The Baltimore County union., 1867-08-17
ghaII the Proodmen be nducated ?

bring us the particulars OF fearful riot winch
lately took place at centerville, in Queen An.
ne's county. tits the old storyi A large num-
bcr Of negroes had convened In the town, by
agreement, for the purpose of taking measures
looking to the education of their race they
had expected 20 hold their meeting in the
Court House Square, but Official pro hibi,ion
prevented this, aud they quietly adjourned 10
a grove near town, where they were addressed
by Gen. Gregory, Judge Bond, aud others. not
about politics, but on educational subjects on
ly. Tho meeting was orderly and peaceable,
not one word calculated 10 offend decent
white man being spoken, bEt they 'scre negroes.
and as such the objects Of the fierce anger Of
Eastern Shore Democracy. While quietly dis.
Persing TO their homes, they were attacked by
u gang Of white men, aud beaten, stoned. shot
at and maltreA.sd In every possible way. But.
Of course, the authors and originators Of this
outrage were arrestedi Not . bit Of H. While
young Jump and veasy, late fron the rebel
army, who commenced the firing, 60 free, sew
eral poor negroes are arrested and incarcerateds
in Jail, charged sih riofing. One poor fellow
was found after nght.fall, lying In n field,
bleeding from several wounds. and with pis
tol.ball in his side. Afaer an earnest consul
tation whether he shouldn't be Immediately
I" finished was held, meey was determined
upon, and he was carried 10 prison. We have
seen the evidence Of q prominent democrat
who was present at this meeting. lie says
that no word calculated TO stir up animosity
between the whites and blacks was spoken
that the advice given by the speakers 10 the
blacks might well have been heard by white
people and prodted by; that the attack upon
the negroes was entirely unprovoked and cause
less.
Should such outrages be tolerated ina Chris
tianiandl bya people that profess TO deal just
ly by all men The negro has been kept in
ignorance and slavery he has been denied
the privileges Of education he has had no op-
portunity Of fitting himself for any higher Po.
sition in life than that Of a ~hewer of wood
~and drawer Of water !" even the Divine
truths of the word OF God have been 10 him n
mystery and a shadow. because he could not
dt himselfto fathom their meaning. Events
have made him free aud a eit,sea he realizes
that high duties and privileges are now, or
soon will be, his; that to accommodate him
self Ia his new position he mus, be educated,
and the whole race has joined in cry To the
white man. Come and help Us; let u sit at
"your feet and learn wisdom" Good men.
Christian men, have responded to this call 1:
they meet the negroes in different parts
Of the State. and point out the Way whereby
they may advance their educational interests I;
they advise moderation in all things. frugality
in living, temperance in their conduct; they
tell them 10 save their money and build school.
houses and churches. wherein they and their
children may be made wiser and better men.
For giving swch advice. these good men are the
recipients Of the iouest abuse that the fell spir-
Il OF democracy can bestow. aud often meet
with personal violence For listening IN sEeh
teachings. the poor negr~is beaten. and brnis-
esl and shot.
Gen. Gregory and Judge Bond have been Sc
verely denoancei by .he coPPerheah press for
their efforts in the eaase ofthe freedmen. The
one has been cailedsn adventurer-a sknlkcr
from active duties in the army. 4e.; the other.
we are told. is a worthless character. n
runner from northern STATE, who. by fraud
and violence succeeded in having himself
elected TO the Office ofJudge. Are these things
tsues Who arc these men Let US see
Judge Bond, was born aud raised in Hartford
county, and comes OF one of the "oldest fami-
lies " Of our STATE. He Is q Christian
member of the Methodist Church-his life is
blameless. Most Of our readers remember
when the Criminal Court of baltimore city,
under Judge stump. was a nuisance, and how
iherespectable people OF the city anxiousiy
waited for TIC time when they could displace
that Judge. II came at last, and Judge Hugh
Lennox Bond, an excellent lawyer. a christian
gentleman, a firm and upright man, was Sc
lected TO bring the Criminal Court back into
good repute. When the war for the Union
commenced. Judge Bond took sides with his
country, and has there stood ever since. Re-
cognizing the altered position given 10 the ne
groes by their freedom, he has earnestly labor-
ell n ft them for that position. giving them
sound, practical. lucid advice as 10 their rights
and duties and telling them how they may in
deed become citizens. This is Judge Bond,
whom eopperheads denounee 80 bitterly.
We remember Mai. General Gregory as an
officer Of the glorious old " Fifth Army Corps"
and no braver man was found within its or
ganisation. At the beginning Of the war he
entered the army as private, and won his
"stars " by hard duty and brave actions
when the rebellion was over. and the Freed.
mons Bureau had been established, General
Gregory was retained In serviee ~ one Of lie
agents lie is peculiarly fitted Sor the work.
lie, too, Is q ehri stian. and believer In uni.
versal education. To elevate the character of
all men il his earnss, desire. and ior his ef.
forts in this cause he is being bitterly dsnoun.
ced. He Il but Pursu ing his allotted path. but
obeying the commands ofhiu superior officers,
and while this is the case, We know enough Of
the man to say that he will never bs driven
back from the path Of duty by coppsrhead
threatsnings, slander or abuse. -
But. 10 the credit Of our State be II said, all
our communities arc act lsks that Sf csstsF-
Vile. Gen. Gregory and Judge Bond have
spoken al many places where their Efforts In
good cause have been appreciated. They adj
dressed meeting here, and some Of the largest
contributors 70 The eoloFed educational fond
were democrats; In - Marys county. Hon.
Mr.. Key, q prominent democratic politician,
gave Gen. 0Fegqry lot on which 70 build .
school-house ioithe colored people. and lead.
ing eitiaan of Charles county gave ansshsr.--
In Calvert. the ether day, the General and
Judge Bond addressed The largest audience
ever assembled In the county, composed alike
of whites and blacks The spsaksrs we're not
only tolerated but 'ssicsusd BY ths bat cltissns
of The county, who pledged their every eaort
10 further NE doctrines proclaimed IN the al
dresses.
80 should Il be every where. We trust there
will nevar be another aCentarville affair %
within our befdars. TIE authors Of The out
rags there wiil psobably new er be brought 10
justice The wsii known rebel tendencies of
the Centre vifisans isrbid any hope Of such
CONTAMINATION. nor are eur State ausharlsSss
likely b Interfere, but we hoes ,hai paliIr
opinion which - unanimuusIy saaasmn. sAl.
outrage. will hasn iis efiset s.ssas-<s--th.,