Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1882-09-06
THE RED NEGRO.
An IneendIary eOlOred Priest Who Halls
from Tennessee. and Who In
YItes His
COIOred Brothers aud Sisters TO XIII the
Democrats and Take Possess
sion of Things.

SHELBY, ALA, September 1.-The Har
perzyllle correspondent OF the Shelby Sentine
writes that that usually quiet village wa.
| considerably excited a few DAYS ago over tn,
performance of a "frisnd and brother,
known in this community as the "red negro
About two weeks ago this negro made hi
appearance in our midst, laiming TO be
Catholic pries:. His peculiar dress, a reC
uniform with yellow gown, attracted crowd
OF negroes wherever he went, and it coon be
came evident that there was some mischie
brewing. Last Tuesday it was reported tina
he won speak to he negroes at the negro
church about one mile east of our villas,
that evening, and some of our citizens de
termiued TO hear him and find ouf what hs
was after. Accordingly at the appointed
time they repaired to the church, where they
found quite a large crowd of negroes assem-
bled, listening 10, and vociferously applaud
ing, The incendiaTy utterauces OF said "~pTiest.'
He told them he was a native OF Tennessee
but had been living for the last ten years il
the North; that he belonged to the Garfield
and Arthur club, and had been sent down
here, with 300 others, to organize them into
companies and otherwise prepare them for
The reception of the arms which the people oil
the North would furnish at the proper time.
That the Democrats must be killed out
and their property divided among them-the
negroes. That this country properly be-
longed to the negroes and they must have it.
That the negro women had been at the wash
tub for the white women long enough; the
time had come for a change. That the peo-
pie Of the North would back them, and
Sherman's army was ready to come TO their
assistance whenever they made the strike.
This and many other foolish things ne told
them. And it is said that all his illusions
to killing out the Democrats, dividing the
property and putting the white women 10
the washtub, they would cheer and yell like
hyenas.
You can imsgine, Mr.. Editor, the excite
ment such utterances would cause in our
community. AT one time it looked as il
Judge Lynch would hold court that night in
spite of all that could be done, but wiser
counsel finally prevailed. I. ]. Martin,
Esq, issued a warrant for the arrest of the
incendiary, and he was cent TO Columbia
and lodged in Jail.
Selma (Ala.) Times EditoriaD.
When we examine his language we find
nothing abnormally foolish in il. The ideas
be advanced are natural enough as coming
from a negro to be used for effect on negroes.
1t is true that his statements are absurd and
impossible of carrying out, but they are none
the less dangerous in their tendencies and
indicative of a shrewd craftiness on the part
of their disseminator more brilliantly dema-
gogue than ever Malone has demonstrated
His peculiar garb was likewise well calcu-
lated to serve his ends. From a prominent
and intelligent citizen who saw him and
talked with him for some time we learn that
he wore red calico pants and a long yellow
gown, not a buster. Near each shoulder in
front he wore crosses. He claimed to be a
Catholic priestt TO be educated, and endeav-
ored, says our informant, to talk French,
though he failed miserably. He said he had
been living North ten years, and had been
sent down here with 800 others to organize
the Republican party. All of this is very
natural and plausible. His sensational APP
pearance, conduct and Language were sure 10
engage the attention and enlist the sympathy
of his race. He may be mad, but there is
plenty of ground for believing that there is
method in his madness. He may have told
the truth in his shrewd attempt 10 deceive
examiners into putting him down as crazy.
There may be a scheme on foot by long
headed Republicans TO reorganize the ne
groes, TO get them to the polls in mass once
more, in order that if there is a Republican
majority in the next Congress, any number
of Southern members may be counted
out upon some sort of ground.
We are very glad that more prudent
counsel prevailed in Shelby, and that our
Stale is spared the disgrace OF another lynch
ing that might be warped by the par
tisan Republican press Of the North into a
political move. The Republican campaign
ers are a. their wits end for material for use
this fall, and will readily seize any pretext
for exaggeratiou and Islander. Oar people
have been very patient and circumspect in
the past, considering their tempting circum-
stances, and they must be all the more so in
the future, il they wish to forward the bright
prospects of the National Democracy. The
Shelby negro is out OF the way of doing fur
Their harm, and any others resembling him
that appear should be treated with the same
judicious moderation.