The New York herald., 1879-09-01
THE "YAZOO PLAN"

The official organ CT the state of Mississippi. the
Jackson Clarion of August ~. in addition to long
and entertaining paper. by Mrs. Harriet Beecher
Stowe. concerning sour Friends in Heaven." pub
fishes tho following defence Of the "Yazoo plan,
practised by Mr.. Barksdalc:-
AS an important chapter in the history Of the
Yaxoo affair We have published the solemn declara-
ton OF the citizens OF Yazoo county, i'll mass meet
ing assembled The proceedings were had while II.
NJ. Dixon was yet alive lie proves by his own adj
missions that he was not lit person to hold the re-
sponsible Office of Sheriff Of the county We need
not repeat what there solemnly entered rs the
deliberate judgment of the Intelligent law abiding.
peace loving people of that county The address
contains statement that could be denied. and.
Stunning it to be true in every essential.
the good people OF Yazoo will stand before
the world triumphantly vindicated. Unscrupulous
partisan detaners may say what they willard
in sy m ysn ea
truth will ITSELF and the people of that county
whatever falsifers and slanderers may say, viii
carry in their bosoms the selfsustaining conscious
ness that before God and man they did right.
1t further insists that the antecedents Of Dixon
shall not be discussed. and thus continues:-
The late Mr.. H. NJ. Dixon's military antecedents.
he had any have nothing to do with the merits Of
the issue which he raised with the people of Yazoo
county a fomenter OF strife. law breaker and
habitual disturber of the peace OF tho community.
nor with his personal quarrel with the young
who met him i'll u fair combat when torbearance had
ceased to be virtuo.
In an editorial under the caption, "The Yazoo
Array the following is found
We cannot resist the inclination to publish the
following extracts OF private letter from Mr.. James
A. Barksdale to avery near relative in this city.
They relate to the atfray which terminated in the
death of II. NJ Dixon. The writer of the letter. we
will be permitted to add, never engaged in per-
sonal broiis. He is young man OF strict upright
and sobriety noted for the kindness and gentle
ness of his nature. wen for his readiness to
meet responsibilities courageously and conscieu-
tiously when they arise:-
YAzoo CITY Miss. August %. 1879.
/ grateful for kind words of approval
pathy Higher considerations than those of self
defence If had felt myself overwhelm-
ingy justifaba in the affair Dixon would have lived
far concerned to the end OF time had positive
ledge that he had plotted to assassnnte and that
my life ia constant peril: but he satisfied
with abusing me and threatening my life. He DETAINED
the innocent who dearer to than all others
earth, and who could have had nothing to do with the
issues between him and myself
The time will until in my gravc when any
to wreak his vengeance upon others. defame
them with impunity.
All these shocking things. and many which would
justify in the of any who has particle Of
manhood in his nature, will be brought in the trial
The combat my part fair, and honorable He
had created state of inevitable and responsible
for the consequences am under $1,000 bond after
waving preliminary examination yours,
JAMES BARkSDALE