The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1851-03-12

OF each party, Tor both are alike composed
Of men who have no fear, and who will
obstinately do battle. after commencing it.
until they conquer or die.
The information impaired by my shriv-
elled interlocutor paralyzed the circulation
ofmy blood momentarily for even with my
views Of lynching and its immediate sup
porters. did not like TO come in contact
with any ofthe doings of the latter. There
is something horrifying in the idea that you
are about to witness the arbitrary exercise
ofthe selfimposed task of meteing out fair
and impartial justice.
lpaused awhile to recover from the shock
of the abrupt and brief declaration Of
"We're lynchers." lcomprehend the ma
ture OF the business" before spoken Of at
once. Some poor creature had expert
enced the curse OF their displeasure, and
they were on his track! concluded to
quit the spot incontnently. TO stay there
and he pained--or bored il not panied
by beholding cruel execution, or scene
OF savage torture, would lend no lustre to
my character, or aid me to dispose of my
goods.
"You're lynchers." answered, (alter
tipping wink at Jim). ''Then this is no
place Tor u.s."
Why?" cried rather than asked, our
tormenior.
business is better accomplished in pri-
vate by the individuals interested therein.
1t don't become US to remain here and be
acquainted with your proceedings.
But you can't 60 now," said the little
man.
Cant go!"
"No--you will be benighied in the for
EST, and chawed up by the varmints, or
murdered by the Indians, fyou do"
"That." | promptly answered, "s risk
we all expect to run. 1t will be but prop
er penalty for venturng to thrust ourselves
among you so unceremoniously. We shall
depart, now, without delay"
"We cannot permit you 10 leave u.s."
said the little man, firmly, after scrutiniz-
ing US keenly.
= "Why keep US here!"
at is the wish Of the company, there.
fore sit down, and swear you will not in
terlere in what may transpire, or breathe
Il word Of what you see and hear to o liy-
ing soul" .a.
u,..Swear!" exclaimed Jim, interroga.
"Yes, or shot, you can take your choice"
And the diabolical skeleton grined like a
demon.
Finding demurrer would be Of no a.
vail we doggedly succumbed to our fate,
and took the proposed oath, the lynchers,
while we did so. handling knives, as though
they would like no greater amusement than
that Of cutting our throats, or chopping us
into inch bits
We learned after undergoing this COM
pusory asseveratng ordeal, that they had
waited to take The sense Of the meeting,
what was to be done with U.S.
Their final resolve was as | have demon
strated it. Perlous enough had been our
position. when our lives depended upon the
mere caprice Of few of our fellow beings,
and was saved by their vote.
We were now told that they aUere in pnr-
suit Of a cuprit, and that the cabin before
us was his abiding place. They had
tracked him during fortnight The Of
fences charged upon him were murder and
horse stealing. They had had his hut in
a state of seigo for some days. All this
time he had maintained an obstinate ST.
lence, and had evinced no desire to CON-
promise matters, or TO give any satisfaction
whatever. Their original determination
was 10 starve him out, but this they had
changed, and were now going to bring
him out, or burn him with his own ten
ement. As there was no prospect of his
falling short of edibles, shuddered at the
spread out before my mental
vision. Escape there was none. We
could only remain, and endure whatever
dismal scenes destiny should provide for US.
The business Of the day was commence
ed by the lean man, who went to the door
and Numbered at it with the breech of his
nuslset. We waited breathless for an an
swer, but none came.
Again the breach Of the musket was
applied to the door, and this time with an
accompanying exclamation, that any hear
CT WOulu nave ueCidTCu, Cdtilc IIohI tilc
throat Of no cherub.
"Hallo! within there!" screamed parch-
ment face.
No answer.
1--WE shall set fire to the cabin if you
don't Immediately come forth" he con,in-
ued.
Still no answer.
"We are in earnest you may depend"
resumed the speaker.
Yet there was no answer from within.
"You are aware that we can break this
door through in FIVE minutes. Be wise and
come forth, or we shall burn the cabin, |
tell ye."
But they might as well have discoursed
to air. 2e.
"Boys, fire upl" commanded the little
man, after waiting few seconds to as
certain what effect his domestic eloquence
had produced. a a