Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1868-05-08
Retr,burton-Nesro Equality Comes Home
to Roost.

We published some horrid details IN re
card to General Mowers sad experience o.
his own doctrines of negro equality from
the New Orleans correspondent OF the Cln
cinnati Enquirer We now publish differ
ent version of this affair from paper pub
lished in the immediate vicinity in which
the outrage was perpetrated.
Half e4tury ago, when emancipation
was much discussed, and even Mr.. JEFFER
SON arrayed himself as one of its advocates
n colored speaker and preacher was can
wasting Virginia in favor Of the scheme
and was entertained at the house OF some
yery excellent, but enthusiastic friends o.
JOHN RANDOLPH. Tradition says that the
philanthropic lady who entertained the
preacher endeavored to COMBAT the
preiudices'' of this sagacious statesman,
and that he closed the conversation by
saving. "Madam, those who sheet thei1
best beds and uncork their best wines for
negro guests, are not very far from having
mulatto grandchildren" The application
in this case is obvious. Those who think
that the races are equal can enjoy the
opinion, but those who attempt to force 1!
npon others will merit the predictions OF
JOHN RANDOLPH.
We hope the facts of this case may be
investigated, and if either version which
we have published prove true, may 1t be
lesson to those of the North who endorse,
and those with Us who approve OF, one Sec
ton imposing upon another social con-
dition that is repulsive and horrible. In this
case if the negro was at fault he received
his lust punishment. if, o horrible suppo-
sition the woman was guilty partner Of
his crime, public indignation should be
visited upon those who taught or tolerated
the doctrine of negro social equality which
seems to have produced such deplorable
effects.
But will not such fragrant examples as
this dispel the apathy and break down the
hostilities of a people Must it be brought
nearer home to have effect It is crime
against humanity. It may stir people
beyond the restraints of party. 1t may
make q revolution-at least of social
opinion,
A notable instance in history of peo-
pie awakened to the injustice OF govern
ment, by single act of violence to wo-
man, is referred to by an exchange which
is most applicable in this case.
Virginia was the daughter of a centuri-
on or captain. She was seized by man of
power for his own base purposes. The
agonized father appealed to the Roman
government and to public sympathy. He
abased himself before the brutal judge
All appeals were in vain. Maddened by
the injustice, he plunged knife into the
heart Of his daughter and cried out to the
author of the deed, ''On thee be the curse
of this innocent blood p The bloody
knife was the signal of instruction. The
army saw that knife. They had mothers
and sisters. They seized the Aventine.-
They demanded redress. The party in
power were compelled to yield, and the
government OF Rome passed into the hands
of men more just and merciful. A single
case of personal outrage will do more to
arouse people to sense of injustice than
any amount of speaking or writing The
publication of facts in this case will do
more to remind the North how cruel it is
to impose on us what they will not submit
to themselves, than all the legislation of
Congress and all the protests of the South.
1t will show them that the cup poisoned
for us may and does become their own
May the sad lesson intimated In the publ
cation which follows have the effect of
bringing to the Northern mind the ter
rible consequences of social amalgalnation
What God has formed let not man put
asunder, and what God has separated let
not man impiously insist on uniting.
HORRIBLE AFFAIR.
From the Ransboro (Miss.) Democrat
We are reliably informed that most hor-
rible affair TRANSFERRED on ship Island in the
early part of this month. 1t appears, so
far as we can learn, that young negro sol
dier gained access to the sleeping apart
ment of Gen. Mowers daughter, beauti-
full and accomplished girl, about sixteen
years of age. What was accomplished We
know not, and can only surmise from the
subsequent results. 1t appears that q
younger child called her father, and he and
the officer of the day who, upon arriving at
the spot, found the negro in possession of
the guard, which was stationed in the vi
cinity of the Generals quarters. appears
that a court-martial was at once organized
and the negro soldier sentenced to be exc
cuted by hanging. But the General inter-
fered and the sentence was suspended, but
it is currently reported that the negro was
killed inside the fort, put into sack and
thrown into the gulf. While bloody knives
and other weapons, bearing the signs of
being used, were seen on the Island and
the under officers spoke freely of his dis
patch and his we'll deserved death, yet the
negro soldiers on the Island were still led
to believe that the dead negro was sent to
Mobile on vessel leaving about that time
for Mobile.
While we look with horror upon trans
actions of this kind, and believe that the
brute who would attempt the chastity of a
white lady could not be visited with too
severe punishment or one that could be
considered cruel, under any circumstances !;
yet We might be excused for thus thinking,
for we have deemed the negro as property
and our fathers before us and we fought to
the best of our poor ability to keep them as