The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1888-01-21
THE JACKSON ELECTION.
WHAT A LOCAL PAPER HAS TO SAY
slpfas ABOUT 1T.
How the Grand Jury Shut Its Eyes to
Information Within Easy Reach = A
Very Bold and Manly Position Taken
and vigorously Asserted.
Prom lhc yoeksan iMIeAl AdyertIscr.

From the Jackson lMlsA) Advertiser
The report Of the grand jury Tor what
passes for it) made to Judge Wharton 8
court" on Saturday, will strike many citi-
Gems with surprise II not with wonder and
amayement. IL closes in these words
Now, your honor, the emphasis with
which You, in the close OF your charge to
this jury. called attention TO an editorial
in the Daily Advertiser, making sweep
ing charges against the citizens OF
jackson in regard TO the late city
election and in view OF the earnestnesa
with which you demanded that this grand
Jury should carefully make investigation
into all matters affecting the electors or the
purity OF the ballot box. We regret that
the requirements Of our oaths have pre-
vented us in pariicularizing the extent OF
our inquiries in this behalf. We can say,
however, that we have laboriously and
carefully inquired into the matter and cx-
amined all persons, VI both races, that we
could hear OF, likely 20 throw any light
upon the subject, and we have wholly
failed tn find any evidence whatever Of
any intimidation or tampering with the
ballot in tho recent city election except
what is known as the "Rod Circular, ]"
30 much talked Of and for this document
no responsible author could be found. IL
seems To have been the conception OF some
irresponsible person or persons, and we
have been unable 81 find any evidence Of
it's having exercised any influence in the
election"
We had not intended 10 refer 10 the city
election further, for when the campaign
closed although W. did not and cannot
indorse the methods employed 10 carry any
election. still M friends Of ours and friends
of our friends were conceded the majority
IL votes cast, we acquiesced in the result
aud intended las we do now 10 support
the administration Of Mr.. Henry.
The manner of reference 10 the advertiser
In the report has made II incumbent upon
MS TO say few words in justification Of our
position, and the entire correctness OF the
comments we made upon the election.
Every statement made in the advertiser
is susceptible Of proof by tho evidence Of
some of the best men in this city, and
whom the advertiser spoke OF the facts as
almost universally known in this city, II
Was done In no spirit Of III will or malice,
but Just criticism upon the truth and facts
as presented.
The report when Il says ian editorial In
The D0iiy ddr,TtSr making sweeping
makes misstatemcnt. The advertiser did
no such thing. Tho Advertiser made no
charges against the citizens Of Jackson"
We charged that the means rusorted 20
were wrong. unlawful, unwarranted aud
Evolutionary, and deprecated the condi-
ton Of Affairs into which the city and its
people had hcen plunged by the furious
bowling ol an uncasOning set Of people
We didnOt indorse the purpose declared
10 commit crime in order TO carry the cleo
ton, and the wholesale warfare on the
colorcd people and the acknowledgements
by threats II violence Of the whole regis.
tered colonel vote 81 this city. Does the
author OF that report think any one, even
the most vordant, will believe, or would
believe that $50 colorcd men,
all OF whom had taken the
pains and trouble "a register displaying
that much mOrc interest than many Of the
white citi1cnsl would not vote, not one
single man Of them, unless something ter
rible were feared by thcm7
Does not every mhn In this community
know that the origin and inception Of the
movement wis hostility 10 the negro, and
the whole population saddled with the
blame and male responsible ior the act of
ono drunken negro1 Il this fact disputed
by any one7
Did not the representative organ Of all
the meetings rcpublish the circular the
irresponsible person" issucd7 The au.
thor and source II that rcd circular" Is
perfectly well known-who got Il up,
where Il was printed, and who distributed
them upon the streets. IL ia known
that the red circuar' was printed
In the hctf H,Srlssippidn with the
proceedings Of the Democratic convention
and the proceedings Of the committee of
one hundred" altogether, and 10 give the
proper Endorsement, nj the end oi these
published proceedings the statemcct IL
made: Ordered, that the Ncw MSis,ip-
plan be sent 10 every Democrat in Kinds
county until after tic election"
Was all this inquired into 10y the grand
jnry7 Who did the Jury examiner Did
they send Cor some gentlemen whose
names wec given thcm2 Or did their
'labors" and "inycstigations' conino In.
quiry only to persons Who knew nothing
One Of the grand jurors was on the
committee ON resolutions and four or
five were on the ''commiitcc OF one hund.
red" We would like to know II any OF
these gentlemen we're present at the meet.
ing whom the statement was made publicly
that II negro attempted 20 vote 10 catch
him by the back of the neck and kick him
away from The polls, and II nnv resistance
was Offered tbon let the trouble Begin"
Fifty men can h. iounI to testify 10 all
these measures Of fraud and intimidation
and other cocrciye measures against whites
~ well "a blacks Our impression Il that
many witnesses could have been had 10
have clearly shown the true facts Of the
case, but thcir not being called before the
Jury h matter ~ conspicuous omission
Oi duty.
No one has ever charged anything about
the ballot box The votes pollrd wcn
honestly counted and returns proporly
made, but The crimes against the "pnrity
81 the ballot, q fpc and laiF election ami
desperation 81 purpose Ear beyond either
necessity or oxpc,lcncy wcrr committed
before the day oi election.
The means and measures can never lie
Justified by right thinking, conservative
mon. and shon the grand jury under.
takes 10 afrnigp M on a fllso accusation
aud nj the same time whiicwush publicly
indonscdAnd published conduit Of others.
u iryscns ms aspect 60 the community
alike ludiciow aud imbccile.
The emphasis" with which Oils
Honor rnNc change 10 this Jury" I,
about as Indicative ~ the violent karinpue
lac made NJ one oi the revolutionary ucpt.
ings during the campaign.
II seems Ia fact that the court and many
Of tho jury aud roun uiliurts ig,yc the
honorable exception 81 he district nttnr.
neyl "eni part oi tlit lace" 10 yinIirnte
the great embarrassment which nov gur.