The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1886-03-27
CARROLLTON'S MASSACRE
RROUGHT TO THE ATTENTION
OF THE SENATE
And 70 the Particular Attention Of
Republicans as Coed Campaign
Material.

no Information in regard 10 Iuose w
currences; but newspapers OF both
political parties seemed to agree about
them. According to these reports,
canton and unprovoked crime had
been committed, resulting in the death
~ a large number OF citizens in which
ali the victims were OF one race, and,
he presumed, OF one political party,
and Ali the murderers Of another.
Such occurrences, unfortunately, had
been Of frequent occurrence, but when
investigated were apt to take polit-
ical. turn. Persons defending or
apo'oRizing for them said they had no
nolitita nj significance. Still the TACT
Tem aimed that 1t was the opponents OF
the Democratic party that were killed
and that adherents OF that party were
muIderers. This DILL wss to supply a
method OF inquiry which would be
removed from politics.
A Triumph OF Southern Civil
EatiOn.
St. Louis Globe Democrat The re-
voting details OF the recent massacre
at CarrolltoD, Mics, have been placed
before the country in complete aud
conclusive form. There is no room Tor
doubt as to the facts, and the people
most Interested do not appear dis
posed TO derry or evade them. 1t is
conceded that the trouble which came
10 such CORY and hideous climax had
its origin some months ago in com
mon "altercatiOn" between young
white man and colored man over a
matter of trivial character, concern
ing nobody In the world bat the two
persons mentioned. For some reason,
SrOtheT young man interfeIed in the
matter, snd q street fight followed,
this second young man striking the
first blow, and several shots we're fired
and several persons wounded
Arrests were made ON both
sides; and when the colored men
were brought TO tiial, an armed posse
OF about 100 white men appeared in
the court room and shot tsn OF the
prisoners dead and wounded eleven
others, several Of whom have since
died. No white man was hurt 1t 10
alleged that one OF the prisoners be-
gan the firing when the mob entered
the room, but IL is hardly reasonable
to suppose that men arTaigned for
trial were permitted 10 retain their
weapons--and the truth Is, manifestly,
that the victims met their fate with
ont the least chance Of self-protection.
III there was ever an ocCurrt nee
which should have arouse d the gem
eraI Indignation OF a community and
causel prompt aud vigorous steps to
be taken for the vindication of out
ragged law and decency, this was clear
ly one OF that description. The sim
pie fact ia, however, that the murder
era, having completed their CHASTITY
work, were perm tied to depart with
out mo esta.ion or protest, and no ef-
fort has since been made to bring
them TO justice, or even to secure
legal investigation OF the matter. ln-
deed, Il is impossible to get any one
% reveal their names, aud II is init
mated that witnt sses could not DO in
duced to identity them and give EVIL.
dence against them undo any ciTcum-
stances. The local officers are not
moving finger in the Gaze. No notice
has been taken of the affair by the
Governor OF the State. The people
are said to "deprecate" the
calamity, but they ave all agreed at the
same time that the cllored men were
wholly to blsm and brought the terri
BILE stroke upon themselves by their
truculent aud 0enacing behavior, and
that they were bad lot anyhow'
Everything Is now properly quiet in
OarroltoD, II ia cert ti5d the court ha'
resumed the orderly discharge OF itf
functions; aud society feels relieved Of
great strain of suspicion and appre
hension as to "nigger outrages."
Those good and charitable persons
who are fond Of urging that the South
10 making rapid advances in civilEr
ton, and that lew years OF Demo
cratic rule will serve to silence for
ever the FLANDERS Of wicked Republi
can newspapers with respect to it's al
legged ba, b lrism, particularly in th'
matter of the treatment OF coloreC
citizens, will do we'll to study and tx
plain this startling episode. Their
Ia no dispute ABOUT any OF tho i'm
portaut features OF the transaction
II stands practt ally acknowledged q
deliberate and relentless massacre
The men g ain were in the hands o
the law, and willing TO answer III
ClhIkOn upOu Nnltu Nuuy hah boOi
brought into court. There is nothinI
to show that there was any fear Of
failure Of justice in the pending trials
on the contrary, there is reaso
TO infer that the utmost penalt
of the stan tes would have bee
applied in the event OF convit
ton. Twen y.two prisoner, unde
judicial projsCtion, and ready to a
cept the consequences of regular judi
ment upon their acions, We're suC
denly shot down like 30 many Haval
beasts In the presence OF Judge an
Jury, on general principles and In ii
Interest Of boated regard for II
welfare Of society. That is the stor
plainly told; and the people wi
ehould have spared no exertion
purge themselves OF the dishonor tn
brouQht upon them failed to stir
slsp IN that direction not only, but q
tually justified the crime, aud mig
as we'll have held a mas meeting ~
passed resolutions OF thanks to the
eassine.
In strict sense, this spectacle
no connection with politics. New
theless, there is CERTAIN measure
political ti1nlticance attached to
which should not be overlook
Carrollton is the capital Of Carr
county, which has a populate
or had wkeo the last census v
taken, Of 1872. OF this populatl,
1881 are white and 1881 are colorst
and at tie last Presidential elect
the coun'y pollsd 1884 votes
CLEVELAND aud 6S7 for Bane. Tn
must be few poor white men in I
locality who vote the RipubliC
ticket; hat grantiI that there is
one. ii il most remaI ksble 70 d. d t
almost 10000 90 ortd people cant o
637 Repuoicsn votes, while lees Z
5000 white men cast 1884 Drmocri
votes. The Caro- lton outcheTy !