Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1868-01-10

| him. The p1oof of his guilt was pienary
| The Jury convicted him and no respectable
man. white or black, has been heard
of who did not approve the verdict
Judge Warren sentenced him to six months
| imprisonment It was known that the
negroes, entitled to register in this county,
were much more numerous than the white s
who would be allowed to register, and that
| If the Reconstruction acts should be carried
out the negroes would control IN the next
election of Sheriff The Sheriff-no other
citizen joining him in it, and without the
knowledge Of any other white citizen, 1t Is
believed. addressed the Freedmen's Bu-
reau Agent in his county, long letter pur-
porting tc set forth the facts proved on the
trial, but carefully suppre sslng the most
material part of the evidence, concluding
with his opinion that the negro was wrong
fully convicted, and that the sentence was
unduly severe. and praying the Freedmen's
Bureau man to order his discharge from
prison. This officer deemed it inexpedient
to grant the prayer Of the petitioner with
out consulting his superior officer. 1t went
up, through the regular channels, to Gen.
Sickles, who referred it, for investigation
and report, to Gov. Worth. His investi-
cation disclosed the foregoing facts. and,
to the surprise and chagrin of the Sheriff,
disclosed to the people OF his county this
petty scheme 1.-THE best laid plans of
mice and men gang aft aglee. To the
credit of General Sickles, he refused to in
terfere.
.'The Sheriff of Pitt is ex-General Laffiin,
of the United States Army. The regular
Sheriff of Pitt WAS removed by our military
ruler and Latflin appointed in his place
He was appointed one of the poll-holders
at the late election for members Of the
Convention-was, himself, candidate for
seat il the Convention; and, the regis
tered negroes being largely in the ascend
ant over the registered whites, was, of
course, elected.
"These four Sheritfs are the officers de-
signated to organize and employ an
armed police force to be composed Of loyal
citizens" white and black, acting together
the negroes being the more numerous
class Even in the loyal North the white
and black soldiers act separately. This
force is to be paid out of The County Treas
ury, to wear u distinguishing badge and
be under the general supervision of the
military.
"Crime has been frightfully prevalent
in these counties. What else could be eX
pected under circumstances such as We have
stated
"For some time past, it is said, all the
1amlnGS IN many paiLS Oh tu6Ho CoHAtle0
never sleep at once. Some keep watch
while the others sleep.
"The above facts nave come to us from
the best sources We state them, for the
information of the public, and to show that
the condition of affairs in our lower Coun-
ties is such, that no reliance can be placed
upon police impr0oiSed for an emergency,
when the materials from which it is to be
made are mostly blacks, who are the prin-
cipal offenders and disturbers OF the pub
lie peace The action of the military may
be dictated by what they conceive to be a
wise policy, but properly organized o0hite
force in the State, under regular army Off
GERS, it is clear to our minds, should be
employed in our present condition, to az
rest the disorders which prevail in that
section.
Poor old North Carolina ! Afflicted by
the dispensations OF Providence, with scar
city of food, and with harpies at home and
abroad, gnawing at her very vitals, can
any balm be found in Gilcad, to southe thy
affections I? Thank God the awakening
sense of justice and of mercy, on the part
of the masses of the North, presents to our
fearful vision the rainbow OF hope.