Anti-slavery bugle. [volume] (New-Lisbon, Ohio) 1845-1861, 1859-04-23
q o III III II
THE RUINED BALLOT BOX.

Nh CDlToR:-l me iourth OF April being the day
for the election Of township officers, in Charles.
town, and feeling that l had n right to vote not
wi.hssanding my dark complexion, l went to the
poles and offered my vote, which was rejected. l
insisted on my right to vote, but in vain. Ono Of
the judges being absent, l waited until he return,
ed then went back and offered my vote again,
which occasionsd considerable discussion, in
which the by.tanders generally took part, most Of
whom were opposed to my voting. Some two or
three were in favor of it, among whom was Fred.
erick Loomis. l claimed that I was a citizen of
thei q States, and had been a resident Of
Charlestown over ono year, ard that there was
nothing in the statute to prohibit me from voting,
which says that all white male citizens over the
age of twenty.ons. may vote, but does not say that
colored ones shall not. 1t also says that minors,
and persons that had been convicted of a heinous
crime, should not vote. I tod them that l was
not among these minors, nor these criminals, and
insisted on my right to vote, until l obtained il.
Democracy, which had vigorously opposed it in
the discussion, then walked of, cursing and swear.
ing as though it was greatly insulted. 1t after.
wards concentrated itself in the person of one DR..
Heath, a man who stands indicted, by the Grand
Jury. for selling liquor by tho dram, and thus
spreading misery and crime broadcast through
community. This DR.. Heath entered q criminal
prosecution against Frederick Loomis, claiming in
his affidavit, that Mr.. Loomis had aided, assisted.
and abeted in procuring IN illegal vote, knowing
it to be such. The affidavit was filed before Jus.
tice Sslby. Il is due to the Justices Of Charles.
town, Ravenna, and Freedom. to say, that none of
them would so lower their dignity as to issue a
warrant. consequently the matter was tried before
Mr.. Selby, of Paris. The parsie, met on the 18th.
John L, Rannsy. of Ravsnna, appeared for the
State, and o. P. Brown, Of the same place. for the
defendant. Mr.. Ranney rose and made o state.
ment, to which MIR. Brown replied, that he thought
that the Union would survive, although q negro
had voted in Ohio.
The witnesses. on the part of The State, were ex.
amined, item in number.) four of whom knew
nothing about it. and tho other six swore that they
heard Mr.. Loomis say, that he believed that l had
as good a right to vote as he had, and that there
was nothing in the State to prevent it; such be
expressed as his candid opinion. This was oil
that the State proved. Mr.. Brown said as the
State had failed to prove his client guilty of the
charges set forth in tho affidavit. he should present
his evidence, and make a motion that his client be
discharged. lie made the opening plea, with
much earnestness and ability. He said that this
case had no precedent on record, and that il was
one of great importance. When Mr.. Brown took
his seat, Mr.. Ranney rose and made a lengthy plea.
He took of his coat, gesticulated furiously, and
cried at the top of his voice, ''nigger," dark, black
Niger" and BLACK, dark Niger; black as the ace
OF spades. &sp TO-, also abusing defendant and de-
fendent's counsel. Much of his argument was
more indicative of q street-loafsr, than q member
of the bar.
lie finally took his seat, when Mr.. Brown rose
and made = lengthy and ablo plea. Mr.. Loomis,
was, however. bound over to Court in the sum of
three hundred dollars, for his appearance. to an;
swer to a criminal charge. because he simply o..
pressed his opinion. This 10 freedom Of speech in
Ohiol Hurrah for Charlestown Democracy
They next quietly informed me, that / would
have to keep quiet, or l would be the next victim.
l am thankful for the information, but must inform
them that their threats arc not sufficiently alarm.
ing to induce me to obey. although they hav.
Squire Shelby, and the State of Ohio-a patriotic
hrm-wish tho army and navy, with bristllng bay,
onots, great. opsn.mouthed cannons, thousands Of
armed mon, captains, majors, and generals. 1
guess they will conquer, but conquer who9 not the
MeIicans, nor the Brighamite Mormons. Well,
then, who is it7 A colored man in Charlestown,
Portage County. Ohio, who stands armed with the
statute of Ohio. and . determination to insis. upon
his rights. Notwithstanding the established custom
OF past years. So come on with your forces, for
being quiet Is no part Of my mission.
The excitement RACES high in Charlestown, and
vi feel like singing. There is q good tims com.
ing, boys" for the present sapings and contortions
Of Democracy is certainly indicative Of il. death