Letter from John E. Meek to Mississippi Governor Adelbert Ames; October 22, 1875

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Letter from John E. Meek to Mississippi Governor Adelbert Ames; October 22, 1875

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People

Ames, Adelbert, 1835-1933 Meek, John E.Rhodes, Travis

Events

Crime Crime--Treason Mass racial violence Military Events--Insurrections Political elections Political elections--Mississippi Voting Voting--Disenfranchisement

Military Units

Mississippi. Militia United States. Army

Organizations

Clubs and Secret Societies Clubs and Secret Societies--Ku Klux Klan (19th century)Mississippi--Executive Department Political Parties Political Parties--Democratic Party (U.S.)Political Parties--Republican Party (U.S. : 1854- )

Occupations

Secretaries

Places

Mississippi--Monroe County. Aberdeen

Social Identifiers

African Americans

Vital Statistics

Death

Page 1

Aberdeen Miss Oct 22 1875

Hon A Ames Gov of Miss

Sir Your correspondent being a citizen of monroe County Miss and a close observer of the political sit-uation of this county & State Is in possesion of facts & Rumors of an Organized plot of the Demo-cratic party of the various countes in the state especially the strong negro counties that are now ruled by Re-publican party—shall no longer rule the White line party after the Nov election The democrats are determined to dethrone republican Rule peacebly ^{Folio I} if they can and forcibly if they must by force of arms They say revolution must follow to change the political statutes of the negro counties in the state Democratic clubs are organized all over the state by counties and supplied with fire arms to be used at a moments warning To repel Republican voters from the ballot box if they will vote the Democrat ticket they will be permitted to vote vote otherwise I have these declar-ations from the lips of Democrats

Page 2

in this county The white liners are to bully to aid the democrats from the white counties To expel the ^{Folio II} strong negro counties to drive out Radical Rule in the future Your corrospondent is aware of the fact That your excellency is powerless in the state to keep laws & Order in the approaching election and give the people a fair ~~chance~~ impartial vote The democrats are canvassing the county now with an artillery force To fire the hearts of the people to action to intim-idate the colored men and white leaders So they can eradicate Republican rule in the various Counties to force the negroes back or vote the ^{Folio III} democratic ticket Rebellion in this state is imminent within the next ten days if your honor fails to supply the necessary protection at the ballot box with federal soldiers To arm the white Militia of the state would be folly in the extreme They are in league with the white liners of the state and negro soldiers orderde out would be considerd a declaration of war of Races

Page 3

Federal intervention is only safe protection to the loyal citizen of the state in this democratic movement to rule or overthrow the state goverment by open hostility to the powers that be their organization over the state is complete to drive republican rule out of the state at the sacri-fice of Human Blood to accomplish political ends

~~Gov~~ Gov Ames you must act promp-tly in this matter or the people of the state will be ruined by open hostility I hope the white liners will reconsider their movements in this contest for supremacy be Just and fear not your duty Human life is at stake I consider it my duty as a good citizen to give you information of the plot against the race and dignity of the state

Respectfuly your
Obt Servant

John E Meek

Page 4

Copy 115

Executive Office
State of Miss
Monroe County

From John E Meek
ad Aberdeen Miss
Dated October 22—1875
Rec'd " 25 " "
Ans " " " "

Subject

Democrats determined to carry the Election by force &c

Adelbert Ames
Govner

Travis Rhodes
Private Secy &c