The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1889-03-08

ueau. lnlS tecllng was intensified Dy the
consciousness present in the heart of every
one that this base and horrible murder,
while intiicting the greatest wrong and sui-
1erlng upon the children OF Col. Clayton,
had also placed blot upon the good name
OF our State which even the blood of the
guilty could not eilaoe. For years the
progress and development OF Arkansas
have been the source OF the greatest pride
to her citizens. Immigrants are coming
| from all quarters of the Union TO make
their homes with us. The State is increas-
ing in wealth and prosperity; crime has
been punished with a certainty that has
not been surpassed by any State, il, indeed,
the record has been equaled; her public
school system is rapidly developing and
advancing, and her people were proudly
calling attention to all these things aud
boasting Of the orderly and law-abiding
character OF her citizens.
REGULARITY OF THE CASE.
tits, unfortunately, true that murders
are not uncommon under any form of civ
ilization, and many OF the most revolving
| are committed in communities where re-
hnement and cultivation are found, and
where the people consider themselves the
most favored OF the earth. Often the per-
petraiors OF such crimes remain undiscov-
cred and 20 unpublished; aud so it may
prove m this case. But il il should be so,
1t would be strong circumstance TO show
that the murderer was careful to keep his
own counsel, and that the general public
has no idea Of his identity. II this muir.
der is the result OF the depravity OF a sin
gle man, the act OF one individual inspired
by personal malice toward the deceased,
or urged on by the hope OF an advantage
10 himself only, then it takes its place
among, and has no greater significance
than, other atrocities committed from time
to time by bad men. But there is con-
lecture, and there are charges that il is
more than this, and thus this crime ac-
quires unusual prominence in the public
mind
Col. Clayton a Republican, was assassi.
mated while in the act OF prosecuting n
contest for a seat in the House of Repre-
sentaiives held by Democrat. This cir
cumstance gives color to the suggestion
that the killing was done for the purpose
oil putting an end TO the contest; but all
thinking men know that the effect Is, and
of necessity must have been, Just the
reverse. When President Garfield was
killed, at n time OF great party excitement
aud the deepest political feeling, the hor-
ror felt by all was intensified by the fear
that this act might have been the result Of
q conspiracy among disappointed and ma
lignant partisans, or planned by persons
who, consumed by lust OF power, hoped to
reap advantage from the death OF the
President Apparently in that case sue.
cossion and confirmation Of title by death
were certain. How different were the
circumstances from those attending the
killing OF ClaylOnl Here loss and injury,
not profit, both 10 Mr.. Breckenridge and
the Democratic party, were the certain
result OF the crime; and yet the world is
asked by men, themselves in public life.
10 believe that our public liio has sunk so
low. our public men are so base, and our
people are such hypocriles and idiots
as to do deeds like this with such a pur-
pose in view.
The charge Is most readily accepted
whore least Is known OF the people Of Ar
kansas Those who thoroughly under
stand the people Of that State, their nature
aud characteristics, will feel an abiding
confidence, an absolute conviction, that
the murder Of Clayton was the act OF some
poor wretch moved by considerations
wholly personal TO himself.
TuE BALLor-Box TuErT.
In November last, at the Congress :. nal
election, when Mr. Breckenridge aud Col.
Clayton were opposing candidates,a ballot.
box was stolen and destroyed at Plummer.
vile. This box was claimed by Col.
Clayton TO have contained 572 Re-
publican and l25 Democratic votes.
Allowing this claim, aud dcducting
this majority OF Az for Clayton at this
box from Breckinridgc's majority In the
district, Breckenridge was still elected by
800 votes. But II was the destruction OF
this bnlioi.box, aud not the votes in IL,
that furnished the real ground OF this
contest.
feel safe and justified in saying that
there was never nj any time, after the ro-
turns were In, doubt in the mind OF Mr..
lircckinridge, or any OF his friends, OF his
fair, legal aud honest election. That the
other side had doubts may be safely in
lcfrcd from the fact that no notice OF con-
test came to Mr.. Breckenridge for long
while; not, In fact, until IL was apparent
that the next House would be Republican.
Even with Republican House the friends
OF Mr.. Brockinfidge felt no uncasincss "a
10 tho result They were perfectly sure
that-oyen admitting Col. Clayton's entire
claim ~ TO this boX-the number Of votes
claimed there was wholly insufficient 70
establish C.ayton's right 10 the seat; hence
what was going on there gave them NO
particular concern.
But there was party who We may nat.
urally believe, watched the proceedings OF
Col. Clayton there with feelings Of appre-
hension. That party was n man OF
men engaged in the destruction Of the
ballot-box, aud who stood In feaI
Of the ponitentiary. While Clayton
was collecting evidence In his con
test he is said 10 have been
attended by Adjective, and no was
doubtless, patiently aud pcrsisiently fol
lowing up every clew that could lead {,
the punishment Of the perpetrators OF ia,
outrage. There WIS something additiona
TO the search after votes. The guilty, o
course, would naturally keep close watcl
upon these things, aud whenever they
found themselves being hemmed In
partly, perhaps, from belief that no on,
else knew as much m Clayton, and that &
kill him would lessen the dancer Of dctec
ton, and partly TO crafty feeling OF 70
, vcnge against the man who, they felt
, was upon their track and following then
i pcrsistenuy, they doubtless killed him
. The instances are many where an effort Il
, conceal one crime has led 10 others; an,
/, this, ! submit, Is tho most reasonable
hypothesis upon which this murder cal
, be accounted for.
. THE cHARoL on POLITICAL ASSASSINATION
D know Il has been charged that this wa
political assassination" II by this I
. meant only that the act OF the criminal
D for which he alone Is responsible, was con
. ! nected with political matters a. In the cas-