New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1880-04-29
TILE MINSLSSLPpL PIN.


We do not know why anybody should be as
tonishcd on learning that the Governor of Mis-
sissippi has appointed to a state Office citizen
of Kempcr County who is under indct
ment for his share in the ChisOlm massacre;
and yet the elevation Of Mr.. Philip Gully to
most of profit does shock the general sense of
the country The story Of the murder of Judge
Chisolm and his son and daughter has boon
fully told, and no one has much doubt respect
inc the nature of the crime or tho behavior OF
the chief actors in it. The narrative Of Mrs.
Cbisolm gives O vivid picture Of Philip Gully
rushing into the III! at the head of the mob of
butchers and when Chisolm Is shot down, by
the side of his murdered son and his heroic
daughter, We have n glimpse of Philip Gully
raising his club to strike at tho man who hats
already received his death wound. Henry Gully
was tried for his participation III this affair." and
promptly acquitted by a sympathizng jury of
his fellow citizens and 1t was so plain that
public opinion i'll Kemper County would not re-
gard political massacre as proper subject for
treatment by the criminal courts, that it seemed
hardly worth while TO go on with, the indict-
ment against Philip. The only result of the
prosecution was to establish that the mob which
killed the three Chsolm5 was composed Of
"the best citizens of Kempcr.C County"
The best citizens, it is to be presumed, will
deem the bestOwal Of an Office upon Mr.. Philip
Gully either a reward of merit, or a recOmprnse
for the trouble he has been put to by being in
dicted, or vindicatiOn, in advance of tho YER
dict of jury. In any case it will meet with
their hearty approval, for 1t is certainly cqIiva-
lent TO an official vindicaiOn of their own con-
duct. Governor Stone has given them to un-
derstand that lie considers the verdict of last
September a proper one, and the killing of the
Cbisolms an affair which reflects no discredit
upon anybody concerned in it-GXCGpt of course
the miserable CMsolm family 1t was a mere
incident Of the Mississippi Plan, and such dis
turbances will take place until Radicalism il
driven out of the State. If the Governor had
gwen an Office to Henry Gully, it might have
been said that the man, having been legally de-
clarcd innocent, had some claim to considcra-
ton on account of the expense and anxiety of
his trial. But he makes his action much more
pointed by comforting the honor upon Philip
Gully, who las been indicted and not tried.
This cannot be interpreted as q recOmpcnse to
a man wrongly accused of committing n Grim
inal act it is an official approval of the act it,
self.
If the best citizens of Kemper County COM
mend the Chisolm massacre and the Governor
of the State agrees with them, we may take it
for granted that their views will be studied with
interest in those parts of the South where the
Mississippi Plan has not yet been adopted i'll its
full extent. They have made their demOnstra-
ton in time. A lively political campaign is at
hand; the "best boys" need encouragement I;
the Radical agitatOrs need warning. We shall
look for stirring season; and if there are any
more men of Judge ChisOlm's stamp in the
South we advise them TO have themselves
appropriated without delay, and to send any
daughters they happen to have a regard fO1 to
some place of safety.