USA > Arkansas > The aftermath of the civil war, in Arkansas > Part 14
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fund. In the case when this clue was found in the upper part of the State, I had no money and I couldn't use the contingent fund. I had no means to send anyone."
13 Contested election case of Clayton vs. Breckinridge, p. 560 -Governor Eagle: "I took that letter to Colonel Breckinridge and he gave me $100 to apply on that object." Contested elec- tion case of Clayton vs. Breckinridge, argument of Mr. Breckin- ridge, p. 13 -- "I gave the Governor some money, I gave him $100 and asked him to use it in following up this clue."
14 Contested election case of Clayton vs. Breckinridge, argu- ment of Mr. Breckinridge, p. 15-"I told the Governor of my expected absence and asked him to estimate what amount of money he would like to have before I left to meet any contingencies during the summer. I told him not to restrict himself, for I would take the stump before leaving and raise him in the Second District alone any sum he would say he needed, whether it be $1,000, $5,000, or $10,000."
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CHAPTER VIII
PEACE AND PROSPERITY PRODUCED BY MARTIAL LAW
Martial law having been revoked, the question now naturally follows: What were its general effects, not only upon the counties subjected to it, but, with the ex- ceptions referred to, upon the entire State?
On November 26, 1868, twenty-one days after mar- tial law had been declared, the following call was issued "To the Democracy of the State of Arkansas" for a mass-meeting or convention to be held in Little Rock on January 8, 1869, signed by Robert A. Howard, Chair- man of the State Democratic Committee, and twenty- nine other prominent Democrats :1
"The present state of political affairs in Arkansas being such as to suggest a fear of anarchy and blood- shed, and feeling assured that the Democracy of the State, constituting an overwhelming majority of her white citizens, desire peace and quiet and a fair, just, and economical administration of the state government, and admitting that a decent respect for the opinions of others, as well as justice to ourselves, suggests that we should give some public expression of our sentiments and an avowal of our purposes and desires in the pres- ent emergency, the undersigned invite a mass meeting of the Democracy of Arkansas at the city of Little Rock, on Friday, the 8th day of January, 1869."
Evidently when this call was made it was expected that the assembling of the convention would be in the
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midst of great public turmoil, but the events that had intervened between the call and the date of the meeting were such as to convince the Democratic masses that such a convention was unnecessary; hence, for lack of dele- gates, no convention was held. The Gazette in refer- ence to this failure used the following language :2
"We note a few delegates in the city, but the repre- sentation is by no means general. We are not apprised as yet what their action will be, but shall report it in full when the convention shall assemble."
The convention never assembled, and this failure, I believe, clearly showed that the Democratic masses at that time were content with the results of the opera- tions of martial law and opposed to any further attempt to overthrow the state government by Ku Klux methods. That they were dissatisfied and tired of being "led around by the nose" by the party organ and its coterie of Ku Klux bosses is plainly indicated by the following extract from the Fort Smith Herald ( Democratic), published in the Gazette, February 19, 1869 :
"Now, Mr. Editor, we Democrats have been badly sold, and that too by the laymen of our own party, and by the Gazette, that assumed the right to dictate to us in all things pertaining to politics.
"In the first place our 'central committee' issued a mandate through its organ, the Gazette, forbidding us to vote for the constitution, and the leaders of our party took up the note and told us of the degradation that would attach to every one who would take an oath to support the abominable instrument."
The martial law policy, after its revocation, soon de- veloped unprecedentedly prosperous conditions, a most
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striking contrast to those prophesied by the Gazette and the Ku Klux Democracy throughout the State.
Every lawyer knows that in the trial of a case testi- mony favorable to his client, reluctantly drawn from the witnesses on the other side, is more effective to his cause than if given by his own witnesses. On that principle I shall leave out the many articles from the "Republican press" relative to the prosperous conditions following martial law, and reproduce from some thirty articles I have selected from the Democratic press of the State the following extracts, commencing with the Gazette, its star witness :
"May 22, 1869. Little Rock. It has been grow- ing like the trees we planted in our younger days, while we slept. The village has spread into a town, the town is expanding into a metropolis, and the real change, now that we see its magnitude, has taken many of us by sur- prise. . . . Northern capitalists have already been at- tracted here, and have invested largely in city property. They foresee the rapid increase of Little Rock and the large volume of trade which is to flow from the comple- tion of its vast railroad connections. They are taking time by the forelock and investing at low prices where they have a greater chance of making a surer profit, at less risk, than they have anywhere else."
"July 31, 1869. The wages paid to negro laborers in the cotton fields of Arkansas far exceed the wages ever before paid to labor anywhere, except in Califor- nia during the few years after the first discovery of gold. Labor to-day in the cotton fields of this State is more remunerative, realizes more to the laborers at the end of the year, than any prices now paid in California, or elsewhere. We are glad to be able to make the announcement. It is evidence of a prosperity introduced by the culture of a staple which must be used by the world, whatever the cost of its culture. While its cul-
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ture pays high wages to the laborer, it is seen to be remunerative also to the employer. The inevitable result is a general prosperity hardly to be found elsewhere among industrial classes."
"September 24, 1869. Our City-Her Prospects.
Nor indeed are these the only evidences of pros- perity. On every hand we witness a spirit of progres- sion seldom equalled by any locality. The erection of new business and dwelling houses, every direction, is so rapid and extensive that we fail to keep pace with them. The increase in the number of business houses is so great that, although perambulating the streets daily, we are unable to keep properly posted as to their number and business. It is unprecedented; and we, in common with the transportation lines, were equally surprised at the unusually large shipments of goods to this point. With all the facilities that were afforded, and they have heretofore been considered ample, it was found neces- sary to charter several extra packets, and even with that merchants naturally and justly complain at the delay in the delivery of their freights."
"February 15, 1870. Around the City [Little Rock]. It would be too tedious to enumerate all the new houses that have recently gone up, or are in course of erection in and around the city. An imposing edifice is the Blind Institute, which is nearly completed, and adds an- other lasting ornament to the city. From this point to the river via St. John's College we find new dwellings springing up as if by magic. The grading of Rector Avenue, which we believe is soon to be commenced, will be an addition to East End that will add much to the appearance of that portion of the city. On the corner of Orange Street and Rector Avenue we observe that Dr. J. M. Lewis, Commissioner of Immigration, is erect- ing a fine dwelling. As we near the river the beautiful edifice, Kramer School House, meets our view and com- pletes our rambles.
"We have not mentioned the many dwellings and busi-
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ness houses that are going up in the city. They are equally numerous. The new addition to Sherman Street schoolhouse has made that a handsome and commodious building, in keeping with the wants and necessities of a growing population. The evidences of improvement this year are even greater than they were last. 'Onward' is the watchword. We have cause to congratulate ourselves upon the bright prospects we have before us."
"July 12, 1870. Our City-Progress-Railroads. For nearly ten years our city [Little Rock] has been harassed by constant strife. When we remember all these things her progress is most wonderful. Her popu- lation has increased to about five times its proportions in '60, her industries, manufactures, banking facilities, and commerce have kept pace with her population. She can boast of her steam saw and planing mills, employing over 300 hands-her foundries, brick machines, and scores of business houses."
"December 15, 1870. Improvements. So rapidly does our city [Little Rock] expand and fill up with new houses and population that it is almost impossible to keep pace with the improvements that are constantly in progress. There are no idle mechanics in the city who desire work, and their pay is better than in any other Southern city. This of itself should be a good lesson to young men who lounge around the street cor- ners too indolent or too proud to learn a trade. A good mechanic, sober, industrious, and reliable, can always find work, particularly in a progressive town like this."
"August 5, 1871. Improvements. The Watchword is Still Onward. We are undoubtedly safe in the asser- tion that no city in the South presents the same degree of activity, or gives the same evidence of thrift and progress as this [Little Rock]. Business houses are no sooner commenced than they are engaged, and no sooner finished than they are occupied. New houses are con- stantly opening,-new businesses started,-new peanut stands opened, and bootblacks on the increase. Our busi-
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ness has almost doubled the past year. Immigrants con- tinue to come and fill up our town; in fact, there is such a bustle and hurry and going to and fro as was never witnessed before during the summer months. Business has been good all the year, -- at least, good in compari- son to other cities. Manufactories are on the increase- indeed everything is upward and onward."
"March 4, 1869. [Extract from Clarksville Demo- crat. ] The Clarksville Democrat says that in the Clarks- ville land district there have been, up to February 26, 500 homestead locations, and that by the end of the current quarter the number will exceed 1,000.
"'We are now entering upon a career of prosperity that is destined to bring an immense immigration to this and adjacent counties. We notice that since last fall circuit court there has not been a single suit instituted in either the common low or chancery courts of Johnson County, to the term which meets third Monday of March. Lawyers talk of going to farming. The cotton crop of 1868 for this county was about 2,250 bales ; besides there was the greatest abundance of corn, wheat, and bacon for all necessary purposes. At the present time there is in the hands of the people of the county about $100,000, after having paid up last year's credits and bought sup- plies sufficient to make the next crop. Our merchants are all in good credit, prosperous and making money fast, but are apparently ignorant of the fact. Our farmers are hard at work preparing to make the coming crop, which it is estimated will exceed 3,500 bales of cotton, together with breadstuffs, bacon, etc. Last, but not least, there has not been a single crime committed in our county since last circuit court. Our people seem cheerful, and if let alone, are willing to bear the burdens of their taskmasters, - pay the heavy taxes, protect them- selves, keep the peace, and build up a prosperous com- munity.' "
"May 27, 1869. [Extract from Clarksville Demo- crat. ] The Clarksville Democrat notes that several sub-
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stantial buildings are in course of construction in that pretty and prosperous little city."
"October 6, 1869. [Extract from Helena Monitor (Democratic).] One of the most encouraging signs of the times is the increasing demand for lands. From our real estate agents we learn that inquiries are daily made on this subject, and that quite a number of transactions have taken place at prices which indicate a very active feeling and confidence in the future of our county. The demand is local as well as from abroad. The colored people are beginning to realize the beneficial results of their diligent labor, and many of them are seeking to invest their surplus moneys, providing homes for them- selves and their families."
"November 18, 1869. [Extract from Eldorado Southern ( Democratic) . ] The Eldorado Southern ad- vocates the organization of an agricultural society in Union County. There has been a marked change in the appearance and business of Eldorado within the last twelve months. This time last year we had but two dry- goods stores in operation, now we have four. One year ago there was little sign of improvement, and now we shall see signs of improvement all around. There have been two new business houses erected this year, and old ones are being repaired and remodeled. There is con- stant demand for lumber, and the sound of the hammer can be heard from sunrise to sunset, day after day. These are signs of returning prosperity."
"December 9, 1869. [Extract from Hamburg Times (Democratic) . ] The good order generally prevailing in Hamburg is becoming the pride of the citizens and the admiration of strangers. Public opinion is over- whelmingly in opposition to all disorder, and all that is necessary to execute the law to the letter and to make the town pleasant and agreeable is a continuation of just such an officer as we now have.
"The labor and industry of no people on the face of the earth have been more richly rewarded than that
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of the people of our county during the present year. Crops of all kinds may not have been as abundant and as large a yield as before known, but they have been remunerative and the supply is sufficient for all practical purposes. Surely, then, there is much to encourage every good citizen to increased diligence in the cultivation of social relations, strict obedience to law, the enforcement of good order, and that untiring industry and rigid econ- omy that tends so much to make a nation of people indi- vidually and collectively good, wise, great, and inde- pendent."
Having produced this evidence from the Democratic press, I shall now conclude with evidences from other sources. I quote as follows from the report to the Sec- retary of War from Gen. J. A. Mower, commanding the district of Arkansas, December 14, 1869:3
"Owing to the action of the Legislature in providing for an organization of militia, and the proclamation of the Governor declaring martial law in November, 1868, which was followed by putting the militia in the field, the civil authorities of the State have made themselves re- spected; and the laws can be executed without much diffi- culty. This end was reached mainly through the decided action of His Excellency, Governor Clayton, assisted by the United States troops when called upon. Comparative quiet has prevailed and the troops have had nothing save routine garrison duties to perform."
United States District Judge, Henry C. Caldwell, who was present throughout all the disturbed conditions, was at first opposed to my martial law policy. His final conclusions will be clearly shown from the following correspondence. I quote from my letter to him, under date of January 8, 1913 :
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"You will doubtless remember that after the con- clusion of the contest you wrote me a letter frankly stating that you had at first been opposed to my martial- law policy, but that its beneficent results in the estab- lishment of peace and order had caused you to change your views, upon which results you heartily congratu- lated me. I do not undertake to give the language of your letter but this was about its purport. Will you en- deavor to recall what you then wrote me and either con- firm my recollection as above stated, or state in your own language now the opinions you then expressed, au- thorizing me to use it in the publication, if I so desire."
From his reply to this letter, under date of February 20, 1913, I quote as follows :
"Your recollection is in exact accordance with the facts. I did write you a letter confirming my error and congratulating you and the people of the State upon the happy outcome of the policy you pursued. I will add that about the time I wrote you the letter referred to I had a conversation with Mr. Justice Miller of the Supreme Court of the United States, in which he com- mended your course in the highest terms, declaring you were the only Governor in the reconstruction states who had the courage and sagacity to pursue the right policy and enforce the laws and maintain the peace of the State against all lawless and illegal combinations by the vigor- ous exercise of the lawful powers of the State, instead of appealing to the President to send Federal troops into the State for that purpose ( as other Southern Governors had done), which would have been a confession of weakness that would have encouraged, strengthened, and protracted the lawlessness, instead of putting an end to it."
Mr. Justice Miller of the Supreme Court, to whom Judge Caldwell referred, then had circuit court powers
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which included Arkansas. He was in Arkansas during nearly all the time martial law was being executed, and was well informed as to the conditions preceding its dec- laration as well as to the conditions and results of its operations.
From the official report of General Porter to General Grant, under date of December 26, 1868, I extract the following comments as to the opposition to martial law by General Smith of the United States Army, command- ing the troops there, and his change of views experienced later :4
"The entire conservative wing of the Republican party was opposed to the declaration of martial law, including General Smith, United States Army, command- ing the troops .... It has, however, accomplished much more than the most sanguine expected, and General Smith acknowledges that the Governor's policy was better than his, and that the results would fully justify the action of the former. The Governor is now disposed to relieve each county from martial law as soon as it can be done. The Governor is certainly a man of intelligence and nerve and has labored under difficulties that would have de- terred a less able officer."
There now also became apparent marked evidences of security to life.
I suppose there was not then in the State a more unpopular man than I was among the Ku Klux masses; yet, having given ample notice of my intention to visit the localities that had been under martial law in the territory south of the Arkansas River, I filled these ap- pointments, commencing at Lewisville in the southwest corner of the State, and spoke in the various counties where martial law had been in existence, ending at Monti- cello; traversing all together a distance of 406 miles, with
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no one to accompany me except Gen. Keyes Danforth, who drove the buggy in which we rode.
In each of the places where I spoke I emphasized this fact as an argument and illustration of my confidence in the peaceful disposition of the people now that they had been freed from Ku Klux terrorism. I assured them that martial law had not been proclaimed to punish individual Ku Klux, but only those who were making direct war against the State Government and those who had been charged with the commission of capital crimes, and that my object was to relieve the people from the terrorism of that organization,-a terrorism that was produced by desperadoes acting under its arbitrary dictates. Upon such assurances I indulged the hope that all good citizens would exert themselves to the utmost to sustain the local authorities.
At each of these county seats I was assured by all classes of citizens of their determination to render to the county officials such aid and support. I believed then and I believe now that these assurances were generally given to me in good faith and were afterward so car- ried out.
At Monticello occurred an incident that touched me very much, although it originated from a very humble source. It had rained the day previous to the speaking, and in going across the street to the speaker's stand I left a very clear imprint of one of my feet in the plastic mud. An old negro went into his cabin and procured a spade with which he marked a slab and then shovelled up a sufficient amount of the mud to leave my footprint undisturbed. This he afterward allowed to dry in the sun and kept in his cabin as a memento of my visit to Monticello. The negroes felt that by my efficient meas- ures I had given them a second freedom and secured them from intolerable outrages.
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At all these appointments the people turned out almost en masse, and treated me with the utmost respect.
FOOTNOTES FOR CHAPTER VIII
1 Published in Arkansas Gazette, November 26, 1868.
2 Published in Arkansas Gazette, January 8, 1869.
3 War Department Doc. No. 7-1467, S. A. G. O., 1869.
4 Memphis Evening Post, January 8, 1869.
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CHAPTER IX
IMMIGRATION
Closely akin to the evidences of peace and prosperity which I have just described is the great influx of immi- gration which followed, and which was too pronounced and indicative of the prosperous conditions not to be brought to the especial attention of the reader.
Both parties in Arkansas favored immigration, but were widely divergent as to the character of the immi- grants sought, and the rights and immunities of the newcomer as compared with the old citizen. To eluci- date the Democratic view, I will present a few extracts from the Gazette, as follows :
"November 1, 1866. . . . One of the most terrible results of the war is the destruction of the labor system of the South Our people are particularly attached to the plantation system, which has prevailed heretofore among us. The introduction of a foreign element as laborers will tend to destroy this ancient system .. . "
"January 19, 1867. . . . We want them [immigrants ] to bring with them labor and capital, and not a stock of political morality to force down the throats of sup- posed barbarians. We desire the greatest amount of industrious energy, with the least possible amount of politics . . . . "
"January 22, 1867. It is to be desired that the ownership of the soil of our State remain for the greater part in our ancient population and their descendants, as
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the proprietors of the soil give the tone to the character of the people of a community."
"October 4, 1867. . .. Those who have lately come to our State and have adopted it as their future homes, if they are the right material, will not be forward to secure public offices . "
"January 19, 1870,-Chinese Immigration Move- ment, -- The Republican, quoting the Gazette:
We certainly do not feel disposed to combat the influences at work to encourage such a movement. But if the negroes of the South-who have, homeless, penniless, and naked, brought her out since the surrender to her present condition of prosperity-were their own friends, the friends of the country, and our friends, instead of lending themselves body and soul to those whose only object is to oppress and devour them and us, we should most strenuously oppose the introduction of Chinese laborers into this once pure and proud republic."
Undoubtedly the underlying motive for this effort to bring in Chinese laborers was to punish the negro for having abandoned the control of his old master, and to regulate the conditions of his employment and the scale of wages to be paid him.
On February 11, 1890, upon the invitation of the "Mystic Valley Club" of Boston, Mass., I delivered a speech on the "Southern Question," from which I quote as follows :
"In Arkansas there is a county named Woodruff, where lately an immigration society was organized, the first act of which was the making of a 'black list' of Republicans, white and colored, who were to be boy- cotted and driven out, which resulted in a large emigra- tion, some perhaps returning to their former northern
------- -- ------
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homes, thus swelling the northern-born citizens who have left the south, as referred to by Mr. Grady [in his Boston speech upon the same subject]. To fill the vacancies in the fields and elsewhere, caused by this exodus, this immigration society employed an agent, whose pros- pectus I hold in my hand, in which, after recounting the natural and other advantages of Woodruff County, he uses the following language :
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