Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1856-11-24
(From the New Haven Palladium, Nov 49,
A Fremont Voter Driven From Virginia

LII I'm rNOM CAfIs STANDARD.
Messrs. Editors: AS various and somewhat
incorrect reports are in circulation respecting
what occurred at Norfolk, Virginia, in conse-
quence OF my vote in that city at the late
Presidential election, l desire to make cor
rect statement of the facts.
have never in any way meddled with
the subject of STRENGTHENING no inclina-
ton, nor, as l believed any right to do
so-consequently there has been no ill-feel-
ing toward me on that account.
but although neither an abolitionist nor a
politician, L examined the subject as a cues
ton of duty, for me as well as for every citi
zen OF the United States, and | made IN nv
mind that the election of Fremont would he
best for all sections of the country, and deter
mined to 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 election, heard one gentle.
man ask another at the Post Office who he
should vote for, and he replied, "For John
Y. Fremont" and the other said he should
do so too. They may not have been in ear
nest, but then supposed that they were, and
L had no reason to doubt that others would
vote the same way in the afternoon 1 wrote
q vote toT Fremont and Dayton, and went to
the place of voting. My right to vote was ex-
amlned, and admitted, and | then, as their
rules require, wrote my name on the back of
my vote, and handed it to the Inspector, who.
as is customary, read aloud, first my name.
and then the name of my candidates. AS
soon as he declared that l voted for Fremont,
large number of voices from the crowd
shouted, "Hang him." and the Inspector
handed me my vote and said, "1here is no
such ticket voted here-we cannot receive
this. replied, every WELL" and took nv
vote again. Some threats, which in the con-
fusion that took place did not distinctly un
derstand, W ere made by those standing near
me, and the presiding officer exclaimed
"Dont touch this man, and then said to two
persons who were, 1 presume policemen,
''Iake him away from the polls
The officers seized hold of me and hurried
me through the crowd, and then left me, and
proceeded through violent storm of wind
and ram to my boarding house, and thence to
my store. l afterward returned to the house,
and when at the supper table L heard per-
sons speak of the vote which had been of.
tered at the polls for Fremont-those who
spoke of it not knowing by whom the vote
was offered, and therefore speaking freely of
1T III my presence. From what l saw and
heard at the polls and what was said at the
table, was apprehensiye that had misun
derstood my rights as an American citizen,
and that had, though unconsciously, so Of
tended public sentiment by my vote as to be
IN danger OF popular violence, and therefore
went from the table to my room and then
locked the door.
Soon after, l heard some one inquire for m e,
and the landlady sent servant to nv door.
to say that gentlemen wished to see me, On
learning that he was alone, invited him in
to my room, and he said that he came by re.
quest of another person, (whom he namedO to
ask me if had offered to vote for Fremont
replied, "Yes." He then inquired, "What
was your motive ;" And l told him that |
eonseientiouely believed it my duty to do so.
he then said 81 am requested to advise YOU
not to appear in the street to-night," and
replied that should not go out of the house.
he retired, but soon after returned and said
Mr.. f. wishes to see you at the door" told
INN that should not leave my room that
night but II Mr. +. wished to see me he
might come to my room. He then left me and
another person came to my door, and inform.
ed me that Mr.. L. was not at the front door.
but that several men whom he named were
there, and | knew those men to be some of the
most desperate characters in Norfolk.
This was in Rthe evening, and by the citv
lamps could see from my window collec-
ton of persons in the street, whose numbers
increased till late in the night, and l heard
thoI threats of violence to my person and de-
struction to my property. Toward morning
tre occurred, and an engine passed near by,
which drew after it a portion of those around
the house, and attracted for time the atten.
ton of others, and l took the opportunity 10
leave the house unobserved and went to a.
place OF concealment. While in my hiding
place, some friends took pains to ascertain
whether it was prudent for me to appear again
In public, and they found such a state of ex
citement and evaporation existing in conse-
quence of my vote that my life would be in
danger if Twas 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.
Early in the morning oi the second day af.
ter my unfortunate vote, | escaped from the
city by an unusual route, and in disguise. aud
made my way to my family; aud / hope how
that when the excitement has passed, / NAV
safely return to Norfolk, at least to remain till
can settle up my affairs in that place.
TIMOTHY SrANNARD.
Fairhaven, Nov. II, 1856