Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1902-07-28


preacher"
Springing on the platform of the judges
desk he looked over the crowd for q mo-
ment, and cheer shook the building.
Boys, I don't believe there's a single
coward in our ranks" Another cheer.
Just keep cool now and let our enc
miles do the talking. In ten days every
man OF you VIII be back at home at HIS
work"
How will we get out with the writ sus-
| pended?" asked a man standing near.
That's the richest thing of all A Uni
ted States Judge has just decided that the
governor Of the state cannot suspend
the rights of citizen Of the United States
under the new 14th amendment to the
constitution so recently rammed down
our threats. Hogg is hoisted on his own
petard. Our lawyers ere now serving out
writs OF habeas corpus before this federal
Judge under the fourteenth amendment,
and you will be discharged in less than
ten days unless there's a skunk among
you. And 1 don't smell one anywhere"
Again a cheer shook the building.
An orderly walked up to the preacher
and handed him q note.
what is it?"
Read it, The men crowded around.
Read IL, Major Cameron, I'm dumb"
said the preacher.
"a military order from the dirty rascal,
Berry, commanding the mountain bum
mers, forbidding the Rev. John Durham
to speak during his imprisonment;
A roar of laughter followed this an
nouncement.
That's cruel! It'll kill himT cried Dea-
con Kline as he Jabbed the preacher in
the ribs.
In a few minutes the preacher was back
in his place with five Of the best singers
from hts church by bis side. He began
to sing the old hymns Of Zion and ev-
cry man in the room Joined until the
building quivered with melody.
Now a good old Yankee hymn, that
suits this hour, written by an old Bap-
fist preacher 1 met in Boston the other
dayl" cried the preacher
"My country tbs of thee,
Sweet land OF liberty.
OF thee sing!"
Heavens how they sang II, while the
preacher lined II off, stood above them
beating time, and led in a clear mighty
voicel Again the orderly appeared with
a note.
tary order No. 2, forbidding the Rev. John
Durham 70 sing or induce anybody to
sing while in prison."
Another roar of laughter that broke
into a cheer which made the glass rattle!
When the soldier had disappeared, the
Rev John Durham assembled the platform,
looked about him with humorous twin
kle IN his eye, Strengthened himself to his
full height and crowed like a rooster!
cheer shook the building to its founda-
tions Roar after roar of its defiant ca
derce swept across the square and made
Haley and Perkins tremble as they look
ed at each other over their conference
table with Berry. 4..
what the DEVILS the matter now?"
Haley.
"Do you suppose it's a rescue?' whis-
pered Perkins.
'No, it's some new trick Of that damned
preacher. I'll chain him in a room TO him
SELF" growled Berry.
Better not, colonel. He's the pet of
these white devils. Ye'd better let him
alone" Berry accepted the advice.
Five days later the prisoners were ar
raigned before the United States judge,
Preston Rivers, at Independence. Not
scrap of evidence could be produced
against them. Governor Hogg was pres
ent with flaming military escort. He
held stormy interview with Judge Riv-
ers.
of you discharge these prisoners. you
destroy the government Of this state, sir!"
thundered Hogg.
Are they not citizens Of the United
States7 Does not the fourteenth amend
ment apply to a white man as well as a
negrof" quietly asked the Judge
Eyes, but they are conspirators against
ons."
'Then prove II IN my court and I'll hand
them back to you. They are entitled to
trial, under our constitution"
"I'll demand your removal by the presi-
dent" shouted Hogg.
"Get out of this room, or TIL remove you
with the point Of my bootp' thundered the
Judge with rising wrath. "You have sus-
PENDED the writ of habeas corpus to win
a political campaign. The Ku Klux Khan
has broken up your leagues. You are fight
ing for your life. But I'll tell you now,
you can't suspend the constitution of the
United States while I'm a federal Judge
in this state. I am net henchman OF
yours 10 do your dirty campaign work
The election is but ten days on. Your
scheme Is plain enough. But II you want
TO keep these men In prison It will be done
on sworn evidence Of guilt and war
rant not on your personal whim."
The governor cursed, raved and threat
ened In vain. Judge Rivers discharged ev-
cry prisoner and warned Colonel Berry
against the repetition of such arrests
within his Jurisdiction.
When these prisoners were discharged, n
great mass-meeting was called to give
them a reception in the public square Of
Independence. A platform was hastily
built in the square and that night 5000
excited people crowded past the stand,
shook hands with the men and cheered
TIL they were hoarse. The governor
watched the demonstration in helpless
fury from his room IN the hotel.
The speaking began at 8 o'clock. Every
discordant element of the old south's flu
rious political passions was now melted
into harmonious unity. Wing and Demo-
crat who had fought one another with
relentless hatred sat side by side on that
platform. Secessionist and Unionist now
claspcd hands. Il was a White Mans Par
ty, and against II stood IN solid array the
Black Mans Party, led by Simon Le-
gree. .. %.
Henceforth there could be but one issue,
are you a white man or nesro7
They declared there was but one ques-
ton to be settled: .. eli. .....
shall the future American be an An
glc-Saxon or mulatto?'
These determined impassioned men be-
lieved that this question was more i'm
portant than any theory. of tariff or
finance and that IL was larger than the
south, or even the nation, and held in
ifs solution the brightest hopes Of the
progress of the human race. And they
believed that they were ordained Of God
In this crisis to give this question its first
authoritative answer.
The state burst into a flame of excite
mcnt that fused in fits white heat the
whole Anglo-SaXon race.
In vain Hogg marched and counter
marched his 10000 state troops They only
added fuel to :he fire. II hey arrested
a man, he became forthwith a hero and