Bellows Falls times. [volume] (Bellows Falls, Vt.) 1856-1965, 1868-07-24

in the present month. This gives an av-
erage of 313 per year. Of these 939
homicides, there were:
By whites 46i whites, 373 freedmen, 837
BY freedmen. 10 whites 4S freedmen. 6s
And by parties whose race is unknown, 4S
Now, incomplete as they are, these fig
ures tell a frightful story of blood. They
represent stubborn facts which cannot be
suppressed by denials, or by denouncing
them as fabricated for political effect.
And whoever attempts it is not only un-
faithful to history, not only an apologist
for crime, but may be justly charged as
an accessory to the wickedness itself, as
encouraging and abetting murderers, and
as equally guilty with them. We can
not shut our eyes upon these appalling
scenes of bloodshed; and, instead of at
tempting to conceal them, it becomes us
to face them honestly, and address our
selves to the duty of discovering the
cause and locating the responsibility of
this slaughter of our fellow citizens"
In regard to freedom of speech, the
committee say:
"There is absolute freedom of speech
in very few localities in Texas. Union
men dare not generally avow their polit-
ical convictions. In many places they
can hold public meetings only when sup
ported by troops or armed men and in
many others they dare not hold them at
all. In several instances their assemblies
have been broken up and fired upon, and
their speakers ordered to desist. The
dominant rebel element will not tolerate
free discussion. We have been challeng-
ed to produce cases of Union men and
freedmen being prosecuted for their 10y
atty. We now do so. Judge Black was
republican he was murdered in 1867,
in Uvalde county by rebel. Milton
Biggs was Union man, and had been
appointed county judge of Blanco coun-
ty. He was murdered in 1867, while
plowing in his field, before he could quail
ify. Judge Christian, loyal man of
Bell county, was pursued into Missouri
and murdered by party of rebels. Mr.
Wade and seven other gentlemen were
killed in Lamar county last year for
their Unionism. Four men were recent
ly murdered in the county of Hunt, and
six in Bell county, for their loyalty
Within the present month the county
| Judge and the district clerk of Hunt
county have been driven from their
homes and compelled to fly for theiI
lives, because of their unyielding attach
ment to the government. Hundreds Of
loyal men, to our knowledge, are at this
time forsaking their homes in Texas, flee,
ing from the assassin, forced away by
rebel intolerance. And we have put il
to record that honorable members of this
convention are to-day exiles from theil
| fresides and dare not return to theil
families, for the only reason that they
will not forswear their principles. Now
while it remains true that the Union mer
of Texas constitute a very small proper
ton of the white population, and while
it is true that they are being killed by
the rebels, it is impossible to escape the
conclusion that they are killed for theiI
| Unionism. In other words-if they
were rebels they would not be killed"
Full particulars of many Of the out
RACES and assassinations which have been
perpetrated are given. The report then
continues as follows;
"During the three months Of Gov
Pease's administration, aided and sus