Clearfield Republican. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1851-1937, 1859-05-25
From the Home Journal.
Tales of the South.
BY A SOUTHERN MAN.
THE AVENGER.
| Continued from last Week. |


The first scene in the drama of retribu-
ton was now closed a second and final
one was soon to open. A. N, ac,
companied by Lynn, embarked the same
evening on steamer for New Orleans,
and, Immediately on his arrival in that
city, took q passenger boat for Nicksburg
The trip was made in the usual time -
On lis arrival at Nicksburg, he-found the
whele city in commotion, and a popular
tumult raging with almost demoniac fierce
ness. A brief statement will suffice to eX-
plain the cause of this state of things.
1t will be remembered that most of the
events herein described, transpired dur
jng the flush times of lS3-." One Of
tbeconcomitants, or rather results, Of that,
thNs far, most vicious period in our ma
tional annals, was the extraordinary mul.
tiplcatiou of gamblers all over the coun-
try The passion for speculation, which
demented the land, seeking for gratifica-
ton in every imaginable form, seized,
with avidity, upon the gaming table-so
munifcent always in promise, and so mig
gard ever in perfornance-as a favorite
means for stimulating, if not for satiating,
its most imperial cravings after wealth.
Gamblers literally swarmed in every town,
city, village and cross-road, inn or store
in the country.
The city of Vicksburg, for some reason
or other, became favorite place of resort
for these worthless vagabonds. They con
aregated there, in immense numbers, from
all sections, and held high regel in the
saloons Of folly Audacious by virtue OF
their pursuit, and emboldened by their
multitude, they became not only intense
ly annoying, but positively dangerous to
the law>abiding portion of the communi-
tv. Respectable ladies dared not walk
the streets, even III the daytime, for fear
Of being insulted by the gross Jadinagc ofI
gambling bullies. Houses were entered
aad pillaged, both night and day, and the
trespass, nine times out of ten, could be
directly traced to the desperadoes of the
gaming-table They murdered and rob |
bed, stole and swindled, bullied and brow- |
beat, all over the city. Remoustrance was
uRheeded, and warning, repeatedly and |
fairly given, was derided by them. For. |
beSrance was at length exhausted, and the |
cup of public indignation filed to over |
tlcwing. The citizens of Vicksburg and |
the vicinity rose en- maSSc, surrounded the |
gaming-houses, seized many of the lead |
ing gamblers, dispersed the rest, tried the !
captured offenders by the summary pro-
cess Of Lynch law, and condemned them
to be hung upon the spot.
The writer is no advocate Of or apollo
glst for, mob law. He reprobatcs, with all |
the energy of his nature, its tumultuous
arrests, its always illegal, and, too often.
merely mock trials, its arbitrary and gen
orally dlsproportioned penalties, and the
swift and terrible execution of its equally
swift and terrible sentences. Let the su-
premacy Of the law be everywhere and
eyermore proclaimed and upheld rs at
once the true glory and the only safety of
our American democracies.
But if ever there was a case entitled to
exception from the rule of the ordinary
administration Of the law, it was that of
the punishment of the gamblers by the
citizens of Vicksburg. Along with the
oensure, which loyalty to the law compels
Us TO pronounce upon their conduct, let
there be mingled the mitigation to be
Wawn IRON the circumstances which sur
round the transaction. A terrible and un-
lawful chastsement was inflicted but an
almost unbearable provocation drew down
the blow. Let the lawless retribution,
|and the still more lawless guilt which it
punished, be chronicled together by the
pen OF impartial history and then let
Posterity say whether Mississippi or the
outh has much cause to redden with
name over this bloody page in our domes-
when A. NJ arrived in Y Nicksburg,
pc verdict of the popular jury, condemn.
the gamblers to be hung, was about
elng carried into effect. An immense
soWd had assembled. Great excitement
tevailed but the most perfect order was
served. Seated on carts and wagons,
"a their arms pinioned, and escorted
an armed guard, and the whole con-
urse Of spectators, the gamblers were
med forth to the place of execution,
zen was in the immediate suburbs Of
city.
N mingled in the crowd, and
sed up as close TO the gamblers as he
ld get with the view of ascertain /