Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1902-07-14
CHAPTER XIV.
THE NEGRO UPRISING.

NEIEkO OEEAlOAANGs
The summer OF 1851! VIII ever a south
ern man or woman who saw IL forget its
scenes7 A group of oath-bound secret so
cieties. the Union League, the Heroes OF
America and the Red Strings dominating
society and marauding bands Of negroes
armed TO the teeth terrorizing the coun-
try, stealing, burning and numbering.
Labor was not only demoraliEed. II had
ceased TO exist. Depression was universal,
farming paralyzed, investments dead and
all property insecure. Moral obligations
were dropping away from conduct, and
gulf as deep as hell and high as heaven
opening between the two races.
The negro preachers openly instructed
their fiocks 20 take what they needed
from their white neighbors. II any man
dared prosecute a thief the answer was
burned barn or home in ashes.
The widest passions held riot at Wash
ington.- The congress OF the United States
as deliberative body under constitutional
forms OF government no longer existed.
The speaker OF the house shook his fist
at the president and threatened openly to
hang him. and he was arraigned for i'm
parchment for daring to exercise the con-
stitutional functions OF his oficel
The division agents OF the Freedman's
bureau in the south sent to washington
the most alarming reports. declaring a
famine imminent. In reply the vindic-
tive leaders levied a tax of fifteen dollars
q bale on cotton, plunging thousands OF
southern farmers into immediate bank
ruptcy and giving TO India and Egypt
the mastery of the cotton markets OF the
worlds
Congress became to the desolate south
what Attila, the "Scourge OF God" was to
civilized Europe.
The abolitionists OF the north, whose
conscience was the fire that kindled the
civil war. rose in solemn protest against
this insanity. Their protest was drowned
in the roar of multitudes maddened by
demagogues who were preparing for a
political campaign.
Late in August Hambright and Campbell
county were thrilled with horror at the
report of terrible crime. A whole white
family had been murdered in their home,
the father. mother and three children In
one night. and no clue to the murderers
could be found.
Two days later the rumor spread over
the country that a horde OF negroes heavi-
" armed were approaching Hambright
burning. pillaging and numbering.
All day terrified women. some walking
with babes in their arms, some riding in
old wagons and carrying what household
goods they could load on them, were hur-
rying with blanched faces into the town.
BY night five hundred determined white
men had answered an alarm bell and as
sembled In the courthouse. Every negro
save a few faithful servants had disap-
peared. A strange stiffness fell over the
village.
Mrs. CASTOR sat in her house without a
light, looking anxiously out of the window,
overwhelmed with the sense Of helpless
ness. Charlie. frightened by the wild
stories he had heard. was trying in spite
OF his fears to comfort her.
Don't cry, mamma" ISL.
I'm not crying because I'm afarid.
darling; I'm only crying because your
father Is not here tonight can't get
used to living without him to protect us"
I'm take care Of you, mamma-Nelse
and me-"
Where is Nelse?"
Hes cleaning up the shotgun"
Tell him 20 come here"
When Nelse approached his mistress
asked:
''HSelse. do you really think this tale
is true7"
mo, missy. I doan believe nary word
uf It. Same time Use gettin ready fur
'em. Ef er Niger come foolin' roun' dis
house ter night. he'll t'ink he's run ergin
er whole regiment hain't been ter wah
fur muffin"
'Nelse. you have always been faithful.
I trust you implicitly
DE Lawd. missy. dat you kin do! I
fight fur you en- dat boy till drap dead
in my tracks"
II believe you would"
"Yessum, cose ! would. En- I wants
dat swo'de er Marse Charles tonight. mis-
sy. en- Charlie ter help me sharpen i'm
on de CRIME stone
She took the sword from its place and
handed II TO Nelse. Was there just
shade OF doubt in her heart as she saw HIS
black hand close over it's hilt as he drew
II from the scabbard and felt its edge! If
so. she gave no sign.
Charlie turned the grindstone while
Nelse proceeded to violate the laws of ma
eons by putting a keep edge on the blade.
''Nebber seed no sense I'm desc duh
swodes nohowr lisa,
why amt they sharp. Nelse?"
f'Doan know. honey. Marse Charles tell
me de law doan low it. but dey sho hain't
no law nowr'
''Wen sharpen It. won't we, Nelse?''
whispered the boy as he turned faster.
Dat US viii, honey. En- den you des