The Dallas weekly herald. [volume] (Dallas, Tex.) 1873-1885, 1883-09-27
rur TROUBLES m TBE EASTERN
gOfisTIEg

rur TROUBLES m TBE EASTERN
COUNTIES.
II IA more than probable that the good
citizens Of Gregg and adjoining counties
have been imposed upon by sensaiionalls's
In their fear Of serious encounters between
the whites and blacks Of that region. Not
wIthstandng the fact that rumo' after ~
NOR Of impending attack and outrage by
the negroes have been started and acted
upon by the citizens In arming themselves
aud gathering their families together ID
places oil safety, no blood so far has been
shed and no collisions have occurred
Where both whites and blacks are armed
heavily as reported and the whole country
In high sta,e 81 excitement, II Dad Diood
actually existed and assaults and outraees
were determined upon, they would
certainly have occurred ere this. The iact
that so far all has been rumor and GORGE
ture and no parties could be found VINO
looked as if they were contemplating
crime, is pretty good evidence OF the iset
that the extent of the trouble has ABOUT
been the scare. 1t is very unfortunate
that such state of affairs has existed, anu
it is certainly 10 be hoped by all the COCO
citizens of the state that nothing further
will result of more serious character than
has been already experienced, and that tEe
whole matter will be suffered to blow over
as a piece Of sensatonalism. Ia 10 con
muniiy In this state are the negroes strong
enough or bold enough to begin any OF
ganized or prec oncerted attack on the whites
The blacks have not the courage, IN the hrss
Mace. and too much sense in the second, TO
attempt SO foolhardy thing, Whle the
white citizens in the eastern counties nave
been arming and preparing themselves ior
bloody work, the negroes doubtless nave
been scared out of their Wits and would not
dare to perpetrate crime for any lnauce-
ment Just at such time. The wonder 10
that solution, an exact determination OF
the extent of the real danger or trouble mas
not been reached long ere this. II instead
of becoming alarmed at rumors OF any and
every wild sort, few leading
citizens had traced each report as
it arose back 10 its origin, ana
for two or three times had definitely ascer-
tanned and informed the public that there
was nothing in them, the whole trouble
would have been quickly allayed. It's OF
course. very difficult to stop or reason
with a crowd when apprehension oil seri-
Gus and common danger takes hold oil II.
The great mistake is made at the start III
not tracing down, to the last source, every
rumor before acting upon it. We regret
that So much of what we cannot but ieei was
needless alarm and Inconvenience mas re-
smiled. The blame res.s with neither Tue
whites ncr blacks as race or factors III VIC
community, but doubtless with the senS'-
tional stories of q few alarmists, baseo
unon the ugly talk OF few vicious
negroes. The magnifying powers OF fu'
NOR we're then brought INTO play ana tne
matter got beyond control. Asa result we
are told that business has been practically
at n stand.still throughout the entire Sec
tion and the citizens heavily inconven-
fenced, to say nothing of the cruel play
upon the fears OF the citizens. ltls az the
most inopportune season OF the year Tor
the merchants and planters that such race
differences have occurred, and it is very
costly difficulty when it stops cotton pick
ing and creates deserted streets In the
early fall. For the benefit OF the citizens
generally in that section, therefore, we hope
that the scare is over and we vtr-
ture to suggest that it would be we'll even
now TO seek diligently for the originators
of the stories and rumors and cruel sensa'
tions that have caused so much cost and
alarm. and created go much distrust be-
tween the two peoples. Those who would
play upon the fears and passions of COM
munity in such a manner. and perhaps
lead TO such bloodshed as would certainly
have resulted had any collision occurred,
ought to be very roughly and summary
dealt with, be they citizens or strangers. As
we view the matter from a distant, dispas-
sionate and unprecedented stand
point. we cannot but believe
that the whole matter was
a cruel, practical joke, the work oil sensa-
tionalists, and we cannot find language too
strong TO condemn the conduct of anyone
who would willlully continue such an ex-
element by msgnifying rumors until
whole section were driven to arms aud
places of safety. The matter is too serious
for laughter or idle report. 1t involves
business, good order, and life and
limb. and we trust sincerely that the
inhabitants OF Gregg and adjoining
counties may not again be placed In
such an unenyiable situation and uneom-
Portable frame Of mind. In all such
emergencies simply let the first rumors be
run down and properly weighed, ana he
danger or the want Of It can be fixed at
once. A very idle tale often leads to very
widespread aud serious complications, and
the sensa,ionaIist can often become the
most costly citizen to AL. that there is in
the community. AZ the reports still fiil to
chronicle any attempts at blood-shed or
crime, we feel justified in saying that the
affair must have originated without -four da-
lion, and does not threaten any trouble
hat should longer interfere with the trans
action OF business or the peace OF mind Of
the citizens, and we hope they will begin 10
take the same view OF it.
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