The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1847-02-13
e o JAMES 4. MORRIS, ED1ron AND PnornIrroa.


he had refused to obey, and deiied his
authority as Regulator. The very be-
ing Of that authority seemed TO require
now that a wholesome example should
be made OF him, for the awing Of all re-
fractiory persons hereafter. The wretch
who was cunning as ferocious, and had
swornin his intnost heart to ruin and
disgrace Long, from the moment that
triumph, now avalled himself remorse-
ly Of all his influence, and knowledge
of the society around him, to accom-
plish it. Several horses now disap-
peared, and robberies sf other kinds,
perpetrated with singular dexterity, fol-
lowed in quick succession. All these
things he managed, through the clamors
Of his scoundrely troops, to have laid,
directly or indirectly, to Jacks door.
But in the popular estimation they
counted as nothing, in fixing the charge
of dangerous malice upon poor Long,
in comparison with one other incident.
About this time not only Hinch him
sell, but every other person who had
made Himself conspicuous, by insisting
upon Jacks guilt, and the necessity Of
Furnishing him summarily, began to lose,
every day or two, valuable stock, which
was wantonly shot down sometimes
in sight of their houses; and it soon be-
gan to, be remarked that every animal
lost in this way, had been shot in Ae
eye! This was instantly associated, Of
course, with Jacks we'll known and Gu
rious predilectio n for that mark in hunt
ing, and perfect storm of Indignation
followed. A meeting was at once con-
vened at ''the store," of which the Plan
ter was the chairman; and at il, by
unanimous vote, resolution was pas
sed condemning Jack Long to be whip
ped and driven out OF the country.
and Hlnch with his Regulators appoint
ed to carry it into effect! He could
hardly contain himselffor Joy; for now,
whatever extreme his pitlless maligni-
ty might choose TO indulge itself in, he
had no fear of after-claps OF question
ing. The meeting had been u mere
form at any rate. But these "formai-
ties" are all-powerful everywhere; and
unsettled and elementary as was the
condition of society here, this rnfiian
leader OF ruflians felt the necessity OF
acting under their SANCTION, though he
hinIself had dictated it. He would and
could have consummated his purposes
without it; but the faint life of consci-
ence within him-by a species of logic
peculiar to i,sef.-felt relieved of the
grievous responsibility Of such q crime.
in the sense of participating with so
many others. Manya man has gone
TO the devil in a crowd, who would, have
l@en horrifyd at undertaking the Jour
ney alone. ..,,. ~, ..-., ....,,,
1t was the third day after this meet
ing. Jack, during all these persecu-
tions, had deported himself with the
most stoid indifference. Avoiding all
intercourse with the settlers, he had
continued to hunt with even more ASST
duty than usual, and was in a great
measure ignorant of the unenviable no.
torety he was enjoying He had heard
something Of the charge with which
his character had been assaiIed, but at
tributed them all to the Jealous enmity
he had incurred at the shooting match.
He could understand perfectly how one
man could hate another who had beat
him in shooting, and thought il natural
enough; but he could not understand
how that hatred might be meanly and
desperately vindictive, and therefore
gave himself no uneasiness about it.
He was only anxious that his wife
should not hear and be annoyed By any
of these things, and preserved his usual
cheerfulness Of demeanor.
He had just returned from hunting,
and laying aside his accoutrements, par
took OF the simple meal her neat house.
wifery had prepared for him; then
stretching himself upon the buffalo
robe on the floor, romped with his two
sy-cheeked boys, who rolled over his
great body, and gamboled and scream
ed in riotous joy around him; but moth
er wanted some water from the branch,
and the frolic must be given over while
Jack would 60 and bring it. So jump
ing up, he left the little-folk pouting
wilfuiiy as they looked after him from
the door, and started. The steam was
only about a hundred yards from the
house, and the epath leading to it was
through asdenss high thicket. IT, was
against jacks religion ever to leave his
house without his gun; but the wife,
whom he loved above all the universe
of sentiment and everything else, was
in a hurry for the water, and the dis
tance was so short,--so he sprang gaily
out with the vessel in his hand, leaving
the rifle behind. The water had been
dipped up, and he was returned along
fhe narrow Dsth closelvG bordered hV