The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1869-11-14


MIR. EDITOR: a copy of tho Republican,
(which purports to DO published in Co
lu mbia,) was shown me, continuing an
article from an 'occasional correspond
ent, giving IL graphic description of tho
sayings and doings of the Democracy of
Ahbevile District, at the late election OF
representatives to the Legislature, ma
ligning the good citizens of the District
in general. and of certain sections in par
ticulT;; truth proved insufficient, and
ooinages were made to suit the writer,
who cannot be u truo citizen, however
loudly he may hail from Abbevillc. He
alluded to the various election precincts,
and accorded to the action of the Demo
Gratis degree of rascality really shock
ing; the truth Of all his statements arc
about on the order of his remarks with
respect to Due West. He states that
two deputy constables were sent to Due
West the day preceding the election, aud
being unable to obtain lodgings else
where, "pm up with" colored citizen.
that no effort was made to obtain lodg-
ings except at their "colored" brothers,
so fur as can be discovered He states,
further, that after retiring to bed, these
deputies were aroused by mob, COM
posed Of citizens and students OF this
College, who threatened to tar and feather
and rido on rail the two radical gentle
men, and slyly limiting TINT they had
bettor not remain i'll town the next day,
ended the affair by "Mr0,ring rocks mld
stones against Tie house and fring .ffly or
sicily pistol Shots into dnM ore,- Tie house. +"
Never was falschood greater, and never
were quiet citizens mot one o. trhOnl Sa,r
these scalawngs) more wrongel. Not i
single citizen was out the night of the
affair alluded to, except resident stu
dents of the College,; nor did q single
student throw rocks or stones against or
near the dwelling, or fire single shot
into the same. The truth of the whole
matter is Us follows: a report was circu-
lated that two radicals had entered the
town, with the purpose Of having meet
ing at night, composed Of the negroes in
and around Due West. Several students
agreed among themselves to attend the
meeting. with no hostile purpose what
ever. Before starting, however, it was
found that quite number of the stu
dents had the same object in view. Hav-
ing arrived ut The place reported to be
the one Of rendezvous for tho negroes,
the building was found empty. Return
ing to town, the two radicals were found
ut IL colored citizens shanty, but there
were no signs OF y meeting. a student,
IN advance OF the others, stepped for
ward and asked if Al meeting would take
place AS was reported. An answer was
given i'll the negative, and, upon inquiry,
the students We're told by these men that
they lad nothing to do with the election.
After satisfying curiosity, (for no other
motive impclied them, the students left,
without throwing /. rock or stone, and
u" demonstration was made, except tho
i'll" act Of emptying IL few pistols into
the air by II few who happened to have
pistols abont their persons. Many had
no weapon whatever, except, perhaps, Il
pocket-knife. From boarding place
containing twelve students, t,ro had pis-
tolls with them. Thus, idle curiosity has
been construed into hostile intention,
and one OF the wild goose cllases Of Col
lcsn lifo dignitied with the title of a De-
m"cratic hostile demonstration.
ERSKINE.
COLUMBIA, S. G., November 10, 1869.