The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1884-01-24
Mr.. Sherman Introduces a Resolution Au-
thorizing an Inquiry Into the Kill
ing of Negroes at Danville,
The Investigation to Include the Assas-
sinatiOn of Mr.. Matthews.
Lynching of Vermont Republican by
Drunken Democratic Mob, All Of
Whom Escaped Punishment.
POLITICAL MURDER.
Resolutions for an Investigation Into the
Murders of Neprnes in the South.

Resolutions for an Investigation Into the
Murders of Negroes in the South.
WASHINGTON, Jan. 23.-The following pream-
BILE and resolution was offered in the Senate to-
day by Mr.. Sherman:
Whereas Among the expressed objects which the
Constitution of the United States established were
those to establish justice and insure domestic tran
Whereas The Constitution provides for the Sc
curity of all citizens equal civil rights and privileges
and mmunites belonging to the condition of citizen
ship, and that the right of citizens of the United
States to vote shall not be denied by the United States
any State account of race, color, previous
condition of servitude; and further provides that
State shall deny any person within its jurisdiction
equal protection of the laws and,
Whereas, Among the privileges and immunities in
herent in citizenship the rights to peaceaby
semble in congregation upon questions of State and
national and safely discuss the sae and the
right to exercise the elective franchise in every State
freely and without molestation intimidation; and
Whereas A general election was to and did occur
in the State of Virginia, the 9th day of November
Whereas, 1t is alleged and currently reported by
the public press that about the Sd day of No
vember, 1888 at Danville, in the said State large
number of peaceabe citizens of the United States and
said State were violently assaied by organized
body of men, fred upon, and several of them killed
by said armed men, conspiring to affect and with pur
pose of affecting the result of said election about to
occur, by creating, by of such unlawful vio-
lence and homicide state of alarm the part of
peaceabe citizens throughout the State which should
induce them to refrain from voting or to vote differ
emily from previous intentions at said election; and
Whereas, 1t is alleged that all victims of said at
taeks were of one and political party, and all
the assaiants of another, and.
Whereas 1t is alleged that the authorities of said
State of Virginia have not brought any persons
nected with said alleged conspiracy and violence and
homlclCtes before courts OF Justice for examination
and trial, whereby equal rights of citizenship and
equal protection of the laws have not been secured to
all the people of said State, and,
Whereas general election to and did occur
in the State of Mississippi the 9th day of Novem
Der, 1883, and
"Whsreas r. is alleped and cr,rren+lv renorted in
the public press that prior to said election in the
county of COpah, Mississippi there organized
movement by members of one party to prevent mem
bers of another party from voting and to prevent
Free open discussion and expression of political opn
organized plans of terror and vioence that the
used for that purpose were by lawless, organized
mobs moving by night and day assaulting and, in
killing lawful voters with view by terror and
fear of violence to deter others from voting; that this
violence was committed by party upon members
of anotaer party with view deprive the latter of
their constitutional rights extended throughout said
county of Copiah and into portions of other counties
of that State; that part of this general plan and
conspiracy, one j p Matthews, peaceable and law
abiding citizen of Copiah county warned not to
vote, and, upon voting that day at the election
murdered at the place of election by person selected
for that purpose, and with the approval express
implied of the officers of the election, and that no
effort has been made to punish the murderer; that
his killing was subsequently approved by
a public meeting in said town, composed
entirely of members of party, and by such public
meeting it justified and approved and the follow
ing resolutions adopted; Here follows the preamble
and resolutions adopted by the people Of Copiah
county Mississippi Immediately following the killing
of Mathews, and published at the time warning the
relatives of Mathews against njuring Democrats and
expressing the opinion that it necessary that the
Mathews family should keep out of politics. etc and
Whereas it is alleged the authorities of the State
of Mississippi have utterly failed and neglected to pro-
tect and preserve to the citizens of the State equal
enjoyment of civil and political rights, but
have in some cases contributed to their over
throw and failed to punish or bring to
trial persons alleged to be guilty of conspiracy, vio
lenee and homicdes, in disregard of equal rights of
citizenship and equal protection guaranteed to all peo
pie of that State; therefore
Resolved That the committee on privileges and
elections is hereby instructed to inquire into all the
circumstances connected with said alleged events and
into the condition of constitutional rights and securi
ties of the beforenamed people of Virginia and Mis-
sissppi, and report by bill otherwise as soon as
may be- and the committee shall have power to sit
during the sittngs of the Senate and employ stenog
raper."
Objection was made, and the resolution was
laid over one day under the rule 1t is probable
the resolution will be passed by the Senate, and
that subcommittee will be sent to Danville
and Copiah to take testimony The resolution
will be considered tomorrow by the Senate, and
is likely to cause an interesting discussion.