Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1856-11-27
From the New haven Palladium, Nov. Is.


the late presidential election, desire TO
make correct statement of the facts.
formerly resided at Fair Haven, where
my family are now, and ever have been, but
having myself been engaged for several
years past in the commission business in
Norfolk. and having paid taxes there, and to
| the best of my abilities discharged my
duties as a citizen of that place, have con.
sidered it my residence-and in the spring
of 1855 offered to vote at their election,
when, upon foil stateInen of my case to
the proper authority, and with their know
ledge that my family were here, it was de-
| cided that was entitled to vote there, and
did so.
have never in any way meddled with
| the subject of slavery-having no irclina-
tion, nor, as believed, any right to do so
consequently there has been DO ill-feel-
ing towards me on that account.
Before the election, many political meet
ings were held in Norfolk, but | did not at
tend any of them, nor did converse with
any one OIL the subject, except on one oc-
casion, in answer to an inquiry made by
friend, and then for moment only. But
although neither an aboltionist or a poll
tician, examined the subject as question
Of duty, for me as we'll as for every citizen
of the United States, and | made up my
mind that the election OF Fremont would be
best for all sections of the country. and de-
termineG 10 vote for -him-not dreaming
that under our Republican government and
in the Democratic State of Virginia, any
one would question nv right to do 50.
On the day of election, heard Zone gen.
,lemah ask another at the Post Office, who
he should vote for, and he replied, 'for John
G. Fremont'-and the other suiC he should
do so too. They may not have been in
earnest, but then supposed they were, and
had no reason TO doubt that others would
rote the same way; and in the afternoon
wrote u vote for Fremont and dayton, and
went to the place of voting. My right to
vote was again examined, and Oh state
ment of my case it was admitted, and then
as their rules require, wrote my name on
the back of ny vote, and handed it to the
Inspector, who, as is customary, read aloud
first nay Edmc.& ;ben lie names of my cam
didates. As soon as he declared that vol-
ed for John c. Fremont, large number of
voices from the crowd shouted, 'hang him.
'hang him. and the Inspector handed me
nv vote and srid, sThere is no such ticket
voted here--we cannot receive this re-
piled, very well,' and took my vote again.
Some threats, which in the Con 'usion which
took place did not distinctly understand.
were made by those near me, and the pre-
siding officer exclaimed. Don't touch this
man., and then said to two persons who
were, presume. policemen, take him away
from the polls
The officers Sc ized hold of me and hurried
NE through the crowd, and then .eit me and
proceeded through violent storm of wind
and rain to my boarding house, and from
thence to my store. afterwards ssreturned
to TIE house, and when at the supper-table,
| heard persons speak of the vote which
had been offered at the polls for Fremont
those who spoke of 1t not knowing by whom
the vote was offered, and therefore speak
ing freely OF it in my presence. From what
saw and he ard ut the polls, and what was
said ct tie table, | Was spprchensiye that
had misunderstood my rights as an Am"ri-
can citizen, and that had, though uncoG-
scicusly, so offended public sentiment: by
my vote as to be in danger jof popular vic
lence, and therefore went from the table
to my room, and locked the door
Soon after heard some one inquire for
me, and the landlady Sent a servant 10 my
door to say that gentleman wished to see
me. On learning that he was alone, in
vited him to my room, and he said that he
came by request of another person (whom
he named) to ask Tile if had offered tcsvote
for Element. | replied Yes He thea
inquired What was your motive!' And
told him that conscentiou>ly believed il
my duty to do SO. He then said, j am re-
quested TO advise you not to appear in the
street Tonight and | replied that shonld
not 90 out oi the house. He retired, but
soon alter returned, and sal Mr.. F. wishes
to see you at the door, | ,olj him that
should no; leave MY room that night, but if
Mr. +. wished TO see me he might come TO
ms room. He then lei me, and another
person come to my door and informed mel
that Mr. F. was not at the front door, but
that several men, when he named, were
there; ami knew those men to be some OfI
the most desperate characters in Norfolk.
Th's Kus in the evening, and by the city
iamys could SEE from my wind.w sol'ec-
ton Oh 2ersous in the street, whose numb
ers lncreao,d Till late in the night, and ]
heard their threats OF violence TO my per-
son and destruction to my property. To-
Wards morning fire occurred, and an en-
gne passed near by which drew after it a
portion of those around the house, and at
tracied for time the attention of others,
anC took the opportunity to leave the house
unobserved and went to a place of conceal
ment. Willis. in my hiding place some
friends took pains to ascertain whether it
was prudent for ME to appear again in pub
lie, and they found such state of excite
inent and evaporation existing i'll conse-
quence Of nv vote, that my life would be
in danger if | was discovered They also
found that the customary routes of travel to
the North were closely watched, although
many believed that had already left the
City.
Eartv in the morning of the second day
alter my unfortunate vote, | escaped from
the city by ar unusual route, and in dis
guise, ard made my way 10 my family; and
| hope now. that whel the excitment has
passed, may safely return to Norfolk, at
least to remain until can settle up my
affairs in that place.
TIMOTHY STANsARD.
Fair Haven, Nov. 18th, 1856.
Three Cheers for Buchanan, Sla-