Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1856-04-03
Gross Outrage-The Spirit of Slas
very Observation-Disclosures
Ruffianism."


We find the following letter in the last
number of the Ironton Rec lister, one of the
best and mos: reliable papers in Souther
Ohio. Judge R.ckard, the writer, is one of
the most respectable in that county. What
are we coming tot Where will the rampant,
aggressive spirit of Slavery stop!
QUAKER Bo TTom. o, 1856.
Mr.. Editor: For some weeks past the
people of this vicinity have been holding
meetings to consicer various matters Of
public interest, prominent among which were
the moral character OF "negro stealing" the
rights and privileges that should be en-
Joyed by our colored population, and the cou-
dition and needs of the people of Kansas.
These meetings have been attended by
persons holding diverse views nn the different
topics discussed, but the object was free dis
cusson, and all who felt disposed were inv-
ted to participate.
On last Friday evening at the close OF one
si these meetings, whe n most OF our people
had dispersed, we were assailed by bard Of
men from Virginia, armed with clubs. We
were not suspectiug such an attack and were
entirely unprepared for it. One of Our men
A. s. Proctor, was assailed by man, first
with club and then With an axe, swearing
he meant to kill him, others shouted "kill
him." "G-d d--n him, kill him." and when
upon the ground struggling with his adver-
sary, he was struck over the head with rail,
and doubtless would have been killed had not
been saved by his friends. Henry Radford
received blow upon the forehead from
rock cutting it very severely. Rev. Mr..
Adams received severe blow injuring him
considerably. A young man, Nathaniel Hall
was knocked down two or three times, others
received blows. ! myself was struck upon
the head with club, prostratiDg me upon
the earth, u:njuring my head considerably,
from which l am now suffering. Although
inferio. in point of numbers and without
weapons, we succeeded in defending our
selves SO that no one was killed, though
the most fend-lke efforts we're made, the
most horrid threats and imprecations uttered,
and yells that were heard at a long dis
tance.
During the affray the moo were hailed
from the other side to know if they wanted
help, thus showing that it was a precon-
certed thing.
They dar ed US to hold another meeting,
saying they would come over in numbers
sufficient to wkip the whole of us. And |
am informed that they now say that if men
enough can not be raised in Guyandotte,
that they can be procured from the country,
and that we must be put down.
Now, why this outrage! What is our Of
fence, Why, we have dared to claim and
to exercise the right to be free men-to
meet. ..and discuss our own way. This is
our constitutional right, our common birth
right, which, if it be stricken down with
impunity nov, no man is sefe. Some of
our speakers have louchedsupon topics not
pleasing to the slave power, hence the
glaring outrage already committed, and
others threatened. Not satisfied with gag!
ging its own people upon the subject Of
slavery, rendering them but half free, it seeks
to impose the same gags upon us, to be en-
forced oy mob violence, and if need be, by
murder.
Is Ohio free State! Is this Christian
country! Do we live among brave and
free people and yet run such fearful hazards
to exercise the rights of free men!
On Friday, the % inst, . o'clock, p.
NJ. there will be another meeting at this
place to consider sour political relations,
and what is our duty in view of past, pre-
sent, and probable futurs events" We
mean to vndicate the right of free discus
sion, which none but bad men and iyrants
dread, or will attenpssto abridge. Truth
never fears investigation, never shuns the
light-while error loves darkness and relies
upon brute force.
While we shall trample upon no mans
rights, we shall maintain our own or die in
the attempt.
The names o. the parties, 30 far as have
learned them, who were engaged in psrPe-
trating the outrage, are Thos. Burlington,
VIM. Burlington, Henry Milstead, l.. Peters,
Isaac Ong, Joseph Gardner, besides many
others / DO not know.