Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1889-07-12
Obtuseness.


Whether the verdict of the jury in the
Mellow case was right or wrong. people at
a distance know not. There is q mystery
in the case We cannot explain, and a dif-
ference of opinion AMONG tho people OF
Charleston which we cannot understand.
But one thing we all see very clearly-that
those. North and South. who disapprOve
that verdict think that It resulted from
negroes being upon the Jury-nesroes VINO
were there in obedience 10 the pohcy OF
the United States as expressed in the law
of reconstruction.
But this does not seem 20 have been
taken into consideration by the Charles
ton clergy in their protest against the YER
diet. Their remedy against similar one
is. using their own words. and md them
in the DisDaich of July 9th, ITO stimulate
the public conscience by setting forth the
Divine law against the reckless shedding
of human blood, and the curse that that
law entails upon the community when re-
fuses to punish crime"
Now the public conscience resides in
the people. and the people in South Caro-
lima and the jures which represent them
are composed Of two colOrs-whlte men
and negroes and negroes either have no
conscience or 1t is suppressed by other
traits. The fewest possible number act AS
if they had any conscience. and therefore
to " stimulate it," lsnOt
that true. my reverend friends? should
think il wiser TO attempt 20 stimulate the
perception of the North to the conviction
that the command that the negro shall sit
as a iurvman viii produce only strife, and
that continually, and tends 10 breed IN tue
minds Of the people q contempt for the
iurv system. upOn which, Notwithstanding
the sneers Of lawyers and judges the best
and soundest part of the judicial system
depends.
Of piece with this obtuseness is the po-
sition Of the New York Word on the condl-
ton Of Arkansas. when Republican named
Clayton was killed whilst he was contest
ing the election of Mr.. G. Il. Brecklnrldge
to Congress. Summing up the situation 1t
says:
"A man engaged IN Investigating the theft Of a
hallO'-box was assassinated. The whole com
muntty ought al once o. have ret about encou-
raging and helpng efforts 70 discover The assas-
sins. Instead, the people have shrunk panic
stricken from all inquiry. They have permiticd
The guilty men and their friends 10 institute a
silont reign OF terror for the purpose OF sup
pressing investigation. Detectives have been
driven away. Men going on peaceful errahds
into tho region have boon logged night and day
10 manner 20 threatening that they have ned.
Every BODY. from the Judge on the bench 20 tue
village gossip. has be3n made 20 understand
that this crime is not 70 bo inquired into upon
PAIN Of dea b.
"Such state Of things" il adds, as not civil
lizatiou. II IS lawncssneas. barbarism, the ter
ror of savsgery. Nobody eupposes that the PEG
pie Of Arkansas desire this slate OF things, Lut
by submitting they consent 10 10 aud make them
solves responsible for H. hoy permit the Will
Of a land of outlaws 10 override lawful govern
ment. They are responsible Tor That follows.
As the citizens % the State thew should weld
the power u the state. II they permit gang
Of desperadOes to WELD Il instead they must ALI
swer 10 public opinion for what the despeIadoes
do"
Now whether this is civilization or not,
the people Of Arkansas ARE not re-
sponsible" for it. The crime lies at the
door Of the fools and maignants who are
attempting TO force negro equality, which
means negro rule, upon the people OF Ar
kansas. And the people Of that State
will risk the rule of "a gang OF twlute)
despCradOes" rather than accept. without
violent. if YOU choose TO call ii 50, crlml-
nal protest, the luie OF gang Of black
fiends led 10y, or IN combination with, a
gang Of native scalaWags and northern Re
publcaus worse than the negroes they Sc
duce.
When Governor Lee hravely and can
didlv said We would rather be governed by
an army than bv negroes, / do not know
that ne contemplated such "A state OF things
i'm Virginia as the struggle in Arkansas has
developed there. But whether he did or
not. that promises TO be the ultimate end
Of all such efforts in whatever part Of the
South they may be attempted; and such
conflicts viii be tho sign that the people
prefer military rule 10 negro rule. aud that
VIII be the way IN which that rule Will be
invited.
Lately in Texas "A negro officer attempted
to servo legal process on white man /;
and. as consequence. there was IN ARRAY
in which five negroes and four white men
We're killed. At the very same time negro
constable IN Chesterfield county. Va, the
opposite and most remote end of the black
line. served a warrant on 4 respectable and
peaccable white man. who had fought
through the war, and ont Of resentment Of
that sign of subjugation was an ARRAY IN
which Ave white men were involved, one
of whom was killed and one wounded. And,
strange to say. the committing and exam
lining magistrates in the trial that grew out
of the case were negroes, and not protest
was raised against Il by the press or the
people. VIII it be always so; VIII the
patience of a brave, oppressed, and out
ragged people last forever We shall see as
time wears on.
Is it not obtuseness IN preachers and
politicians not to foresee the result unless
IL is counteracted And can it be counter
acted by homiletic protests and pretentious