Carroll free press. [volume] (Carrollton [Ohio]) 1834-1861, 1856-12-04
Despotssm in Virginia.

v
Il Fremont voter driven from tie Stats--his vote
not allOVsd- Letter Of Capt. Stannard Y . 4
Wa noticed, week or Two ago, thsta mer-
chant Of Norfolk, Va, who voted on election
day for Fremont aud Dayton, bad been driven
from the State. We End, in the New Haven,
{ Conn. Palladium oithe 10Th. full statement
Of the case, which We republish 10 full for the
benefit Of those who still have a lingering
doubt as to the tyranny aud desPotism with
which the slsvs-driverS rule Virginia. Here is
the statement Of Capt, Stannsrd u /.
LETTER FROM CAPT. sTANNARD. ao
From the New Haven Palladium, Nov. o..
MEssRs EDIToRs AZ various and some
what incorrect reports are in circulation reSpsc-
ting what occurred at Norfolk, Virginia, in
consequences of my vote in that city at the late
Presidential election, desire to make correct
statement Of the facts. q.
formerly resided at Farhaven, where my
family are now and ever have been; but hav-
ing myself been engaged for several years past
in the commission business in Norfolk, and hAy-
ing paid taxes there. and to the best of my a.
bilitsS discharged my duties as a citizen Of
that place. have considered it my residence,
and in the Spring OF Il 855 offered to vote at
their election. when, upon full statement Of
my case 10 the proper authority, and with their
knowledge that my family wSre here, it was
decided that was entitled to vote theye, and I
did so. t.ga .r
l have never in any way medded with the
subject of SlaVerY-hNving no inclination, nor,
as believed, any right to do so-consequsnt-
ly there has been no i'll feeling toward me on
that account, F.r ,..,.s.
Before the election, many political meetings
we're held in Norfolk. but did not attend any
Of them, nor did converse with any one on
the subject, except on one occasion, 10 answer
to an inquiry made by friend, and then for a
moment only But although neither an aboli-
tionist nor politician, examined the subject
as a question OF duty, for me as we'll as for ev-
cry citizen Of the United States, and made up
my mind that the election of Fremont would be
best for al sections Of the country, and deter
mined 10 vote for him-not dreaming that, un-
der our Republican Government and in the
Democratic State Of Virginia. any one would
question my right to do SO.
On the day Of shs election heard one gen.
tlemSn ask another at the Post Office who he
should vote for, and be replied, "For John O.
Fremont" and the other said he should do so
tcO. They may not have been IN earnest, but l
then supposed that they were. and | had no
reason TO doubt that others would vote the same
way; in the afternoon wrote vote for Ere
mont and Day ton, aud went to the place Of vo,
ting Ny right to vote WAS again examined
and on q statement Of my case it was admitted.
aud I then, as their rules require, wrote my
name on the back Of my vote, and handed It TO
tae Inspector, who as is customary, read aloud
aud FRS! my name, and then the names Of nv
candidates. AS soon as be declared that vo
ted for Fremont, alarge number of voices from
the crowd shouted, ''Haug him, ""Hang him, ;,
and the Inspector handed me my vote and said i.
"There is no such ticket voted here-we can
not receive this" Ireplied, every WE'LL" and
took rny vote again. Some threats. which in
The confusion that took place did not Distinct.
ly understand. were made by those standug
near me. and the presiding officer exclaimed,
"Don't touch this man." and then said 10 two
persons who were. Tprssums. policemen, take
him away from tbs polls"
The officers seized hold of me and hnrried
me through the crowd, and then left ne, and l
proceeded through violent storm of wind and
rain 10 my boarding house, and thence to my
store. l Ailsrwald returned 10 the 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 il not know.
ing by whom tn. vote was offered, aud there
fore speaking freely of it in my presence. -
From chat saw and heard rt the polls, and