National opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1865-1874, 1868-04-17
Assassination Of Hon. Geo. W. ASH
burn of Georgia.

DuIH vi ucOIYid'
The following letter from a man
OF high character in Georgia, which
we take from the Washington
Chronicle gives the particulars Of a
most atrOcious murder which is one
of the out-croppings of unsubdned
treasOn-an act worthy of the inhu-
man wretches who call themselves
the chivalry Of the South":
COLUMBUS, GA, March 81, 1868.
Hon. j. W. ForHey:
DEAR SIR: One of the most bru-
tai and inhuman events ever record
ed by mortal pen occurred in this
city about l O'clock this morning.
"A large mass meeting was held here
last night, in Temperance hall, for
the purpose Of listening to a speech
from the Rev. Henry NJ. Turner,
colored. About eighteen hundred
persons were crowded into the spa
cious room, goodly share Of whom
were whites. The speaker was ac-
companed on the platform by the
Hon. G.. w. AShburn, Hon. j. a.
Caldwell, Rev. {. w. Parker, and
few leading colorcd men.
The speaker (Mr. Turner) held his
audience entranccd for over two
hours, and his speech was regarded
| 10y both white and colorcd as one OF
his best efforts. He was frequently
interrupted by the hcartiest applause
from all parties, even the bltterest
rebels admitting that he made very
many good points in his allusionSto
the Democratic party. At about
half past eleven O'clock the assem-
blage dispersed, and everybody
seemed in the best of humor /
have never known a meeting in this
place to break up in better spirit
than this did. The alter-part Of the
programme, however, had not been
played. Laughter and cheering
were made to give place to other
emotions and feelings, and these
We're Of the basest and most Hcnd-
ish description.
Colonel Ashburn left the hall in
company with the others and went
to his boarding house. After writ
ing a few letters to some of his
friends in regard to the prospect Of
ratilying the constitution he had
done 50 much in helping to frame,
he retired to his bed. Alas. how
short was his repOse. Only a few
moments thereafter and the house
was completely surrounded with a
number Of tiends i'll human shape in
every conceivable disguise, with
black faces made to cover the black
ness OF their deeds. They broke
down the doors, rushed inupon him,
and after Lighting a few parlor
matches, commenced firing balls
from several loaded pistols until they
had riddled him almost to pieces,
and finally stabbed nina several
times with their bowie-lniyes. In
the meanwhile Ashburn attempted
to escape at one Of the doors, bat
was met by some Of the S, me vii
lains, and, in trying tot fly from theil
grasp, was either knocked down OF
shot back until he was icarfully
bruised and literally torn to pieces
! with balls. from the effects Of which
he died.
Hon. G. W. Ashburn was a man OF
excellent attachments and Of ire
proachablc character. The only
fault amy one could charge him with
was his loyalty to his country and
the belief that Congress- was right
in it's plan of rcconstructing The
South. The rebels had threatened
to Kill him on several occasions
simply because he was allied :,
= Congressional reconstruction.
None Of these devils have beer
found, and it appears to have beer
a concerted thing between the par
ties themselves and the police. Ev
elybody knows if it Lad been other
, wise SO many pistol fires, screams
of the woman, &c, would hay,
aroused the police. The negroes ar,
much excited this morning, and i
would take but little to avcnge hi
death. They are coming in from
the country, and the sober white
men are much exercised.