, and the people have
this right and whenever the occasion arises
it should be exercised by the people Ill the
same manner as by individuals. That we may
not be misunderstood, we now declare that VIC
are now and have ever been in favor OF equal
rights to all men before the law, that the
coiored man Is secure In the enjoyment Of all
his rights, and that the step taken by the
white people was I'm the interest OF white and
black alike and that it had no political sig
nificance, as the question was one OF self
preservation; the Democracy OF this county
being at all times willing to submit to the
ballot-box all political issues fairly presented.
RESOLUTIONS.
The following resolution Of J. G. Pewett was
read and adopted
Resotcd, That we heartily indorse and mp
prove the conduct Of DR.. 2. J. Mccormick, as
chairman of the Democratic executive COM
mittee OF Yazoo county throughout the pres
ent campaign; that said chairman and his col
leagues on said committee deserve the ap-
plause and confidence Of the Democratic
party, as well as the entire people Of Yazoo
county, and that we will sustain and support
them i'll the future, as III tue past, TO the ut
most of our ability.
On motion Of DIR. j.. d. Burch 1t was
resolved that the proceedings Of the meeting,
report of the committee and resolution Old. U.
Prewett be published In the city papers.
AN ENEMY TO THE COMMUNITY.
On motion or Dr. J. u. Burch the Vicksbnrg
Herald was declared an enemy to this COM
munity.
On motion the meeting adjourned.