The Evansville daily journal. [volume] (Evansville, Ia. [i.e. Ind.]) 1848-1862, 1860-08-25

Attempt to MuzzIe Free Speech im
NeRburSh.

; Attempt to MuzzIe Free Speech im
Newburgh.
According to previous announcement, a
I Republican mass meeting was held last
night in Newburgh, Warrick county. A
most infamous attempt was made by few
rufians of that place to break it up. The
time of writing this is late, and We can
only give brief sketch of the proceedings
on the occasion. We shall have something
further to say in our next issue.
The Wide Awakes, to the number OF
about 25O, accompanied by the Crescent
City Band and Glee Clnb, chartered the
Charley Bouen, and, starting at seven
o'clock, arrived there about nine. The
companies on disembarking, formed into
line and started for the place of speaking.
They marched up State street to the in
tersection of Second, and halted in front of
Phelps's corner. Immediately on landing
they were met with taunts, epithets, and
cries of niger thieves" abolitionists, y
"Jonn Brownites," Ossowatomies, and
all such infamous slang, which was kept up
all along tie line of march, and at the
stand.
After music by the Band, Hon. H. w.
Ellsworth was introduced by James G.
Jones, Esq, and proceeded to make a calm,
dspassionate speech half an hour long.
The interruptions were so constant and so
loud that many doubted whether he could
brave it out; but he did, and made tell
ing speech.
The Glee Club then sung song, and Mr..
J. G. Jones arose to speak. He said he had
heard cries of g woolIy head and negro
equality" Such cries, said he, could only
come from men who were infinitely below
the negroes.
Here the din became deafening. 1t pro-
ceeded from a small squad of rufians, led by
the Marshal Of the to,on-a blood Thirsty
miscreant named Sol. KoKER. Peaceable
attempts having been made to quiet the
noise a few of the Wide Awakes surround
ed the ruffians in order to take them away.
Koker and two others then drew pistols, and
Koker fourshed bowie-kn and defied
the peace makers. Suddenly he fired on the
Wide Awakes, aud then two other shots
were fired. The first struck Mr.. NJ. B.
Suiter, member of company C, Wide
Awakes, in the right shoulder, making a
painful wound, but not serious.
A portion of the Wide Awakes recoiled
from this unexpected attack, but soon rail-
lied, and made a rush for the rufians. One
of the latter named Bill Lee, was made to
bite the dust @Koker fed toward the river
and by dint of skillful lodging narrowly
escaped rough handling. Daring the me-
lee, Mr.. Stephen Sharp, a Wide Awake,
was struck in the head with stone and
stunned for short time The affray at
one time threatened serious results, but
luckily no one was killed.
The meeting being over, the Band played
an enlivening tune, and the Wide Awakes fell
into line, and marched to the boat IN perfect
order. The gibes of the rowdies were but
family heard. The Wide Awakes, as they
had done during the whole evening, except
when the speakers were interrupted, paid
no attention to the insults thrown at them,
but acted as respectable men should They
arrived at home about half past twelve
o'clock.
Most of the citizens of Newburgh, and
many of those from the interior of the coun-
ty present, were extremely mortified over
the disgrace which had fallen on their town
and county. They owe it to themselves to,
and we believe they will, see the outraged
law vindicated, and their town and county
relieved, as far as possible, from the disgrace
resting on them.
We regret very much to implicate any cit
izens of reputable name in this shameful in
terruption of peaceable meeting; but it is
well known, and can be proven by twenty
or more witnesses, that Capt. T. F. BETH
ELL formerly Representative from Warrick
in the Legislature), and NATHAN PIATT
president of the County Agricultural So
ciety), both leaders of the Democracy, and
heretofore regarded as order-loving and re-
spectacle men, were prominent in disturbing
the peace themselves and instigating the
ruffians who attempted to commit murder in
their attempt to stife free speech in free
State.
We shall CLOSE by remarkiEg, that Koker
is also prominent Democrat, and is now
the Democratic nominee for coroner of War
rick county
THE EXCURSION To NEwBURG.-The Char
leg Bowen, when she showed out for New
bu:g las evening, was literally alive with
nthnsia sti., Z ann hl inns Thn cnE;n rrar