the principles of that
civilization which was planted at Plymouth Rock.
JOSEPH E. ROY.
* * * * *
EXPULSION OF NEGROES FROM MARION, ARKANSAS.
It is not our custom to publish details of alleged outrages upon the
colored people at the South. We have no wish to stir up strife by
recalling memories of the past, or by giving incidents of recent
aggression against the helpless. But this case in Marion is free from
bloody details and is a simple illustration of the determination of
the white people to maintain their sway in the South.
The simple facts in the case are, that in Crittenden County, Arkansas,
of which Marion is the county town, the population is chiefly colored,
the ratio being seven negroes to one white man. For several years the
office of Judge of the County and Probate Court, and the Clerk and
under officers of the court, were colored men. The more important
county offices were held by white men. On a given day, fifty or more
heavily-armed white men appeared at the county seat and drove from
their offices and homes the colored officers named above, together
with the colored local doctor, the lawyer, the schoolmaster
of the colored school, the editor of the colored newspaper and a
number of other prominent colored citizens.
The farther details of the transaction are given in a thoughtful and
calm article in a recent number of The Independent by Rev. B.A. Imes,
the colored minister of the church at Memphis, Tenn., under the care
of this Association. We give below all of the article that relates to
the facts:
THE CRITTENDEN COUNTY OUTRAGE.
BY THE REV. B.A. IMES.
From the bluff at Memphis we look across the river, where along the
western shore stretch the forests of Crittenden County, Arkansas, and
Marion, about fourteen miles from Memphis, is the county-seat. The
story of the recent banishment of fifteen prominent colored
office-holders, professional men and farmers has gone to the world.
The whites, well armed, took their game by surprise, bagged and
shipped it without bloodshed. Now the "empire is peace" they say,
although for a time terror reigned among the startled colored people.
With a Negro population six or seven times as large as the white, it
is not strange that the County Court Judge, the County Clerk and his
deputy should be Negroes, nor that they should aspire to other places
in public life.
Unfortunately, as all witnesses agree, Judge Lewis and Clerk Fe
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