Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1860-01-13
Brutal Outrage !
AN RIsHMAN's sUFFERINes IN SOUTH
CAROLINA.


lima, from the n. Y. Independent, and
would call to it the particular attention
of all Irishmen and foreigners, who so
generally think they must support the
Democratic ticket;
The Northern newspapers have re-
Gently republished a brief paragraph
from The Charleston Mercury, announc-
ing in very nonchalsnt style; that q
workman engaged on the State House,
in Columbia, S. c., was recently seized
by mob on account, as was alleged, OF
holding anti-slavery opinions, and that he
received twenty-nine lashes, and was
tarred and feathered, and escorted out of
the state
1t took very few lines to tell this
story, according to the style ofthe South
ern press; for it is trait of Southern
chiyalry, first to practice cruelty, and then
TO suppress the facts.
We have seen the unfortunate man,
and heard his story, and looked at his
wounds His name is James Power
He is an intelligent young man, about
tweny-three years of age, a native Of
Wexford, Ireland, and q stone-cutter by
trade. He went from Philadelphia to
the South, and obtained employment in
in Columbia, where he had worked for
nine months.
The only opinion he ever expressed
against slavery was that it caused a
white laborer in the South to be looked
upon as an inferior and degraded man.
But this was enough The remark was
reported to the Vigilance Committee,
Composed of twelve members,) who i'm
mediately ordered the police to arrest
him. He was seized two miles away
from town, in attempting to escape. He
was brought back, and put in a cell,
where he remained for three days, dur
ing which time he was denied the use of
pen and ink, and all communication with
his friends outside.
At length be was taken before the
Mayor. -Four persons appeared and
bore testimony to the remark which he
had made. The evidence was conclusive.
He was returned to prison, and kept
locked up for six days, During this
time, he was allowed only two scanty
meals day, and the food was carried to
him by negro. He was then taken out
of Jail in the custody of two marshals,
who said TO him,
You are so fond Of niggers, that we
are going to give you niger escort"
He was led through the main street
amid great crowd, hooting and yelling,
the mar5ilals compelling two negroes to
drag him through the puddles and mud
dy places Of the street, and of the State
House yard AS be was taken past the
State House, three members of the leg
stature including the Speaker, stood
looking on and laughing The crowd
gradually increased until it numbered
several thousand persons, headed by a
troop of horse.
After march of three miles out OF
the city, to place called " the juno
ton" the procession was stopped and
preparations were made for punishment
The populace cried, i" Brand him l''-
F." Burn him !" 3" Spike him to death p
and made threats against his life by point,
ing pistols at bis head, and fourishing
sticks in his face.
The Vigilance committee ordered him
to strip himself naked, and forced a ne.
gro to assist in taking off the clothes. A
Cowhide was then put into the negro:
hands, who was ordered to lay on thirty.
nine lashes, mot twenty-nine, as report.
ed,) and TO draw blood with every stroke
Our informant describes the pain of this
infiction as exceeding in severity any.
thing which he ever suffered before. Hi:
back and lower limbs are still covered
with the scars of the wounds
A bucket Of tar was then brought
and two negroes were ordered to rub i
upon his bleeding skin, and to cover him
from head TO waist. His hair and eve
brows were clotted with the tar. Afte,
this part of the ceremony was concluded
he was covered with feathers. Hi,
pantaloons were then drawn I'D to hi.
waist, but ne was not allowed to put OF
has shirt or coat. He was conducted II
this exposed condition, amid the shouts
of the popuIace, to the railroad train. .ne
was put on board the negroes car. The
engineer blew continuous blast on hi.
whistle to signalize the performance.
A citizen Of Charleston on the train
who saw the poor feIlow,s unba,n,, 90.